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The Cycling Thread

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
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62,554
Reports that Nicolas Portal, Team Ineos' (ex Sky) Directeur Sportif has died of a heart attack age 40.

Very sad.
He was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia in 2009 and had to retire young because of it. He's been a massive part of the Sky/Ineos apparatus, everybody liked and respected him in the field. Terribly sad.
 

NorfolkArgus

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2020
516
2,373
He was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia in 2009 and had to retire young because of it. He's been a massive part of the Sky/Ineos apparatus, everybody liked and respected him in the field. Terribly sad.
Had read this. I only vaguely remembered him as a rider. Rode TdF 6 times.

Can't imagine how his family are feeling now, young kids by all accounts.
 

spurslenny

I hate football
Nov 24, 2006
7,543
6,519
Sad indeed. RIP


In happier news, I've just spunked £170 (retail at £230) on a pair of white Sidi Ergo 5 carbon road shoes. Fucking beauts.
Screenshot_20200304-141752.png
 

aussiespursguy

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,437
6,677
This is a real pity. The Spring classics are by far my favourite races. I can sort of understand Milan - San Remo with the problems in Northern Italy. Such a pity.

 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,554
This is a real pity. The Spring classics are by far my favourite races. I can sort of understand Milan - San Remo with the problems in Northern Italy. Such a pity.

Ineos are withdrawing as well after Portal's death, they also gave corona as an additional reason. I can see that race being cancelled completely.

 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
I've just got a budget road bike, Viking 100. Used to mountain bikes in parks when I was younger. Not ridden in a while but my estate has lots of space to practice. what can I expect?
 

aussiespursguy

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,437
6,677
I've just got a budget road bike, Viking 100. Used to mountain bikes in parks when I was younger. Not ridden in a while but my estate has lots of space to practice. what can I expect?
Probably a so arse to start with!
Bike looks ok. Not available over here that I know of but specs look ok for a starter. Biggest difference will be the steering and the ride will be harder than you will be used to from a MTB.
Good luck and enjoy.
 

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
11,916
16,436
I've just got a budget road bike, Viking 100. Used to mountain bikes in parks when I was younger. Not ridden in a while but my estate has lots of space to practice. what can I expect?
Probably a so arse to start with!
Bike looks ok. Not available over here that I know of but specs look ok for a starter. Biggest difference will be the steering and the ride will be harder than you will be used to from a MTB.
Good luck and enjoy.
When he says "the ride will be harder", he means you'll have a sore arse for a say or two after your first ride. Physically propelling the bike will be much, much easier than you're used to on an MTB. There will also be an element of fear to start with - you'll likely be higher up and will feel a lot less "planted".
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
When he says "the ride will be harder", he means you'll have a sore arse for a say or two after your first ride. Physically propelling the bike will be much, much easier than you're used to on an MTB. There will also be an element of fear to start with - you'll likely be higher up and will feel a lot less "planted".
I've given it a go, arrived on the 1st and I'm loving it! Love taking corners and I feel so much better with the handling than an MTB. I had used a mates on before and the close steering was daunting but this feels like second nature. Also I've not had the sore arse as well, but the furthest I've been is 22k on a STRAVA ride. But I've cycled from greenwich to kings cross and around town with my mates and didn't feel sore at all despite definitely doing more than 22k on that day. We've decided to attempt Brighton on the 1st of august. I'm gradually feeling myself getting better at climbing too, which I know I will need to cross the South Downs. But then I've heard there's not shame in pushing on the harder gradients. Any novices that have attempted this at all able to give me any tips or hints?
 

NorfolkArgus

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2020
516
2,373
I've given it a go, arrived on the 1st and I'm loving it! Love taking corners and I feel so much better with the handling than an MTB. I had used a mates on before and the close steering was daunting but this feels like second nature. Also I've not had the sore arse as well, but the furthest I've been is 22k on a STRAVA ride. But I've cycled from greenwich to kings cross and around town with my mates and didn't feel sore at all despite definitely doing more than 22k on that day. We've decided to attempt Brighton on the 1st of august. I'm gradually feeling myself getting better at climbing too, which I know I will need to cross the South Downs. But then I've heard there's not shame in pushing on the harder gradients. Any novices that have attempted this at all able to give me any tips or hints?
Definitely, definitely build your distance up over the next few weeks. You don't need to have completed 80km before you do the ride, but certainly I would have at least a couple of 50 km rides under my belt.

Figure out what you want to eat on the ride. 80 km isn't a monstrous distance, but you will need to eat every 30/45 mins to keep you going, and eating with a dry mouth while wheezing like a 40-a-day smoker is not easy. So try a few things on a practice ride to see what has enough moisture to be able to easily swallow.

Get to some hills and think about gearing (Box Hill is a good steady climb). Find a gear you can turn with a steady cadence. Try not to change gear too often on the hill, it messes with your rhythm and saps energy. It also does no good to your mech when changing gear under heavy strain.

Drink water regularly. Little and often.

Pace yourself. Don't hit it hard early just because you feel good.

Enjoy it, even when your legs are screaming.
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
Definitely, definitely build your distance up over the next few weeks. You don't need to have completed 80km before you do the ride, but certainly I would have at least a couple of 50 km rides under my belt.

Figure out what you want to eat on the ride. 80 km isn't a monstrous distance, but you will need to eat every 30/45 mins to keep you going, and eating with a dry mouth while wheezing like a 40-a-day smoker is not easy. So try a few things on a practice ride to see what has enough moisture to be able to easily swallow.

Get to some hills and think about gearing (Box Hill is a good steady climb). Find a gear you can turn with a steady cadence. Try not to change gear too often on the hill, it messes with your rhythm and saps energy. It also does no good to your mech when changing gear under heavy strain.

Drink water regularly. Little and often.

Pace yourself. Don't hit it hard early just because you feel good.

Enjoy it, even when your legs are screaming.
Cheers that sounds great. I'm not looking to say get an amazing time, I just want to complete it. Happy to go at an average of 10-12 mph and take 7 hours with a few breaks. No massive sprints to tire my legs out, Would it be doable?
 

NorfolkArgus

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2020
516
2,373
Cheers that sounds great. I'm not looking to say get an amazing time, I just want to complete it. Happy to go at an average of 10-12 mph and take 7 hours with a few breaks. No massive sprints to tire my legs out, Would it be doable?
In that time, no problem. 20kph (12-13mph) is very achievable even with the hills, so you can factor in a few leisurely breaks and have time to spare I'd say.

Not sure how many bottles you're taking but might be an idea to figure out where to refill as you should be drinking about 1 an hour. The easiest way to 'bonk' is to dehydrate by not drinking regularly enough.
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
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Cheers thankyou , I think with pubs closed it will have to be stops at corner shops to get water. I've been doing the past few weekends getting into London 10miles then cycling round for 2/3 hours with mates then back down. Do you think that is sufficient to build up fitness given the pace we're going to be going at?
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
Bit of an update today, Did 32 miles at least today from my Strava! Felt like I could go on for ever. Also did the dreaded Swains lane.
 

NorfolkArgus

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2020
516
2,373
I went very very slow! Lowest gears. But not as hard as the ditchling beacon which I will have to cross.
Have heard Ditchling Beacon is fun. Out here in Norfolk we don't have much in the way of hills, sadly.

I reckon you'll be OK with it if you get your rhythm right.
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
Did my first 40 miler today, just sub 3 hours. Brighton is coming up on the first of august! I think that hydration and nutrition are so key. Especially electrolytes and energy gels
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
Guys keep on having issues with pinch flats. I'm a heavier guy 97 kilos on a road bike running 23mm tyres. I've been using a track pump to get pressure to 120 PSI do I need to go higher?
 
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