Andybarbet
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 04:50 PM |
|
|
Cycling, any hints/tips ??
I have started cycling again after quite a few years of not doing much due to back problems, cycling seems to give me no issue's back wise so I
figured it has to be a good thing.
I am currently doing about 17 miles 3 times a week - I work 8 or so miles away from home so figure if I ride in a few times a week, it must do me some
good & save's a few quid in petrol too.
Im enjoying it so far, autumn weather isnt really bothering me too much, I know its not the best time to be doing it but its worth a shot 
Does anyone have any hints or tips on how many times I should be going out per week, how far I should go to have a good workout but not to knock
myself out too much ? What sort of speed should I be averaging to make it worth while etc.
My current route takes me through the country lanes all the way, quite a few up & down hills, i'm definately working up a sweat so something
must be happening !
Im riding a mountain type bike with front suspension, being sensible & wearing a protective cycling hat, gloves (seem to help the hands), drinking
lots of water on the way & have lights for when the nights start drawing in.
I have been told that long term I should look for a 'Hybrid' bike with road tyres but at the mo my current ride is free, in good useable
condition etc
I am planning on doing the London to Brighton ride next year with a couple of chums who have expressed an interest in getting into cycling, we are all
approaching 40 so it seems a good time to try & keep fit.
Also, if I get really into this, what recommendations does anyone have of bikes to look out for ? Im sure I wont be able to afford £400 upwards but
£200 might be reachable in a few months, are there any 2nd hand bikes worth looking at ?
Cheers in advance 
|
|
|
|
|
clanger
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 05:50 PM |
|
|
welcome to two wheels, more fitness and more money in your pocket.
17miles is a good commute on a MTB believe me, especially as the weather turns a bit. keep it up and you'll soon see the benefits. Regular
riding is the key to maintaining and gaining fitness.
good idea with the lights, the more the better, get some reflective stuff like spoke reflectors, scotchlite tape, arm bands whatever it takes to make
sure other road users can see you. and always wear some comfortable breathable clothing. cycling shorts / longs (when the weather really turns).
helmet, jacket gloves etc. Theres some decent stuff in Aldi / Lidl every now and again. If you like it then proper shoes and clipless pedals are a
must, loose the trainers, you'll thank me for it...
The terrain sounds ideal for a good workout. Bit late in the year now with dark nights coming, but try adding some mileage on the way home for an
extra workout. Longer rides on the weekend if you got time. Don't get bogged down with pace and mileages at the mo, just push as hard as you
feel comfortable at completeing the distance you plan on riding. My commute is about the same as yours, but sometimes when the mood takes me
I'll push the pace a bit, just for the fun of racing the traffic. adds a bit of spice and frustrates some miserable tintop prisoners..... Longer
rides can be a right pain in the butt, so don't push yourself too far too soon....
Don't worry too much about upgrading yet, see if you stick at it. It can be grim in winter, but as long as you plan ahead clothing wise, it can
be very enjoyable. Lots of bikes come on the market this time of year, eblag is the obvious. Lots of fine weather iders with nearly new bikes suddenly
go off the sport when the rain starts getting colder. Plenty of bargains to be had, keep your eyes peeled.
Don't be attracted too bright shiny, no make bikes. Most of the Halfords lower end stuff should be avoided, check out your local bike shop for
some more informed advise. Get the best you can afford, gear train wise as this is the stuff that'll add to your cycling experience. Hybrid
sounds ideal, but if the roads aint too bad then a full road bike will make you fly.
I'm an all year round cyclist, (both commuting and training) the weather does'nt phase me a bit, I'm lucky as I can get a shower at
work. I only stop when the black ice starts.
Most of all, especially this time of year, take to the road with the attitude that every driver is trying to kill you. This will keep you alert and
out of hospital !!!!!
[Edited on 11/10/12 by clanger]
|
|
|
matt_gsxr
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 05:59 PM |
|
|
Sounds a bit like my commute.
I don't get super fit doing it, but I can eat more and feel healthy.
More thoughts suggestions in this thread. http://locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=144394
|
|
|
motorcycle_mayhem
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 06:09 PM |
|
|
Errr.... every driver IS trying to kill you, they simply don't care, life is cheap to them. Most won't notice if they crash into you, as
they update their Facebook profiles or text away. Be careful.
Cycling's great, I only started again to get around the motorsport circuits before an event. However, the haemorroids are really getting
bleedin' serious. It's on my old road bike with a razor sharp saddle, so hoping I'll find a comfier thing to put on it next year.
|
|
|
johnH20
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 06:24 PM |
|
|
Some good advice above re clothing etc. Cannot over rate the value of good padded shorts even for commutes. From a fitness perspective I would suggest
a heart rate monitor if you are as serious as you sound, a bit of personal data logging! Easy to use and gives you insights to your condition that are
otherwise difficult to understand unless you are very experinced. Good luck.
|
|
|
Andybarbet
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 07:18 PM |
|
|
Thanks for the replys so far,
I must admit, the 1st mile or so of my ride home is from work up to the A1M, I can beat most of my co-workers there, passing them in the big queue
I can certainly add a couple of miles onto the trip home once i feel a bit more used to the riding, i can detour off through another village so might
try that in a few weeks time once fitness level increases. I will probably stick to the same route into work, dont want to be too worn out before i
even start work
Advice taken on the padded shorts front, i will see if i can pick some up in the next few weeks, i will also keep an eye out on the Aldi/Lidl front, i
could really do with a lightweight hi-vis waterproof jacket but looking on the internet, they all seem to be about £30, maybe worth the investment but
would prefer a recommendation of one before buying blind/shelling out £30 & finding it to be rubbish.
Only thingim after this weekend is mudguards, definately a necessity in this damp weather 
I will also take a look into the heart monitor idea, it hadnt even crossed my mind, im definately not overweight but it would be good to see whats
happening inside, im trying to be a good boy & look after my body better than i have in the past..
[Edited on 11/10/12 by Andybarbet]
|
|
|
gottabedone
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 07:43 PM |
|
|
I wear a wicking Altura jacket. It wicks out the sweat but keeps you dry buy all that you need under it in the winter is a base layer. There are
some real bargains around on the the previous years designs etc but you still get the quality. I always wear gloves as well.
it's a great way to get out there and you can cover a surprising amount of miles on the lanes and tracks.
Steve
|
|
|
Simon
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 08:46 PM |
|
|
If you are riding a mountain bike, why not actually use it offroad. Get a local os explorer (1:25000), and see if you find find a few interesting
routes to work via farmtrack, byway, bridleway, footpath etc - safer offroad away from traffic, route will prob be slightly longer and riding in mud
is so much of a better workout. I have several routes, the biggest that I do is around 25 miles with only 2 or so miles on the road
If you're gonna do L2B, do the offroad one - 75 miles, the on road one is far too busy!
If you are serious for events, keep an eye out for www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk or evans ride it events as they are usually local rides with various
distances etc
Also, if you have any local forest, see if they a) have a mtb club b) do organised rides c) have trails etc etc
If road riding, especially now nights drawing in, get decent rear lights/reflective jacket etc!
I would recommend you invest in waterproof socks (sealskinz), waterproof overshoes (cold wet feet very quickly induce misery), waterproof
trousers/jacket and gloves (even if you carry them in a rucksack as an emergency, always nice to put some dry warm gloves on if hands starting to get
cold )
ATB
Simon
[Edited on 11/10/12 by Simon]
|
|
|
02GF74
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 09:09 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
I must admit, the 1st mile or so of my ride home is from work up to the A1M, I can beat most of my co-workers there, passing them in the big queue
be extra careful - there is a tiny minority of drivers that will deliberate impede your progress on the basis that they are stuck so you should be
too!!
i have a few routes down in s. herts, off road i can tell you about (got them on gpx file)
check out ebay item: 170900368871 (cree xml LED lamp - i got one and it is brighter than Jimmy Savile's bling!  )
|
|
|
jonabonospen
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 09:19 PM |
|
|
Don't join up to any team that Lance Armstrong is involved with. That's my advice 
|
NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
|
roadrunner
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 10:04 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by jonabonospen
Don't join up to any team that Lance Armstrong is involved with. That's my advice
Like it.
As already said, wear bright coloured clothing and get some bright lights. I purchased from the Bay some Hong Kong cheap crea lights that take a week
or two to arrive but work really well.
Also avoid busy main roads if you can, some drivers don't give a s@@t, only this week I had a run in with an Audi TT cutting me up on a mini
roundabout and he nearly hit another car he was supposed to give way too. He turned out to be a frigging copper.
As for bikes, keep the mountain bike for the up coming winter months, and when the spring time hits treat yourself to a hybrid with disc brakes.
I managed to get a Boardman hybrid of Ebay, 2 months old for less than £250, it was like new when it arrived.
Carry spare inner tubes and a good pump and a puncture repair kit, and a tool kit.
But most of all, enjoy it. Have easy rides then some harder rides. The more you put the effort in, the fitter and stronger you will get. I have been
commuting for 6 years now, it's a 15 round trip that I do just about 5 times a week, and I am nearly 41. I have been hit and ended up in
hospital twice, but I still get straight back on to the bike as soon as I can.
Love it.
Brad.
[Edited on 11/10/12 by roadrunner]
|
|
|
roadrunner
|
| posted on 11/10/12 at 10:12 PM |
|
|
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Boar
dman-Hybrid-Comp-Bike-/261111868732?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3ccb7aed3c
Quick check brought this one up.
Brad.
[Edited on 11/10/12 by roadrunner]
|
|
|
whiz
|
| posted on 12/10/12 at 06:15 AM |
|
|
hints and tips
Keep the bike in the shed so that its one less cyclist on the road spoiling the fun of drivers out for a blat in there kits nothing worse than a
mobile chicane. lol only joking
|
|
|
roadrunner
|
| posted on 12/10/12 at 09:15 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by whiz
Keep the bike in the shed so that its one less cyclist on the road spoiling the fun of drivers out for a blat in there kits nothing worse than a
mobile chicane. lol only joking
No, get more people on bikes, clear the roads for a nice thrash out.
|
|
|
RK
|
| posted on 12/10/12 at 12:48 PM |
|
|
Drivers want you out of their way. It was said above, but bears repeating. The trouble I think with some cyclists, is that they get a bit of oxygen
deprivation going on, and forget they are surrounded by huge metal objects, driven by people who are barely coping through life, and you are seen as
completely unimportant.
I have had MANY bike accidents (motorised and pedal), that were all self-inflicted, but the ones that I've seen that were not, were not
pretty.
Don't worry about equipment for now; get out and enjoy yourself!
[Edited on 12/10/12 by RK]
|
|
|
Bluemoon
|
| posted on 12/10/12 at 03:38 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
I must admit, the 1st mile or so of my ride home is from work up to the A1M, I can beat most of my co-workers there, passing them in the big queue
be extra careful - there is a tiny minority of drivers that will deliberate impede your progress on the basis that they are stuck so you should be
too!!
i have a few routes down in s. herts, off road i can tell you about (got them on gpx file)
check out ebay item: 170900368871 (cree xml LED lamp - i got one and it is brighter than Jimmy Savile's bling! )
"Do not look directly towards the light, it may cause damages to your eyes."
Good for other road users then...
|
|
|
02GF74
|
| posted on 13/10/12 at 09:39 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Bluemoon
="Do not look directly towards the light, it may cause damages to your eyes."
Good for other road users then...
the intensity of light decreases according to the inverse square law I suspect it to be less bright than a car headlamp would be at the same distance.
|
|
|
