Probably a good idea.
It's all a bit of a mare because the start isn't near the finish and there's so many roads closed. Now if Wapping did B&B, you'd be sorted!
Any of you Tossers ride a pushbike?
- Thread starter y2blade
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Probably a good idea.
It's all a bit of a mare because the start isn't near the finish and there's so many roads closed. Now if Wapping did B&B, you'd be sorted!
Aurelius
Registered user
Understood... Thanks.
I'll keep building my fitness then maybe go more in-depth.
I try to vary my routes a little, but I use one route to measure miles v time to cover. I'm keeping it simple, ie 10 mile route but trying to reduce time to cover it equates to improved fitness, strength and speed.
Pretty simple but a good first stage measurement of my improved performance... I hope !
One fairly simple but rough measurement of performance is how long you can hold a given speed. I relied on this method for years, as all it requires is a basic bicycle computer. It's chief weaknesses are that the results can be contaminated by a strong headwind or tailwind, and you have to travel the same roads over and over again to get consistent readings. At your current level of fitness, you'll experience rapid improvements if you work hard. By this time next year, you might be able to sustain speeds of 20-21 mph on a level road, which is very fast. But since air resistance increases according to the square of your velocity, your speed increases will begin to drop off sharply after that. Beyond a certain point, large increases in power will not result in large increases in speed. That's when you'll need to use a power meter to gauge your progress, because a power meter measures only the force you're capable of putting into the pedals, irrespective of any other factors.
MasterDabber
Registered user
As previously said, this average speed thing is subject to so many variables... not least distance and amount of climbing. Recently I did a loop of just over 25 miles and averaged 18.8 mph. The amount of climbing was very minimal - about 830 feet. Nothing to write home about but decent for me.
Yesterday I rode just over 80 miles and climbed over 10,000 feet - average was only 14.8 mph.
What you can do with a route you often do is see how your performance improves (hopefully) and make a judgement on whether the weather and road conditions are broadly similar.
Yesterday I rode just over 80 miles and climbed over 10,000 feet - average was only 14.8 mph.
What you can do with a route you often do is see how your performance improves (hopefully) and make a judgement on whether the weather and road conditions are broadly similar.
Another 50 miles today (I made a few detours)
Don't think I'm ready to take Chris Hoy on just yet ! I'm a season card holder at City, but I'm ashamed to say I've never set foot in the velodrome .
I could maybe take a peek though.
My first object is reaching a good fitness level, if I enjoy that challenge I'll buy a winter hack and keep cycling in the winter months where possible.
Don't let that worry you. When I went there were all sorts of levels. 1 or 2 didn't actually make it onto the banking but they still appeared to have a great time.
The instructor summed it up for me when she said 'Take a look around you, think of all the World stars who have trained & raced on here. It's our version of Wembley, how often are you going to get the chance to play on there with your mates? Think about it, soak it in & enjoy yourselves'.
And she was right. It was all about the experience. Nobody cares what your standard is, they're all just too busy having fun.
Do it. Take a mate & have a go. It's a fantastic experience.
If I lived nearer I'd be there every week.
Now there's a thought.
Put my entry in yesterday & intend coming to watch even if I'm not succesful in the ballot.
just bought myself a hardly used Kona Dew Deluxe - lovely piece of kit.
just getting back into it.
Did nearly 9kms on it.
just getting back into it.
Did nearly 9kms on it.
Stewart H
Registered user
Just arrived at a farmhouse at Revel, near Toulouse - I spent the last 3 days doing Barcelona to Cardona, Cardona to Ax les Thermes then Ax to Revel.
The middle day was a killer, about 150km over the top of the Pyrenees. It's flippin' baking hot, too.
All I could think was what great roads these would be for a motorbike... !
Must come back one day.
Paul G
The middle day was a killer, about 150km over the top of the Pyrenees. It's flippin' baking hot, too.
All I could think was what great roads these would be for a motorbike... !
Must come back one day.
Paul G
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Another closed road sportive, this time from Cardiff. I've stick my name down for this.
http://www.velothon-wales.co.uk/en/route/
http://www.velothon-wales.co.uk/en/route/
I am on holiday in North Jutland at the moment. Cycled 6 miles out to the coast against a force 7 (a gently breeze according to my Danish friends who live here) which was like going up hill, a furry caterpillar was being blown down the road at about 20mph! The ridel back was a breeze though.
I hope to get back to France for Wednesday and spend a couple of days cycling around the Somme. Anyone cycled the area and can they recommend a good base to explore from?
I hope to get back to France for Wednesday and spend a couple of days cycling around the Somme. Anyone cycled the area and can they recommend a good base to explore from?
richie
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Just done my 50 mile rloop around the Healey Pass, hours and minutes, not my fastest time but not too shabby either. I don't know what the total height gain is but it is quite a bit.
richie
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Just worked it out 1000 Meters
richie
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Oh dear, num lock moment 3 hours and 3 minutes, 50 miles and 1000 meters
richie
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Same ride again today but the other way round and no hangover 2 hours 58, I check the website again about height gain and this time it came up with 800M which is probably closer than a 1000, enjoying the training hardly use the moto anymore
now even I could get motivated to get on my bike there, very nice indeed.Another 50 miles today (I made a few detours)
holiday or do you live there ?
My guess is that the old tosser was there on a business trip in his company vehicle.
Deleted account 231002001
Registered user
After buying a mountain bike I decided it was a bit of overkill for what I did, so I sold both it and my hybrid and bought a new better hybrid that will do all I want of a bike. It's a Specialized Crosstrail Expert, much nicer on the road than the old hybrid and more than capable on the sort of trails I want to do. Hydraulic discs, remote lock out on the forks and slightly larger and lighter than the old one. Got the trip computer thing and changed the pedals for some decent ones. Going to get a rear carrier for it so I can do a couple of days away now and then. Luckily able to buy on work cycle scheme so saved 30%.
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