and the HP of the electric motor? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
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and the HP of the electric motor? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
The joys of Slow Cycling. 75 minutes for around 12 miles, and that was on rather flat roads and with the wind behind me. From the Travelodge at the A49/A5 junction south of Shrewsbury, via Condover, Ryton, Longnor and All Stretton to Church Stretton, where there seemed to be something going on, if that Mercia Fell Runners gazebo meant anything. Glorious sunshine, and wonderful views of The Lawley and Care Caradoc for most of the way; but quite a lot of standing water on the country lanes, to add to the usual standing mud.
The main road from Ilkley through Otley and Pool to the bottom of Harewood Hill follows the R. Wharfe valley so it is basically flat or rather downhill overall as the river flows east. There is a bridge to the north at each of the forenamed which means a hill just as turning in the opposite direction means, a hill. That's the thing about roads in river valleys. So for around 14 miles today with the river on my left I could wonder "so how much is a Cinelli Shark?" and then as I turned north and started climbing, conclude "but who wants one?"
If it had not been for the freezing wind and the squally rain my perambulation through country villages - Castly, Weeton, Askwith and more, would have been a lovely 33 miles and 1900 feet but about the only pleasure was seeing two full and bright rainbows. I think they came with the rain.
Oh and on a road out of Harrogate hearing a burbling noise and sensing several hundred horsepower behind my right shoulder as a Lamborghini Aventador paused until he could give me my 5 feet of clearance before roaring past.
It was bright orange.
But I suppose if you are a drug dealer you need to be conspicuous in the Waitrose carpark.
All my fixed bikes have had a 63" gear
Unfortunately the shark came with a Miche track sprocket with carrier and the largest sprocket they do is an 18 tooth - so running a 73" atm - won't be there too long, I'm only doing flat rides....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
I've seen the Miche sprocket and carrier system online, but not in the flesh. In theory it's a great idea, but if they're only going up to an 18t there isn't much point. You could always put a 42t ring on the front, that should give you a shade under 63"Quote:
Originally Posted by brett
I'm riding 74", which gives me a top speed of 26 mph at 120rpm, but it is fairly flat here with just short 1 in 9 ramps at the edges of the valleys
First day of Paris-Nice today.
Stunning stage and yes, I was a bit misty-eyed at the finish.
What happened to no spoilers Graham?
Even cryptic ones!
How do you know what makes me go weepy? Apart from Cavendish falling off? Oh no. That makes me giggle!Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
Anyway suitably admonished - it did remind me of Paris-Roubaix in 1996 and the Fleche Wallonne in 1994.
So, why ride a fixed wheel? I don't understand.
It's handy around flat cities, as there's less to go wrong and you're never really going that quick. And you can pretend to be a hipster.
I can only assume that Brett lives in a big flat city, and there's a big hipster scene there. ;)
[QUOTE=Graham Breeze;678211]How do you know what makes me go weepy? QUOTE]
I obviously don't Graham!
I wrongly assumed that it must have been a Celeste Bianchi crossing the finish line first that had got you all misty-eyed. After watching the highlights of Stage 1 this morning, I now realise than no World Tour team rides Bianchi this year.
So what was it?
Do tell!
Brett IS the hipster scene.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by noel
[QUOTE=Llani Boy;678222]A simple thing but I am just an emotional guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
Christophe Laporte being given the stage.
I know it was only 4 seconds and I know it will ensure his loyalty etc etc but it was still nice in a sport where top riders are not noted for their kindness, as in "no gifts"; or sponsors - as when Froome was pulled back to prop up Wiggins in the Tour.
In 1996 Mapei at Paris - Roubaix (drugged to the eyeballs of course) had the first three riders out in front. (Wikipedia: The managing director of team sponsor Mapei called the team director Patrick Lefevere with 15km to go. The director wanted to ensure that Johan Museeuw won the race. With 8km to go Museeuw punctured though which caused confusion amongst the 3 riders at the front. Eventually Tafi and Bortolami waited and once they arrived at the Velodrome, Museeuw won without having to sprint. The sponsor’s directive being adhered to).
And talking of drugs: the 1994 La Flèche Wallonne was won by Moreno Argentin of Gewiss–Ballan with his teammates 2nd and 3rd after breaking away 72 km from the finish. This was the benefit of EPO on blatant display - although obviously denied.
I am not suggesting anything untoward about yesterday but the win reminded me of a famous photograph Graham Watson took of the three breaking away which is in his book "20 Years Of Cycling Photography" under which he queries if their dominance was "entirely natural".
[QUOTE=Graham Breeze;678227][QUOTE=Llani Boy;678222]
A simple thing but I am just a simple emotional guy.
Christophe Laporte being given the stage.
Yes. I also thought how sweet of Roglic and van Aert to let him have it considering they are both serial gong collectors.
Have you ever tried it?Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
Basically, it's WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY faster than a bike with that derailleur stuff. It's lighter, cheaper, more aerodynamic, has less friction and is more mechanically efficient. The acceleration is unbelievable, and it's a joy to ride. The only downsides are that if you forget to pedal, or ground the pedal, it will throw you off - clean over the bars, no messing.
There seem to be two types of fixed wheel rider, there are those who ride steadily and a smaller group who ride like hooligans, (that would be me), sprinting to find the limits of the bike - regardless of whether it's safe or sensible. If you ride a bike like a fell racer, then this is the bike for you
I've never ridden a fixie.
A friend and neighbour who is a teacher at Lady Manners school, just down the hill, stopped to talk this morning on his way to work. I noticed that his Specialized had a fixed wheel.
I now know why he is always out of the saddle whenever I see him around 4.30pm on his way home!
I shall have to ask him to give me a go.
I'm clearly no cycle specialist... but that's quite a downside if i'm honest.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
If you do give it a go, make sure you're wearing a helmet and gloves. And make sure you haven't got any loose laces or similar on the chain side.Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
Best bet is to go slowly, so when you do forget to pedal, (which you will), it will just lift you off the saddle, rather than fire you over the 'bars
I rode fixed in my youth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Although the Cow & Calf climb (of Tour de Yorkshire fame and much else) is less than a mile from my house it struck me when I went up it today (mostly 34/28) how often I manage to avoid it when leaving Ilkley. There was a time when I would do reps. on the bike: up-down-up-down-up-fall off...but those days have gone. And I suppose with a fixie I could get off and walk?
What goes up must come down and so my reward later to myself was to descend Old Pool Bank (near Bramhope) which if you can avoid the postholes is easily a 40mph + scare. Which prompted the thought - how fast would my legs be going at 40 mph on a 63" gear? And how far up into the threes would I be thrown if I stopped pedalling?
I was pondering all this when I overtook a McLaren in Pool. Admittedly he was stopped under the traffic lights as I sneaked past and I will admit he got away faster than I did on green; but I was held back with the weight of all that derailleur nonsense.
But on a fixie???
Anyway 25 miles and 1900 feet.
I'm currently riding my fixed wheel bike with toeclips, straps, and flat bottomed shoes, so I could walk but haven't done so yet. Prior to surgery I had a lot of trouble, and falls, due to my very poor hip rotation making release from clip-in pedals difficult. The thought of releasing from a constantly rotating pedal is currently concerning me, particularly as the SPD-SL pedals I normally use require a lot of rotation to release. I'm currently trying to negotiate the lease of a pair of SPDs for assessment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
In answer to your question, 40mph on a 63" gear comes out at 214rpm - best of luck with that! 180rpm is considered to be the rev limit for trained cyclists, although I did see some Strava race data from Wout van Aert where his maximum was 189rpm
Back when I was a youth I also rode fixed, on a very small, very light and very fast bike (I never mentioned safe you will notice). With spirited, possibly demented, sprinting I was able keep all the cars behind me in the short distances between traffic lights. It's worth pointing out that McLaren cars hadn't been formed back then :)
Thanks for the advice Marco, including the mention of unclipping from a rotating pedal in your last post.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
It's quickly becoming not such of a good idea!
Fixed wheel is to cycling, what fell is to running; Grovelling uphill, legs-in-the-washing-machine-on-spin-cycle on the descents, lots more skill required and all with the knowledge that if it goes wrong it's way more dangerousQuote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
I loved fell, and did it as long as I could, but fixed wheel has a lot of the same ingredients and it's my belief that all cyclists should try it at least once.
Looking at the map, you definitely don't want to be heading downhill to Bakewell for a first ride. Heading west looks the best option to start off with to me
I think I'll not bother. The cononley hipster scene will remain unchallenged.
Still suffering with sore calves from Sunday it was a spin on the Moda today. The bright sun in a cloudless sky was deceiving as a cold south easterly let me know that it was still only early March.
I headed west up to Taddington and then Millers Dale, Litton and on to Windmill. Over to Peak Forest and then Wheston. I dropped into Tideswell and called in to see a fell running friend in Millers Dale. He was busy with his chainsaw cutting logs. Up out of Millers Dale to Topley Pike and on to Chelmorton before the usual route via Magpie Mine home.
A lovely ride on mainly single lane roads the only occurrence of note was being accosted by a massive Alsatian type dog in Wheston. With its top lip curled up and teeth on show it looked like it meant business as it charged towards me. I unclipped my right foot and was about to give it a mouthful of Northwave Arctic Boot when it disappeared behind me and lost interest.In the old days I would have taken hold of my pump from beneath the cross bar and given it a whack!
If I had been on a fixie I would probably of crashed and been eaten alive!
Anyway, a lovely day of 41 miles, 4,213 feet in a steady 3hrs 17 min. This evenings Pilates class was most welcome.
So: another reason why riding a fixed wheel is a bad idea?:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
Headline!
I saw someone on a F/W today, pausing in Ilkley. He seemed to be getting his breath back. The bike was an old steel one, with mudguards, and the rider was very old - so it can't have been Brett.
Well, I don't think it was.:)
Wasn't me, either. I haven't seen a F/W bike, other than my own, being ridden since MondayQuote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
If your wondering if it was Brett, here's a picture of what his frame looks like
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...bf1d8113_c.jpg
Hardly inconspicuous is it?
Naaah. Wouldn't do for me: self-effacing, quiet, modest, introverted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Now Brett on the other hand...
Weird looking contraption. The back dropouts are the wrong way and the BB has a cocyx.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
But Mr B, it's sculpture and an artistic masterpiece. Look at the curved, oval, seat tube to give you the shortest chain stays possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
Goodness knows what it rides like; and don't even think of asking the price if you're not sitting down.
The rear dropouts are called track ends because all fixed wheel bikes need a way of adjusting the rear wheel forwards or backwards to keep the chain taut. The shark fin, (hence the name), is an aerodynamic device to make it faster; I've no idea if it actually works, but I wouldn't mind trying ...
Forty seven miles (2900 feet) round Addingham, Gisburn, Hellifield, Gargrave...against some wild wind but also basking in some warm sunshine. My numb bum was counter - balanced by the glow of muscles exercised after my longest ride of the year taking me over 500 miles. Gearing 11 x 2 with none of this F/W posing business.:)
6.7 miles (151ft) posing on the F/W on the western edge of the Tame valley; no other F/Ws spotted.
Only went out to check the adjustments I'd made were safe. Twenty plus years ago, if you wanted to drop your 'bars 10mm you just got to work with an Allen key on your stem bolt. Now it requires working on three Allen key bolts and slicing 10mm of Chrome-Moly steel off the top of your forks with an angle grinder.
I also took the plunge and fitted SPD-SL pedals to the F/W; clearly there isn't enough excitement in my life at the moment.
I Had to do it, after measuring the pedal clearance. I tilted the bike away from a wall until the left pedal was making contact with the ground, and then measured the horizontal distance from the seat pin bolt to the wall. Old school pedals (from the 1980s) with clips and straps - 41.5cm. SPD-SL pedals - 46.7cm. I no longer have access to CAD software, so will have to calculate the lean angles manually, but by the looks of it the SPD-SL pedals will allow a lean angle of just over 45 degrees without grounding and putting me into orbit.
So it was with some trepidation that I ventured out with clip-in pedals and F/W for the first time. Surprisingly, I had no difficulties or incidents (crashes). At the first give-way sign I unclipped, first time, about 50 metres before the line. The pedals have a release force setting with around 32 levels, so I set this to level 4 (easy release) it would seem that this is the thing to do if your are going to try it.
Oh chapeau!Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
After thoroughly enjoying Paris-Nice and Tirreno- Adriatico over the last week and my calf still keeping the running shoes in the garage I decided that, Today Matthew I'm Going To Be Tadej Pogacar!
Off I set on a glorious but breezy day on the Moda. Into a headwind up to Flagg and then on to Longnor via Crowdecote. From Longnor I took the Buxton Cycling Clubs famous Mountain Time Trial route up to Flash Bar Stores via Edge Top Road. The Strava KOM is held by John Archibald at 12.10. I took 29.37 but I did stop for a pee and to take a photograph of Chrome Hill!
From the stores, over the A53 to Flash, Britain's highest village at 1518 feet. Down to the back of the Roaches and then over the A53 again at The Winking Man. Over the moors to the Mermaid and then down into Elkstone, up to Reaps Moor and back down to Hulme End where the much needed cafe was closed.:mad:
So on to Hartington where I sat outside the Village Stores and refuelled with a Pork Pie, Crisps and a large Tomato followed by a Latte. It was most enjoyable sat in the warm sunshine watching the world go by.
Now full of energy it was up Long Dale to Earl Sterndale and on to Chelmorton and then the A6 to Taddington.
Up the sharp climb out of Taddington and then the much needed, mainly downhill, run home via Magpie Mine.
A lovely day of 51 miles, 5,112 feet in 3hrs 52 min and I thoroughly enjoyed being Tadej Pogacar for the day.
I wonder if he enjoys a Pork Pie?
I suppose on some days Tadej Pogacar wakes up and decides that he is bored with being himself and so...:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
I wonder if he enjoys a Pork Pie?
In the words of my children ‘Pork Pies are the food of champions’; therefore he must do!
A beautiful sunny morning, after a frost, meant it was too tempting. Having successfully stayed on the F/W with clip-in pedals last time, I decided to venture out a bit further and somewhat faster.
A fairly stiff 13mph breeze from the south west enabled me to reach 30.0mph on a descent, (at a cadence 136rpm ),on route to Elford. Continued to Harlaston, and the beautiful river Mease, before reaching Edingale and the start of the way back.
Caught a car, (that was following a tractor), in a 1500m pursuit at 18mph on the climb out of the Mease valley to Croxhall. I was heading into the wind too, and would never have caught it on gears. Something of a grind back into the 13mph wind after that; I'm beginning to see the appeal of a double fixed rear wheel
Some flooding in the Tame valley, after yesterday's deluge, but nothing I couldn't ride through with care
16.4 miles (497ft) in 57 minutes on 74.1" fixed
There are two routes north of Malham up to Malham Tarn. The steeper (Cove Road) with some 1 in 5 sections according to Simon Warren (Cycling Climbs Of Yorkshire) being tougher than the Malham Rakes climb with its road sign promising 20%. Today I took the easier route because I wanted to enjoy the glorious plateau at the top called Street Gate - an old roman road now known as Mastiles Lane - under the clear blue sky.
On a sunny day Malham heaves with tourists although relatively few cars are allowed into the village thereby encouraging tourists to wander all over the roads, with uncontrolled children and associated dogs on lengthy leads. Oh joy!
But nothing could spoil 48 miles (3700 feet) of fighting the ferocious (or "brisk" according to the BBC) wind all day.
The sight of a summer sun also encourages the emergence of posing "look at me" cars. Today a Ferrari (in red), a Bentley (blazing blue) and two Lamborghinis - one in grey and one in yellow. Naturally.
I was, of course, on my modest Bianchi in understated celeste.
But two Lamborghinis?
Common as muck round our way.:)
I was also fighting the ferocious wind all day Graham. At least it kept me cool in the blazing sunshine.
I had no idea where I was going to go or for how long I would be out as I set off on the Moda with its mudguards and SPD pedals towards Buxton. Somewhere different I thought, so up Long Hill it was and down to Whaley Bridge. Up to Kettleshulme and Windgather Rocks and down The Street to the Goyt Valley where I spotted an ice cream van. The first 99 of the year was delicious and only £2 with a flake!
Up out of the Goyt to the Cat and Fiddle and by now I had a plan which was to return to Buxton but that went straight out of the window as no way was I riding that busy road into a headwind so I dropped down into Wildboarclough instead. I kept a lookout for Noel as I sped through his manor and on reaching the A54 went straight across to Wincle where refreshments were taken at the Brewery. As tempting as it was to have some of their fantastic ale, I stuck to coffee with a bag of Pipers Crisps to eat with my banana. Not a combination I've tried before but it did the trick.
Refreshed, it was up and over Gun Hill to Meerbrook, where I turned left on a road I had not been on before, which turned out to have a sting in its tail of at least 20% at Roche Grange, and which brought me out under The Roaches. Another left took me to Roach End and then evenutally to the Winking Man where I crossed the A53. From here it was a fierce headwind on to The Mermaid and down into Warslow, Hulme End, and Hartington. A brief respite in Long Dale before I got the full force again at Hurdlow, where I crossed the A515, and the battle continued all the way home via Monyash.
My longest ride this year of 65 miles, 7,146 feet in a tough 5hrs 13 min.
Most of the roads were surprisingly quiet but all car parks I passed were full. No fancy cars for me but as I was devouring my 99 a very smart, but a bit blingy, VW California camper van drove out of the very steep car park entrance and there was an almighty clunk and scraping noise. It didn't stop but a few minutes later I passed it parked on the road with the driver on his hands and knees messing about with a loose front spoiler.
I couldn't see if he was crying or not!
I'm impressed. I knew I would finish at 48 + miles and asked myself if I should do a loop to make it 50; and concluded "I've had enough - so Naaah":)Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy