Today's Bike Ride

[Al Fowler]

Couldnt resist not going out yesturday. I was abit short for time as I wanted to watch the grand national so I managed to fit in about 15 miles....I accidently stopped my watch half-way round so I dont know how far/fast I actually went. I caught and passed two roadies on a big climb which I was a little worried about as Ive never over-took a 'proper' roadie before. I did my "oreet" as I passed and powered up the climb and bombed it over the otherside. I looked back to see them both coming back at me, at which point my quads went but I couldnt let them pass me...so I spend the next 3 miles draining my quads for everything they were worth, and they eventually gave up and sat up and I took it as a small victory

Then again today...I wanted to grasp the last of the sun before it rains again.....Id been out on the beer till 4am last night and id been out walking the dog, but I nipped out for a 17 ish miler.
Quads were absolutely wrecked by the end, but I was catching another roadie in the distance and it gave me a 2nd wind and I managed to catch him before completely blowing up but just managed to hold him off and get home. Garmin Connect isnt working so I dont know what my average speed was....

[Toffer]

Good stuff Al!
Big '100' for us today. Good peloton out, weather gorgeous, so nothing for it but the classic circular route from Cardiff, up over Storey Arms(yes, 31 miles of uphill), then the mainly undulating down thereafter, Brecon, Crickhowell, AberG, Usk, Caerleon, Newport, Cardiff. Moving time 5hrs 36 mins at a 18.3 mph ave, so not at all shabby. Mind you we were helped on our way by two proper cyclists who seemed determined never to cycle less than 20 mph and two generous cafe stops for bacon rolls. Even so, sunburnt and happy(and tired)!:thumbup::thumbup:

[Dynamo Dan]

I rode a 100 km MTB reliability ride, the Hell of the North Cotswolds, with my dad. It was bloody hard work and I'm very sunburnt but I reckon I've put a bit of strength in my pins for the Anniversary Waltz.

[Gambatte]

13km commute into work. Maybe do a 50km ride on the way back.

[Hanneke]

Hell of the North Cotswolds Donkey? On a MTB? Some mates tried to convince me to do it, but I was otherwise comitted as it was the road race my club organises and I was on officiating duties... They did it on roadbikes... as would I have done???

[daz h]

Good stuff Al!
Big '100' for us today. Good peloton out, weather gorgeous, so nothing for it but the classic circular route from Cardiff, up over Storey Arms(yes, 31 miles of uphill), then the mainly undulating down thereafter, Brecon, Crickhowell, AberG, Usk, Caerleon, Newport, Cardiff. Moving time 5hrs 36 mins at a 18.3 mph ave, so not at all shabby. Mind you we were helped on our way by two proper cyclists who seemed determined never to cycle less than 20 mph and two generous cafe stops for bacon rolls. Even so, sunburnt and happy(and tired)!:thumbup::thumbup:

Very well done, good ride

[Al Fowler]

Got out again tonight when I got home from work.

Christ the wind-chill was bitter.

My quads were pretty much dead from the off, and some nasty head winds made it hard going.
I did my old 12 mile circuit that gives me about 700ft of climbing. Ive got round in just over 38 minutes in the past, but with the way my quads werent talking to me I was expecting a horror story of a time.
I was about a mile from home and I saw 35 minutes on my watch, so I sprinted for all I was worth and bagged 37:50 exactly and 19.4pmh average so I was well chuffed.


One question for daz and co.
There is this very short but sharp climb I go over on my rides. I really attacked it today, and when I was powering down on the pedals out of my seat, with each stroke my back wheel kept lifting off the ground? Am I messing up my technique?

[Dynamo Dan]

Hell of the North Cotswolds Donkey? On a MTB? Some mates tried to convince me to do it, but I was otherwise comitted as it was the road race my club organises and I was on officiating duties... They did it on roadbikes... as would I have done???

I didn't see anyone on a road bike and my arse was sore enough from riding on an MTB! It was very dry and bumpy. There were a fair few on cross bikes though but most looked pretty rattled. Are you sure you're thinking of the same event? Here's a link: http://www.honc.org.uk/

[The devil's own]

There is this very short but sharp climb I go over on my rides. I really attacked it today, and when I was powering down on the pedals out of my seat, with each stroke my back wheel kept lifting off the ground? Am I messing up my technique?

Sounds like you're riding in a gear thats creating too much torque and therefore lifting the wheel off the ground. Changing to a harder gear should sort it out. Thats what I think anyway, one of the more experienced guys like Ady etc may tell you different and I might be completely wrong.

[Dynamo Dan]

Got out again tonight when I got home from work.

Christ the wind-chill was bitter.

My quads were pretty much dead from the off, and some nasty head winds made it hard going.
I did my old 12 mile circuit that gives me about 700ft of climbing. Ive got round in just over 38 minutes in the past, but with the way my quads werent talking to me I was expecting a horror story of a time.
I was about a mile from home and I saw 35 minutes on my watch, so I sprinted for all I was worth and bagged 37:50 exactly and 19.4pmh average so I was well chuffed.


One question for daz and co.
There is this very short but sharp climb I go over on my rides. I really attacked it today, and when I was powering down on the pedals out of my seat, with each stroke my back wheel kept lifting off the ground? Am I messing up my technique?

If you want to learn the best technique for climbing watch this:
He's not pushing a massive gear.