Topic: The Cycling Thread

[Jaeger]

Weight is important but quality and material used for the frame is key for me. The light weight high quality carbon bikes are more forgiving on rough surfaces which is the majority of my riding on the side-roads north of Dundas. That is why I prefer an endurance design vs. racing style and as usual this comes at a cost.

I've been looking at carbon bikes since many of the roads I ride are quite rough and I find that the vibration gets to me after a while. I used to get severe pain in my lower back, but now that problems seems to be gone, which is strange because otherwise my last two rides have felt pretty awful. Anyway, maybe I just needed to get used to riding, which is exactly what I was expecting, but I'll still keep looking for a carbon bike just because. 

the new touring bike I got it steel.  It's certainly not light because that's not it's purpose.
But the ride quality is quite nice.    The wider tires and weight likely mean my efforts result in average speeds of 30km/h instead of maybe 35 km/h

I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying the road bike.

You're averaging 30km/hr on a heavy steel touring bike with fat tires?  I hate you. 

[quadzilla]

With all this weight talk, yesterday I was out on the commuter bike which is a cheap cross bike (Cannondale Caad plus fenders, rack and panniers. I'd guess the bike is about 5-7 pounds heavier than my road bike.

I took a hard run up a climb I do (Pottery Rd for those that know it) which is 0.3 miles @ 9%.

Set my 4th fastest time then I looked at my top 3 times. 

[Snowman]

Crap.....6th Line is gravel now from Dundas to Burnhamthorpe. The link to the north is facked until the new surfacing. Need to find another way 

Say WHAT?  And I was planning to head out there early tomorrow morning.  FFS. 

Is it still paved north of Burnhamthorpe?  I could take Neyagawa north to Burnhamthorpe, then east to 6th.

What time tomorrow?

As discussed, I will probably get out just ahead of sunrise - yes, I appreciate that this is abnormal behavior.    Let's hook up on the long weekend.

For sure, have to start working on the August MTS 

[quadzilla]

Weight is important but quality and material used for the frame is key for me. The light weight high quality carbon bikes are more forgiving on rough surfaces which is the majority of my riding on the side-roads north of Dundas. That is why I prefer an endurance design vs. racing style and as usual this comes at a cost.

I've been looking at carbon bikes since many of the roads I ride are quite rough and I find that the vibration gets to me after a while. I used to get severe pain in my lower back, but now that problems seems to be gone, which is strange because otherwise my last two rides have felt pretty awful. Anyway, maybe I just needed to get used to riding, which is exactly what I was expecting, but I'll still keep looking for a carbon bike just because. 

the new touring bike I got it steel.  It's certainly not light because that's not it's purpose.
But the ride quality is quite nice.    The wider tires and weight likely mean my efforts result in average speeds of 30km/h instead of maybe 35 km/h

I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying the road bike.

You're averaging 30km/hr on a heavy steel touring bike with fat tires?  I hate you. 

Weight only matter when accelerating or climbing. Once above 25-30kph its all about being aero. And believe it or not, thinner tires are not faster.  Its mad science this game.

[quadzilla]

Congrats on your 5th place today, awesome! Only 3 more second to move into 4th. Keep up the great work.

EDIT: Bet you would have been faster on that new Defy

For sure, have to start working on the August MTS 

I had almost caught up to you this month and then you went and rode again, thanks a lot.  Let compare notes after the weekend, I'm hoping to get a good start this time.

[johngenx]

With the calf injury, I'm using the bike everyday now to get some cardio in.  In the cool of the morning, logged a 21klm trail ride.  Took a new route, and imagine my surprise when I came upon a large enclosed picnic shelter and washroom, basically in the "middle of nowhere" as far as trails around here are concerned.

Still haven't replaced my front tire, and had a couple scary descents.

[Snowman]

Congrats on your 5th place today, awesome! Only 3 more second to move into 4th. Keep up the great work.

EDIT: Bet you would have been faster on that new Defy

For sure, have to start working on the August MTS 

I had almost caught up to you this month and then you went and rode again, thanks a lot.  Let compare notes after the weekend, I'm hoping to get a good start this time.

Thanks, that's kind of a lame segment and I was not even trying  Now that I know its not a big deal I will go and see if I can get a 3'rd.  One more day to go, I bet you will pull out one of your 110km rides at the wire and beat me 

[Snowman]

With the calf injury, I'm using the bike everyday now to get some cardio in.  In the cool of the morning, logged a 21klm trail ride.  Took a new route, and imagine my surprise when I came upon a large enclosed picnic shelter and washroom, basically in the "middle of nowhere" as far as trails around here are concerned.

Still haven't replaced my front tire, and had a couple scary descents.

Don't know if I would be able to with clipless pedals. I tore one up playing basketball in college, nasty.

[quadzilla]

Still haven't replaced my front tire, and had a couple scary descents.

Did you get new brakes yet?

[quadzilla]

Congrats on your 5th place today, awesome! Only 3 more second to move into 4th. Keep up the great work.

EDIT: Bet you would have been faster on that new Defy

For sure, have to start working on the August MTS 

I had almost caught up to you this month and then you went and rode again, thanks a lot.  Let compare notes after the weekend, I'm hoping to get a good start this time.

Thanks, that's kind of a lame segment and I was not even trying  Now that I know its not a big deal I will go and see if I can get a 3'rd.  One more day to go, I bet you will pull out one of your 110km rides at the wire and beat me 

Lucky for you I'm actually busy tomorrow and will have little time to ride. Otherwise I would have been up at the crack of down, putting in my miles, then waiting to see how many you rode to decide if I needed to go back out again. 

[johngenx]

Still haven't replaced my front tire, and had a couple scary descents.

Did you get new brakes yet?

Yup.

[Snowman]

Decided to take one of the cars out :p on my E/W bike route tho

Pain cave



Steels



Lower Base Line

[Snowman]

Congrats on your 5th place today, awesome! Only 3 more second to move into 4th. Keep up the great work.

EDIT: Bet you would have been faster on that new Defy

For sure, have to start working on the August MTS 

I had almost caught up to you this month and then you went and rode again, thanks a lot.  Let compare notes after the weekend, I'm hoping to get a good start this time.

Thanks, that's kind of a lame segment and I was not even trying  Now that I know its not a big deal I will go and see if I can get a 3'rd.  One more day to go, I bet you will pull out one of your 110km rides at the wire and beat me 

Lucky for you I'm actually busy tomorrow and will have little time to ride. Otherwise I would have been up at the crack of down, putting in my miles, then waiting to see how many you rode to decide if I needed to go back out again. 

  I just want to put 50k in tomorrow so I can get 1250 and relax for the next two days 

[Jaeger]

Some of those spots look familiar.

[Snowman]

Some of those spots look familiar.

Good, there is more goodness west of Appleby Line. Hills and valleys that make the ride like interval training.

[pi314]

  Maybe I should take my bike to Ontario with me... these routes look very very nice and are very close to my aunt's house.

[Jaeger]

Fack. I need to buy rain gear. 

[quadzilla]

Fack. I need to buy rain gear. 

People ride in the rain?

Ok seriously. Let me know what you end up buying and how good it works?  For my road bike I have one of those clear jackets (mine is made my Hincapie). It works but id doesn't take long to feel damp inside but I don't think there is a product that I can feel dry in. For commuting I just use and old gore-tex jacket. For my legs, if its a chilly rain I can throw on my knee warmers.

My feet I wear booties which work but depending on the length of ride or amount of rain my feet will start to get wet.

[Snowman]

Fack. I need to buy rain gear. 

I would not bother, I'm usually sweating and wet already  you rode yesterday afternoon? I got chased back to town as I spotted thunderclouds rolling in when I got up north of Dundas. It caught up to me 

[blotter]

very small intense storms yesterday.

I didn't ride to work due to weather warnings but nothing happened until I got back.
Our place got hit with big rain but a 15 minute drive south kept clear which allow our club ride to still happen.



that brings me to eating my words on weight today!!!!!   

I've been pretty ride only the FS bike this year but I've recently changed my ridgid to single speed and had the first ride last night.

weight change in the bikes is about 4.5lbs    While the two feel totally different, the 4.5lbs made a huge difference.   The bike can be thrown around so easily.