Cycling thread


Bruce Wayne said:
Try and look on them as enjoyable. Some of the most stunning rides in the world are up mountains.
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Oh I do - the views make it all worthwhile

just haven’t been feeling them as much lately and since I’m pressed for time atm I’d rather go and get a decent hour in than a 2/3 hour long steady ride into the hills

definitely will be back at it in the spring
 

BlueToff said:
Yeah, it just kind of gets to me that I'm still in the garage. It's the same with running on a treadmill in the gym - I always have to go and do intervals on a treadmill, whereas I can get out on a run and do a nice 30 minute steady one.

I'm not a speed freak but I like to keep my rides up (outdoors this is) above the 25kmph mark for hilly routes, and 26.5-27 on the flatter ones. I'm managing that atm - at my peak in June-August, I was averaging up near 30 kmph on some rides on the flats, and just felt great, plus the bike was working perfectly at that stage. It's mainly that at that speed, I know I'm working and in Z2-Z3 with pushes to my threshold.

My wattage was up at 170-190 avg and now it's about 140-160 I'd say, so working on that during the Zwift sessions. Did "Emily's Short Mix" the other day and that's a killer. I'm due an FTP test as the one I did 3 weeks ago was at 195 (though it was the first one I've ever done so unsure if it's going to be spot on).

My running hasn't dropped off loads, but I can notice the difference having done less cycling. It's probably a build up of fatigue - I've been doing yoga and a bit of bodyweight work to mix it up, but definitely plateauing a bit, so looking forward to getting the new bike in the new year and then the spring rolling around. Got the Strines and Holme Moss on my list for the spring, as don't fancy doing either in the winter really.

Will possibly check out those Zwift routes if I get into a group. I've been that busy with work recently I've just been fitting them in when I can.
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The descent off Holme moss is very fast indeed, if you go over to Woodhead - is far better to do when it's dry.

The Holmfirth Rd (called Isle of Skye colloquially) from Manchester side is my favourite road climb round there - feels massive as it pitches up right from the off and has no flat sections. Raging fast descent as well coming down that side of it. Absolutely bare as the moon's arse up top on the moors, though, so a bad place to be out on the bike if the weather comes in.
 
Black Belt Jones said:
The descent off Holme moss is very fast indeed, if you go over to Woodhead - is far better to do when it's dry.

The Holmfirth Rd (called Isle of Skye colloquially) from Manchester side is my favourite road climb round there - feels massive as it pitches up right from the off and has no flat sections. Raging fast descent as well coming down that side of it. Absolutely bare as the moon's arse up top on the moors, though, so a bad place to be out on the bike if the weather comes in.
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Yep, know Woodhead well and all that area from driving to Manchester/Liverpool so would need to be a nice day.

Still got Jackson Bridge to do, too.

Some nice treats next year :D:oops:
 
Bruce Wayne said:
Elephant & Castle, so the usual route takes me out towards Oxted, Toys Hill kinda area. When I drag myself out it's usually early to avoid the traffic. Coming back in on Sunday it was like a sportive was on. A constant stream of riders. Not sure I'd like that as it must be a pain for motorists and the last thing you want is an angsty driver trying to rush past you in a gap that isn't really there.
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Lovely stuff!

I did Brasted hill and down Toys and up Ide a few weeks ago. Toys looks horrific.

We should bust out on a ride together one day.

I always go out early saturday 7/8am or sunday around 1pm
 
BlueToff said:
I'm in Wakefield.

As far as cycling goes, I really don't think I could be in a much better area.

If I head immediately due south-west from mine, I've got the peaks and south Pennines on my doorstep. Even around Barnsley there's some lovely little rides, and from mine there's loads of 30-40k routes which get plenty of variety in.

If I head north-east, or south-east, then I hit the flats, after about 20k of a bit of bumpy stuff (though nothing too steep).

Did a lot of hills in the summer but have let that go recently, so next year will be a big focus on that - hence using my Zwift sessions to try and get my wattage and power up.

I then use running to compliment it.

If I run more than 6-7k, the pain is bad for the next few days, so I tend to just keep my runs to 5k, at a high intensity (quickest I managed in the summer was 21:30) and save my endurance for the bike - though did a few 10ks in July and August.

Looking forward to getting back in the gym and doing more weight work (haven't been since March) and swimming again, as that'll all help with the recovery.
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That sounds brilliant!

I have become a bit obsessed with hills. The feeling when you make it to the top of a big one is pretty awesome.

What injury do you have? I quit footy because of my knees.

Have you tried the 'explore' function on strava assuming you are a member? You put in your preferred distance and flat/hilly and your start postcode and it finds you three routes. It's awesome!

I would also highly recommend getting a wahoo. Won't get lost again.
 
Deulofeumygod said:
That sounds brilliant!

I have become a bit obsessed with hills. The feeling when you make it to the top of a big one is pretty awesome.

What injury do you have? I quit footy because of my knees.

Have you tried the 'explore' function on strava assuming you are a member? You put in your preferred distance and flat/hilly and your start postcode and it finds you three routes. It's awesome!

I would also highly recommend getting a wahoo. Won't get lost again.
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It's more just general strain, mate. Left side is constantly tight really even with stretching and yoga, especially the hamstring/small of the back. If I run too much, it gets bad, so just have to have a balance.

Yeah, it's definitely a buzz! My mate has used that function a few times to set routes, though tbh I'm pretty good with knowing routes around here and where to go - I also like to plan my routes on the strava desktop version and have a few of varying distances/elevations ready to go.

When I just want to get out and clear the head, I don't mind doing a similar route with the odd push when I know I'm on a segment to try and get a PR.
 

Deulofeumygod said:
Lovely stuff!

I did Brasted hill and down Toys and up Ide a few weeks ago. Toys looks horrific.

We should bust out on a ride together one day.

I always go out early saturday 7/8am or sunday around 1pm
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Yes, the south side of Toys has a horrible surface so I tend to avoid it at all costs. The north side has a great surface though, but is a bit easier of the two. With the area being quite so popular with hill climb events there are a few short steep ones, with Brasted, Yorks and Whites Lane all regulars on the hill climb circuit. They all tend to have awful surfaces though, which isn't the case with Chalkpit Lane, which is just as steep and a bit longer than the other three. Often include that on my ride back into London if I'm on a longer one.
 
BlueToff said:
Yes mate, I'll give you a follow.

Would really recommend cleats - once you get over the initial fear/awkwardness of clipping in, it becomes second nature and you get so much more power. I can't believe what's happened to me in the last eight months (@Bruce Wayne :D )!
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I am enjoying clipping in as well and finally not falling down trying to unclip (remember: unclip before I finish braking!)
 

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