any cyclists/roadies?
 

Ive been into cycling the last three years, at first doing tris but now just kinda focusing on swimming and cycling, I hate running.

So any fellow Roadies?

I ride a 2006 Allez Triple. Speed play pedals and profile design aero bars are the only real add ons ive done. Ive got a fancy bladed carbon front wheel for it but it needs a new tire and I havent done it yet.

I ride about 100-200 miles a week and this past weekend did the Rat ride. 62 miles around Torch lake in Elk rapids. Awesome ride except for the cramp that hit with 18 miles to go. No power on the hills. Still managed to average 17.83(is that good by the way? I never really know)

Did 20 miles yesterday and averaged 18.1 but it was mostly flat(reletive here in Northern michigan but ya.)

So how bout it?

Pics of my ride when I get home! :D

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Newbie roadie here. I ride a Look 566 Origin. Been riding since winter last year. I ride 2x (half hour warm up then hill repeats or intervals) on weekdays then do a longer group ride on Saturday (> 40miles) followed by a shorter and easier ride on Sundays. I ride around 10 hrs per week.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Been a roadie all my life and playing with sprint tris since 04. With the kids and work, I'm lucky to get out twice a week for about 20 each. Then there's the weird weather this year that doesn't help much either. Tirreno Razza triple until this winter then that triple is getting replaced by a compact setup from SRAM and some better wheels.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Im looking to do the same on my allez. SRAM is a direct replacement for shimano stuff right?

also, you wouldnt happen to know of a wheel manufature of ERG would you? I got a carbon blade front wheel from a friend thats probably 10-15 years old and I cant find any info on it.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

nice. thats semi similar to what I do but my saturday rides are usually 50-60 miles. though not so much this year. Had zero time to train. getting back into it now though, if this freaking rain will go away, Thinking of breaking out the sweater and staring at the walls again...

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Another newbie here. I ride a Trek 1200. Unfortunately I haven't gotten out much this summer, but normally I ride about 500-600miles a summer (not very hardcore, lol).

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Just started this year (to start doing sprint tris). Got a trek 1.2. Good beginner bike for me, not knowing how I was going to like it...I LOVE it. I'm already doing my second tri this coming Sat. (my first was July 11th). I may step up to Olympic distance next year, with my eye on a half iron within a few years, and dreaming of being able to train to do THE Ironman...Hawaii.

I've never had a bike this nice before, and I realize that having a good bike makes a HUGE difference in your enjoyment of riding. I'm thinking that I'll potentially do some duathlons, too. The ride on my bike is so smooth. I just need to incrementally upgrade components on it, though. It's a good start, I feel, though. :D

Question for you guys...when I ride, I tend to get some numbness in the outside of my hand and middle-pinkie fingers. How much of a difference would gloves make? Or would I be better off in getting some arrows?

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Gloves will help, However, Sounds like you need to have the bike adjusted a bit for you. were you fit on the bike when you bought it? go in To your shop and tell them whats going on and they will probably be able to adjust it to help rid this problem

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I am not sure about the numbness but gloves are more important to me than my helmet as many times as they have saved my palms from road rash, they are worth the try. I find they do help in overall comfort too

I ride a Giant OCR-1 and need to get out more but just haven't lately. I just have the shimano 105 set up and keep toying on whether or not I want to upgrade or just get a new bike. I've only been riding a few years so i feel like seat time is more important than new components but I can't help but want better :D

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I hope I can get the bike in before this weekend. I was fitted for it when I bought it, though. It's more of an annoyance than anything, but I don't enjoy the feeling and it takes a bit away from my concentration of riding while I'm on the bike.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

No cigar for you ...

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Just saying I have never landed on my head but have o my hands numerous times, i should have noted that I do wear my helmet EVERY time I ride.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Good luck to you!! My doctor basically told me to decide if I want to play with my kids later or do longer distance tris. I had to choose the kids, I'm already looking at a knee replacement later. I'll listen to this guy, he's been on the Olympic med staff for cycling many many times.

Your numbness, change your had position more often. It's a common issue. I used to get so numb that I could whack the outside of my hand against a truck as hard as I could and not feel a thing. Aero bars might help some but you can only ride them safely in a limited set of situations.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Relative newbie -- riding a Raleigh Cadent 2.0 for the last three years. Not as much road time this summer as I'd like.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Ride a C'Dale Mountain bike, and an old converted Singlespeed roadie

The numbness can also be cause by inproper seat angle I've been told fwiw. I found gloves, I have pearl izumi's with huge gel pads, work the best for me but it doesnt totally get rid of the sensation just delays the onset. Best thing to do for me was to switch hand positions often and put some very soft hoods on my levers

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Brought the bike in for a tuneup and explained my issue to them. They said that they can tweak some things, and I can get arrows. Still mulling over the arrows, as the ones I'd like be getting are a bit pricy (for me, anyways). I might pick up some gloves when I get my bike this afternoon, though. I still have to decide. Got a tri coming up this weekend and there are some good straight stretches on the course, so I'm still torn. I love the feeling of cruising down the road at a pretty good clip, so it might be in my best interest to get them.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

fxpose is a one. Hopefully he'll chime in once he logs on.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

:D

Alright, the dinosaur shall speak up...

1987 Centurion IronMan Expert (56cm)...

All Shimano 105....180mm crankset, 39/53 front, 11/19 rear (road) and 11/25 (mountain) Mavic wheelsets, the '88 model LOOK pedals.

What can I say, I have more miles on that bike than most people have on their cars. Half Centuries, Metric Centuries, Centuries as well as the dreaded Double Century....and ONE...and ONLY one....attempt at the Markleeville Death Ride.

:banger

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I love almost all aspects of cycling......road bikes (geared, single speed, and fixed), mountain biking, and touring.....although it's been a long while since I've done any touring.

I know a few that did the Death Ride a couple of weeks ago....there are a few ride reports on a couple of cycling boards I frequent.
The most difficult ride I've done was the LA Wheelmen Grand Tour double century (highland route) last year on my fixed gear.

Glad to see a bunch of cyclists on this board! :D

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Okay, I'll chime in here. I have been a roadie for the last 22 years. The last 2 years I have been off of the bikes, but I still love them. I also happen to work for Raleigh America after running a local bike shop for 11 years. Right now my stable has 12 road bikes in it, from 1980's Italian steel, custom steel creations from Della Santa and Bill Stevenson, to current carbon fiber wounder bikes. I have done as much as 5K miles in a year, but when I have ridden I generally do 2-3000 miles a year. Yes I know how to build good wheels, fix and glue tubulars and I can track down any squeek, rattle or buzz. I won't ride carbon wheels, and I don't have to replace my equipment just because there is something newer or "cooler". Call me a retro-grouch if you must, but I can have as much fun riding my steel fixxed wheel bike as I can the 16 pound carbon critter.
Anyway, now you know why the GNBikes moniker too.
Garry

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Bad Idea! really, it doesn't take much to go down and I mean knocked out, off to the E.R. Hard and Quick! Take a Watermelon and drop it chest high** to the ground. That is what happens to your skull!
Wear a Helmet! :tu

Rob
** bookends have to use a ladder to get a normal height;)

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

uh....how did I miss that??

Dude...screw gloves, shorts, socks, bindings, glasses, gear....the ONLY...and I mean ONLY important part of your gear is your helmet.

I'm still on earth because of a helmet on more than ONE occasion.

I've retired more helmets than most people have probably bought in their lifetime for all the members of their family.

(and, for the record, it's currently 13 helmets over 24 years)

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I started off as a mountain biker my freshman year of high school and then moved to the road freshman year of college. I currently ride a 2002 Trek Fuel 80 mountain bike and a 2005 Ridley Scandium custom built with Shimano Ultegra SL and Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels. I've been racing road for the past year and this fall I'm getting into mountain bike racing. Pretty pumped!

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Me on my bike during the tri I did yesterday.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/...694598a5_b.jpg

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Okay -- you're a retro grouch, ;) but thanks for introducing me to the world of road bikes, Garry!! :tu

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

went 65 miles yesterday, route id never done before, was warned of some hills at the end, but wasnt worried as thats par for the corse around here. turned at the last turn with 5 miles to go, 2 freaking climbs, 1400 feet worth, Absolute vertical. even out of the saddle at the end was only doing 7mph. killed my average, but damn felt good to finish through em.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Which tri was it ? How long? and If I can make a suggestion. ( I will anyway you can ignore it if you like:D )
Get rid of those toe clips and get some clip on shoes W/ cleats. Safer and will improve your time. :banger
Rob :tu

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I love my egg beaters! Honestly if your on toe clips clip-ins are so much easier to use and way safer in a crash.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

That was at the Chisago Lakes tri. I had just gotten the baskets. Maybe next year I'll get the shoes and such. Just started doing them this year (July 11th and July 26th), and haven't had the $ to invest in everything I want/need (wetsuit, aeros, etc.). Not only is there the cost for shoes, I figure I may have a hard time finding the size I need. Hell, basically I just got fitted for the bike, bought it, and saddled up and rode. :D I don't know all the important things I need to know yet. All I know if that I have a 62cm frame (I'm 6'4") and I love my bike.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

If you got bigger feet like me, wear roughly a 12-13, the shoes exist. Nice thing is its all euro sizing so the fit is much closer to what actually fits your foot :2

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I wish I only wore a 12-13. LOL

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Real gun boats eh? I know the shoes I got go upto a 52-54 euro

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

you can order specialized shoes in pretty much any size you need. as in the bike manufaturer specialized

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

You have the bike and helmet that's a good start:tu

DISTANCE
Sprint: 1/4 mile swim, 22 mile bike, 3.1 mile run
Half: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run

did you do the sprint or the 1/2 ?



Good luck figuring all that out. I have done few and have learned some things the heard way and from asking. If I may...( ok I will anyway:D)
Get the shoes asap but only after you have done some real running and biking Why?/ Because your feet will swell and get bigger the longer you train and if you buy a size to small you will ride home one day with your foot out of the shoe because your feet hurt so much :rolleyes: yes I was laughing at myself the whole way home.

Also go easy on the wetsuit you don't need the most $$ just one that works, remember they don't last forever and soon you will be buying another. If you train mostly in a pool you might to see if you can rent one for the events and save some cash.

Rob :tu

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Did the sprint for the Chisago Lakes event. did my first tri 2 weeks earlier (July 11th), the Lifetime Fitness sprint.

As for shoes, well...I sold shoes while in college, and I know all about the swelling and such. For reference, my running shoes are 15s. AND I have VERY narrow feet (b width).

As for the wetsuit, I rented one for the Lifetime event ($15), and borrowed my brother's for the Chisago event. he bought his before the Lifetime event.

At this point, I'm thinking I may try to do ~4 next year, and go from there. It is an amazing sense of accomplishment to finish one, and I want to keep going! Maybe an Olympic or 2 next year, with a half iron and maybe eventually a full iron in the future (way future).

I've been an athlete for most of my life, so I'm no stranger to training and the effort involved. Doing these just stretches the challenge even further. Since I'm such a noob at it all, I welcome any advice you guys can give me. :)

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Being an old fart and having 20 some years of toe clips and cleats, I can honestly say I miss them. No pulling out during a sprint, easier to get into for me on a start, things like that.

In this case I'd use toe clips and running shoes in a heartbeat getting into this. Just leave them a little loose so you can pull out if needed. Just my 2 cents.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

There is my second response, I wear a helmet every time I ride. I was just describing how important my gloves are for ME when I ride. I understand completely what happens when a unprotected skull hits pavement. maybe I should have said that my gloves were AS important as my helmet.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Good thread.

I have a Cannondale Synapse 6, but this has been a bad summer for riding. With the kids off at camp, I have been travelling nearly every weekend, and I am on the road for work all week. I bet I have put on 10 pounds this summer, and this is usually when I lose. *sigh*

Ready to get back after it. The kids go back to school in a couple of weeks, so things should return to normal soon.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Bikeforums.net
Roadbikereview.com
SoCalBikeForums.com

These are the cycling forums I visit regularly (daily :D). Say hello to roadfix when you visit.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

BF is a rough forum. Specially the Road Cycling section.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I'm bumping this one! Piqued my interest a bit. I just bought a Specialized Tarmac and am just getting into road riding (been doing single track for years on a mountain bike) and possibly Triathlons. What's everyone been up to lately??

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

How'd I miss this thread.... I ride my road bike(Trek Madone 5.2) more than my mountain bike(Santa Cruz BLT).... I am not sure I am a roadie.... It is just easy to bike commute to work and go for rides from my garage...even when I live in a VERY mountain bike friendly place....

Few pics of the bikes....

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3179/bike6.jpg
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/4333/bltt.jpg

Riding the Tour de Park City

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/6...deparkcity.jpg

EPIC Mountain Bike trip last Spring FWIW....

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showth...ighlight=White

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Nice rides, dude!! Put my first 20 miles on the road bike today...I love it! :tu

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Went for a short 12 mile ride yesterday. Had to use my moutain bike because I had a rear flat on the road bike. Stopped by Dicks Sporting and had them change the bad tube on the road bike. Great timing because they had a nice set of Michelins on the clearance rack for my road bike so I grabbed them. :banger

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Trek Madone...I'm jealous...sweet ride. :D

I know I had gotten some comments about using baskets last year, so this spring I went and got some clips after finding a pair of Sidis on EBay (woohoo...something that fit me!!!). Also added some aerobars. Here's me riding with the upgrades in the Chisago Lakes Tri:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/...281d5169_b.jpg

I ended up only doing 3 tris this year...2 sprints and one Olympic. No half iron this year, but I WILL next year...already planning my training for it. :) I'm most happy about my improvement in the last race I did this year...the Chisago Lakes Tri. Bettered my time by almost 20 min, and finished 22nd out of 53 in my age group. :D Next year, finishing will be the goal (half iron distance).

Maybe I'll upgrade my bike in a couple years. LOL

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Pretty impressive, Wanger. I'm doing my first Tri this year, in early november. 1K swim, 30K bike, 5K run....we'll see how it goes. I can handle the bike and run no problem...it's that damn swim!!

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I have a 2003 Specialized S-works that hangs in my garage, I usually ride my mt bike.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

You oughtta knock the dust off of that thing! :tu

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

A couple pointers on the swim that were given to me and what I've learned...
1. Trust your training! If you train properly for it, you will be ready for it.

2. They are usually overly cautions with safety, becuase it is VERY bad for an event is someone gets seriously injured or dies on their watch. There should be plenty of lifeguards in the water if you need help, or a place to stop and reset if you go out too hard.

3. Stay within yourself. Don't try to keep up or worry about what everyone else is doing. Focus on yourself and your own stroke. You WILL get bumped some in the water. Expect it and don't allow it to phase you.

4. Most importantly....HAVE FUN!!! My first race was an absolute blast, and is what got me hooked. The feeling of accomplishment and adrenaline rush you get when you cross that first finish line is AMAZING! Your first will not liekly be your last. :p I'm already started to get going on training for a half ironman next July. I WILL do it. :)

GOOD LUCK!!!!! And let us know how it goes. :) :tu

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I ride about 50-125 miles a week. Would like to do more, but after 25 miles, I get bored if riding by myself. Most people I pass along my rides do not want to tag along or put an effort to pass me.