So, here's the crack... could do with dropping four stone or so, which will certainly stop herself from making that noise in my ear every time I squeeze into something. I used to run but now every time I run I get searing pain in my lower shin tendons, the only time I don't get it is when sprinting. As far as I'm concerned It goes against my religion to pay for any mode of transport that I need to burn my own calories to propel myself along. I also enjoy eating, and unfortunately my mum's optician gave her those comedy glasses from a hall of mirrors that make me look like a stalag inmate. The cycling racing snake at work uttered the phrase "It means that I can eat what I like"... OK, he's got my attention! I'm looking at a road bike as I can eventually look to cycle to work (20 miles). I'm out of touch, I was still stuck in the world of picking up a good bike for a hundred or so. obviously I'm out of touch, but I don't actually know what I need. I've done the rounds of bike shops and I love the shape and wavy style of the Pinarello, but I'm not prepared to sell the SS to buy one, and at this stage I'll never appreciate the tools on them- it would be my pride and ego doing the buying, not my talent. But I'm getting the impression that from speaking to shops that 500 quid is entry level and really looking to a grand for a low mid range bike! That and the myriad of sizes which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. SO, I've never slung a leg over a cycle before, I'm 5'8 with a 31 inside leg and I haven't got a fucking clue whats good or not and what I need. I understand that shimano dura-ace is better than ultra which is better than 105 but whether I'll be able to tell the difference between them is beyond me. Oh and apparently I need the chamois pants but I can wear them under my clothes to stop me looking like a johnny filled with lard and nuts. help me out here...
I have started to get fitter and have bought myself a MTB , no joke you need a decent seat on it , I have resisted getting them padded cycling shorts but may have to cause my arris feels like Big Daddies been poking around . But its surprising how getting fitter becomes addictive and you end up not wanting to miss a training session even if your no Olympic athlete .
Is your employer signed up to 'cycle to work' if they are then you can buy a bike via salary sacrifice and get income/NI tax relief on the bike.
Well good decision to start on the bike. I ride on average 75 miles a week. I also ride sportive events which mostly comprise of 50 mile routes. I have been cycling for many years. Here is my advice for you. Buy yourself a Trek entry level Domane Triple crank, stay away from the compact twin crank. Your height sounds like you will need a 54cm frame. Do your homework on the Domane and you will see it is a Endurance type race bike which offers a level of suspension in a very clever way. You could also look at the Specialised Paris Roubaix entry level. Both these bike would be great for you. Don't buy anything less you would only end up regretting it or wasting money. I suggest the triple crank this will give you plenty of gear range especially if you need to ride hills. Drop me a line when your sorted and I will give some help with the actual riding and how to make it easy and get the most out of the bike. I basically ride 1 hr =1000 cals. Pedal cadence 80 to 90 RPM. Good luck. Regards Ken.
Cycle to work is the best option if available, means you can get a £1000 bike for £600. Would recommend the board mans from halfords. They get good reviews from the magazines and there is the road comp model road bike for £999 I think. I have just got the carbon road model which is £1300 and it's full carbon with shimano 105 throughout and nothing in that price range has that.
Have you got a shower at work? Maybe it's just me but I'd arrive dripping. It's true to say that I'd always pretty much cycle everywhere as fast as I could. I've been looking a bikes to replace my Giant that was stolen. You can clearly get something for less than £1000. Remember the 70s? Most of the bikes you buy now, even at well under a grand are going to be more sophisticated than what was available then. It's not the T de F in any case. Just get one you like the look of, is as light as possible and fits you. Some time spent Googling will fill you in. Best prices are on line but you might just find that, knowing nothing (like me) you're better off in a good bike shop getting some real advice and sitting on a couple. Just give some thought to how to prevent it being stolen. If you think it is very likely to be stolen buy something second hand off eBay (which will probably be pre-stolen). Having a very beautiful bike is more likely to get it stolen. Some people in London get their bikes "ratted up" to make them less desirable to thieves. I always thought the cycle into work was the best part of the whole day.
thanks for the advice chaps We've been trying to get a cycle to work scheme at work for years, but the official line is that its too much effort, its just a blag for us to get some cheap bikes and the latest was that only a small percentage of the people taking it up would actually cycle to work! The cynic in me is therefore thinking that there's probably some creative accounting going on which would be compromised if the Cycle to Work scheme was taken up as I can't see our lot turning down free money from the government without good reason! Glid, we have a shower and also a secure area at work, so its not going to just get chained up or left out of eyeshot, and its not the sort of thing I'd intend to leave outside the shops so to speak. I am woefully out of touch with the cost of it all though in the same way my missus is out of touch with weight! - she wants me to lose five stone! I'm 16 stone now, and I wasn't that light when I met the woman. at my fittest I've been 72 kg, and I was pretty scrawny back then. Obviously it requires her keeping her side of the bargain which is to win three triple euro rollovers on the trot and metamorphose into Kelly brook. One guy started mentioning campagnolo, apparently its a torn camp, also everyone seems to thing is reassuringly expensive
Beware. Yesterday, on my way home in the car. On t'other side of the road there was a young cyclist. Minding his own business when a car swiftly overtook him and then turned left. Nothing the cyclist could do. Not his fault. The car? A BMW 5 series, driven by an angry woman. Needless to say she was ranting at the guy. Now the guy was calm and as I saw the whole thing, we explained that she was the one who was in the wrong in polite terms. Her car has a scratch and he has a buckled wheel. He also has my business card and a witness. Shes a fucking idiot and had I been the guy she wouldve been spreadeagled over her bonnet with a broken nose. The woman, obviously reasonably well to do and respectable had a mouth like a potty. I noted that the guy had recorded her entire conversation on his iphone. Smart kid. I'm afraid there are a load of numpties around who think they are entitled to do what they please and fuck everyone else. Fortunately the guy was only a few yards from home. She left still protesting her innocence. She was bang to rights and he had not only me but the motorist behind her as his witness. Some people eh?
If its one thing I just hate with a venom it's the Four-By-Whores. Nothing the blunt end of an axe wouldn't solve... and then torch the bitches for good measure
I have a MTB too, I really enjoy cycling. I will not venture out on the busy roads though, I see how the driving standards have dropped and simply will not risk my life. Good luck and stay safe.
I use the myfitnesspal app to track the calories I eat, weight loss, and exercise - which I'm finding really useful. If you do exercise, you can eat extra (just as you say) and still stay on a weight loss regime. Also, take a look at Endomondo which is really good for tracking your actual exercise (walk, run, cycle).
If you haven't cycled long distance for a while I would strongly advise you to get a more touring bike than a racing bike. The thing is, the more comfortable you are, the likelier you are to continue cycling day to day instead of using it for a few weeks and parking it up in the garage for life. I purchased a Specialized Secteur X3 from EVans for £600. It's awesome. looks like a racing bike, but designed to dampen the shock of the road through the frame, making it pretty damn comfy. Cycle to work scheme is great for purchasing anything expensive. I've only been cycling for 9 months, so not very experienced, but really happy with the specialized bike, lifetime warranty on the frame, and a year warranty on all the moving parts. Regarding eating anything you want, well that's what I thought at first, but even if you burn 1200 calories through your commute, one large doner kills it, you know, I advise you still eat normal, but allow yourself a little treat every now and then. Good luck!
Oh, I forgot to mention 2 things: 1. Expect to get loads of punctures. Reduce these through always having tyres pumped well up (you want a foot pump, not to labour away with a hand pump, especially the noddy little neat storable ones which will take an age). You can also get puncture resistant tyres. Get the puncture repair kit and replacement inner tubes when you buy the bike. I cycled 3 years solid at uni in the early 80s and only ever had one puncture. In London, I used to get them every couple of weeks - really annoying. 2. Get padded shorts, leggings or something. Bicycle seats are like a suppository these days. A 20 mile ride will be giving you a sore arse until you're used to it. I find some discomfort after an hour, 2 hours and I'm standing on the pedals.
I started cycling to work a couple of days a week about 3 years ago for very much the same reasons. For the first couple of weeks it was hard work, harder than i remember as a kid but it gets easier very quickly. I went from hardly ever using the big gear and having to walk up one hill to never using the small gear in about a month. My commute is only 3.5 miles each way. Its not only about the amount of calories you burn, 3.5 miles is not far after all, but your body starts to remember that it has muscles. I have not changed my diet but i have reversed 25 years of gradual weight gain, my legs have muscles in them and i enjoy it. I enjoy it even though i broke my elbow after one week and my nose late last year! I bought a flat bar road bike for just under £1k ( Orbea aqua ) and apart from replacing the seat its almost perfect for the job. Nearly bought a Boardman as well , they are very good. You will not be able to tell the difference between 105, durace etc and consequently wasting your money. To avoid most punctures get good quality "high TPI" tyres. Go for it.
I cycle when I can around in the summer on an MTB and really enjoy it. Don't cover huge mileages, but one thing I can add to the advice already given is get a decent fuckin saddle. I had prostitis probably brought on from cycling with a shitty saddle and I know a couple of other blokes who ended up with a similar condition. Apparently it's well known in the medical profession but doesn't seem to be so well known to Joe public. Its no fun waiting for about 3 weeks worrying about prostate cancer and not knowing, not to mention having various medicos sticking their fingers up yer arse. I shelled out £70 for a better saddle and never had a problem since John
