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john18061806Working up to doing a century ride this summer, been doing a few 30-40 mile rides and did a 77 mile ride last year after never going more than 20 (no clue how I pulled that off). Going to get a couple 40-60 mile rides in next week. Anyone else here keep it 100?
I did a century this last winter on almost entirely flat land... pretty much rode the same route as the Amgen TOC stage 1. Clocked in 102 miles.
I'd like to do a Tahoe Lake-Loop and then ride down to Truckee to finish off 100 miles, but now that I'm not living at altitude, it's difficult to train for that kinda thing, since it would almost all be at 6200 ft or more.
john18061806Working up to doing a century ride this summer, been doing a few 30-40 mile rides and did a 77 mile ride last year after never going more than 20 (no clue how I pulled that off). Going to get a couple 40-60 mile rides in next week. Anyone else here keep it 100?
Planning on doing a few organized century rides for charity in the upcoming months. I feel fine, I try to ride 100+ miles a week plus a 30-50 miler if I have time/feel like it. Rode a solo century last fall after never doing a ride longer than 69 miles which was preceded by a only 20 mile rides. Love the feeling of accomplishment after
*TURBONERD*Find an actual organized one, they're way more fun than solo ones.
I was considering that but I think I'll do it with one or two friends who are much more avid bikers than I am. They want me to experience this and they are willing to hold my hand the whole way if needed.
probably depends on what your route would be like. I used to carry a minimalist backpack on my century rides but now I just put some cash, credit card, insurance card and my phone in my pocket and stop at convenience stores along the way. I don't know if you can do that in America... there aren't as many stores or vending machines. it also depends on the weather because if it's hot you'll need to stop for water more often. I think once I drank over 6 litres of tea on a ride a couple of years ago.
I like to get way out in the country for my century/double metric century rides, because stopping every 100m at a light is really frustrating. Also... for your first time you might want to try a route that is mostly flat, although in Japan that is nearly impossible, I'm not sure about where you live. However, I never plan my routes, since I usually change where I want to go in the middle of the ride... as you can see! https://www.strava.com/activities/320243797/analysis
I'm beginning to look at new cleats. Does anybody have any experience with the Giro Empire ACC (or the SLX, as it's quite similar)? I've been checking out the reviews things seem pretty legit, but of course I'd try some on before buying. I'm currently in a pair of Northwave Torpedos that have been good other than the occasional hot feet during the summer; the hot spots have been mainly on my soles.
One of my rims got bent because I let some idiot ride it and I guess he was dropping curbs with it, I was wondering where I could get two replacement rims online for a reasonable price, its a jamis satellite sport
statuswhitegirlOne of my rims got bent because I let some idiot ride it and I guess he was dropping curbs with it, I was wondering where I could get two replacement rims online for a reasonable price, its a jamis satellite sport
Chain Reaction Cycles or Jenson USA are probably going to be your best bet:
statuswhitegirlOne of my rims got bent because I let some idiot ride it and I guess he was dropping curbs with it, I was wondering where I could get two replacement rims online for a reasonable price, its a jamis satellite sport
Guaranteed you can just true them back to straight. Take em to a shop
I'm painting my commuter, anybody got ideas for a color? i was thinking some kind of olive/army green, or some unique bright as fuck color. mostly want it to be a super unique color. gonna do it legit too, no spray paint, i'll take it to a painter or powdercoater.
.MASSHOLE.What do most of you guys pay for bike service work (assuming you don't do it in your own)?
I wish I could do more of my own work but I don't have enough tools. I can only change a flat on my road bike. where I live it's usually about $10 for a flat, $30 for a new tire, I forget new brakes maybe $10-20 and I believe a full tuneup starts at $50 at my LBS
the service is excellent and they usually get the work done within 2 hours on a busy day but usually within 30 minutes. last week I got a new tire and flat fixed on my cruiser bike in 10 minutes. in vancouver it's like, oh you have a flat? ok come back in 2 days.
It's very daunting at first but is beyond easy once you learn it. I'd say that 90% of the time people on group rides who are complaining of bad shifting or drivetrain noise don't have their gears properly indexed. Once you understand how to do it its like a 1 minute fix.
I've been doing triathlons for the last 4-5 years but always rode my dads old steal frame bike that was too small for me but I didn't care cause it was only 40k each time
But this summer I got diagnosed with T1D and couldn't go on a backpacking trip I had saved up for all year. So I took that money and spent some of it on a new road bike and I fell in love. Such a nice escape going on long rides and just focusing on the road and nothing else for hours at a time. Helps dealing with my new sickness a lot
It's very daunting at first but is beyond easy once you learn it. I'd say that 90% of the time people on group rides who are complaining of bad shifting or drivetrain noise don't have their gears properly indexed. Once you understand how to do it its like a 1 minute fix.
I love GCN. To anyone new to road biking, like I was last year and still consider myself new, the Global Cycling Network provides a wealth of information on youtube and their site. Any questions you have they have probably covered it. I've watched a ton of their videos and have learned a lot. I couldn't recommend their content enough.
I love my 6 mile commute home from work. It's on a bike lane where you hit stoplights every .2 to .8 miles but that's perfect for going stupidly fast. Normally I go about 18 or flirt with 20 if I feel motivated but here I'm going 24-28 between these little stretches and people stare at me like I'm an alien because I don't have clip ins and my clothes are loose.
I'm living in Portland, Oregon as a mountain biking instructor again this summer and I'm very intrigued by Monday Night Racing. http://www.racemondaynight.com/program/
Anybody have any experience? I haven't done a road race since September and I'm pining for some pace lines.
It's very daunting at first but is beyond easy once you learn it. I'd say that 90% of the time people on group rides who are complaining of bad shifting or drivetrain noise don't have their gears properly indexed. Once you understand how to do it its like a 1 minute fix.
That was fantastic. What was up with the left brake working for the rear wheel, though? Is that a British thing?
*TURBONERD*That was fantastic. What was up with the left brake working for the rear wheel, though? Is that a British thing?
Haha, nice pick up on that. If you read into it at all there are weird braking control setups around the world with reasons being based off of several things; from which hand you're supposed to signal with due to which side of the road you ride on, to it's what motorcycles use for a braking setup.
NinetyFourHaha, nice pick up on that. If you read into it at all there are weird braking control setups around the world with reasons being based off of several things; from which hand you're supposed to signal with due to which side of the road you ride on, to it's what motorcycles use for a braking setup.
rode clipless for the first time, only issue was that the left cleat wasn't screwed in tight enough. i had to twist my left foot past 90 to get it out because the cleat just swiveled itself. somehow I did not fall
To all those saying tools are too expensive: Look for local Bike Co-ops in your area. You pay a nominal per hour fee and get access to any tool and free advice. It's the best way to learn bike mechanics.
sooo I finally went clipless. I enjoyed the feeling on my ride today. the only problem is that the pedals are one-sided so I am hoping I will get used to inserting the shoes without looking. with my old pedals (using clips... toe cages) I sometimes had trouble inserting my feet properly even after nearly 3 years of use, that was starting to annoy me
john18061806take it straight from a pro. full gas with wet sandals and the wrong side of your pedals DOESN'T MIX
yep... I learned that the hard way, a couple of weeks ago I got a nice bruise on my ankle haha. no pain no gain right?
well so far I have about 700 km on these shoes, and it's going pretty well. I fell once at a traffic light though. safety second
.MASSHOLE.Got a pretty shitty saddlesore right now. No riding for me for a few days but it has been 90+ here so not really complaining.
So I've been riding dedicated XC for a while now so I haven't owned a road bike. Got out on a borrowed Trek Domane from the LBS tonight cause they're nice folks and rode with their fast group, aha holy Jesus that was nuts. We only did about 50km and held a 40km/h pace and yeah it was rowdy. The biggest killer for me was my damn sit bones. I had to nose the saddle and gooch ride most of that, not the nicest feeling even with a chamois. Fun otherwise, I love having the XC experience on climbs, super easy pulls there. I'll definitely be getting something back in the garage soon now.
Just hit 1,000 on the odometer even though I've been strictly commuting since June because of my knees. Hoping to get back to some riding this fall. It was from my damn job as a Segway tour guide, hitting bumps on those for 30 hours a week destroys your knees.
I just did my first race (one time trial and one women's race) a couple of weekends ago at Suzuka race circuit. I couldn't keep up with the peloton but I didn't get injured, which was my first goal. Although of four women in the time trial I was first, I felt I didn't give it my all. Next time...
Now I want to do more races and I have a problem, I would like to be a sprinter but I also want to do various events such as hill climbs and 100+km rides and double centuries. Perhaps I can aim to be a strong all-rounder.
I just got a new back wheel with a power tap hub... I have only done two rides with it but so far it is interesting to see the data. I'm hoping to begin applying the data in a more practical way though.
Also I changed my wheels after coming back from a tour in mid-August and it is amazing what a difference decent wheels can make. I have gotten loads faster.
One more thing, at the race I test-rode a Specialized Amira women's bike. Having only ridden men's bikes up until now it was the most amazing experience. I never new gender specificity was so important in bikes.
Picture of time trial and bonus picture of me on tour sightseeing at a japanese village.
sackI test-rode a Specialized Amira women's bike. Having only ridden men's bikes up until now it was the most amazing experience. I never new gender specificity was so important in bikes.
Not to downplay the whole gender specific thing, but the Amira is just a rad bike in general. You can do a ton after the fact with how a bike fits, but the difference in layups is starting to be done on men's bikes as well which really affects the ride for a lighter weight person imo.
ghosthopthe difference in layups is starting to be done on men's bikes as well which really affects the ride for a lighter weight person imo.
oh wow, that's interesting. yeah I can't stop obsessing about this bike. The most interesting thing to see was my current bike is the exact same size as the Amira I test rode, but the difference in feeling was like night and day (and I'm not talking about weight, although it certainly handles lighter...being all carbon)
Do you know if this year's Amira models all have exactly the same layups (shape/angle etc), despite the difference in material and parts quality? I ask because I was going on and on to my boyfriend about how good of a ride it was and he annoyingly told me to try some men's 49.5 models since I rode the highest level Amira in a 51. He said the lower end models might be an older layup. I wasn't thrilled to hear his words of caution... we only seem to have disagreements about bike-related things hahaha..
sackDo you know if this year's Amira models all have exactly the same layups (shape/angle etc), despite the difference in material and parts quality?
All the angles/lengths will be the same throughout the line. Specialized used to do three levels of carbon, a regular layup, a better layup for the elite/pro frames, and then an even better layup for the S-works. I'm not sure what exactly they're doing this year because I don't work at a shop that sells Specialized any more, but all the info should be on the website ;)
If you're really that smitten, you should find a local dealer and ride the models in your price range. If it was that good of a build remember that you may be just as impressed with the fancy wheels. And idk why you would get the men's frame, similar builds on a women's frame should be comparable in price.
ghosthopAll the angles/lengths will be the same throughout the line. Specialized used to do three levels of carbon, a regular layup, a better layup for the elite/pro frames, and then an even better layup for the S-works. I'm not sure what exactly they're doing this year because I don't work at a shop that sells Specialized any more, but all the info should be on the website ;)
If you're really that smitten, you should find a local dealer and ride the models in your price range. If it was that good of a build remember that you may be just as impressed with the fancy wheels.
ah yes. I need to test ride some more models. my boyfriend suggested I also consider Giant though. now I'm not sure what to do except save as much money as possible haha. I'm going to a Specialized test ride event later this month although sadly they won't have any amira models other than the S-works.
And yeah, although every amira has a carbon frame, the grade of carbon itself that they use is different in all the models.
The wheels were certainly great but I liked the Fulcrum Racing zero nite: http://www.fulcrumwheels.com/en/collection/road/alu/products/Racing-Zero-Nite and The Campagnolo Bora Ultra: http://www.campagnolo.com/AU/en/Wheels/bora_ultra_50 best. both of these had amazing braking efficacy and I am actually riding Racing Zeros from a couple years ago, but at the test ride I had the new racing zeros put on my current bike and the difference was huge even in handling and stability. I was amazed
Fulcrum Racing Zero nite: the black surface has better braking ability and as a bonus they look fucking cool eh?
Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50: apparently the braking surface is actually machined twice to bring out the natural unevenness of the carbon. seriously everyone should try the boras at least once!
>And idk why you would get the men's frame, similar builds on a women's frame should be comparable in price.
Thank you. haha usually he has good advice but sometimes he is annoying. I told him to go ride a women's bike then he'll know what it feels like for me to ride a men's bike haha.
.MASSHOLE.There is nothing worse than cycling in heat with 95% humidity. It really takes it out of you the next day
I feel you. I live in the Middle East and at the moment the only time I can ride is 5:30am But even at that time it's still close to 100 degrees and humidity is anywhere between 50 and 90%. It sucks.
BoogieWomanLol! You're trolling right? You race an $11k tri bike yet train on a Trek Hybrid!? Pics of the Cervelo or GTFO
Nope not trolling. I meant a cross bike not a hybrid haha my mistake. It's a trek ion. and i will get pictures to you for the cervelo when I can as I just did a race in British Columbia and I'm from ontario, my brother has the bike at the moment. Also got the bike 6,500 not 11k.
Curious, do you guys have any preferred electrolyte mixes you use for endurance rides? I'm talking 3+ hours. What kind of scheduling do you drink it on if you do? Like every other bottle or...?
