Cycling - NLC

[PhilA]

well, ive signed up for this mad 81 mile bike ride - climbing over 6k feet on the way. fun!
looking around for an endurance bike now...

[ryallm]

well, ive signed up for this mad 81 mile bike ride - climbing over 6k feet on the way. fun!
looking around for an endurance bike now...

I guess you're talking about the Etape Caledonia? I did it this year. I don't know where they get 6k feet from on their website cos it is nothing like that: http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12849142 . Measured on my super accurate Garmin 500 it was about 3.3k of climbing. The only serious climb is the one by Sheihallion and the rest of it is really just undulating. Fantastic route though and doing it all on closed roads makes it very special. Weather this year was terrible - cold, wet and windy - but I still really enjoyed it. Hopefully better in 2013!

Mark

[Rag_It]

Also booked Etape place, and actually going to do it next year, having flogged my place this year! Have done it in previous and as long as you get a few decent 50+ miler training rides in, you'll be fine!

[Peter]

Booked as well!! I need to get a road bike now!

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[Mr Momo]

Booked ! For a sub 4:30 time this year

Was going to go for a run tomorrow, but -1 and ice/snow means a long lie and an run to the pool instead !

[scott_e]

Looking at one of these

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65477#tab0

Where can i get a" tow ball" fitted in Dundee ? ..... assuming thats what this Bike Tow Bar Cycle Carrier hooks onto.

Supposed to be able to fit/remove the Bike Tow Bar Cycle Carrier very quickly.

[scott_e]

Anyone signed up for the Etape Caledonia next year? .

well, ive signed up for this mad 81 mile bike ride - climbing over 6k feet on the way. fun!
looking around for an endurance bike now...

Chris (sms) and his brother signed up for this. His brother bringing 6 lads up for it too , some from Netherlands I believe. Tempted but not sure I can be bothered with the getting there and back again in traffic.

[thesurfbus]

Have done the Etape 3 times now, and while its a good experience I decided to do the Fred Whitton instead this year, and will probably do it again next year if I get a place.
The Etape is relatively easy as you are cycling in big groups and you can always hide at the back, although some experience of riding in a large group is recommended.

[s29ttc]

Anyone have any experience of Billy Bilaland Cycles? Holly is wanting a road bike for her Christmas and we have spotted one she likes here. Can any of you experts give any comments about the bike:

http://www.billybilslandcycles.co.uk/ca ... -sora-2012

[thesurfbus]

Strange that the title is for Sora but the description has 105.

[scott_e]

Be aware that if you want to ride in all weathers in the winter full muguards are a must Mark

I stand corrected , you are right. Fitted a rear mudguard for the winter , discovered being wet in the freezing cold is not fun. Rear mudguard has made a huge difference.

[Gareth]

Can anyone recommend me a turbo trainer?
I quite fancied a Tacx Flow. Some decent functions.

Yup, people say they're a waste of cash and I won't use it but I genuinely will. Want to be bike fit come Spring and I aint going out in this cold weather.

[max1966]

G, I would recommend the Tacx range on the whole. I have a Sirius, which is a very basic trainer but if you have the correct attitude and are happy enough either working up your own routines or looking on t'internet for training guides it will do the job adequately.

A mate has a Flow, to which he has added the VR head unit, all bought off eBay. It is better as you can set up programmes and use the VR to ride video routes and real world terrain downloaded from Google maps etc. which may mean you'll use it more.

A lot of road riding is about mental attitude. I like the simplicity in a basic turbo trainer, you have to just get on with it and on long drags and battering into a head wind this kind of mental preparation suits me. I would happily buy a similar basic trainer again but with the knowledge that I do use it I would buy a Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll, it appears to provide a more natural feel though I have no direct experience.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... r-12-45370

I have been exclusively riding indoors for the last 13 weeks as I had a bad accident, shattering my wrist, breaking my collarbone and some ribs. It never entirely makes up for riding outdoor but keeps your fitness up, I did manage to get out at the weekend there for 45mins. When you ride on the road you have to take the terrain as you find it, on the trainer you control that, in burst you can cane it but endurance will always come with riding for hours over all types of roads.

The flexibility of a Flow would probably future proof it a bit but the Flow has been superceded by the Vortex, but there are good deals on i-Flows with the VR, won't get one for Christmas now though .

[Rag_It]

Yup, people say they're a waste of cash and I won't use it but I genuinely will. Want to be bike fit come Spring and I aint going out in this cold weather.

That's what everyone says as well!

[Lazydonkey]

I cycle as i find the gym soul destroyingly dull for cardio......i can't help but think turbo trainers are the same as the gym...just in your garage.

In contrast i've been out on my bike in all conditions, including well below freezing and i still enjoy that.