Progress, part 2

Quoted message said:

Well, this morning I went on a ride to Abercynon (6 miles
there, 6 back). Got to Abercynon, felt good, decided to
carry on to Merthyr Tydfil (another 10 miles or so) and get
the train back down the valley.

Excellent :-)

Quoted message said:

The bike clothing I previously thought was for posers turns
out to be presumably a damned good idea.

The Madness of the Lycra takes hold :-) You do realise
that by this time next year you will be a fully accredited
Lycra Lout :-D

Quoted message said:

I really want clipless pedals.

I rest my case :-)

Quoted message said:

I really want non-knobbly tyres.

And again ;-)

Quoted message said:

Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

And it's enjoyable, isn't it!

Cheers, helen s

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"Keith Willoughby" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As my regular readers will remember (*cough*), a couple of
weekends ago, I beat my personal best distance with a ride
of 17 miles. Well, this morning I went on a ride to
Abercynon (6 miles there, 6 back). Got to Abercynon, felt
good, decided to carry on to Merthyr Tydfil (another 10
miles or so) and get the train back down the valley.

So, I got to Merthyr at 09:55 (the last mile killed me for
some reason), went in to Tesco, had a bacon and egg roll
and a cup of coffee, came out and went to the station.
First train down the valley is at 15:25.

Now, people who have been to Merthyr will realise how
crappy I was feeling when I say that I seriously
considered spending 5 hours in Merthyr on a Sunday.
However, 20 minutes slumped on a seat outside the station
had me feeling much better. So I cycled back. It was much
easier dropping down 500 feet that climbing it, so there
was plenty of freewheeling, but I was still pretty tired
when I got back - but I made
it. 33 miles. Yay me. :-)

Things I have learned :-

The bike clothing I previously thought was for posers
turns out to be presumably a damned good idea. I could
have really done with sunglasses coming back south. And, I
found I couldn't remove either of my top layers when the
sun cam out, because my cotton t-shirt was sodden with
sweat and I froze everytime I removed a layer.

Despite this, of all the people I said 'good morning' to
as I passed, the only ones not to reciprocate were the
ones wearing lurid cycling jerseys and trendy shades, who
looked at me as if I were a nutter. (Two separate groups.
Presumably they weren't impressed with the jogging bottoms
and the cheap MTB)

I really want clipless pedals.

I really want non-knobbly tyres. The road noise was
driving me mad, and I could feel them holding me back on
down-slopes.

Laces should be tucked into shoes.

The Taff Trail from Ponty to Merthyr is pretty damned
nice, except for the stretch between Abercynon and
Pontygwaith, which doesn't deserve the description 'bike
path'. I know the real MTBers would laugh, but bouncing
from stone to stone with a drop of 30 feet into a river
immedately to my left isn't my idea of fun. I got off and
walked. Next time, I take the road for that stretch.

Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

Well done Keith. I too started off with jogging bottoms,
knobbly tyres, cheap MTB and plastic pedals, but had a lot
of fun along the way. Gradually got padded shorts and
tights, hybrid (and now road bike), proper Goretex tops and
jacket etc and things are much better, but I look back on
the early rides I did with great pride, like you. See:
simonmason.karoo.netpage17.htmlOpen ↗

I used to go for two weeks holiday to Merthyr in the late
1970s as my pal from work hailed from there. Very friendly
people and had a great time in Aberdare getting drunk. The
train journey from Hull was appalling though, 11 hours it
took and I once had to change at these stations. Hull -
Doncaster - Sheffield - Derby - Birmingham - Bristol - Cardiff-
Pontypridd - Merthyr. Yikes!

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W
simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers said:

Quoted message said:

Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

And it's enjoyable, isn't it!

It sure is.

The feeling has almost returned to my hands now, too . . .

--
Keith Willoughby flat222.orgkeithOpen ↗ "I was an angry
young man in need of an icon and Leonid Brezhnev fell short
on several counts" -- Mark Steel

Keith Willoughby said:

I was still pretty tired when I got back - but I made it.
33 miles. Yay me. :-)

Good for you. You may find an energy drink helpful for
future rides. I used to use Isostar all the time, now I
prefer SiS Go, but I usually use TeknoFuel because it's
(relatively) cheap: url:http://www.teknofuel.co.uk/

Other people will have different preferences, of course, and
it's worth trying a few to find what works for you.

Quoted message said:

And, I found I couldn't remove either of my top layers
when the sun cam out, because my cotton t-shirt was sodden
with sweat and I froze everytime I removed a layer.

May I be the first to recommend Parrot, both for quality and
VFM?: url:http://www.parrot-online.com/

I can particularly recommend the Baseline zip neck base
layer (a zip is a good thing to have) and the Zati-Lite
Gilet. Check the bike mags in your local newsagent for
Parrot ads before you order. There's usually an offer where
you can buy one item and get another free, which will be
worth knowing about.

Quoted message said:

I really want clipless pedals.

Yes, you really do :-)

Quoted message said:

I really want non-knobbly tyres.

Ditto.

Quoted message said:

Laces should be tucked into shoes.

If you get clipless pedals then you'll also need cycling
shoes. If they have laces then they'll probably also have a
velcro strap that goes over the laces.

BTW, this is what can happen when laces aren't tucked into
shoes while riding a unicycle: url:http://www.speedy5.frees-
erve.co.uk/danny/unicycling/gallery/mwblood. jpg

Quoted message said:

Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

It's good to know you can do it, isn't it? (Not that I've
ever been a fat dude, but I was pleasantly surprised when I
did a 40 mile ride a week after buying my first adult bike).

--
Danny Colyer (the UK company has been laughed out of my reply address)
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukdannyOpen ↗
Why I like OE6 - speedy5.freeserve.co.ukoe6.htmlOpen ↗
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine

Keith Willoughby of Society of Recidivists said:

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers said:

Quoted message said:

Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

And it's enjoyable, isn't it!

It sure is.

The feeling has almost returned to my hands now, too . . .

Add padded gloves to the list of things you need.

Another fat dude on a bike

--
The standard of intellect in politics is so low, men of moderate mental capacity
have to stoop to reach it. - Hillaire Belloc
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <sandbenders.demon.co.ukindex.htmOpen ↗

Steph Peters said:

Keith Willoughby <[email hidden]> of Society of

Recidivists said:

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers said:

>Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

And it's enjoyable, isn't it!

It sure is.

The feeling has almost returned to my hands now, too . . .

Add padded gloves to the list of things you need.

Already on order!

Quoted message said:

Another fat dude on a bike

Solidarity, brother.

--
Keith Willoughby flat222.orgkeithOpen ↗ "Taffy was a
Welshman, Taffy was a thief"

Danny Colyer said:

Keith Willoughby said:

Laces should be tucked into shoes.

If you get clipless pedals then you'll also need cycling
shoes. If they have laces then they'll probably also have
a velcro strap that goes over the laces.

BTW, this is what can happen when laces aren't tucked into
shoes while riding a unicycle: url:http://www.speedy5.fre-
eserve.co.uk/danny/unicycling/gallery/mwblood. jpg

I knew I wasn't going to like that when I saw the name of
the picture.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

--
Keith Willoughby flat222.orgkeithOpen ↗ Freedom is
slavery

Simon Mason said:

Well done Keith.

Ta!

Quoted message said:

simonmason.karoo.netpage17.htmlOpen ↗

Inspiring stuff, thanks.

--
Keith Willoughby flat222.orgkeithOpen ↗ Well you can keep
the punk rock Ska rap beats and house

Steph Peters <[email hidden]> wrote:

:>The feeling has almost returned to my hands now, too . . .
: Add padded gloves to the list of things you need.

Maybe. Padded gloves are a good thing, but shouldn't be
used to disguse problems with position. I'd suggest
raising the bars.

--
Arthur Clune

in message <[email hidden]>, Keith Willoughby

(') said:

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers said:

Quoted message said:

Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

And it's enjoyable, isn't it!

It sure is.

The feeling has almost returned to my hands now, too . . .

Flat or riser barred MTB? Not nice for more than ten miles.
You really need to be able to change hand positions, in
order to rest the bits you were putting pressure on. Fit
'bar ends'; my preferred ones are 'Cane Creek Ergo Control'
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?ProductID=5220000162>

The other issue is road vibration affecting the nerves in
the palm of your hand (numb or pins-and-needly feeling). The
solution to this is better gloves (gell filled palms,
leather) and more shock absorbent grips - but frankly if
you're riding any sort of mountain bike the front suspension
ought to be dealing with this problem for you.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke)
jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗ /-\ You have discovered a
security flaw in a Microsoft product. You can
|-| report this issue to our security tesm. Would you like
|to
| | * Be completely ignored (default)?
| | * Receive a form email full of platitudes about how
| | much we care?
\_/ * Spend hours helping us fix this problem for free?

Simon Brooke said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Keith

Willoughby (') said:

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers said:

>Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

And it's enjoyable, isn't it!

It sure is.

The feeling has almost returned to my hands now,
too . . .

Flat or riser barred MTB? Not nice for more than ten
miles.

Aye.

Quoted message said:

You really need to be able to change hand positions, in
order to rest the bits you were putting pressure on. Fit
'bar ends'; my preferred ones are 'Cane Creek Ergo
Control'
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?ProductID=5220000162>

I've been trying to avoid buying stuff for it in case I cave
in and buy a more suitable bike. I almost put a bid in for a
Dawes Horizon on ebay yesterday.

Quoted message said:

The other issue is road vibration affecting the nerves in
the palm of your hand (numb or pins-and-needly feeling).
The solution to this is better gloves (gell filled palms,
leather)

I've ordered some gel-filled gloves, at least.

Quoted message said:

and more shock absorbent grips - but frankly if you're
riding any sort of mountain bike the front suspension
ought to be dealing with this problem for you.

Which it did, mostly, except for the few hundred metres I
rode on a horribly stony, rutted path before giving up and
walking. Trouble is, as I've mentioned - I'm way overweight.
I'd guess I'm putting a huge amount more strain on my hands
and wrists than anyone else here. I did raise the bars
before this trip, which helped, so I may try raising them
again. But, when I come down to it, I'd be better off just
losing some of the deadweight and increasing the strength of
my stomach muscles.

I really should take up some for of excersise. :-)

--
Keith Willoughby flat222.orgkeithOpen ↗ It's the only
language they understand

Keith Willoughby <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

However, 20 minutes slumped on a seat outside the station
had me feeling much better. So I cycled back. It was much
easier dropping down 500 feet that climbing it, so there
was plenty of freewheeling, but I was still pretty tired
when I got back - but I made
it. 33 miles. Yay me. :-)

Glad you made it all the way back. This kind of ride is
great for expanding your horizons. Now you know that 33
miles is well within your abilities you can start planning a
50, a 60... :-)

Quoted message said:

The bike clothing I previously thought was for posers
turns out to be presumably a damned good idea. I could
have really done with sunglasses coming back south.

Glasses are a good idea. You don't have to shell out on the
high fashion ones either. I like Madisons with
interchangeable lenses.

Quoted message said:

And, I found I couldn't remove either of my top layers
when the sun cam out, because my cotton t-shirt was sodden
with sweat and I froze everytime I removed a layer.

Cotton is rotten. A good wicking base layer is what you
need.

Quoted message said:

Despite this, of all the people I said 'good morning' to
as I passed, the only ones not to reciprocate were the
ones wearing lurid cycling jerseys and trendy shades, who
looked at me as if I were a nutter. (Two separate groups.
Presumably they weren't impressed with the jogging bottoms
and the cheap MTB)

There really do seem to be two groups. I've noticed before
that people complain about the miserable roadies, but as a
roadie myself I've always noticed how miserable the MTB
people seem to be. Other roadies always return my wave, but
MTB-ers very seldom.

Quoted message said:

Even fat dudes like me can cycle 33 miles.

Fat dudes like you can cycle considerably greater distances
than that with a bit of practice. Keep it up!

--
Dave...

Arthur Clune said:

Padded gloves are a good thing, but shouldn't be used
to disguse problems with position. I'd suggest raising
the bars.

I discovered the truth of this by accident - having cleaned
my headset I replaced the bars without thinking too much
about the height. But when I next went out for a ride I
noticed that the bars felt higher than previously. Rather
than change them out on the road I thought I'd leave it
until I got home, but by that time I was enjoying the fact
that I felt significantly more comfortable with the bars in
their new position so left them as they were - it wasn't
much higher at all, but I certainly felt the difference.

And I'm another cyclist who doesn't mind admitting to being,
ahem, somewhat above fighting weight...

d.

"david kenning" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

And I'm another cyclist who doesn't mind admitting to
being, ahem, somewhat above fighting weight...

Sod fighting, if you're big enough - sit on them! :-)

Graeme

Danny Colyer said:

Good for you. You may find an energy drink helpful for
future rides. I used to use Isostar all the time, now I
prefer SiS Go, but I usually use TeknoFuel because it's
(relatively) cheap: url:http://www.teknofuel.co.uk/

Other people will have different preferences, of course,
and it's worth trying a few to find what works for you.

Chocolate Custard.

If you can't get custard, chocolate milk will have to do.

-kt

kingsley recommended:

Quoted message said:

Chocolate Custard.

If you can't get custard, chocolate milk will have to do.

Toffee custard is much nicer. Slightly harder to find,
though.

--
Danny Colyer (the UK company has been laughed out of my reply address)
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukdannyOpen ↗
Why I like OE6 - speedy5.freeserve.co.ukoe6.htmlOpen ↗
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine