boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
The biking thread
- Thread starter Bram Turismo
- 4,856 comments
- 262,262 views
- 2,095
- Norwich, UK
- madmike1986
The Boardman is still wounded...no Mech Hanger still 
I hate Halfords but I can't justify £20 on a tiny piece of metal if I buy elsewhere
I hate Halfords but I can't justify £20 on a tiny piece of metal if I buy elsewhere
- 13,827
- Down under
Thanks for the good wishes guys 
. The small positive for him is he gets to upgrade his rear cassette now as the old one was on its last legs anyway!
And here is to life's little pleasures: A nice bike ride around Bondi, followed by a tall glass of tomato cocktail on ice
.
. The small positive for him is he gets to upgrade his rear cassette now as the old one was on its last legs anyway!And here is to life's little pleasures: A nice bike ride around Bondi, followed by a tall glass of tomato cocktail on ice
.
- 2,095
- Norwich, UK
- madmike1986
Finally caved in and brought a Mech Hanger online, found one on ebay that looks the biz and is £10.49 Delivered.
So in conclusion, Halfords can do one.
So in conclusion, Halfords can do one.
If by desperate you mean cheap then yes, yes I am! If you get time to send it to me that would be great, I'm off to Macclesfield Forrest on Saturday with my bro so will hopefully have the chance to practice some jumps. Falling onto tree roots doesn't hurt, right?
- 13,827
- Down under
I'll be sure to ask them if they're ok after I prise my face off them. There's a section called "old men who should know better" in the bike mag I read that has photos and descriptions of biking injuries, some of them are so bad I'm surprised I even get on my bike again so I'll probably bottle it before I get any proper air.How's your riding going?
Cheers Allyn 👍
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chuyler1
Premium
- 4,548
- New Hampshire
- chuyler1
I had my wife riding around the back yard last night. She needed to figure out, in a safe environment, how to lift the front wheel and pedal properly over obstacles. As I mentioned before, she's physically fit, just not coordinated when it comes to learning new sports.
First I had her doing the pedal powered wheelie, which was mildly successful. She claims because she weighs less she doesn't have the weight to throw around. I tried to explain that it is just as much about punching the pedals as it is throwing your weight around. She complained for a while and then after a few minutes she started getting the wheel up. She never got to the point of pedaling multiple strokes with the wheel up, but at least she got the wheel high enough to move on to the next step.
I put a 4" log in the yard and had her attempt to negotiate it. Most, if not all mountain bikers wouldn't even flinch at this obstacle but it was tall enough to use for practice. She did well getting the front tire over, but she kept snagging the pedals or losing momentum when the rear went over. I tried to explain in slow-mo what was happening but she was getting confused with my instruction. I told her she needed to pedal to get the rear tire over, but she couldn't have the pedals lower than 4-o-clock when the crank passed over. It's all about timing, and sometimes you have to back-pedal to prevent the pedals from snagging. I take this stuff for granted, it just comes naturally to me, but not so with her. She got over the log 3 out of 4 times, but I think it was more luck than skill. When she didn't make it over, it was always because the pedal would jam against the log or because she had slowed down so much that the rear tire stopped her dead in her tracks.
After some frustration, I had her practice a separate technique. Pedaling between 2:00-4:00 over and over again. She thought this was stupid but again, after a few minutes of trying it she was able to roll around the yard at a slow speed without every letting the pedals drop below 4:00. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to apply this technique to the log. She started snagging the pedals every time once we went back to the log. At that point I think she was done so we called it a night.
I've been finding lots of instructional videos on youtube for mountain biking...but they are all too advanced for what she needs. I think she needs an uber beginner's guide that breaks the skills down into small steps that are easy to understand.
First I had her doing the pedal powered wheelie, which was mildly successful. She claims because she weighs less she doesn't have the weight to throw around. I tried to explain that it is just as much about punching the pedals as it is throwing your weight around. She complained for a while and then after a few minutes she started getting the wheel up. She never got to the point of pedaling multiple strokes with the wheel up, but at least she got the wheel high enough to move on to the next step.
I put a 4" log in the yard and had her attempt to negotiate it. Most, if not all mountain bikers wouldn't even flinch at this obstacle but it was tall enough to use for practice. She did well getting the front tire over, but she kept snagging the pedals or losing momentum when the rear went over. I tried to explain in slow-mo what was happening but she was getting confused with my instruction. I told her she needed to pedal to get the rear tire over, but she couldn't have the pedals lower than 4-o-clock when the crank passed over. It's all about timing, and sometimes you have to back-pedal to prevent the pedals from snagging. I take this stuff for granted, it just comes naturally to me, but not so with her. She got over the log 3 out of 4 times, but I think it was more luck than skill. When she didn't make it over, it was always because the pedal would jam against the log or because she had slowed down so much that the rear tire stopped her dead in her tracks.
After some frustration, I had her practice a separate technique. Pedaling between 2:00-4:00 over and over again. She thought this was stupid but again, after a few minutes of trying it she was able to roll around the yard at a slow speed without every letting the pedals drop below 4:00. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to apply this technique to the log. She started snagging the pedals every time once we went back to the log. At that point I think she was done so we called it a night.
I've been finding lots of instructional videos on youtube for mountain biking...but they are all too advanced for what she needs. I think she needs an uber beginner's guide that breaks the skills down into small steps that are easy to understand.
- 2,095
- Norwich, UK
- madmike1986
^ Women eh?
I joke, I joke
In other news, the Hanger I ordered is slightly to small, so I am still bike-less! Argh this is so annoying!
I joke, I joke
In other news, the Hanger I ordered is slightly to small, so I am still bike-less! Argh this is so annoying!
Mike, what about the one I linked a couple of pages ago?
I got a set of Cycraguard mudguards in an attempt to keep the road filth off me on my weekday rides and managed to shatter the rear one before I'd even been out with them on by looping the bike over upside down to lube the chain
In less hamfistedness I've sserviced my rear hub and freewheel so hopefully it'll last until after Christmas when I can manage to splash out on a new wheel set.
I got a set of Cycraguard mudguards in an attempt to keep the road filth off me on my weekday rides and managed to shatter the rear one before I'd even been out with them on by looping the bike over upside down to lube the chain
In less hamfistedness I've sserviced my rear hub and freewheel so hopefully it'll last until after Christmas when I can manage to splash out on a new wheel set.One thing that I can say that may or may not help, is to figure out how your wife learns best. Some people learn quickly by doing. Others learn by listening. Others learn better by thinking or visualising what they need to do. And others may need a combination of all of the above.
It sounds like what you are doing is perfect for her, breaking everything down to a simple step and giving her the benefit of your experience. It will be a long and frustrating road while you are giving the basic skills, but just keep at it. Additionally, take her to low level cycle paths as well (as you had done) so she can relates to what she has been practising in the garden with you.
Eventually everything will soon go *bing!* and she will make the connection to everything that you are saying and improve at a fast rate. Its just needs patience and time before that happens....
Just try and keep things light-hearted, even when she is making the same mistake over and over again. It can always be improved on the next day or so, as its actually the resting period when the brain is still learning the correct technique overnight before doing it again the next time.
(You probably know all of this, but just wanted to let you know that its normal and just will take time. It is annoying when, someone of your skill level, knows everything about it and try to explain it in simple steps to a complete beginner and they do not get it, after countless tries. Just take your time)
- 13,827
- Down under
Pretty good - thinks are becoming more natural, like riding with one hand off the bars and of course leaning into corners.
Just need to work on the gearshifting. Too often I am bolting down a hill at 30 or 40 kph and turn into a road with a mega uphill and am in the complete and utter wrong gear. So that means stopping, gearshifting + pedal turning with hands, getting back on and trying again.
Good stuff, glad it's all coming together. We've all been caught out in the wrong gear going uphill, the trick is to carry some momentum onto the hill, keep pedalling and change down through the gears before they become too hard to push.
Also while I'm here I'd like to big up Chain Reaction Cycles. I phoned them this morning to find out when they'll be crediting me with £2 return postage for an item so they gave me another £5 gift voucher (I've had 2 more of these recently for an out of stock delay) and I mentioned the broken mudguard so they're replacing it even though it was damaged through use rather than defect. As an added bonus the girl I spoke to had a sexy Irish accent
Also while I'm here I'd like to big up Chain Reaction Cycles. I phoned them this morning to find out when they'll be crediting me with £2 return postage for an item so they gave me another £5 gift voucher (I've had 2 more of these recently for an out of stock delay) and I mentioned the broken mudguard so they're replacing it even though it was damaged through use rather than defect. As an added bonus the girl I spoke to had a sexy Irish accent
- 2,095
- Norwich, UK
- madmike1986
Ah right, that'll be why the one from Halfords doesn't fit.
EDIT: I've just watched 3 Minute Gaps...O.M.F.G! I've not really watched much competitive downhill mountain biking so hadn't heard of all the guys before but I'll definitely be hunting it down next year although I think that might not be straight forward. I doubt watching live coverage will be as entertaining, insightful or inspirational as this film though, I can see the attraction of DJ and downhill now. Definitely one of the very best biking movies I've seen 👍
EDIT: I've just watched 3 Minute Gaps...O.M.F.G! I've not really watched much competitive downhill mountain biking so hadn't heard of all the guys before but I'll definitely be hunting it down next year although I think that might not be straight forward. I doubt watching live coverage will be as entertaining, insightful or inspirational as this film though, I can see the attraction of DJ and downhill now. Definitely one of the very best biking movies I've seen 👍
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- 12,389
- Betelgeuse
- Beeblebrox_237
Me on a bike=drifting.
chuyler1
Premium
- 4,548
- New Hampshire
- chuyler1
Thanks Submerged. She went out and did some practice on her own and although she feels she is using too much upper body, I think she's finding her own way to do things. I told her there is no wrong way to do it, as long as it gets done....but I know she'll freak out if she sees a 6" log. I should probably find one and set it up in the back yard...because with something that size, she will have to pedal properly to get over it.
I had a nice ride today with some local peeps. They showed me a good 2mi trail a few towns over. The place has tons of mountain-bike specific XC trails. On a map they look like your lower intestines. You ride around in circles for a mile only to end up 50 ft from where you started. The terrain is relatively flat but littered with granite rocks. New Hampshire is the granite state after all. One of the trails I got moving at a good clip, but the rest were pretty slow and technical. Tons of sludgy mud that really saturated my tread. Things got slick until I could get up to speed and clear it off.
^ I found these which might be useful to show your wife.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSqkKtnMM_U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkvWp5ypjg0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSqkKtnMM_U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkvWp5ypjg0
- 2,095
- Norwich, UK
- madmike1986
This news pleases me greatly (and will likely interest boilthe ocean), the nearest trail centre to me has 6km of new red and black trails Now I just need to convince my mate we're going there on 19th Nov instead of the route by his house.
New Trail to open at Coed Llandegla
See this guys youtube channel for a few decent videos of the new stuff > http://www.youtube.com/user/The1BigH
Now I just need to convince my mate we're going there on 19th Nov instead of the route by his house.New Trail to open at Coed Llandegla
See this guys youtube channel for a few decent videos of the new stuff > http://www.youtube.com/user/The1BigH
boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
NealThis news pleases me greatly (and will likely interest boilthe ocean), the nearest trail centre to me has 6km of new red and black trails
New Trail to open at Coed Llandegla
See this guys youtube channel for a few decent videos of the new stuff > http://www.youtube.com/user/The1BigH
I read about that the other day, they sound fun so I hope to get out there soon.
In other news I've got to bleed and put new pads on my Mono Mini, the bolt connecting the hose to the calliper came loose and pee'd fluid everywhere. I also pee'd myself a little because I was in the middle of some jumps and suddenly lost my only brake!
- 29,891
- Thailand
After weeks of trying different combinations of clothing (for dry weather commuting) I settled on a long sleeve football shirt over a vest and my normal shorts. Track bottoms were too hot.
So now as long as I cycle at a moderate pace and don't go time trialling myself I can get to work without being drenched in sweat or being freezing cold. Lovely.
So now as long as I cycle at a moderate pace and don't go time trialling myself I can get to work without being drenched in sweat or being freezing cold. Lovely.
^ I'm struggling to get my riding gear right now that it's a lot colder. I sweat too much in a waterproof jacket and a long sleeve base layer, T shirt and micro fleece is only just keeping me warm at the moment...I need something windproof. I've had to dig out the Northface base layer tights, at least it's dark most of the time when I go riding!
Look boyo, Red Bull Downforce street race in Swansea city centre Sunday 4th December!
Look boyo, Red Bull Downforce street race in Swansea city centre Sunday 4th December!
- 29,891
- Thailand
Luckily for me it's only mildly chilly here, the freeze hasn't kicked in so I'm fine with my shorts but I'm going to try a t-shirt & hooded sweater when the chill comes.
If you're biking anywhere that doesn't have a shower it's always useful to keep some baby wet wipes in a bag so that they can be used for a tramp wash to clean up the sweat.
If you're biking anywhere that doesn't have a shower it's always useful to keep some baby wet wipes in a bag so that they can be used for a tramp wash to clean up the sweat.
