The biking thread

[boiltheocean]

Or buy a backpack...

 

[daft biker]

daft biker, awesome photos 👍 I can see from your photos thread you're a pretty handy snapper 👍

Thanks Neal Got my first SLR over 10 years ago and am probably as attached to my cameras as I am my bikes. Sometimes folk even pay me to take pics....mostly distance runs but also some roadie stuff

Usually I just use a compact when I'm out riding with mates though....switch the flash off, stick to good light and pre-focus

 

[Aldo]

You should check out my thread... See how it's really done... Boom!
PS, I've not seen your thread yet, I'll go soon.

 

[daft biker]

PS, I've not seen your thread yet, I'll go soon.

I think your's is bigger than mine

 

[ExigeEvan]

Or, fit a rear pannier rack and buy a messenger bag with a system like this on the back.

 

[Omnis]

daft biker, awesome photos 👍 I can see from your photos thread you're a pretty handy snapper 👍

Omnis, you could try hanging it off the top tube like in the pic below but it might be too big to fit in the space and between your legs (that's what she said)

If that doesn't work then strapping it to a pannier rack will stop it turning your clothes into a sweaty creased mess by getting it off your back.

Ah, that's brilliant. That might work. Thanks. 👍

 

[W3H5]

The first wet ride of 2012.​

I'm not in the habit of doing cross city tours in torrents of rain but today was an exception The tale is as follows...

I was out and about in town for lunch and a spot of grocery shopping when I realised I'd run low on my essential medication. They don't sell Fluroxitine over the counter so I would have to go the nut house where I get it on prescription only. Being just after the New Year, they weren't open.

My dad takes the same meds but is away visiting relatives in some god forsaken part of Chongqing. I called him up and he told me he'd got a spare box in his house, on the other side of the city. A plan is formulating.

To make the trip I decided my bike could use a bit of a ride, the lonely little thing. I don't usually ride in the wet and it'd been wet for the last 6 weeks or so. Bought an unbranded, lightweight overcoat in town, retail priced £23 got it for £7 (must have been off the back of a lorry) and a pair of cycling trousers for £8 (don't start...yes, spandex). See below.

After giving the old metal horse an oil and some chain lube I removed the aero bars and added my mud guards. I put some air into the tyres and clipped on my lights.

The trip is about 45k around, up and down mountains. I wasn't out to set any new land speed records today as I didn't want to over heat and sweat and then freeze. I put on my Jobserve era Hammers shirt and my new jacket over the top. On my bottom I wore my long underwear (long Johns) and the cycling trousers.

I left in fog, then it turned to drizzle, then it turned to light rain. When I arrived at my dad's around an hour later (covered in road filth) I grabbed the pills and turned around, but not before grabbing a Red Bull and a tube of M&Ms for a sugar boost from the local shop.

By the time I started back my glasses were useless as they'd fogged right up. They have a light tint to them (like the Mercedes slight blue window tinge) so are fine for night riding but with the now medium strength rain I couldn't see the road too well wearing them.

The rain got heavier and the crap caking up on my clothes got thicker. My nose, mouth and eyes were now officially gunked and the chemicals in the rain (part of the reason I don't ride in it) left a nasty taste in my mouth and burnt my eyes.

On the last few km I had to take it easy as I was getting a little too warm despite my legs and head being soaked in grime because my rear gearing cassette is on it's last legs and should have been replaced in the summer. In fact, the only fully operation part of the gearing system are the shift levers. My brakes by this point had so much slime in them that they had failed to be brakes and were now just things to slow me down a bit faster than opening my jacket to catch the wind. They may have well failed for all the use they were.

I came to the conclusion that my bike really isn't set up for wet riding, and neither am I since last year when I gave it up. Running slicks through 6 inch deep puddles the length of a tennis court every few hundred meters isn't very safe either.

I made it home just as rain became enough to injure someone with easily bruised skin and just as my light batteries started to lose power. I immediately had pee and a shower. Despite being a huge fan of Ray Mears survival advise I'd clearly dehydrated and taking a leak was like pissing hydrochloric acid. The gunk in my hair took a good ten minutes to wash out and finally after 30 minutes in the shower the water going down the hole stopped being black and gritty.

So, in summery, 2012 is not getting me back out in the rain, even in the summer. My toes got a bit cold and my lovely cycling gloves now need replacing. The bike's definitely going in for a new gear system before the my interval training resumes in the spring and if the old horse is lucky she might get a service from me in the next few weeks.
All in all, a fun but challenging ride.

 

[Submerged]

Those cycling trousers looks fine.

Can also use running trousers as well, they do the same job (but can be colder as they're made of thinner material).

But man, that sounds like a massive challenge!

 

[W3H5]

I checked out some track bottoms but the only cheapish ones I could find were lose legs without the elastic. I can't count the amount of joggers I've ruined with chain grease!

They actually did a swell job and fit like a glove. The only issue I have is that if they were proper cycling trousers and not just regular sports ones they'd have a padded bum, but alas, they don't.

 

[Submerged]

You could wear the long ones first, then wear the cycle padded shorts over them. Or just wear the long ones over a padded cycle shorts.

These were the ones I was talking about, they tend to call them running tights.

http://www.play.com/Sports-Outdoors/Sports/4-/24872255/Ronhill-Men-s-Advance-Powerlite-Running-Tights/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:24872257%7Cprd:24872257

I can't seem to get an image off them, but you get the idea. I am sure somewhere in CQ there is a shop that sells them relatively cheaply. They may be cheaper or the same price as the cycling ones.

A friend of mine wears a rugby vest thing underneath his cycling jersey when it gets cold because it is designed to keep him warm, yet takes the sweat away. So basically try not to get pinned down by manufacturers saying it is sports-specific.... They rarely are!

 

[W3H5]

I wear my football shirt because it has, probably, similar properties to the rugby shirt your friend wears. Plus it was £5!

The leggings you linked are pretty much what I have. My arse is pretty hard from years of cycling but after 40+km it starts to ache a bit. I guess I could wear my shorts over the top.

 

[Submerged]

Ah, that's sorted then.

 

[Tommi]

I finished my first ride of the 2012 earlier, I only did about 7 miles because it's been ages since I last rode any significant distance or done anything classed as exercise. Apart from one stop to get my bottle out of the bag it went really well. I'm going to go an extra mile or two each time round and try to keep my speed a bit more consistent.

Just need to get some better pedals and a bottle holder now!

A friend of mine wears a rugby vest thing underneath his cycling jersey when it gets cold because it is designed to keep him warm, yet takes the sweat away.

I use my old rugby vest too, apart from the bike everything i'm using hasn't cost me a penny!

Oh and nice one Shem 👍

 

[ExigeEvan]

By the time I started back my glasses were useless as they'd fogged right up. They have a light tint to them (like the Mercedes slight blue window tinge) so are fine for night riding but with the now medium strength rain I couldn't see the road too well wearing them.

One day, a great man will event something that will keep glasses clear while cycling in rain.

But peaked caps, helmets and RainX are still not the complete answer...

 

[Submerged]

What about swimming goggles chemicals?

Some years ago, swimming goggles got applied with this special chemical that prevented the goggles from fogging up in the water for however long you were in the water. They did work for some months, until they faded and didn't work. But you could buy the chemicals that they used to re-apply it again and keep it at bay.

I just wonder if it may work with sunglasses?

 

[ExigeEvan]

What about swimming goggles chemicals?

Some years ago, swimming goggles got applied with this special chemical that prevented the goggles from fogging up in the water for however long you were in the water. They did work for some months, until they faded and didn't work. But you could buy the chemicals that they used to re-apply it again and keep it at bay.

I just wonder if it may work with sunglasses?

General consensus is nothing works.

The misting is only half the issue, rain sitting on the lens is also a pretty big issue.

 

[daft biker]

One day, a great man will event something that will keep glasses clear while cycling in rain.

But peaked caps, helmets and RainX are still not the complete answer...

Ask these guys to make you some goggles?💡

....have seen similar things on boats so they can see where they are going in places window wipers wouldn't be able to keep up....rain and snow just get thrown off and I've often wondered if it would work with mud too. I think they might also be used in some motorsports sometimes too?

 

[W3H5]

GThe misting is only half the issue, rain sitting on the lens is also a pretty big issue.

That's the killer, right there. Blobs of water obscuring the view.

 

[Submerged]

Ah.

You can tell that I'm a dry weather cyclist!

 

[Neal]

Tommi, good work getting back on your bike 👍 I get very bored going to the gym but enjoy bike riding even if it's just local roads plus it's good practice for doing some proper mountain biking. Are you a roadie or MTBer? If you've got a smart phone I very much recommend getting set up on Endomondo to track everything even if it's just to see how many burgers you've burnt off.

mehS, killer ride! Sounds grim though in that weather but you can make a few changes to keep the road filth off you. A Neoguard neoprene sheet (or old inner tube) between the fork crown and brace stops nearly all the muck coming off the front tyre being thrown in your face and a crud catcher on the down tube stop a hell of a lot getting thrown on your legs, I've also got a rear guard to keep arse and backpack clean and dry. See below.

Also as far as keeping glasses clean on a push bike you're pretty much knackered because RainX rain repellent only starts working properly at 50mph+ but it's still worth applying to make water bead more so you can see through it better. You could try a Vee wipe attached to your thumb to wipe off the muck but it'll probably scratch the lenses.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Also as far as keeping glasses clean on a push bike you're pretty much knackered because RainX rain repellent only starts working properly at 50mph+ but it's still worth applying to make water bead more so you can see through it better. You could try a Vee wipe attached to your thumb to wipe off the muck but it'll probably scratch the lenses.

50 mph eh?

 

[Tommi]

Tommi, good work getting back on your bike 👍 I get very bored going to the gym but enjoy bike riding even if it's just local roads plus it's good practice for doing some proper mountain biking. Are you a roadie or MTBer? If you've got a smart phone I very much recommend getting set up on Endomondo to track everything even if it's just to see how many burgers you've burnt off.

Thanks Neal.👍 I ride for the exact same reason and I like to be out and about exploring things. I'm a (noob) roadie, but I used to do a bit of mountain biking when I was at school, I gave up in the end because there's nowhere decent round here.

And Endomondo is exactly what i've been looking for, so i'll sign up now!

 

[Aldo]

Thanks Neal.👍 I ride for the exact same reason and I like to be out and about exploring things. I'm a (noob) roadie, but I used to do a bit of mountain biking when I was at school, I gave up in the end because there's nowhere decent round here.

And Endomondo is exactly what i've been looking for, so i'll sign up now!

Neal you filthy thieving gypsy! Not even any credit to me on the Endomondo shout!

 

[W3H5]

@Neal, I have in place two rather large plastic guards around the wheels. The front one works a treat but the rear only catches half the grime. They aren't any good for my training runs as the seem to cause mucho drag and defeating the point of all my light weighting and aero bars. Plus the look like granddad guards, and I must be image conscious now with my spandex and all!

​

I'm really calling that my last heavy ride in the rain. Light rain and fog I can stomach but the hard rain and standing water takes too much persistence to do a long ride.

 

[Neal]

My god Shem, you could go snowboarding with the read mudguard

Check these out, meant to be good for roadie tyres http://www.crudproducts.com/products/roadracer/

50 mph eh?

Genius, it just so happens I have a few cans of that knocking about 💡

Thanks Neal.👍 I ride for the exact same reason and I like to be out and about exploring things. I'm a (noob) roadie, but I used to do a bit of mountain biking when I was at school, I gave up in the end because there's nowhere decent round here.

And Endomondo is exactly what i've been looking for, so i'll sign up now!

'tis a bit flat round your way for mountain biking, I take it you're fully lycra'd up in your team colours like the guys round our way

Neal you filthy thieving gypsy! Not even any credit to me on the Endomondo shout!

I can't find it so I have no proof but I'm sure I discovered Endomondo without your help even though you should have given me a heads up ages ago so backatcha

 

[W3H5]

My god Shem, you could go snowboarding with the read mudguard

Check these out, meant to be good for roadie tyres http://www.crudproducts.com/products/roadracer/

I've looked into some of them but the seem to be around £20 a set which is a lot for something I'm not likely to use often. I've seen a few other riders using them and staying cleaner than I, so I guess they do work.

The rear mudguard doubles as cricket bat should I meet any Indians/ Nepalese who fancy a few innings.

Couldn't find the Cruds on any Chinese sites. £26 without shipping from a UK site. I'll just stick to dry weather riding me thinks.

 

[Mike Rotch]

I finished my first ride of the 2012 earlier, I only did about 7 miles because it's been ages since I last rode any significant distance or done anything classed as exercise. Apart from one stop to get my bottle out of the bag it went really well. I'm going to go an extra mile or two each time round and try to keep my speed a bit more consistent.

That is the approach I am taking - afterall, it's supposed to be fun, not ultra serious. I need to get some cheap headphones, to alleviate the boredom though. Watching people walk their dogs in the park is only so interesting.

 

[Slick Rick]

Ive given up on mudgaurds, I think if its raining im going to get wet anyway haha


I went to Richmond Park yesterday for my first ride in over 3 months, got dark about 4pm and started raining. It was awesome, I didnt bring any lights and it was near pitch black with Deer right beside you that you would never notice if they didnt move. Going down muddy slippery slopes in the dark was dangerous but thats what added to the fun. I wish I took a pic of my bike after I finished EVERY part was covered in mud.
Got tired after 10mins though! Felt like a brick wall of pain I couldnt push past, didnt realise how easy it was to loose stamina like that

 

[boiltheocean]

I'm attempting 100 or more 1 hour+ rides in 2012, I've already worked out a nice little road loop around my area that I should be able to do in the week after my morning shifts. It's going to be tough while the weather is still cold but come summer it will be lovely.

 

[ExigeEvan]

If it stops raining for a day I might get a chance to test my clips.