[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Pogue Mahone]

Evans Gatwick have a Sportive a week later.
Which in the unlikely event the weather is like today, I hope to do the fun route with Jnr Stat.

Although quite how 'fun' and 'February Sportive' go together God only knows.

I've looked at the Evans one at Gatwick - it's a possibility, but only for a very late decision. And it is three weeks BEFORE the Puncheur, which is on March 2nd. Thankfully.

Although last year's Puncheur was probably the coldest I've ever been on a bike...

 

[1066familyman]

Sorry for the long ramble, but easier than quoting back on some posts.

Just watched the stage highlights programme (thanks Hamilton).

TOUR DOWN UNDER - Great to see Ulissi right up for this one and taking a fine stage win from Gerrans. Great for the race as it means Gerrans is going to really have to earn it if he wants overall victory. I was willing old Cadel on to victory and good to see him giving it a crack, but I suppose I have to concede to SB that his legs just aren't up to it here. Great viewing start so far to the season and this TDU is going to be an exciting one again by the looks of things.

FANTASY - When I logged in just now to check the scores our purist league was showing a few non purist teams, but once I checked a few team line ups it later showed the league with just the 10 purists teams in it, so would appear to be working just as it should. Well played Cranky - I think Ulissi showing up is going to win you this competition. As for SB thinking I'm going to get twitchy and want to do transfers - not a bit of it!, loving the freedom of no transfers for the whole race, and besides, it gives me even more time to enjoy the racing and research for the next race too

BIKE BUYING ADVICE - Strings is like me in that I'm so glad I went for a road bike over a hybrid. Yes, true that you'll spend some money changing/upgrading and maintaining it, but as Pogue says, that's all part of the fun. Talking of which my new chain arrived from Wiggle today as my one was on the limit. It's a Campag Centaur to match the rest of the group set but I'm reading that some people have found it tricky to fit with a standard chain link tool as campag recommend their own. Here's hoping the tool on my multi tool will do the job ok. My concession to a hybrid was double sided spd pedals so I can still ride with all the kids along the seafront and such like on my road bike in trainers, seeing as I don't have the space or money for several bikes of my own. Really need to weigh up what you want most from the bike I suppose and go with that.


Edit: Sportive question - Are there any sportives you lot would recommend for taking young kids on? ( I know SB has already done one). Paying to ride my bike on free roads feels odd to me, but I'd be prepared to pay if it means giving the kids a better experience and hopefully more safety. Do they do any closed road sportives at all?, as that would be brilliant.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

FANTASY - When I logged in just now to check the scores our purist league was showing a few non purist teams, but once I checked a few team line ups it later showed the league with just the 10 purists teams in it, so would appear to be working just as it should. Well played Cranky - I think Ulissi showing up is going to win you this competition. As for SB thinking I'm going to get twitchy and want to do transfers - not a bit of it!, loving the freedom of no transfers for the whole race, and besides, it gives me even more time to enjoy the racing and research for the next race too .

I'm enjoying no transfers too. Still seeing non purist teams in the NSC purist league though.

 

[Stat Brother]

Dearest cycling geeks

I am after a new (first) bike.

I have got a cycle to work voucher and looking to get something to cycle between Bevendean and city centre on daily basis. Been having a look at the Carrera Gryphon Hybrid Bike <http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810613_langId_-1_categoryId_165534> can anyone give some pros/cons for this bike? any others I should consider. Looking at a buget of around £300-£400

Thanks in advance

Jim

I just did a vague 'best hybrid' search, one of the first replies is this:-
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/the-50-best-bicycles-8627699.html

Fortunately the 2 hybrids closest to your price point also show the differences you can expect from such a broad range.
Basing opinions on 2 photos is amazingly stupid.
All of what's written below is just a framework that might possibly help you choose the bike that best suits your needs.

The Ridgeback LOOKS like a mountain bike that's scaled down.
It 'looks' to be heavier, it has disc brakes, it would seem to be happy on a decent quality trail, as well as on the road.


The Boardman LOOKS like a flat barred roadie.
It's as strong as the RB, although you might not think so.
I'd imagine it is the easier bike to power on the road, it 'looks' as if this bike is easier to maneuver around town with skinnier tyres.

 

[1066familyman]

I'm enjoying no transfers too. Still seeing non purist teams in the NSC purist league though.

This is odd. Just logged out and back in to test and now mine's back to showing non purist teams as well.

Yep, no transfers feels like a breath of fresh air. Really glad I made that decision and I know already I won't be hankering after a transfer team at any point this season. The liberated feeling will only get better as the season goes on too

 

[Stat Brother]

Edit: Sportive question - Are there any sportives you lot would recommend for taking young kids on? ( I know SB has already done one). Paying to ride my bike on free roads feels odd to me, but I'd be prepared to pay if it means giving the kids a better experience and hopefully more safety. Do they do any closed road sportives at all?, as that would be brilliant.

The Evans ones seem to be the only rides with a 'fun' 10 mile route.
I guess it's not good for the organisers to promote the event to serious roadies and kids.
Most do a 20 mile short route, but that's beyond jnr.

They start early Sunday morning off the beaten track, so traffic is minimal.
The camaraderie is great, and the route, much of the time, will be new to you.

As for paying I understand what you mean, but the rides are properly signed, there's refreshments, and usually 'free gifts'.
Plus the element of (shhh) 'competition' you're timed, everybodies results are posted, you get to see who you 'beat', as well as marvel at the bloke half an hour quicker.

Edit: Also not being a club member it's the best and I'd imagine only opportunity you'll have to ride in a chain gang, of sorts.
***sad stat alert*** I vividly remember the thrill of my first time riding in a chain with 'proper' cyclists.
Not to mention the terror as I realised at some point, in a minute, I'll be on the bloody front.
T'was like riding into a brick wall!!

 

[Stat Brother]

I've looked at the Evans one at Gatwick - it's a possibility, but only for a very late decision. And it is three weeks BEFORE the Puncheur, which is on March 2nd. Thankfully.

Although last year's Puncheur was probably the coldest I've ever been on a bike...

Whoops, sorry about that.

The weather requirements that the Evans ride has to fulfill does make our inclusion somewhat doubtful, to say the least.
But at this precise moment we are definitely in!!!

 

[1066familyman]

Thanks SB. I had a look at the Evans one you recommended and at £7.50 for the fun route and kids going free that sounds reasonable. Our 9yr might make the 20 mile if it's flat enough, although 13 miles at the weekend with a nasty hill right near the end didn't leave her too impressed. I'd rather go short and leave her keen for more than totally knacker her out and demoralise her completely. The weather will of course be a factor as you say, but it has me curious that's for sure.

 

[Stat Brother]

Thanks SB. I had a look at the Evans one you recommended and at £7.50 for the fun route and kids going free that sounds reasonable. Our 9yr might make the 20 mile if it's flat enough, although 13 miles at the weekend with a nasty hill right near the end didn't leave her too impressed. I'd rather go short and leave her keen for more than totally knacker her out and demoralise her completely. The weather will of course be a factor as you say, but it has me curious that's for sure.

The one we did last year will be 31st August this year, and well worth putting in the diary.
I'd say it was pretty much an ideal rolling route for little legs.

That date clashes with http://www.srs-events.cc/event4/event-details.htm which has a 23 mile route.

SRS do excellent events and given the choice I'd go for this one.

 

[1066familyman]

 

[Stat Brother]

See I told you, never any doubt.

 

[Hamilton]

The BBC cycling page is a total joke. There is a massive resurgence in cycling in this country, but you wouldn't know that a UCI race was on!

It can't be that they don't have journos down there as I've heard they have a tennis competition going on in the same country.

The other night the beeb gave more coverage to the meaningless west ham v man city tie than cycling. I'm decrying the league cup, but just saying we all knew the result before the game had started (hence only 14k turned up).

I'm a big defender of the BBC, but this is really poor.

 

[strings]

was it sunny today, [MENTION=4472]strings[/MENTION]

[tweet]426057885274357760[/tweet]

Ouch!!

I think I'll stick to my usual jerseys.

 

[strings]

Edit: Sportive question - Are there any sportives you lot would recommend for taking young kids on? ( I know SB has already done one). Paying to ride my bike on free roads feels odd to me, but I'd be prepared to pay if it means giving the kids a better experience and hopefully more safety. Do they do any closed road sportives at all?, as that would be brilliant.

May I ask a newbie question?

What is a sportive?

Is it a race, or is it more relaxed? If, as a complete newbie, I showed up with my road bike with normal (flat) pedals and pottered around the course at a slowish pace, would I be laughed out of the place?

I don't fancy joining a cycling club, so any event where I can get to cycle alongside others seems good to me. I've also noticed the local 'sky' rides, which have groups for beginners, so I may try one of them too (when the weather perks up).

 

[Hamilton]

May I ask a newbie question?

What is a sportive?

Is it a race, or is it more relaxed? If, as a complete newbie, I showed up with my road bike with normal (flat) pedals and pottered around the course at a slowish pace, would I be laughed out of the place?

I don't fancy joining a cycling club, so any event where I can get to cycle alongside others seems good to me. I've also noticed the local 'sky' rides, which have groups for beginners, so I may try one of them too (when the weather perks up).

See duplicate post.

 

[Hamilton]

May I ask a newbie question?

What is a sportive?

Is it a race, or is it more relaxed? If, as a complete newbie, I showed up with my road bike with normal (flat) pedals and pottered around the course at a slowish pace, would I be laughed out of the place?

I don't fancy joining a cycling club, so any event where I can get to cycle alongside others seems good to me. I've also noticed the local 'sky' rides, which have groups for beginners, so I may try one of them too (when the weather perks up).

It's much more relaxed. The only person you are racing against is yourself.

And they are great fun. Organized courses through some cracking countryside.

You wouldn't be laughed at for flat pedals, but it's not a place for pottering as such.

There will be a large number of serious cyclists in all the gear, and they are for road bikes, but the cycling community is about cycling and I find little snobbery about.

 

[strings]

It's much more relaxed. The only person you are racing against is yourself.

And they are great fun. Organized courses through some cracking countryside.

You wouldn't be laughed at for flat pedals, but it's not a place for pottering as such.

Brilliant, thanks!

I'm training for a triathlon and noticed some in the area in late spring, so I might give one a go. Sounds fun - once I have a bit more speed.

 

[Bold Seagull]

May I ask a newbie question?

What is a sportive?

Is it a race, or is it more relaxed? If, as a complete newbie, I showed up with my road bike with normal (flat) pedals and pottered around the course at a slowish pace, would I be laughed out of the place?

I don't fancy joining a cycling club, so any event where I can get to cycle alongside others seems good to me. I've also noticed the local 'sky' rides, which have groups for beginners, so I may try one of them too (when the weather perks up).

It's a non competitive organised bike ride which is sign posted and often with rest stops with food and drink depending on the distance. As Hamilton says, some of the routes they give you are quiet roads and lanes and stunning.

I get slightly addicted to them, as does [MENTION=19321]Pogue Mahone[/MENTION], [MENTION=225]Hamilton[/MENTION] and [MENTION=11738]Spreadbetting Seagull[/MENTION] - we've all done quite a few together from 60 miles to 110 miles. I've done a few on my own and you always end up in groups who go at your pace and you can enjoy a bit of a natter. If you get dropped, it doesn't matter, another group will be along soon enough, or you'll catch a slower group.

You'll get some people taking it seriously trying to get round in the shortest possible time, and you'll also get Dad's with young kids, or couples out for a leisurely ride on hybrids, mountain bikes etc. so your flat pedalled road bike will not look at of place, although there is plenty of us with all the gear but no idea!

I've always found them very friendly, and enjoyed cycling around a route with various cyclists of varying abilities. You think they might be a bit cliquey or inclusive, but generally I'd say they very friendly places to have a ride.

UK cycling events is a good place to start, Evans do some Ride It events, as well as SRS events.

 

[Hamilton]

It's a non competitive organised bike ride which is sign posted and often with rest stops with food and drink depending on the distance. As Hamilton says, some of the routes they give you are quite roads and lanes and stunning.

I get slightly addicted to them, as does [MENTION=19321]Pogue Mahone[/MENTION], [MENTION=225]Hamilton[/MENTION] and [MENTION=11738]Spreadbetting Seagull[/MENTION] - we've all done quite a few together from 60 miles to 110 miles. I've done a few on my own and you always end up in groups who go at your pace and you can enjoy a bit of a natter. If you get dropped, it doesn't matter, another group will be along soon enough, or you'll catch a slower group.

You'll get some people taking it seriously trying to get round in the shortest possible time, and you'll also get Dad's with young kids, or couples out for a leisurely ride on hybrids, mountain bikes etc. so your flat pedalled road bike will not look at of place, although there is plenty of us with all the gear but no idea!

I've always found them very friendly, and enjoyed cycling around a route with various cyclists of varying abilities. You think they might be a bit cliquey or inclusive, but generally I'd say they very friendly places to have a ride.

UK cycling events is a good place to start, Evans do some Ride It events, as well as SRS events.

He's much more eloquent than me is Bold. This.

 

[strings]

Thanks [MENTION=16159]Bold Seagull[/MENTION] - that is very thorough. Sounds like fun!