The cycling thread

[Booth11]

Plans are to strip it and clean it, but leave it with its current patina. It is in extremely good condition. I'm hoping all the new parts it will need will be tyres (tan walls ordered) and cables.

What I'll do with it, I'm not sure. It's just one of those things that's nice to have for nostalgic reasons.

I'd like a bike shed, put I prefer them in the integral garage, as that's part of the house and pretty secure. Space is getting a bit tight in there now, so the Mk2 might have to go and live in my parents garage.

Be sure to post some more pics up as it progresses.

If space is tight how about something like this, if you haven't already. 

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-dual-touch-bike-stand/

We've got our bikes on wall mounted brackets and it really does free up space, but could do with something a bit more dedicated so seriously considering this type of thing but sufficient for up to 6 bikes. 

[charlie]

Love the new old bike dubber. 

[VW BUSH]

Chain snapped first pedal off the drive, face plant, broken light, went inside opened beer.

[Dolly]

Have slowly got back on it after a break mainly thanks to food poisoning and work ect ect.

Went up the Long Mynd which is in Shropshire for those of you who don't know of a land north of Watford.

Its a road called the Burway and ranks 9/10 on the top 100 climbs (some book i have) According to strava people have done it in 11 minutes, it took me half an hour 
I mean Holy sh!t, I'm not sure if I ran out of talent or ran out of gears - I suspect the first.

Anyway since that assult the crank is now creaking on my bike so it looks like it needs stripping down and checking out - always good to be tinkering with something 

[dubber36]

I've not riden up the Burway for years. I must try it again soon as it's only 6 miles from me.

I did a 90K ride this morning to get some miles in ready for next weekends Shropshire Highland Challenge. On the way round I passed a few riders on a road section of The Batch Burner. By the puffing and panting that was going on, I'd say their 45K was a lot harder than my jaunt.

As for these Strava times, I wonder how many are actually done in the car.

[dubber36]

Shropshire Highland Challenge all done and dusted yesterday. 104km and 1475m of climbing all done in 4hrs 40mins including stops. Right, what's next?

Oh, and its was also the first recent run out on my new Mavic Kysriums. What a difference a wheel makes. On a 2 mile steady decent that we rolled down without pedaling at around 40kph, I pulled away a good 200m on my mate who is about the same weight as me.

[Booth11]

Shropshire Highland Challenge all done and dusted yesterday. 104km and 1475m of climbing all done in 4hrs 40mins including stops. Right, what's next?

Oh, and its was also the first recent run out on my new Mavic Kysriums. What a difference a wheel makes. On a 2 mile steady decent that we rolled down without pedaling at around 40kph, I pulled away a good 200m on my mate who is about the same weight as me.

Well done Simon    It's amazing the speeds you can clock up going downhill!  What tyres have you got on?  So what is next for you? 

Every year my work does a 3 day cycle tour abroad - Netherlands this year.  Was tempted but work commitments put paid to that.  Need to be fitter anyway.

[dubber36]

Well done Simon    It's amazing the speeds you can clock up going downhill!  What tyres have you got on?  So what is next for you? 

They came as a wheel/tyre combo and have Mavic Yksion Pro's. They are front/rear specific with a very light directional tread pattern. Oddly the front tyre tread should face what looks like the wrong way round, but after much interneting, the rear goes on as we would fit directional tyres to our cars for traction, and the front goes the 'wrong' way to aid braking.

What's next? Well I have another 100K ride in September, but that doesn't seem much of a challenge now. I'm still going out 2-3 times a week to build up my climbing legs, so perhaps the Alps may beckon next year.

[Booth11]

Well done Simon    It's amazing the speeds you can clock up going downhill!  What tyres have you got on?  So what is next for you? 

They came as a wheel/tyre combo and have Mavic Yksion Pro's. They are front/rear specific with a very light directional tread pattern. Oddly the front tyre tread should face what looks like the wrong way round, but after much interneting, the rear goes on as we would fit directional tyres to our cars for traction, and the front goes the 'wrong' way to aid braking.

What's next? Well I have another 100K ride in September, but that doesn't seem much of a challenge now. I'm still going out 2-3 times a week to build up my climbing legs, so perhaps the Alps may beckon next year.

Could combine Alps with family summer caravaning holiday?  We did that many times when I was a kid (camping) so my dad and his mate could spend their days cycling.  Good memories.  Or do you fancy a dedicated cycling trip, no family in tow?  Do you belong to a cycling club?

[dubber36]

Blimey, so many questions. 

The plan is to have some solo cycling days as part of a family holiday.

I don't belong to a club. There are several local ones, but I haven't joined because I don't like other people.