£300 set budget for a new bike - suggestions?

[PaulSB]

@infinityleague I've been following this thread off and on, apologies if you have already mentioned this. Which of the Dragon rides are you planning to ride? 98, 157, 215 or 296km??

Thanks

 

[infinityleague]

@infinityleague I've been following this thread off and on, apologies if you have already mentioned this. Which of the Dragon rides are you planning to ride? 98, 157, 215 or 296km??

Thanks

296 km is my goal. If I prepare for that, I can probably do the 98 one come June.

Entries are now open. Waiting for the early ballot entry / invitational e-mail (entered for the early access).

 

[Brandane]

296 km is my goal.

That's an ambitious goal for a newbie! .
I would suggest your going to need to do a LOT of training, so need to stop dithering and get a bike sooner rather than later. That Boardman for sale on the previous page sounds like a good deal. Or is this thread another that is just going to run and run with no end result? To be honest, you're not going to get perfection for £300. Just buy it!! Ok, I am a more impulsive type, admittedly...

 

[infinityleague]

Update :

Apologies as I was away for a few days.

Had to settle for the Apollo Twilight. Had to start somewhere. Getting the Apollo customised at Halfords to my requirements was a headache. Got it done nonetheless.

Was told not to remove the front basket, so that’s a give away if you ever spot me between Basildon and Southend. Also, had a few sessions in Cambridge (didn’t want to get hustled in London) and the Peak District (very small climbs).

 

[Animo]

Well if you do 296km on that you're a better man than I am Gunga Din.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

296 km is my goal. If I prepare for that, I can probably do the 98 one come June.

Entries are now open. Waiting for the early ballot entry / invitational e-mail (entered for the early access).

296k and 98k are not similar propositions!

98k, I would happily do in an evening after work in midsummer. 296k, I've never got close to, and never will.

It's like comparing parkrun to an ultramarathon.

 

[infinityleague]

I do not know how to close this thread.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions & the help.

I will need your opinion when I want to upgrade to a better bike in a few months time. Understood I need a budget gravel bike after cycling in Peak District. I also realised I like climbing rather than biking on flat surfaces.

I will also probably ask for opinions on how best to get ready for this event. The event company did mention they will send a training schedule but I just want to climb hills and not worry much about anything else. Do a few long endurance rides (twice monthly from January) and build some leg strength.

Also, signed up for the Dragon Ride 300 km challenge. Keeps me motivated whether I do it or not. No idea how I will raise the money for charity but yeah, I will give it a good try. Wish me luck.

Entries are open if anyone is interested in slaying the Welsh dragon. Wish you luck if you are in.

 

[infinityleague]

Well if you do 296km on that you're a better man than I am Gunga Din.

Hehehehe. There is no way I’m doing anything on that. I needed a start and the Twilight gave me that. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Best of luck. Now it's time to get down to doing some cycling and getting to know the bike and also yourself as a cyclist.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

I do not know how to close this thread.

Threads are like Royston Vasey, you never leave...

 

[biggs682]

No need to close the thread @infinityleague

 

[biggs682]

Threads are like Royston Vasey, you never leave...

And hotel California

 

[infinityleague]

Threads are like Royston Vasey, you never leave...

Reminded me of Eagles - Hotel California - You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave!

​

 

[infinityleague]

296k and 98k are not similar propositions!

98k, I would happily do in an evening after work in midsummer. 296k, I've never got close to, and never will.

It's like comparing parkrun to an ultramarathon.

I know they are not similar but,

If you can do 98, you can do 150.
If you can do 150, you can do 200.
If you can do 200, you can do 250.
If you can do 250, you can do 300.

& the Welsh Dragon slayed.

Jokes apart, unless you are limited physically or medically, "There is nothing a human mind cannot achieve if you set your mind to it.“

Thats how I motivate myself.

 

[Dogtrousers]

That approach does work. I've done a handful of 300km+ rides as proof. It's pretty much how my mind worked at the time.

But they were not recent, I just don't have the same level of commitment to putting in the miles these days.

Good luck