£300 set budget for a new bike - suggestions?

[Brandane]

unless you are limited physically

Does a sore ar5e count as a physical limitation though? Because unless you are VERY cycle fit (not just "normal" fit) then that WILL limit the distance you can do. It does for me, anyway, and I am sure is the same for most regular cyclists. About 100km/63 miles is my limit in a day.

 

[Brandane]

Was told not to remove the front basket

Why not? That sounds like a strange bit of advice! Never had one on a bike, but I would imagine they are fairly easy to remove? Maybe a bracket? But as to why you shouldn't remove it; that's a mystery.

 

[freiston]

Why not? That sounds like a strange bit of advice! Never had one on a bike, but I would imagine they are fairly easy to remove? Maybe a bracket? But as to why you shouldn't remove it; that's a mystery.

I was wondering if some saphead in Halfords decided that it would invalidate the warranty or any consumer right.

 

[Reynard]

OTOH the basket gives one the incentive to use the bike to pop to the shops...

 

[Legs]

I don’t like raining on parades, but this thread needs a dose of reality.

Get some good lights, because 300k on that thing will take you through to the following day. I’m an experienced and reasonably fit rider, but I wouldn’t rate my chances of finishing a ride like that, on that machine, in much less than 20 hours… 😳

This was the experience of my brother, a former Elite and international road racer, of doing the Dragon last year:

 

[freiston]

The OP did say that he will be upgrading the bike before the Dragon Race but that aside, I am finding it hard to distil the realism in this thread.

 

[Legs]

The OP did say that he will be upgrading the bike before the Dragon Race

Thank goodness for that. Trying an event like that on that machine would be like running a Bob Graham Round in flip flops.

 

[PaulSB]

Does a sore ar5e count as a physical limitation though? Because unless you are VERY cycle fit (not just "normal" fit) then that WILL limit the distance you can do. It does for me, anyway, and I am sure is the same for most regular cyclists. About 100km/63 miles is my limit in a day.

I'm not sure this is the case. At 71 I can still ride 200km/125 miles in a day without any particular discomfort other than being tired. A silly one is that if I pull my cap too far forward my shoulders ache.

I'm a very experienced cyclist and fit. Is this what you mean by "VERY cycle fit"? I know plenty of riders who are finished by around 70/80 miles, or much less, but I don't think any I know suffer from a specific thing like a sore arse.

I do own some bibs that are only good for 60 miles........found that out on an 80 miles! 🤣

Like you I do wonder about this whole project.

 

[PaulSB]

I don’t like raining on parades, but this thread needs a dose of reality.

Get some good lights, because 300k on that thing will take you through to the following day. I’m an experienced and reasonably fit rider, but I wouldn’t rate my chances of finishing a ride like that, on that machine, in much less than 20 hours… 😳

This was the experience of my brother, a former Elite and international road racer, of doing the Dragon last year:

I'm pleased someone has finally said this as I've been thinking it for pages and pages. I can see how London to Brighton is achievable but the Dragon Ride? I very much doubt. By all means have a go at the 98km but 296? Highly unlikely.

In 2021, at 67 and an experienced rider, I rode the Fred in 9:08, 114 miles, 11900 feet. I was lucky it was the year following Covid and the event was September. If it had been May I think it might have been beyond me.

For inexperienced riders these challenges should be considered very carefully.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I think some posters above are being a bit short sighted about what having a big long term goal means. Sure the OP won't be able to ride a mountainous 300k tomorrow on that bike. But that's not how having a long term goal works.

For a long time in the 2010s I had the London Wales London Audax as my big goal. And while that carrot was dangling I ended up doing oodles of 100k rides, lots of centuries, a number of 200k audaxes and a handful of 300k+ rides. I never actually did do LWL in the end but it was there and I was trying to incrementally move towards it.

Sometimes it's better to keep these things to yourself.

 

[Dan Lotus]

Does a sore ar5e count as a physical limitation though? Because unless you are VERY cycle fit (not just "normal" fit) then that WILL limit the distance you can do. It does for me, anyway, and I am sure is the same for most regular cyclists. About 100km/63 miles is my limit in a day.

We're all different of course, and I'd count myself as a very average regular cyclist, but I do make sure I have shorts that have a (for me) high quality pad, that I'm able to ride in for 6+ hours with no issues, and I also ensure they mesh well with my saddle.

Having said all that, there's no way I would have managed that when I was starting out, as I felt I couldn't justify the cost, but have discovered this as the years passed, and feel it is key to being able to ride many hours in the saddle without discomfort.

 

[infinityleague]

Evening.

I see I have become a butt of all jokes but it won’t stop me from working towards my goal. You are all welcome to criticise me (constructive or destructive). I understand everyone is wanting me to be careful of what I’m trying to do so, I will make it clear for those who think I’m being silly or unreasonable.

1) I want to get back to cycling to become reasonably fit (96.6 kilograms at present).

2) I have two long term goals - Dragon ride & London Brighton BHF - both in June 2026. Gives me 8 months to work on my weight and become 25% bike fit, hopefully. I do plan to do some flat rides of similar distances closer to the events (a month or two in advance).

3) The mountain bike or Apollo Twister was loaned to me by a mate. I ain’t doing anything other than Basildon to Southend on that every single day. I will upgrade to a gravel bike by April. Apollo Twister is for the time being and gives me that much needed start, otherwise I would just be procrastinating.

4) My goals are ambitious. I know that very well, but without a goal, I won’t be able to work myself towards it. I never once mentioned that I will complete the challenges. I have always maintained if I work towards the 300 KM challenge, I can maybe finish the 90 km challenge. I only want to get fit so I can give it my absolute best. The challenges just act as motivators. I will not give up even if I finish dead last or have to push my bike to / over the finish line.

5) I will be working on Watt bike‘s climbing sections from next month. I know it is not similar to real world conditions but thats the only way I can try doing some steep inclines & that’s all they have in the local gym. Twice a week on the hilly sections.

I have learnt a lot from this forum & I thank everyone for the encouraging words. I will be updating this whenever I have made any progress.

 

[infinityleague]

I think some posters above are being a bit short sighted about what having a big long term goal means. Sure the OP won't be able to ride a mountainous 300k tomorrow on that bike. But that's not how having a long term goal works.

For a long time in the 2010s I had the London Wales London Audax as my big goal. And while that carrot was dangling I ended up doing oodles of 100k rides, lots of centuries, a number of 200k audaxes and a handful of 300k+ rides. I never actually did do LWL in the end but it was there and I was trying to incrementally move towards it.

Sometimes it's better to keep these things to yourself.

Thank you. Appreciate this.

 

[infinityleague]

I do know for sure I can’t compete with anyone other than myself during the two challenges. Also, forgot to mention, I booked a non-refundable Dragon Ride entry ticket so I don’t give up at any given point of time during the next 8 months. Keeps me focused irrespective of the dragon ride result.

 

[Reynard]

Evening.

I see I have become a butt of all jokes but it won’t stop me from working towards my goal. You are all welcome to criticise me (constructive or destructive). I understand everyone is wanting me to be careful of what I’m trying to do so, I will make it clear for those who think I’m being silly or unreasonable.

1) I want to get back to cycling to become reasonably fit (96.6 kilograms at present).

2) I have two long term goals - Dragon ride & London Brighton BHF - both in June 2026. Gives me 8 months to work on my weight and become 25% bike fit, hopefully. I do plan to do some flat rides of similar distances closer to the events (a month or two in advance).

3) The mountain bike or Apollo Twister was loaned to me by a mate. I ain’t doing anything other than Basildon to Southend on that every single day. I will upgrade to a gravel bike by April. Apollo Twister is for the time being and gives me that much needed start, otherwise I would just be procrastinating.

4) My goals are ambitious. I know that very well, but without a goal, I won’t be able to work myself towards it. I never once mentioned that I will complete the challenges. I have always maintained if I work towards the 300 KM challenge, I can maybe finish the 90 km challenge. I only want to get fit so I can give it my absolute best. The challenges just act as motivators. I will not give up even if I finish dead last or have to push my bike to / over the finish line.

5) I will be working on Watt bike‘s climbing sections from next month. I know it is not similar to real world conditions but thats the only way I can try doing some steep inclines & that’s all they have in the local gym. Twice a week on the hilly sections.

I have learnt a lot from this forum & I thank everyone for the encouraging words. I will be updating this whenever I have made any progress.

Another way of varying your cycling is to chuck yourself and your bike on a train for a few stops and then ride home. There's quite a few people on here who do that. Or take your bike for an away day, and cycle somewhere totally new. Mixing it up keeps it interesting.

At this time of year, my cycling mainly takes me to and from various foraging spots - I spent a very enjoyable hour and a half out this afternoon bimbling some local trackways looking for nuts and fruit. I didn't have over much luck with the latter (not a wasted trip by any means) but I got some good exercise without really thinking about it.

I'll openly admit that organised rides aren't my thing, and everyone prefers a different motivational carrot. In my case, at this time of year, it's walnuts!