ditching mtb

[short.fat.hairy]

So I'm ditiching my mtb and I'm eagerly awaiting my road bike specialized 2010 allez 27 speed..


what can i expect ?


do i need to shave my legs ? what will i look like in lycra? shudder....


and for some resaon now i've discovered scalping im looking forward to that too


my specialized hardrock is going for a break for a while as soon i get
delivery.

anything else to expect on my 12 mile commute ?

 

[ComedyPilot]

anything else to expect on my 12 mile commute ?

Getting scalped yourself...!

 

[amnezia]

yes, you will have to shave your legs and wear skin tight lycra. Also, everyone on a hybrid will see you as a target.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Don't forget not to smile or wave at anyone!!

 

[J4CKO]

I said I would never wear Lycra, that lasted six months, now I love it, havent shaved my legs, they seem to be going bald natrually for some reason.

As for Scalping, Mountain bikes are generally a doddle, usually as you dont get actual cyclists riding them on the road, its more kids, recreational occasional cyclists and those who thought a 40 lb fully sprung 99 quid bike with disk brakes was a good deal, due to the latter spending all their energy compressing a spring every pedal stroke you will scalp them easily, you may happen across the odd MTB'er on slicks which may scalp you if they are superhuman, the exception to every rule.

Otherwise, Hybridists will still give you a run for your money, other roadies vary wildly, some look like pro cyclists but just bought all the gear and others are pro cyclists on a training run, on a first glance its difficult to tell.

I tend to get overtaken once a month by someone quick, I suppose if you take the number of bikes you see, most arent arsed, a lot are on crap equipment and even with the quicker ones to get that much of an advantage takes a lot of effort and training.

I ovrtake a guy most mornings, not that old, not on that bad looking a bike, but seems to be stood still, do some people prefer going slowly ? I feel a bit of a tosser when I steam past.

 

[Black Sheep]

I said I would never wear Lycra, that lasted six months, now I love it, havent shaved my legs, they seem to be going bald natrually for some reason.

As for Scalping, Mountain bikes are generally a doddle, usually as you dont get actual cyclists riding them on the road, its more kids, recreational occasional cyclists and those who thought a 40 lb fully sprung 99 quid bike with disk brakes was a good deal, due to the latter spending all their energy compressing a spring every pedal stroke you will scalp them easily, you may happen across the odd MTB'er on slicks which may scalp you if they are superhuman, the exception to every rule.

Otherwise, Hybridists will still give you a run for your money, other roadies vary wildly, some look like pro cyclists but just bought all the gear and others are pro cyclists on a training run, on a first glance its difficult to tell.

I tend to get overtaken once a month by someone quick, I suppose if you take the number of bikes you see, most arent arsed, a lot are on crap equipment and even with the quicker ones to get that much of an advantage takes a lot of effort and training.

then you have people like me in jeans and t shirt on a 40 year old bike trying to scalp cars and busses.

I ovrtake a guy most mornings, not that old, not on that bad looking a bike, but seems to be stood still, do some people prefer going slowly ? I feel a bit of a tosser when I steam past.

some people are happy to pootle along.

the guy who works in the bike shop up the road from me overtakes on his fixie just as i set off, but by the time we're nearing the bike shop i've spun my legs warm and catch him again.

 

[cyberknight]

I am on a 26 " wheeled hybrid and only people that over take me on my route are the serious people.

Its silly i know i do not go out to over take people but if they are holding me up to much i will polity go past with a hi and make room for the few that catch me

 

[The Jogger]

I ovrtake a guy most mornings, not that old, not on that bad looking a bike, but seems to be stood still, do some people prefer going slowly ? I feel a bit of a tosser when I steam past.

you said it ;-)

 

[short.fat.hairy]

Tbh I dont get the opportunity to see other cyclists as im usually on the road very very early in the morning 4 am ish

but on my way back i do..... but by then i'm cream crackered



Im just hoping for a better travel in to work time atm im making it in on a good day in about 45 mins for a 12 mile run on a mtb with slicks.



just being very similar to my sign in name im not looking forward to cycling shorts but im thinking its a must on a roadie but im willing to give it a go ......



my wife just laughs whenever the cycling shorts are mentioned



evil lady lol

 

[theboytaylor]

just being very similar to my sign in name im not looking forward to cycling shorts but im thinking its a must on a roadie but im willing to give it a go ......

You can always wear a pair of normal shorts over the top. If you're near a Decathlon they do some shorts like these:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rr-5-shorts-3881008/
Personally I found actual lycra padded shorts to be a bit rubbish but the "over" shorts are fine, have some good pockets and dry really quickly if you get wet.

my wife just laughs whenever the cycling shorts are mentioned

Get some bib shorts then. Give her a proper laugh