Hello from the town of roundabouts

[Alexvs]

Hey all

Thought I'd sign up after I started riding about 6 weeks ago. I didn't think I'd do it but after seeing my work's cycleplus scheme decided it's too good an opportunity to miss so signed up and am now a budding cyclist.

I'm from Milton Keynes (hence town of roundabouts) and after shopping around in a few independent specialists I found one who gave me some sound advice and directed me to getting a road inspired bike which fits my needs. I ended up getting a Giant Rapid 4 which came in on budget and the best £500 I've spent/signed up to. It's not seen much road use yet as I think I need to build up to that and we've got a fairly good redway and leisure route system which means in most cases I can bypass the roads. I would like to get to being comfortable on roads too so will slowly start hitting the roads when it's not too busy.

Anyway that's me and my cycling life so far, but looking forward to improve going forward.


Alex

 

[element]

I am in MK and sometimes use redways but they are bumpy and too full of pedestrians to get any spped up. I would advise heading out to little linford/haversham/castlethorpe as outside rush hour the roads are quieter and there are some hills to test your fitness.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Hello Alex

Another MK dweller here, and strangly enough, another rapid rider, although I have swapped the flat bars for drops.

Where did you get your bike, mine was from pinks in Newport.

Anyway, if you are going to stick to paths for a while, it may be worth changing the stock tyres to something ax little more pun#$!@e proof.

Good luck and enjoy

 

[Alexvs]

Hi guys, it's good to see some fellow MK cyclists on here. Completely agree the redways are in awful condition, I ride from Kents Hill to Linford Wood for work and back and over 50% are cracked and bumpy but pedestrians never seem to be a problem at the time I ride. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to try convince my brother to come for a ride with me out there.

Uphillstruggler, I got it from Pinks too, they're a great bunch in there they definitely know their stuff and are moving to a bigger shop in October so will have an even bigger selection. Which Rapid have you got? I really wanted the 3 but couldn't quite stretch the extra £100 with all my accessories too. It's a great bike though, not regretting it at all. I'm quite surprised how well the tyres do on the rough surfaces to be fair but will definitely have to pluck up the balls and just get on the roads sooner rather than later.

Thanks

 

[uphillstruggler]

Mines the 2010 4 version, great bike, fast and comfortable.

Out from kents hill, you need to hit those hills just behind you

Once you have your confidence, there are some great routes with not much traffic.

Best of luck and make sure you have the seat pack well stocked with patches etc.

 

[Alexvs]

Clearly we share great taste then

Oh yeah never ever thought about going out there but have always wondered what's out there when driving past lol

Think I'm gonna try hit the roads this week on my commute because if I can do it morning and evening I'll be able to venture out and about more confidently.

Thanks again for the advice

 

[uphillstruggler]

Hi Alex

If I was you, I would stick to the red paths, the duel carriages are too fast with far too many careless drivers, especially first thing in the morning.

Better to be safe.

Best of luck

 

[Alexvs]

Thanks mate, sound advice indeed.

Can I ask what type of riding you do and where you like going? At the moment I only do the commute and visit family just for the exercise. Thinking of adding in some leisure riding too to get the most out of it. Will definitely check out the hills as suggested earlier

Thanks

 

[uphillstruggler]

Hello Alex

mine is mainly roads. I use redways to get to the edge of MK in whichever way I am going, then the lanes out to the villages.

at mourned, if you are just starting out, you could head out to bow brickhill, stoke hammond, soulbury etc without hitting too many main roads. once you get a feel for it and your fitness improves, out into Bedfordshire or tring and beyond. Just take your time, if its possible, it may be a good idea to have a drive out to recce the roads.

I would offer to partner you out but time is short at the moment and my rides tend to take place Way from MK.

good luck, and don't forget your pun#$%re kit, the lanes and red ways have lots of broken branches etc at the moment

 

[Alexvs]

Sounds good. Will definitely work up my fitness and then try venturing out as suggested. I used to ride to Bow Brickhill when younger on an mtb and that was good so will try to head out there again at some point.

I'll go for a wander in the car like you said will be good to recce to gain some familiarity.

No worries mate, my brother's recently decided to start riding (mtb however) so will get him to come out with me and he can get fit at the same time, will do him good.

Got a couple in preparation so will make sure to keep them in my bag at all times. I've seen glass on some of my routes, people seem to forget cyclists share the same paths.

Thanks for the welcome and all advice so far, joining this forum was definitely a good idea.