Maybe it's just me but I managed to get through nearly 2 500ml bottles last night - it was about 20 degrees at the time and I definitely felt the benefit and motivation to get up quite a steep hill after that.
I've got a Carrera Subway 1 which is on the standard tyres. It's a hybrid bike so doesn't seem all that heavy compared to others I've had but maybe that's just context? I usually change down to the 1st gear in the second set which feels like I'm windmilling at times so I switch between that and the next one up usually. Yeah I'm not the lightest guy - maybe about 12-13 stone?
Yeah I did wonder about it just taking time to get used to it. I've ridden one hill in particular multiple times and it always seems quite an effort - I think I've maybe made it up once without a stop and that was HARD work.
This is the hill in question - the main issue for me is that I hit a manhole cover or dip in the road and I lose all momentum and then find it difficult to build it up again - that and traffic zooming past which distracts me so maybe it just comes back to practice and building up my experience?
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.350...4!1svOmjX_ZqlAkOzMhPX1FI1w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Yeah I definitely notice a difference when I stop for drink - my legs feel revitalised and it gives me a push to keep going. I was watching the Women's Cycling on the Olympics the other day and the winner was determined to keep going and hadn't had so much as a drink for the whole race up to that point! I suppose that's the elite though and it all comes down to training but still!
I have no idea what the ratio of my gears is to be honest - it's on the standard set that comes with my Carrera Subway 1.
Haha yeah I will give that a go - I feel like I need something mainly because the slopes and hills knacker me at the moment but maybe it's just practice that's needed!
Yeah same level of effort throughout - I don't think I pace myself very well as I feel under a time pressure (when in reality there isn't one!). These longer rides came about because I got bored of trying to fit a ride into a lunch break and not feeling like I had enough time to explore.
Good tips, thanks! What I find difficult is finding varied routes in my area - a lot of it seems to be slopes/hills or I have to resort to a lot of town cycling. I guess regarding the 90 minute rides I feel a sense of demoralisation if I don't ride at a certain time - having Strava on my mobile in front of me seems both a blessing and a curse! haha.
Good call, thanks! Like I say I think I needed to just hear that it's alright to take a break - I feel like I'm wasting time by doing it when I could be on the road haha.
Yeah that was my thought as well - good thought about the sports drink too, feel at times that water doesn't do enough. I'm going to give some sugar a go and see what happens on my next few rides.
Wow, impressive! I use to live around Plymouth so I know what those routes must be like.
Haha love it! Yeah I think I just need to take more time to rehydrate, at least until I get more used to my riding.
Yeah I definitely feel it when I get home and end up taking on lots of water - I feel better taking it on during the ride.