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[James D]

Hi guys - just joined the forum so thought I'd get that difficult first post out of the way!

I've been mountain biking and doing triathlons for the last few years, but just signed up for my first sportive...Isle of Wight 154kms which I am slightly concerned about as the furthest I've done before in 1 day is London - Brighton...any tips on training/hydration/food intake would be welcome!

My ever growing bike collection presently consists of:

Specialized Pitch
Pinarello FP1
Giant SCR2

 

[Dickbelringer]

Hi, have loved reading the topics over the last few days so thought I would get involved!
I'm from Gt Dunmow, Essex and currently preparing for lejog in may. I have ridden mtb in the past and got back into it a couple of years ago.
Got my self a road bike just before Christmas and i'm loving it! I try to get out most evenings and now commute to work, then work and wife permitting try to put some big rides in at the weekend. Been riding solo but looking forward to finding some buddies to get out with.



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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?cewldz

 

[arallsopp]

welcome aboard James and Dickbelringer.

James, nothing new on the day is my rule. Am sure there'll be plenty to guide you along, but in short:

• get some miles in.
• increase the distance slowly.
• try out a few different fuels. Some report that flapjacks and bananas work just as well specialist bars / gels / tabs / shakes.
• drink before you're thirsty.
• eat before you're hungry.
• if you find yourself waiting around nervously, don't absent mindedly drink to pass the time. what goes in, must come out.

Dickbelringer. Nice part of the country, and nice ride ahead of you. Look forward to hearing about it.
Andy.

 

[peng33]

Well, here goes...

Hi y'all
just back on my bike at the start of the year, after a year or so off, signed up for Etape Caledonia again to give myself a bit of motivation.
Sunday morning rides are getting pretty lonely, so thought i'd sign up here to see if there's anyone else who likes to while away a few hours
on the back roads of the Lothians...

 

[colly]

Hi Peng,
There's a few Caledonians here so I'm sure you will catch with one or more of them.

 

[arallsopp]

Welcome Peng33. Sure you'll find someone to ride with. Bit of a trek for me, but I'm sure the CC Ecosse contingent will be up for a dash. Failing that, this lot should be local for a few hours in 2013

Andy.

 

[martint235]

welcome aboard James and Dickbelringer.

James, nothing new on the day is my rule. Am sure there'll be plenty to guide you along, but in short:

• get some miles in.
• increase the distance slowly.
• try out a few different fuels. Some report that flapjacks and bananas work just as well specialist bars / gels / tabs / shakes.
• drink before you're thirsty.
• eat before you're hungry.
• if you find yourself waiting around nervously, don't absent mindedly drink to pass the time. what goes in, must come out.

Dickbelringer. Nice part of the country, and nice ride ahead of you. Look forward to hearing about it.
Andy.

Agree wholeheartedly with Arallsopp on "Nothing new on the day". Try to find food that you like (and importantly likes you) and make this your regular pre-long distance ride meal. Also find a fuel (I like fig rolls, I reckon a packet is good for 100 miles) that you feel works for you.

And the bit he missed off - Enjoy yourself. It's not meant to be torture unless you have a realistic plan to be on the podium in Paris come July.

 

[Karlie]

Hallo, new to this sort of thing but an old hand at cycling - 6 bikes in the garage and I love them all. The seventh is on its way............justg cant make up my mind what I want, which of course has nothing to do with what I need! Best thing I did was get rid of the car last August and can honestly say that my best ever experience as a car driver was never, ever as good as my worst ever experience on two wheels. A pedaling fanatic? Too damn right I am! I live in a part of Hampshire which is a good place to be as a cyclist. Thats not to say there are none of the usual problems we urban cycling warriors encounter on our daily commute, but thats the fun of it, the cut and thrust with the motorised public.

 

[bananaboy]

Hi one and all.
Just noticed theis site while passing time at work!Been cycling for a long time but over the past few years just commuting.Trying to get some more miles in at the weekends.Living in London so got alist of places to visit especially on a sunday.No traffic! Yippee!!

 

[darrene]

hello just got my first bike since i was a kid . im start riding to get fit again . just got a cannondale hard tail sl5 seems to be a nice starter bike .

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hallo, new to this sort of thing but an old hand at cycling - 6 bikes in the garage and I love them all. The seventh is on its way............justg cant make up my mind what I want, which of course has nothing to do with what I need! Best thing I did was get rid of the car last August and can honestly say that my best ever experience as a car driver was never, ever as good as my worst ever experience on two wheels. A pedaling fanatic? Too damn right I am! I live in a part of Hampshire which is a good place to be as a cyclist. Thats not to say there are none of the usual problems we urban cycling warriors encounter on our daily commute, but thats the fun of it, the cut and thrust with the motorised public.

7 bikes? You employ a bike cleaning person?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hi one and all.
Just noticed theis site while passing time at work!Been cycling for a long time but over the past few years just commuting.Trying to get some more miles in at the weekends.Living in London so got alist of places to visit especially on a sunday.No traffic! Yippee!!

 

[Rowe]

HI All.
Been following the forums (this and others) since taking up cycling about 2 years ago and have finally got around to signing up
I hadn't ridden for about 14 years so started out on an Apollo Vortice that i got brand new from fleabay for 80 bricks - time for an upgrade and to get a little bit more serious with the whole cycling malarkey (Sure it wasn't this much fun when i was a kid) - and what better place to do that than here?!
Anyway, i live in Newcastle upon Tyne and my current commute is only about a 6 mile round trip, unfortunately this is across terrain which is more pothole than road but i am pondering getting into longer distance rides so i'll probably be asking lots of questions about what kind of bike to get next - in the correct sections of the forum of course - cos at the moment i'm totally lost.

 

[Steampig]

Now then.
Unfit 30 something looking to get back fit and lose some timber.
From a footballing background and reasonably fit however... ive been plagued with ankle ligament problems (torn/damaged the left outside ones 6 times!) over the last 5 years and any playing and now even training has become non existent over the last 12-18 months.
4 weeks ago i underwent ankle reconstruction surgery which fingers crossed will sort out the long standing problem.
As a young teen i used to ride a fair bit on a big heavy MTB, me and my friends used to love watching the tour de france and go out on long rides/make time trial courses. (i was always miguel indurain!! )
6 years ago i bought a cheap MTB to cycle to work on, after a couple of months the £100 bike was starting to fall apart so i bought a dawes giro 500. i loved it and could ride the 16 mile round trip nearly as quick as i could drive it!.
After one of my many spells in a cast and a cold winter i stopped riding and sold it on to a friend. (really wish i hadn't!!)
Im looking to get a road bike and help speed up the rehab, i also really am looking forward to getting back on the bike as id never been as fit as i was whilst riding. (think im still secretly wanting to be big mig!!! )
Im based in a valley and there are loads of rolling hills around us to get my teeth stuck into. i also camp in edale derbyshire regularly and would love a crack at them hills round there eventually!!
Im looking for a decent entry level bike that i can get a few miles and hours on but that's not going to cost the earth.
I have a decent LBS near and have had a brief chat with them and they recommend this http://www.airevalleycycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p6993
Ive not managed to find a review on this so wondered if anyone has has one/knows anyone who has one? any hints, tips or advice would be great.
Cheers

 

[accountantpete]

Now then.

I have a decent LBS near and have had a brief chat with them and they recommend this http://www.airevalleycycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p6993
Ive not managed to find a review on this so wondered if anyone has has one/knows anyone who has one? any hints, tips or advice would be great.
Cheers

Hi and

I originally got into cycling with an ankle injury - chronic pain whenever I ran over 3 miles - and have been free from pain ever since.

The Ridley Orion is a bit advanced I would have thought. It's a rather old design and Ridley's are known for being a bit harsh so I would think that there are plenty of better bikes available.

I'd get a cheapy to make sure that the ankle holds up and then splash out a bit more with the benefit of a bit more knowledge gained.