New (to me) ride, take 2

[DCBassman]

So, as mentioned, off to Burrator Resevoir for 3 laps of learning how this damn thing called a "Road Bike" works...

Remember that this totally new to me. I've spent 16 years pedalling a 34lb all-steel Trek 800 Sport, and I'm knda used to it. I'm also a rather overweight 64 year-old arthritic musician.

Well, all I can say is that removing 11lb from my ride is bloody amazing!

Good points: fast. More comfortable than I was expecting. Fast. Was expecting lots of low back strain - result = none. Did I mention fast? Glad it has triple chainrings. Pretty damn quick. Riding hands on the hoods is surprisingly un-twitchy and brakes can be used. Very nippy!
Bad points: definitely needs new gear cables, although a post-ride spray with GT85 has everything running very smooth. Front shifter is the problem area. When down on the hooks, can't easily see past my specs frames, or use the brakes as easily as I would like.

Result overall: Excellent!

Things to do, other than already mentioned in original thread: remove 25lb from rider...

 

[Ajax Bay]

You have Drake's Trail to enjoy; all the way to Yelverton and back (or even on to Saltram as the turn-around).
@briantrumpet 'note' fellow traveller, albeit the other side of Dartmoor.

 

[briantrumpet]

You have Drake's Trail to enjoy; all the way to Yelverton and back (or even on to Saltram as the turn-around).
@briantrumpet 'note' fellow traveller, albeit the other side of Dartmoor.

I do sometimes pop over to Tavistock on the bike to see some farming friends there, or otherwise pass through on my Dartmoor circumnavigation, stopping for coffee in the pannier market.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/10650544

 

[DCBassman]

You have Drake's Trail to enjoy; all the way to Yelverton and back (or even on to Saltram as the turn-around).
@briantrumpet 'note' fellow traveller, albeit the other side of Dartmoor.

When training for London/Brighton, I would use Drake's Trail for distance. While living at Brentor, turnaround at Marsh Mills, while living in Tavistock, carry on through Saltram, over Laira Bridge, back up the embankment and turnaround at Plymouth Rowing Club.
40 miles. Haven't done much milage since, really, so need to get on top of that.

 

[DCBassman]

I do sometimes pop over to Tavistock on the bike to see some farming friends there, or otherwise pass through on my Dartmoor circumnavigation, stopping for coffee in the pannier market.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/10650544

Now, there's a target - circumnavigate Dartmoor!

 

[briantrumpet]

Now, there's a target - circumnavigate Dartmoor!

If that's a bit too long for now, you could always make it shorter by cutting through from Whiddon Down to Bovey Tracey - a cracking road in itself.

 

[DCBassman]

To be honest, I tend to try and avoid road work wherever possible. The Drake's Trail route outlined above has the bare minimum of roads, and if starting from central Tavistock where I am now, essentially none at all. I really don't enjoy mixing it with traffic.

 

[Ajax Bay]

circumnavigate Dartmoor!

Dartmoor circumnavigation I prepared earlier this year - not yet ridden. Tend to go straight up Longdown and through Moretonhampstead to Yelverton rather than bash round the bottom // A38, before looping up to Okehampton and back down old A30.