Recommend me a (non motorised) bike
Discussion
For some unknown bloody reason, I have agreed and been roped into a 100 mile bike ride around the North Norfolk coastline to raise money for charity in September....
I have a couple of issues..
1. Weight - too much of
2. Fitness - not enough of
3. Bike - distinct lack of except for the engined variety.
I need to purchase/hire/borrow or even steal a bicycle for the event but also, I guess, need to get on one prior to this and see if I can sort items 1 & 2 in the above list.
Can anyone recommend a bike that would be suitably comfortable for a lard arse like me to do the 100 miles without giving me welts the size of tennis balls on my gentlemans tackle and buttocks.
I have tried to go down the volunteering as a motorcycle outrider but to no avail.
Any help would be (albeit reticently) accepted...
Kev F
I have a couple of issues..
1. Weight - too much of
2. Fitness - not enough of
3. Bike - distinct lack of except for the engined variety.
I need to purchase/hire/borrow or even steal a bicycle for the event but also, I guess, need to get on one prior to this and see if I can sort items 1 & 2 in the above list.
Can anyone recommend a bike that would be suitably comfortable for a lard arse like me to do the 100 miles without giving me welts the size of tennis balls on my gentlemans tackle and buttocks.
I have tried to go down the volunteering as a motorcycle outrider but to no avail.
Any help would be (albeit reticently) accepted...
Kev F
Edited by KevF on Tuesday 3rd July 20:00
I'm not going to be much help but make sure whatever you get has "road" gears. I did the London to Brighton ride a few years ago with some mates. They all had mountain bikes which were great for going up the hills but on the flat or down hill their legs were spinning like windmills in top gear. I had a racing bike with big gears that allowed me to do 50mph down the hills 
I still have the bike if you want it (hasn't moved for a while).
I still have the bike if you want it (hasn't moved for a while).I would suggest you spend as much time on a bike as you can beforehand. Also, don't underestimate the importance of getting the bike setup for you, equivalent to adjusting the drivers seat in the car - very important!
100 miles is going to be 5-6 hours, not including stops, so just focus on getting some miles in!
100 miles is going to be 5-6 hours, not including stops, so just focus on getting some miles in!
May not be of help!
44 year old and quit smoking (20 a day for 29 years) 8 weeks ago!
Got on the bike this morning for the fist time in 4 years today!
10 miles took me (Sprowston to Drayton) just over an hour - sweating like feck!!!!
Feel OK now, bit tired BUT!!!!
As said above get yer lardy erse onto the saddle as much as possible before the trip even to let said erse get used to being in a saddle!
My last mile was spent thinking could I build a bench seat??????
Best of luck!
44 year old and quit smoking (20 a day for 29 years) 8 weeks ago!
Got on the bike this morning for the fist time in 4 years today!
10 miles took me (Sprowston to Drayton) just over an hour - sweating like feck!!!!
Feel OK now, bit tired BUT!!!!
As said above get yer lardy erse onto the saddle as much as possible before the trip even to let said erse get used to being in a saddle!
My last mile was spent thinking could I build a bench seat??????
Best of luck!
Guys...appreciate the input but I am whayyyyyy behind on the getting plenty of seat time in......
Need to get a bike first....
I am taking it that I should be aiming for a decent 'road' bike rather than a mountain bike type of machine.
The road bikes I have seen have the ram horn type handlebars with a razor blade for a seat...surely my arse isn't going to like me after 100 miles on that is it?
Doesn't anyone make a nice DFS sofa type seat that cushions the buttocks rather than trying to surgically seperate them from my torso.....not even going to think of the damage that will be done to my gentlemans tackle...
Kev
When is this event? I have an aim to do 100 miles on a bike this year so may be interested also.
You could try the pedal power section of PH for advice on the bike - how much are you willing to spend? As said above the Boardman bikes do get good reviews - another decent place to try is Pauls Cycles in Dereham http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/ often has a good range of discounted bikes - the Cannondale CAAD8 get good reviews.
The seats may look uncomfortable but I don't find them too bad - you can get padded shorts for a bit more comfort.
You could try the pedal power section of PH for advice on the bike - how much are you willing to spend? As said above the Boardman bikes do get good reviews - another decent place to try is Pauls Cycles in Dereham http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/ often has a good range of discounted bikes - the Cannondale CAAD8 get good reviews.
The seats may look uncomfortable but I don't find them too bad - you can get padded shorts for a bit more comfort.
Hi Kev
Well done for asking for advice. I would suggest the following.
1. Definitely get a road bike as opposed to a mountain bike.
2. Carry on doing as much research as you can.
3. Budget. Try not to be tempted to go down the cheaper end of the market. The cheaper bikes tend to be heavy in weight and usually use cheaper and heavier components and that makes it hard work to bike any where. I've heard of so many people buying bikes in the sub £150 market using the bike once or twice and finding it such hard work they end up sticking them in the garage or shed never to see the light of day again!
4. Size is everything despite what some women might tell you!
Seriously, make sure you get the right size frame for your height/leg length - a proper sized bike makes it soooooo much easier to cycle the distance(s) you are thinking of doing.
5. Padded cycling shorts. An absolute must if you don't want to end up with a really sore arse area.
6. General clothing. When cycling you really should try and wear as comfortable gear as possible. Cycling in jeans really should be avoided.
7. Carry a spare inner tube on you at all times. It's much easier to quickly change an inner tube and repair the punctured one when you get home rather than phaffing about on the side of the road with a repair kit.
8. If you haven't done too many miles on a bike recently I would suggest you aim to AVERAGE about 10/12 miles an hour. If you do more you're doing well.
I would suggest doing a steady 10/12 miles an hour all day is better than "thrashing along" at 15/18 mile an hour for two or three hours and messing yourself up.
9. Try and get your self sorted with all of the above as soon as you are able by begging, borrowing or stealing......or you could buy the stuff I suppose! Reason being you will need to try and get some miles in your legs before tackling 100 miles in one day. A few years ago I did the Norfolk 100 bike ride. Started from Norwich City Hall, and did a circular route stoppoing for lunch at Sheringham High School then back to Norwich City centre. It was good to do that in a day.
And finally,.......try and enjoy the "training" rides out.
The more miles you get in your legs the easier the 100 mile'r will be to complete.
Good luck!
(and apologies for rambling reply to your topic!).
Well done for asking for advice. I would suggest the following.
1. Definitely get a road bike as opposed to a mountain bike.
2. Carry on doing as much research as you can.
3. Budget. Try not to be tempted to go down the cheaper end of the market. The cheaper bikes tend to be heavy in weight and usually use cheaper and heavier components and that makes it hard work to bike any where. I've heard of so many people buying bikes in the sub £150 market using the bike once or twice and finding it such hard work they end up sticking them in the garage or shed never to see the light of day again!
4. Size is everything despite what some women might tell you!
Seriously, make sure you get the right size frame for your height/leg length - a proper sized bike makes it soooooo much easier to cycle the distance(s) you are thinking of doing.5. Padded cycling shorts. An absolute must if you don't want to end up with a really sore arse area.
6. General clothing. When cycling you really should try and wear as comfortable gear as possible. Cycling in jeans really should be avoided.
7. Carry a spare inner tube on you at all times. It's much easier to quickly change an inner tube and repair the punctured one when you get home rather than phaffing about on the side of the road with a repair kit.
8. If you haven't done too many miles on a bike recently I would suggest you aim to AVERAGE about 10/12 miles an hour. If you do more you're doing well.
I would suggest doing a steady 10/12 miles an hour all day is better than "thrashing along" at 15/18 mile an hour for two or three hours and messing yourself up.9. Try and get your self sorted with all of the above as soon as you are able by begging, borrowing or stealing......or you could buy the stuff I suppose! Reason being you will need to try and get some miles in your legs before tackling 100 miles in one day. A few years ago I did the Norfolk 100 bike ride. Started from Norwich City Hall, and did a circular route stoppoing for lunch at Sheringham High School then back to Norwich City centre. It was good to do that in a day.
And finally,.......try and enjoy the "training" rides out.
The more miles you get in your legs the easier the 100 mile'r will be to complete.Good luck!
(and apologies for rambling reply to your topic!).
padded shorts, plus this stuff:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/udderly-smooth-chamois-cre...
As for bikes, buy the best you can afford and make sure it fits you properly. Don't be tempted by a good deal from the internet unless you can ride the bike somewhere beforehand.
Definitely get a road bike for that sort of distance. The Boardmans from Halfords are actually very good value.
Sort your diet out too. Riding 100 miles can be hell if you haven't eaten correctly beforehand/during.
Go to the forum on www.bikeradar.com for some excellent buying advice.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/udderly-smooth-chamois-cre...
As for bikes, buy the best you can afford and make sure it fits you properly. Don't be tempted by a good deal from the internet unless you can ride the bike somewhere beforehand.
Definitely get a road bike for that sort of distance. The Boardmans from Halfords are actually very good value.
Sort your diet out too. Riding 100 miles can be hell if you haven't eaten correctly beforehand/during.
Go to the forum on www.bikeradar.com for some excellent buying advice.
Good luck with this Kev (you're probably going to need some!).
Borrowing a bike isn't the simplest thing to do for example what size are you? Most folk who have a serious / decent bike will have it set up for them, probably be unwilling to lend it out and also have the proper pedals on it which will either need changing or you'll need some shoes! Then there's the saddle, a saddle isn't just a saddle - tis a very hard job to find one that is the one!
I'd be happily help in a number of ways if I can, I'll pm you with my number.
Borrowing a bike isn't the simplest thing to do for example what size are you? Most folk who have a serious / decent bike will have it set up for them, probably be unwilling to lend it out and also have the proper pedals on it which will either need changing or you'll need some shoes! Then there's the saddle, a saddle isn't just a saddle - tis a very hard job to find one that is the one!
I'd be happily help in a number of ways if I can, I'll pm you with my number.
Right, this is where you bike riders flame me or not.
A good friend of mine does plenty of riding and is doing the 'Tour of Britain' soon. He is buying a new bike and paying around £2500 for it..
He has a Specialized road bike that he currently owns but was going to p/x it for his new one.
He has offered it to me on a trial basis so I collect it tomorrow and will have a couple of ride outs over the weekend. We are the same height but I am a bit heavier.
So hopefully, this bike will suit me and with a few tweaks to pedals, seat etc should be suitable for my fitness/S&M sessions....
Wish me luck.....
KevF said:
Right, this is where you bike riders flame me or not.
A good friend of mine does plenty of riding and is doing the 'Tour of Britain' soon. He is buying a new bike and paying around £2500 for it..
He has a Specialized road bike that he currently owns but was going to p/x it for his new one.
He has offered it to me on a trial basis so I collect it tomorrow and will have a couple of ride outs over the weekend. We are the same height but I am a bit heavier.
So hopefully, this bike will suit me and with a few tweaks to pedals, seat etc should be suitable for my fitness/S&M sessions....
Wish me luck.....
Sounds like you may have it sorted then. Hope you get on with it. The main thing you need to get on with is the saddle! If possible, get yourself some proper shoes to go with some clip-in pedals too, they may seem like an unnecessary expense, but they really do improve comfort, stability, efficiency, etc. Most are adjustable so you can have them extremely light and easy to get out of, until you get used to them. They really are a revalation when you 'click' with them!A good friend of mine does plenty of riding and is doing the 'Tour of Britain' soon. He is buying a new bike and paying around £2500 for it..
He has a Specialized road bike that he currently owns but was going to p/x it for his new one.
He has offered it to me on a trial basis so I collect it tomorrow and will have a couple of ride outs over the weekend. We are the same height but I am a bit heavier.
So hopefully, this bike will suit me and with a few tweaks to pedals, seat etc should be suitable for my fitness/S&M sessions....
Wish me luck.....
Oh and good luck!!
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