New MTB and a bit of advice?

[Yazza54]

Hi everyone!

Yesterday I took delivery of a new Cube Reaction Pro 29er C:62 carbon frame jobby. I am terribly unfit and haven't had a bike for a while.

The last bike I had was a older specialized enduro pro and whilst it was a lovely thing I completely bought the wrong bike for what I was doing (mild trails/country lanes), it just seemed really difficult to ride for me being much heavier and full suspension.

I'm pleased to report the cube seems fantastic, effortless to ride and very light. Obligatory pic below..



One issue I had yesterday and I get this walking the dog as well but nowhere near as bad, the wind chill on my ears gave me severe earache which started turning into a headache while I was riding. Is this a common problem?

If anyone has any suggestions on how to combat this, maybe just as simple as wearing a wooly hat but I'd rather not given that's going to make me sweat and interfere with helmet wearing. Can earplugs help?

Other than that and my legs turning to jelly it was a thoroughly enjoyable ride and even my backside isn't that sore haha!

Cheers

Edited by Yazza54 on Thursday 14th May 07:24

[technodup]

Yazza54 said:

If anyone has any suggestions on how to combat this, maybe just as simple as wearing a wooly hat but I'd rather not given that's going to make me sweat. Can earplugs help?

I've never had an issue but there are some people who wear headbands around their ears. They do exist for cyclists.

[Yazza54]

Thanks!

I'm not sure how common an issue it is. I do seem to have a lot of issues with my ears, have to be careful swimming in case they fill up with water and then I can't hear a thing, can really ruin your holiday!!

[MockingJay]

Wear a skullcap under your helmet

[dai1983]

Yazza54 said:

Thanks!

I'm not sure how common an issue it is. I do seem to have a lot of issues with my ears, have to be careful swimming in case they fill up with water and then I can't hear a thing, can really ruin your holiday!!

On the swimming thing get your ears syringed or buy a kit to do it. Likely you have loads of wax that holds the water in there

[anonymous-user]

I commute all year by bike (well, used to before the pandemiic and WFH kicked in). Wind chill can be bad even at this time of year in the mornings. For your ears, get a "buff" or similar non-branded version. It's a tube of material that can be worn all kinds of ways on your head. Wouldn't be without mine when the wind chill makes the temp feel like -5.

Edited by mstrbkr on Thursday 14th May 08:38

[Yazza54]

Great stuff thanks for the advice! It was mild but windy yesterday and it was really bloody painful, hopefully this will nip it in the bud.