Back to cycling... a month on.
Discussion
Well it’s been a month or so since I got my Cube hybrid and started cycling again.
I had had a big medical at work that had threw up ( future ) diabetes and high blood pressure.
This got me into gear.
There’s a big problem for me with my doctor telling me to lose two stone, I don’t see myself as fat! I obviously am, and to a degree where it’s affecting my health, but I don’t see it, unfortunately.
I can’t run, I’m to heavy, my already iffy knees would not take it.
So I bought a bike. Now I’ve dabbled in cycles on and off and always buy eBay tat. This time if I Chuck money at it I’ve got to follow through with it so I spent 850 on a Cube hybrid.
I usually do a three or four mile circuit in an evening, this is 100% road, and a ten mile run out on a Saturday afternoon.
Today I went out and there’s this nasty horrible hill on my route...... for the first time I got to the top.
So I’m on a bit of a high at the moment.
Thoughts on cycling?
I enjoy it, especially Saturday when I go with a mate.
I love the Cube, the gear change feels instant and I can at last ride it no handed
that’s gonna end in tears.
I adjusted the seat the other day and the paint came off the seat stem, also the black paint has worn off the left hand pedal crank ( shimano ) so that’s disappointing.
The best this I did was buy a proper pair of cycling shorts, this has saved me some grief.
I also have gloves.
I also bought a Saris bones bike rack.
Apart from helmets, any recommendations on kit to buy?
I haven’t really lost any weight tbh but have gone down a few sizes, face looks thinner, people have commented.
I have also found so far that cars have behaved themselves around me.
So that’s it, I’m enjoying it and will probably get a decent mountain bike next year ( when things are easier) so I can try off-roading.
Thanks for reading, any tips, thoughts welcome.
I had had a big medical at work that had threw up ( future ) diabetes and high blood pressure.
This got me into gear.
There’s a big problem for me with my doctor telling me to lose two stone, I don’t see myself as fat! I obviously am, and to a degree where it’s affecting my health, but I don’t see it, unfortunately.
I can’t run, I’m to heavy, my already iffy knees would not take it.
So I bought a bike. Now I’ve dabbled in cycles on and off and always buy eBay tat. This time if I Chuck money at it I’ve got to follow through with it so I spent 850 on a Cube hybrid.
I usually do a three or four mile circuit in an evening, this is 100% road, and a ten mile run out on a Saturday afternoon.
Today I went out and there’s this nasty horrible hill on my route...... for the first time I got to the top.
So I’m on a bit of a high at the moment.
Thoughts on cycling?
I enjoy it, especially Saturday when I go with a mate.
I love the Cube, the gear change feels instant and I can at last ride it no handed
that’s gonna end in tears.I adjusted the seat the other day and the paint came off the seat stem, also the black paint has worn off the left hand pedal crank ( shimano ) so that’s disappointing.
The best this I did was buy a proper pair of cycling shorts, this has saved me some grief.
I also have gloves.
I also bought a Saris bones bike rack.
Apart from helmets, any recommendations on kit to buy?
I haven’t really lost any weight tbh but have gone down a few sizes, face looks thinner, people have commented.
I have also found so far that cars have behaved themselves around me.
So that’s it, I’m enjoying it and will probably get a decent mountain bike next year ( when things are easier) so I can try off-roading.
Thanks for reading, any tips, thoughts welcome.
StuntmanMike said:
Cheers, will have a look at glasses.
Definitely glasses. A helmet might protect your head if you fall off and hit your head. Glasses, on the other hand? You are so much more likely to need their protection. nsects, road debris flicked up by your own tyres or passing vehicles. Random thorns/branches sticking out of hedgerows on the road too. And when you get off road on a MTB that likelihood just rises. Same with gloves. There's many a low speed 'off' where padded palms will save you from getting gravel embedded in your skin but you won't benefit from a helmet. I'm not trying to put you off the idea of a helmet, by the way. I wear one for most rides. But it's glasses - gloves - helmet in terms of priority for me. Biggest tip....enjoy and keep on
Trainers such as those for work with stiff,composite sole can be good for cycling using flat pedals or SPD pedals for mountain biking,clip in shoes but walkable on
Slime inner tubes are good for preventing punctures,can of PTFE lube spray from eurocar parts or Wilko couple of quid
Trainers such as those for work with stiff,composite sole can be good for cycling using flat pedals or SPD pedals for mountain biking,clip in shoes but walkable on
Slime inner tubes are good for preventing punctures,can of PTFE lube spray from eurocar parts or Wilko couple of quid
If you don't want to spend much on glasses, perhaps a pair of these will suit you (if they are in stock locally): https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/st-100-adult-mtb-sun...
Helmet - your choice. I started cycling again in lockdown 1 and have fallen in love with getting my bike out - keeps me sane. I've lost 2 stone so far. However, I did fall off over winter and split my new Bontrager helmet in two (black ice / tarmac moment). Bontrager offer free crash replacement for the first year. Hopefully not needed but served me well.
Lights - I use a rear light (high lumens) at all times of day. Most car drivers are fine, some less so, but anything I can do to be better seen is a bonus.
Komoot.com - for planning new and interesting routes, perhaps to keep things varied/interesting/avoid busier roads.
The main thing is that you enjoy it (and remain safe). And if you lose weight its a bonus. Happy cycling.
Helmet - your choice. I started cycling again in lockdown 1 and have fallen in love with getting my bike out - keeps me sane. I've lost 2 stone so far. However, I did fall off over winter and split my new Bontrager helmet in two (black ice / tarmac moment). Bontrager offer free crash replacement for the first year. Hopefully not needed but served me well.
Lights - I use a rear light (high lumens) at all times of day. Most car drivers are fine, some less so, but anything I can do to be better seen is a bonus.
Komoot.com - for planning new and interesting routes, perhaps to keep things varied/interesting/avoid busier roads.
The main thing is that you enjoy it (and remain safe). And if you lose weight its a bonus. Happy cycling.
StuntmanMike said:
Cheers, will have a look at glasses.
Decathlon do great / great value cycling glasses. Picked up a pair for about £25 last year with three changeable lenses and they are excellent.These look the closest to what I got https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/roadr-900-adult-cycl...
Thanks for the replies.
Some food for thought there.
I actually have some tinted safety glasses a friend gave me off the railway’s, I’ll go with those until I buy some.
I do have to get a helmet as I do worry about getting my nut banged up.
I also need a portable tool kit for punctures etc, I’ve already had one but it went down overnight, not in the middle of nowhere.
Anyway, watching Hubnut so I’ll sign off for the night.
Some food for thought there.
I actually have some tinted safety glasses a friend gave me off the railway’s, I’ll go with those until I buy some.
I do have to get a helmet as I do worry about getting my nut banged up.
I also need a portable tool kit for punctures etc, I’ve already had one but it went down overnight, not in the middle of nowhere.
Anyway, watching Hubnut so I’ll sign off for the night.
Great effort so far. Probably the most important thing is to make sure you are having fun, and WANT to go out and ride. There are some things I have found to be good:
- padded shorts
- good quality gloves with very good padding on the palms for those rough roads
- clip-in shoes and pedals
- food - I find energy bars and gels to be essential for any ride much over 1 hour
- ride tracker app - I find it inspiring to keep track of rides
- spare inner tube & pump
- padded shorts
- good quality gloves with very good padding on the palms for those rough roads
- clip-in shoes and pedals
- food - I find energy bars and gels to be essential for any ride much over 1 hour
- ride tracker app - I find it inspiring to keep track of rides
- spare inner tube & pump
I recommend getting a track pump to use at home - makes it far easier to keep tyres at correct pressure. They will prob need topping up every few weeks. This will vastly reduce your chances of getting a puncture and make your riding more enjoyable.
Echo the recommendations of eye protection and lights. I always have lights on, front and rear, even the brightest sunniest days. I like Moon lights. Just makes you that bit more noticeable to drivers.
Wicking t shirts from Mountain Warehouse or similar are v comfortable to cycle in. I just wait till they have a sale on then fill my boots.
Echo the recommendations of eye protection and lights. I always have lights on, front and rear, even the brightest sunniest days. I like Moon lights. Just makes you that bit more noticeable to drivers.
Wicking t shirts from Mountain Warehouse or similar are v comfortable to cycle in. I just wait till they have a sale on then fill my boots.
StuntmanMike said:
I actually have some tinted safety glasses a friend gave me off the railway’s, I’ll go with those until I buy some.
These will be 100% fine. What I used for years and years.StuntmanMike said:
I do have to get a helmet as I do worry about getting my nut banged up
I am not evangelistic about it but I wear a helmet like I wear a seatbelt - every time, because I don't know when I am coming off. You can get them pretty cheap - and fit varies by brand not by price in my experience - try a few and see what fits your head.StuntmanMike said:
I also need a portable tool kit for punctures etc
What I have on the bike is: small pump (Topeak Rocket, I think) that is fitted on the bike so that you can't forget it, small saddle bag with puncture kit (2 x levers, glue, patches, sandpaper), one spare tube (wrapped in cling film to keep it neat and small), and a multi tool. These will add up a little bit, even though you can get decent versions of all of this pretty cheap (and even from Halfords) but breaking down in the middle of nowhere without being able to sort it will ruin your day and might put you off going out again!
Good effort, Stuntman, keep it up.
I have cycled for many years and there are two things that I will not cycle without.
One is a helmet; I have hit my head on the road, twice, and am grateful for having no injury, although the helmet was damaged on one occasion.
The other is high visibility clothing. About three years ago, early one spring Sunday morning, I was cycling on a rural road near where I live and a herd of quite large and very lively cattle emerged from a gate and shied away from me, knocking over the herdsman. He jumped up and shouted at me to get down the road. I did, jumped over a gate and watched 60 odd big male cattle shoot past me at speed. I am pretty certain that the cattle were surprised by the high viz and shied away. I do not think that I would have survived had that not happened.
I have, while driving, also had benefit from seeing high viz clad riders early when conditions have been poor.
It is a mystery to me why any cyclist wears drab clothing and chooses to add to the risks of cycling. It is not as if a bike can win any argument with a car, or larger, regardless of whose fault any problem might be.
I have cycled for many years and there are two things that I will not cycle without.
One is a helmet; I have hit my head on the road, twice, and am grateful for having no injury, although the helmet was damaged on one occasion.
The other is high visibility clothing. About three years ago, early one spring Sunday morning, I was cycling on a rural road near where I live and a herd of quite large and very lively cattle emerged from a gate and shied away from me, knocking over the herdsman. He jumped up and shouted at me to get down the road. I did, jumped over a gate and watched 60 odd big male cattle shoot past me at speed. I am pretty certain that the cattle were surprised by the high viz and shied away. I do not think that I would have survived had that not happened.
I have, while driving, also had benefit from seeing high viz clad riders early when conditions have been poor.
It is a mystery to me why any cyclist wears drab clothing and chooses to add to the risks of cycling. It is not as if a bike can win any argument with a car, or larger, regardless of whose fault any problem might be.
Onespeeder said:
It is a mystery to me why any cyclist wears drab clothing and chooses to add to the risks of cycling. It is not as if a bike can win any argument with a car, or larger, regardless of whose fault any problem might be.
It's a fashion thing for most I expect, noone looks good in high viz gear do they, and I agree they need to be seen more.Also...can't believe some people don't wear helmets??? That's a shocker to me, again I've fell off a few times on my MTB and so has my wife (due to a running dog) both times the helmet saved a serious knock being worse, mind boggles why you would ride without...again is this a fashion thing, or do the cool people wear a beanie hats now instead
?? My advice, don't get sucked into the apparel side of things, some clothing is mega expensive, it's mad tbh.
- Helmet
- Gloves
- cheap rucksack/bag
- Flat pedals (again cleats/clips take some time) and I have actually gone back to flats.
- cheap tools and spare inners (eBay/Amazon)
Biking has never been so accessible as it is now, and there are loads of good quality equipment at good not stupid prices, it's a great time to get riding again.
DailyHack said:
Also...can't believe some people don't wear helmets??? That's a shocker to me, again I've fell off a few times on my MTB and so has my wife (due to a running dog) both times the helmet saved a serious knock being worse, mind boggles why you would ride without...again is this a fashion thing, or do the cool people wear a beanie hats now instead ??
If you regularly fall off your bike you should definitely be using a helmet.?? DailyHack said:
Also...can't believe some people don't wear helmets??? That's a shocker to me, again I've fell off a few times on my MTB and so has my wife (due to a running dog) both times the helmet saved a serious knock being worse, mind boggles why you would ride without...again is this a fashion thing, or do the cool people wear a beanie hats now instead ??.
Uh oh??.
Incoming.
I'd also suggest joining the rest of us here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
and here:-
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
and here:-
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
David_M said:
What I have on the bike is: small pump (Topeak Rocket, I think) that is fitted on the bike so that you can't forget it, small saddle bag with puncture kit (2 x levers, glue, patches, sandpaper), one spare tube (wrapped in cling film to keep it neat and small), and a multi tool.
These will add up a little bit, even though you can get decent versions of all of this pretty cheap (and even from Halfords) but breaking down in the middle of nowhere without being able to sort it will ruin your day and might put you off going out again!
yellowjack's top tip of the day?These will add up a little bit, even though you can get decent versions of all of this pretty cheap (and even from Halfords) but breaking down in the middle of nowhere without being able to sort it will ruin your day and might put you off going out again!
Keep your spare tube wrapped in an old sock. Weird, you might think, but bear with me on this one as it comes out of bitter experience.
I was in the habit of keeping tubes for each bike in saddle packs. My pump, patches, and other spares are in a "universal" pouch in my jersey pocket. I would also grab an extra tube for my pocket when I grabbed the bike. So i ended up not using the saddle pack tubes for absolutely ages. Eventually I did need to use one, and friction between it and the fixing rivets for the saddle pack had rubbed a hole in the edge of the folded tube. It was in worse condition than the punctured one in the wheel. The other major benefit of carrying this old sock is that you always have a rag on which to wipe your hands when you get oily or covered in brake sludge (rim brakes) when you are fixing a puncture, etc. It's just one of those low "sports" ankle socks that has lost it's elasticity, with the tube stuffed into it and the bulk of the spare material folded over where the tube is most vulnerable.
Just well done, and keep it up really.
Will echo the Decathlon stuff. Also Planet-X, but they are like the DFS of the bike world, there's always a "sale" on so just watch out!
Aldi and Lidl cycling stuff is alright as well. If or when you start looking at 30+ miles you might want to spend a bit more, but until then, no need.
Don't forget sun cream in the summer!
Will echo the Decathlon stuff. Also Planet-X, but they are like the DFS of the bike world, there's always a "sale" on so just watch out!
Aldi and Lidl cycling stuff is alright as well. If or when you start looking at 30+ miles you might want to spend a bit more, but until then, no need.
Don't forget sun cream in the summer!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff