Cycling Thread

[ovid9]

I'm leaving this right here:

http://www.webmd.com/men/features/bikin ... -real-risk

The no-nose seat design sounds interesting. And after googling looks weird as hell.

Be interesting to try one and see what its like though. So weird looking.

There was a big "scare" about ED & cycling 10-15 years ago and after the hub bub died does it sorta came out that while it is a potential issues, its not quite as big of a deal as some people were making it sound unless you're riding a shit ton of miles. Is it good to be aware of the risk? Of course, but as the article itself points out the effect is usually temporary such as after a big ride.

[Diddlybo]

I'm leaving this right here:

http://www.webmd.com/men/features/bikin ... -real-risk

There was a big "scare" about ED & cycling 10-15 years ago and after the hub bub died does it sorta came out that while it is a potential issues, its not quite as big of a deal as some people were making it sound unless you're riding a shit ton of miles. Is it good to be aware of the risk? Of course, but as the article itself points out the effect is usually temporary such as after a big ride.

I'm an old fucker. I can't take any chances.

[ovid9]

I am intrigued by those no nose saddles. I mean, they look horrific. But, the idea is kinda cool. I wonder if any of my LBS have them in stock and I could try one out? Hmm.

[Tortuga]

I had a bout with ED concerns back when I was starting to really get into road biking and putting on hundreds of miles a month. Things were getting numb that shouldn't get doing so, and yeah - it's pretty fucking scary.

For me, it all came down to bike fit. There's a surprising number of variables that can be adjusted: seat forward/back/angle/height, stem & handlebars, pedals/cleats, etc. They all need to be in balance for the system to work at its most efficient, and this generally translates to evening out the pressures on the various parts of the body that are in contact with the bike. The other thing that helped my situation was getting a seat with a channel down the center that helps with bloodflow. Looks / sounds like a torture device, but it completely fixed my situation. Kept my 'parts' working just fine - it wasn't the bike that kept me from having kids, it was the kids I started having in 2003 that wound up keeping me from the bike

My seat is a Selle Italia Flite. Kind of like this.

[Tortuga]

Interesting to me that there's so many opinions about pedals. For me, a huge part of my love for Speedplay is that float mentioned above. Having that causes your foot to automatically go into a position that's right for you - it's the pedals that have fixed placement clips that have to be adjusted (and adjusted and adjusted) to get it "just right", and then if you want to concentrate on pedal technique and positioning, you wind up having to go through another whole adjustment (and potential pain) cycle. No thanks.

Also, getting out of clips in a panic stop was never as fast (for me) as when I changed to Speedplays.

As said above, different strokes for different folks. Most of the people I rode with couldn't keep up with me and couldn't power up the climbs and sprints as much as I could, so maybe that's why I was ripping free and the others weren't. I'm so goddam out of shape now that it probably wouldn't be an issue anymore, but I'd still use 'em

[Sasquatch]

New bike and new running shoes

Trek domain series 4 carbon
Newton running

[PurpleTrails]

Interesting to me that there's so many opinions about pedals. For me, a huge part of my love for Speedplay is that float mentioned above. Having that causes your foot to automatically go into a position that's right for you - it's the pedals that have fixed placement clips that have to be adjusted (and adjusted and adjusted) to get it "just right", and then if you want to concentrate on pedal technique and positioning, you wind up having to go through another whole adjustment (and potential pain) cycle. No thanks.

Also, getting out of clips in a panic stop was never as fast (for me) as when I changed to Speedplays.

As said above, different strokes for different folks. Most of the people I rode with couldn't keep up with me and couldn't power up the climbs and sprints as much as I could, so maybe that's why I was ripping free and the others weren't. I'm so goddam out of shape now that it probably wouldn't be an issue anymore, but I'd still use 'em

It's funny, I've never had trouble getting out of clipless pedals in any emergency situation, including a couple of pretty badass crashes.

I agree that adjusting cleats is one of the most frustrating and painstaking tasks in setting up a bike, especially when you consider that a 1 mm switch in position of the cleat can mean subsequently adjusting seat height, saddle position, etc. Fortunately I know where I like my cleats to be, and it's pretty easy for me to figure out when they're wrong.

[ovid9]

Sweet new ride Sasquatch! I think you'll have a lot of fun on that.

And running shoes????? OMG!

My wife has newtons and she really digs them. I'm gonna check them out next time I need to get new shoes.

Re: pedals- I think so much of it really is personal preference. All of the them have their plusses and minuses and I think its sorta what works for each person. I'm still using the same Nashbar look pedals I bought 19 years ago. (Has it been 19 years??? Holy crap.) I have a new set of pedals I need to install so I can start using my new shoes. Its the SPD-L style. I'm not getting rid of my old ones until I know I like the new ones though.

[Loop Bizkit]

Scouted a new route this weekend from our new house.

We live on the fringe of Amish country now...and it was super fun passing all the horsenbuggies.

[Sasquatch]

Sweet new ride Sasquatch! I think you'll have a lot of fun on that.

And running shoes????? OMG!

My wife has newtons and she really digs them. I'm gonna check them out next time I need to get new shoes.

Re: pedals- I think so much of it really is personal preference. All of the them have their plusses and minuses and I think its sorta what works for each person. I'm still using the same Nashbar look pedals I bought 19 years ago. (Has it been 19 years??? Holy crap.) I have a new set of pedals I need to install so I can start using my new shoes. Its the SPD-L style. I'm not getting rid of my old ones until I know I like the new ones though.

i know. i am kind of torn. still barefoot run but i want to post a sub 20:00 5k. hard to do barefooted. i still hike barefooted too. when i do hike, i also like to climb trees and rocks and such. haven't adapted to climbing trees shirtless yet. i need to thicken dat chest skin.

[itchyfingers]

SFM - that Norco looks awesome!

NFA - Digging that Bianchi!

Sasquatch - that Trek "looks" light as hell!

As far as ED goes, I regularly keep the pipes clear, I have no plans to be on a bike for more than an hour at a time, and quite honestly being overweight will lead to way more health problems than a bike seat can inflict on my man-parts.

Oh, and I'm looking at another 23 miles tomorrow.

[ovid9]

:pics:

Sweet new ride Sasquatch! I think you'll have a lot of fun on that.

And running shoes????? OMG!

My wife has newtons and she really digs them. I'm gonna check them out next time I need to get new shoes.

Re: pedals- I think so much of it really is personal preference. All of the them have their plusses and minuses and I think its sorta what works for each person. I'm still using the same Nashbar look pedals I bought 19 years ago. (Has it been 19 years??? Holy crap.) I have a new set of pedals I need to install so I can start using my new shoes. Its the SPD-L style. I'm not getting rid of my old ones until I know I like the new ones though.

i know. i am kind of torn. still barefoot run but i want to post a sub 20:00 5k. hard to do barefooted. i still hike barefooted too. when i do hike, i also like to climb trees and rocks and such. haven't adapted to climbing trees shirtless yet. i need to thicken dat chest skin.

Yeah, you haven't been shimmying up trees barechested since you were 3 years old. Gonna take some time to build up that leather skin.

[Loop Bizkit]

112 miles yesterday. Chased by a little anklebiter, then a big black lab that was fast as hell, then a rottweiler that almost made me piss myself. Super humid too. Weighed myself before and after the ride, and even after 6 bottles of water, lost 4 lbs of water weight on the ride. I've never sweat so much, lol.

Here's the ride:

https://www.strava.com/activities/365249901

[ovid9]

112 miles yesterday. Chased by a little anklebiter, then a big black lab that was fast as hell, then a rottweiler that almost made me piss myself. Super humid too. Weighed myself before and after the ride, and even after 6 bottles of water, lost 4 lbs of water weight on the ride. I've never sweat so much, lol.

Here's the ride:

https://www.strava.com/activities/365249901

I went 12 miles....

I've probably ridden some of those roads between Wabash & Huntington. That was the part of the last day of the bike trip to our church camp when I was in HS. I only went to camp 2 years, but I did the trip 7 times. Awesome ride man!

Did the rottweiler just sorta appear outta nowhere? Those are the ones that get me. No dog, no dog, no dog, OMG ITS FRICKIN' CERBERUS WHERE DID THAT COME FROM I'M GONNA DIE!!!! Funny how even if you're tired you find a little extra "oomph" at that point.

Humid just squeezes the water outta ya doesn't it?

Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday!

[Loop Bizkit]

I went 12 miles....

I've probably ridden some of those roads between Wabash & Huntington. That was the part of the last day of the bike trip to our church camp when I was in HS. I only went to camp 2 years, but I did the trip 7 times. Awesome ride man!

Did the rottweiler just sorta appear outta nowhere? Those are the ones that get me. No dog, no dog, no dog, OMG ITS FRICKIN' CERBERUS WHERE DID THAT COME FROM I'M GONNA DIE!!!! Funny how even if you're tired you find a little extra "oomph" at that point.

Humid just squeezes the water outta ya doesn't it?

Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday!

I saw the Rott before he saw us... he was out in the road, about a 1/4 mile down. We slowed to figure out what to do, and he freaking barreled at us like a bat out of hell. Turned around. Hit 30+ mph lol. Found another road on the route.


This was my first time riding out that way. It was pretty scenic in spots...Roush reservoir, Salamonie, along the river, etc. Would have been the perfect ride if it were a little less muggy.

[ovid9]

I went 12 miles....

I've probably ridden some of those roads between Wabash & Huntington. That was the part of the last day of the bike trip to our church camp when I was in HS. I only went to camp 2 years, but I did the trip 7 times. Awesome ride man!

Did the rottweiler just sorta appear outta nowhere? Those are the ones that get me. No dog, no dog, no dog, OMG ITS FRICKIN' CERBERUS WHERE DID THAT COME FROM I'M GONNA DIE!!!! Funny how even if you're tired you find a little extra "oomph" at that point.

Humid just squeezes the water outta ya doesn't it?

Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday!

I saw the Rott before he saw us... he was out in the road, about a 1/4 mile down. We slowed to figure out what to do, and he freaking barreled at us like a bat out of hell. Turned around. Hit 30+ mph lol. Found another road on the route.


This was my first time riding out that way. It was pretty scenic in spots...Roush reservoir, Salamonie, along the river, etc. Would have been the perfect ride if it were a little less muggy.

At least you saw him coming.

Yeah, we camped at the Salamonie campground a number of times. There is some really nice riding through there.

I gotta get my legs back under me and start getting some longer rides in. No century for me this year.

I need to find my wife and I a route where we could stay at a B&B and make a loop and hit some breweries/wineries or something, or even just head out and back one direction one day, and out and back a different the next. Been looking at the Katy Trail in Mo or possibly somewhere up in Wisconsin. IL sucks for that sorta thing.

Hell we suck for most things.

[itchyfingers]

112 miles yesterday. Chased by a little anklebiter, then a big black lab that was fast as hell, then a rottweiler that almost made me piss myself. Super humid too. Weighed myself before and after the ride, and even after 6 bottles of water, lost 4 lbs of water weight on the ride. I've never sweat so much, lol.

Here's the ride:

https://www.strava.com/activities/365249901

Dude! That is nuts, Loop! Just to be able to have the energy to complete a trip like that (even without rabid attack dogs) is awesome. I did a tenth of that and was completely gassed yesterday.

https://www.strava.com/activities/365313888

[Tortuga]

112 miles yesterday. Chased by a little anklebiter, then a big black lab that was fast as hell, then a rottweiler that almost made me piss myself. Super humid too. Weighed myself before and after the ride, and even after 6 bottles of water, lost 4 lbs of water weight on the ride. I've never sweat so much, lol.

Here's the ride:

https://www.strava.com/activities/365249901

This is awesome. Really cool that you can track rides using phone apps now.

Used to love getting up way early and doing a fairly flat solo century - 50 miles from my house to the beach, then turn around and head home.

One of the worst summer rides for me was about 60 miles, but the temp went up well over 100, and I was leading a group of idiots from our bike club that didn't bring enough water (much too heavy to carry, yo ),and I had to babysit a few of them the last 10 miles because they were bonking out left & right. Had one literally collapse on a small climb right in front of me.

When we got back, my forehead, face, ears, and helmet were caked in salt, and my weight loss was right around 10 pounds, which was about 5% of my weight at the time.

Best part of the ride was pulling up to a supermarket and getting cold water from one of those bottle fillers out front. We wasted half of it just dumping it over our heads.

Crazy ride, for sure.

[Loop Bizkit]

Dude! That is nuts, Loop! Just to be able to have the energy to complete a trip like that (even without rabid attack dogs) is awesome. I did a tenth of that and was completely gassed yesterday.

https://www.strava.com/activities/365313888

Thanks man!

The only way you can talk your body into doing this long of a ride is to manage nutrition.

My method (works for me)

Night before:

About an hour before bedtime, bowl of pasta, no sauce, just olive oil. 2 light beers.

Morning of:

2 egg whites, redbull, bagel with peanut butter


On ride:

One Gu packet (I like the caffeinated ones) every 45 minutes. Cliff bar at 50 miles.
https://guenergy.com/shop/energy-gel

I carry 3 bottles. 1 in my jersey, and 2 on cages on the bike. 2 bottles are water, bottle #3 is water + a caffeinated Nuun tablet.
https://nuun.com/products/nuun-energy
Skip Gatorade. Too much sugar/syrupiness. Good for 1 hour before a ride, but during the ride, not as much, IMO.

I did a 20 mile recovery ride today on lunch. Came in sore today, feel awesome now.

[Loop Bizkit]

my forehead, face, ears, and helmet were caked in salt

Oh man, I hate that. It's the weirdest feels ever when that happens. It's like you buried your face in McDonalds french fries.

[SuperFlyinMonke]

Dude! That is nuts, Loop! Just to be able to have the energy to complete a trip like that (even without rabid attack dogs) is awesome. I did a tenth of that and was completely gassed yesterday.

https://www.strava.com/activities/365313888

Thanks man!

The only way you can talk your body into doing this long of a ride is to manage nutrition.

My method (works for me)

Night before:

About an hour before bedtime, bowl of pasta, no sauce, just olive oil. 2 light beers.

Morning of:

2 egg whites, redbull, bagel with peanut butter


On ride:

One Gu packet (I like the caffeinated ones) every 45 minutes. Cliff bar at 50 miles.
https://guenergy.com/shop/energy-gel

I carry 3 bottles. 1 in my jersey, and 2 on cages on the bike. 2 bottles are water, bottle #3 is water + a caffeinated Nuun tablet.
https://nuun.com/products/nuun-energy
Skip Gatorade. Too much sugar/syrupiness. Good for 1 hour before a ride, but during the ride, not as much, IMO.

I did a 20 mile recovery ride today on lunch. Came in sore today, feel awesome now.

This is great info! I've wondered how to manage these, as I've been victim to the 70km wall as of late. A co-worker wants me to do the Banff grand fondo, but I'm not real keen on paying $250 to race.

[Sasquatch]

Dude! That is nuts, Loop! Just to be able to have the energy to complete a trip like that (even without rabid attack dogs) is awesome. I did a tenth of that and was completely gassed yesterday.

https://www.strava.com/activities/365313888

Thanks man!

The only way you can talk your body into doing this long of a ride is to manage nutrition.

My method (works for me)

Night before:

About an hour before bedtime, bowl of pasta, no sauce, just olive oil. 2 light beers.

Morning of:

2 egg whites, redbull, bagel with peanut butter


On ride:

One Gu packet (I like the caffeinated ones) every 45 minutes. Cliff bar at 50 miles.
https://guenergy.com/shop/energy-gel

I carry 3 bottles. 1 in my jersey, and 2 on cages on the bike. 2 bottles are water, bottle #3 is water + a caffeinated Nuun tablet.
https://nuun.com/products/nuun-energy
Skip Gatorade. Too much sugar/syrupiness. Good for 1 hour before a ride, but during the ride, not as much, IMO.

I did a 20 mile recovery ride today on lunch. Came in sore today, feel awesome now.

do i need a garmen to do strava? i want to get on but blah. help plox!

[Loop Bizkit]

do i need a garmen to do strava? i want to get on but blah. help plox!

Nope... you can run it from your phone, and mount your phone to your stem in a waterproof case. Your phone's gps will do distance tracking and you can pair bluetooth cadence sensors to it too (I use a Wahoo BlueSC: http://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/wah ... AiNY8P8HAQ)

Why doesn't everyone do that, then?

1. Battery life on a phone you've had a while may or may not be enough for a 100+ mile ride. In shorter rides, its fine.
2. If you're using an Iphone 5s or earlier, there's only an accelerometer, not a barometric altimeter. This means all of your elevation stats are incorrect, and by extension, so are your calories burned.

FWIW, I used an iphone 5c as my ride cpu yesterday, and my ride partner used his garmin. We rode the same 112 miles, and he got 800 feet more elevation than I did.

[Sasquatch]

ok, need help.

i have a recommendation for a tomtom blah for biking, running. i want a garmen 225 but just bought a bike so need to blah. need alternative recommendations for a biking/running kind of wearable (watch) device. let's keep it under $200 and the cheaper the more betterses.

[Loop Bizkit]

Find a used garmin 510/sensor kit for the bike, or if you're running/biking, look at the Mio wristbands/watches.