Keep Me On Track!

[G3CWI]

Any observations or encouragement gratefully received!

Consider signing up to Endomondo (mobile phone app) and joining the Cyclechat challenges. It is motivating.

I'm a similar age and my problem is stopping overdoing it. It's worth building in some fixed rest days into your schedule.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Consider signing up to Endomondo (mobile phone app) and joining the Cyclechat challenges. It is motivating.

I'm a similar age and my problem is stopping overdoing it. It's worth building in some fixed rest days into your schedule.

Endomondo is a good site (reminds me must update mine)

 

[Crankpoet]

Hmmmm, will add smartphone to my shopping list! I currently use the Good Run Guide which is a simple manual site - and it is pretty motivating as well - but an auto site might be even better. Perhaps a road bike will come first on the shopping list! I saw a deal on a Raleigh Airlite 100, a smidgen under £300 - is it as good as it looks?

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Hmmmm, will add smartphone to my shopping list! I currently use the Good Run Guide which is a simple manual site - and it is pretty motivating as well - but an auto site might be even better. Perhaps a road bike will come first on the shopping list! I saw a deal on a Raleigh Airlite 100, a smidgen under £300 - is it as good as it looks?

There are better have a look at the Triban 3 (red one) same price, carbon forks, 8sp triple.

EDIT
Also if you are buy a smartphone just for recording your rides, you might do better getting an entry level gps recorder like the Garmin Edge 200 or the Bryton Rider 20, the first has basic mapping in that you can create a trial to follow ( its not like a sat nav) but it will inform you if you are off course (if its like the 500), the Rider 20 whilst it doesnt have that the mapping does have the ability to add H.R. and speed/cadence monitors.

 

[Ernie_RBR]

Go for it ... Good advice above....

Wee tune for ya...

 

[Nigelnaturist]

No need for a winter jacket this week! Still in my running kit as I haven't been able to get to the shops. Cycled a total of 58 miles on my commute and without really trying my fastest time is now a bit over 44 minutes so I know that I am getting fitter - my next target is to do some sustained distance as cycling through London is a series of stops at traffic lights which gives legs a bit of a rest. Does anyone have any quiet routes where this might be possible going out of east London? I'm quite close to the Olympic Stadium.
Wierdly my weight has gone up over the last two weeks (less than a kg) but I haven't been conscious of eating a lot more. I had anticipated it dropping.

Ride with GPS is good for mapping (others prefer other sites). RWGPS
This was my last ride on RWGPS http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2386938

 

[Stonechat]

No need for a winter jacket this week! Still in my running kit as I haven't been able to get to the shops. Cycled a total of 58 miles on my commute and without really trying my fastest time is now a bit over 44 minutes so I know that I am getting fitter - my next target is to do some sustained distance as cycling through London is a series of stops at traffic lights which gives legs a bit of a rest. Does anyone have any quiet routes where this might be possible going out of east London? I'm quite close to the Olympic Stadium.
Wierdly my weight has gone up over the last two weeks (less than a kg) but I haven't been conscious of eating a lot more. I had anticipated it dropping.

My weight keeps slowly dropping, not sure why - only a slight weight loss would have been the aim. Never been sure how much and how often I should be eating on longer rides, think that's where it happens.

 

[Crankpoet]

Well, a puncture was an unexpected highlight this week - straight through the kevlar belt forcing me to run the last 3 miles of my commute! For me the main thing is that I am continuing to drop times on the commute without really making a big effort just trying to tag along with faster cyclists who overtake until I get tired. Bought a pair of Sealskinz gloves to replace my work out woolen ones and they are great but now the weather is warm again they may have to go into storage.
The Triban 23 looks like a good bike but it is not that versatile - I was hoping to stick a rack on my next bike to go cycle touring in France after the 100 - that's why the Airlite 100 appealed but if you tell me it is no good then I'll look elsewhere.

 

[Crankpoet]

Well my weight is dropping and so are my fast times on my commute - I guess that is pretty logical but then again being lucky with traffic lights helps! It must be having some effect though because my swimming time for 1500 metres has dropped by about 3 minutes. This week's reflection is what percentage of road users have really good/bad manners - I have noticed that probably 95% of taxi, motorcycle, car and lorry drivers are pretty well mannered, a slightly lower % of bus drivers. Cyclists? Not much different really although it is galling to be at a junction waiting for a red light and someone comes past and weaves through the traffic irritating everyone then goes so slowly that you need to overtake and then the drama is repeated at the next junction.
Still holding off on my cycling clothing but browsing the very cheap Sport Direct website. Advice on what is good to wear for reflection/being seen that is not a complete fashion disaster gratefully received - my Sam Brown belt is definitely a fashion disaster (I look like a bald Boris Johnson!) and I'd like a substitute!

 

[Sharky]

Well my weight is dropping and so are my fast times on my commute - I guess that is pretty logical but then again being lucky with traffic lights helps! It must be having some effect though because my swimming time for 1500 metres has dropped by about 3 minutes. This week's reflection is what percentage of road users have really good/bad manners - I have noticed that probably 95% of taxi, motorcycle, car and lorry drivers are pretty well mannered, a slightly lower % of bus drivers. Cyclists? Not much different really although it is galling to be at a junction waiting for a red light and someone comes past and weaves through the traffic irritating everyone then goes so slowly that you need to overtake and then the drama is repeated at the next junction.
Still holding off on my cycling clothing but browsing the very cheap Sport Direct website. Advice on what is good to wear for reflection/being seen that is not a complete fashion disaster gratefully received - my Sam Brown belt is definitely a fashion disaster (I look like a bald Boris Johnson!) and I'd like a substitute!

I've used this before
http://www.glow.co.uk/reflective-tape.html

Stick strips onto your normal cycling jacket in strategic places or onto you bike.
For twilight and night riding, I use a hi-viz Gillet. They cost about £35, but well worth it and when it's cold, give another layer to keep youself warn.

Keith

 

[Crankpoet]

Just to keep you updated, I completed the Ride London 100 today (well it was 87 because of course shortening) I did it in about 5 and half hours and a big thank you to everyone who kept me motivated on this thread and across the site. I managed the course without too much trouble despite my training being a bit patchy although the last 10 miles was a bit of an effort .

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Just to keep you updated, I completed the Ride London 100 today (well it was 87 because of course shortening) I did it in about 5 and half hours and a big thank you to everyone who kept me motivated on this thread and across the site. I managed the course without too much trouble despite my training being a bit patchy although the last 10 miles was a bit of an effort .

@Crankpoet

Well done!