Newbie Help..... Alot of help infact

[BlueNoseDave]

Thats something that is also going to need some advice by you guys. Oh and the idea is a website is to be set up with updates from my training running all the way up to the big day and pictures afterwards... There will be ways to donate and also contact info for this site as it will have made it happen and been a great help to me

I haven't so much as looked at a route yet, I regularly drive the route by M5, M50 M4. Now obviously you wont see me cycling down the fast lane of the motorway but im looking to get as close to this route as possible.

 

[bonj2]

tip - www.viamichelin.com has an option for 'by bike' so it supposedly picks bike friendly routes.

 

[LLB]

Thats something that is also going to need some advice by you guys. Oh and the idea is a website is to be set up with updates from my training running all the way up to the big day and pictures afterwards... There will be ways to donate and also contact info for this site as it will have made it happen and been a great help to me

I haven't so much as looked at a route yet, I regularly drive the route by M5, M50 M4. Now obviously you wont see me cycling down the fast lane of the motorway but im looking to get as close to this route as possible.

Are you looking to do this in one day ?

 

[mickle]

BlueNoseDave, firstly big respect for your planned endevour.

Bottom line; almost any bike will do if you're comfortable on it. I was doing mileage like that on a five speed with steel rims when I was fifteen and I'm no athlete. The base fitness you have from footie will serve you well and it won't take long for your muscles to adapt to cycling. If you can ride thirty miles in comfort you can do this distance.

Kiddy, Hereford, Abergavenny I reckon.

 

[BlueNoseDave]

Mickle thanks for that,

That covers mstly the M50 route which is brilliant thank you


and yes in 1 day LLB

 

[bonj2]

good luck!

 

[BlueNoseDave]

Good News and Bad News Guys,

The Good News is my company are paying about half the cost for the bike, Im deciding weather to have a £300 £400 or £500 voucher...

The bad news is guess where i have to redeem this from...

www.halfords.com

Im going to go to a local one soon to choose the bike once the voucher is received. If anyone knows of a decent bike on this actual site recommended for my travel and I can go straight to that section. Judging by the general messages im not going for a MTB.

Once again i know i say it everytime but thank you for your help.

 

[LLB]

Good News and Bad News Guys,

The Good News is my company are paying about half the cost for the bike, Im deciding weather to have a £300 £400 or £500 voucher...

The bad news is guess where i have to redeem this from...

www.halfords.com

Im going to go to a local one soon to choose the bike once the voucher is received. If anyone knows of a decent bike on this actual site recommended for my travel and I can go straight to that section. Judging by the general messages im not going for a MTB.

Once again i know i say it everytime but thank you for your help.

The Boardman bikes are supposed to be fairly reasonable nowadays but not carried in every shop - make sure you are fitted properly for the bike - this can't be stress highly enough.

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/

The 'comp' road bike looks nice

 

[pinkkaz]

Hi BND,

Are you sure you can't redeem it instore (my work use Halfords for the cycle to work scheme as well), and can't Halfords order in any bikes they may not stock?

Not sure though!

 

[BlueNoseDave]

Hi Guys,

Were moving now...

I have a £400 voucher on route to me and need to get spending!

Pinkkaz,

They are sending this so i can go in store so that wont be a problem, I will get measured up there so i definatley get what i need. Now im probably looking at £300 to £350 on the bike leaving a little for helmet etc...

The boardman does like nice...

 

[BlueNoseDave]

Oh by the way.... its just hit me that im no longer going to be that guy sitting in his warm car while poor cyclists have the sh*t taken out of them by buses and cars flying past... With this in mind how does it all work...

Is there any rules on road riding i need to know????

Such as do you always keep to the left....
Where do i position myself and islands.....
can i listen to my ipod.... (i want to but also worry i wont be as alert)
any other info you think is essential please let me know

 

[summerdays]

Get the book Cyclecraft immediately - gives you lots of advice about positioning etc - no cyclist should be without it.

(Ha - I managed to beat HLaB to saying it - still I'm sure plenty more would agree)

 

[HLaB]

Oh by the way.... its just hit me that im no longer going to be that guy sitting in his warm car while poor cyclists have the sh*t taken out of them by buses and cars flying past... With this in mind how does it all work...

Is there any rules on road riding i need to know????

Such as do you always keep to the left....
Where do i position myself and islands.....
can i listen to my ipod.... (i want to but also worry i wont be as alert)
any other info you think is essential please let me know

Basically position yourself as you would position a car. Whatever you do don't become a gutter hugger, your less visible there and more likely to have a uncomfortable, p***ture prone ride. Get yourself a copy of cyclecraft somebody will be along with the links and more detailed advice shortly.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Good News and Bad News Guys,

The Good News is my company are paying about half the cost for the bike, Im deciding weather to have a £300 £400 or £500 voucher...

The bad news is guess where i have to redeem this from...

www.halfords.com

Im going to go to a local one soon to choose the bike once the voucher is received. If anyone knows of a decent bike on this actual site recommended for my travel and I can go straight to that section. Judging by the general messages im not going for a MTB.

Once again i know i say it everytime but thank you for your help.

the carrera range is also good value (but change the tyres for something better before you go), it is just the issue of how well put together it is in the shop.

 

[jay clock]

BND - first of all an apology on behalf of the others on here who I know will not agree with Bonj's offensive posting.

Once you get set up with the bike then setup a sponsorship with www.justgiving.com - I think you will all bar one of the contributors to this thread happy to donate a pound or two....