Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]

[Nigelnaturist]

As funds for the bike I would like are not there I have also been considering Triban - the 3 and 5 are both triples which suits me. (Especially older model red Triban 3). Also looking at secondhand market.
Was interested that @Nigelnaturist has put on MTB rear mech. I struggle a little knowing the compatability of different parts, for example I see a certain bike and wonder if it would take a 11-32 cassette.
So for the time being will look for a road bike - never going to to have enough time to do up the 1980's Claud Butler with Reynolds 531 frame.
However seem to be doing ok on the hybrid for now

8 & 9sp rear mech's are pretty much interchangeable as far as I am aware, there is 0.9mm difference in the cassette width between an 8 and 9sp so it is feasable that some 8sp wont work on 9sp, the cog width there is only 0.02mm difference so you could use 9sp cogs on an 8sp and vice-versa, but not a 9sp cassette with 8sp shifters or 9sp shifters with 8sp cassettes, in either case, if you split the cassette (take out the pins/screws holding the cassette together) you can make up your own ratios. This coupled with a M.T.B. rear mech allows you great freedom of choice. My current set up is 52/40/30 front and 13/15/17/19/21/23/25/28 giving me a range from 28" to 105" I could go 26/30 on the low end without it upsetting the ratios to much, to give a low gear of 26.3", I would need to be climbing some really steep long hills for that these days, but the option to swap them is good.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Been raining most of the night and is currently only 2 degrees above. Road reports mention icy patches. Hmmm, what to do. It looks like the last day before over a week of strong winds so I better get out and do a few miles I think. Will have to take it easy if there is a chance of ice so probably won't build up much heat. Brrrrr.

Its beatiful here today chilly, but I have to wait for the Gas Engineer to see to the boiler.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Been raining most of the night and is currently only 2 degrees above. Road reports mention icy patches. Hmmm, what to do. It looks like the last day before over a week of strong winds so I better get out and do a few miles I think. Will have to take it easy if there is a chance of ice so probably won't build up much heat. Brrrrr.

4 degrees this morning when I got into work, so must have been colder earlier. No ice, no wind, no rain and a beautiful orange moon made it a great ride into work.

 

[nuttall1991]

@nuttall1991 Hi, that's a great reason to get on the bike. Hope the time starts to fall off, it soon will.

What bike did you get?

Thanks for the encouragement! Yeah I got a red one hahah

 

[Mo1959]

4 degrees this morning when I got into work, so must have been colder earlier. No ice, no wind, no rain and a beautiful orange moon made it a great ride into work.

It wasn't too bad most of my route until I came on a really icy stretch which is nearly always bad for some reason. I think it must be quite exposed to the elements. Just taking my time on it when I noticed blue lights and a car was off the road and a couple of fire engines working on it so I turned back. I suppose I could have squeezed through but it feels a bit ignorant when they are working on it.

Should have just gone back all the same way I came but no, I had to go another way and cycled past a sign saying "Hedge Cutting" Was in two minds about turning back there too but stupidly kept going. Afraid the thorn I pulled out of tyre would have punctured anything. Serves me right. I suppose it is good practice but it feels twice as difficult when it is cold and wet and your fingers are starting to go numb. Afraid I had to resort to a tyre lever just to get the last little bit on as my thumbs just weren't strong enough.

Rest of the week is looking pretty awful so probably not get much more miles in.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Mo1959 I remember that from last winter, even though i set of later than you today, it was difficult getting going, due to lack of sleep and rearranging the kitchen cupboards for the gas engineer. I had intended to do 100km but it was never to be, never mind a steady ride non the less pretty easy going compared with recent rides.

http://www.strava.com/activities/100644845

 

[Goonerobes]

A pretty much uneventful 32 miles today although after 2 days of non stop rain the roads were caked in soggy leaves so caution was the order of the day down here. Its not looking too good for the rest of the week weather wise either.

http://www.strava.com/activities/100639312

 

[Stonechat]

Raining a lot here and with family and social commitments not sure when the next ride is

 

[PhilDawson8270]

time to get the tights on and get out for my 10 miles I think

 

[PhilDawson8270]

http://www.strava.com/activities/100689547

I'm home, think I need to find some shoes that don't have vents in the toes, just about feeling them again now!

 

[BrianEvesham]

http://www.strava.com/activities/100689547

I'm home, think I need to find some shoes that don't have vents in the toes, just about feeling them again now!

Or maybe some overshoes?

 

[Mo1959]

Or maybe some overshoes?

.........an overcoat required here I think. I have a feeling my cycling is nearly over for the year. Constant rain today followed by at least ten days of strong winds and more rain/sleet. I am not enjoying it enough to go out in that I'm afraid.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

http://www.strava.com/activities/100689547

I'm home, think I need to find some shoes that don't have vents in the toes, just about feeling them again now!

As @BrianEvesham says overshoes these for £9
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenn-Cycle-Cycling-Overshoes-Neoprene/dp/B009NEMKT8

 

[PhilDawson8270]

The cold comes in through vents on the underside of the shoe near the toes, those overshoes look like they will work, but I am going to try taping the vent up tonight before buying anything

 

[Stonechat]

The cold comes in through vents on the underside of the shoe near the toes, those overshoes look like they will work, but I am going to try taping the vent up tonight before buying anything

I have seen somewhere on the internet that some people cover there feet in aluminium foil before putting shoes on