Tyre width and loose rock

[lulubel]

Have you given some thought to getting a little camelback type rucksack? I rarely find that I get any more sweaty with that than without, and it's the mutt's nuts for extended offroading.

A must in my opinion. Wouldn't ride the high mountains without one, and find them useful for anything more epic than playing down the woods. (and you need to set your sag with one on, fully loaded, with a full bladder. The bag, not you.)

That's what I've got. I had to use it for a bit before I got my bar mounted bottle cage, and it's horrid. But you have to bear in mind that for about 6 months of the year, I'm wearing tri-shorts (because they're thinner and shorter than normal cycling shorts) and a spaghetti strap top - think of straps the width of spaghetti - in an attempt to stay as cool as possible. The last thing I want is to attach something else to my body that's going to prevent sweat evaporating.

I'll figure something out, but there's no way I'm going to be able to add anything extra to what I carry with me.

 

[VamP]

That's what I've got. I had to use it for a bit before I got my bar mounted bottle cage, and it's horrid. But you have to bear in mind that for about 6 months of the year, I'm wearing tri-shorts (because they're thinner and shorter than normal cycling shorts) and a spaghetti strap top - think of straps the width of spaghetti - in an attempt to stay as cool as possible. The last thing I want is to attach something else to my body that's going to prevent sweat evaporating.

I'll figure something out, but there's no way I'm going to be able to add anything extra to what I carry with me.

I suspect your bar bottle cage will prove useless once you pick up speed on descents. But you're right I hadn't factored your climate into the equation. A thin merino vest maybe???

 

[black'n'yellow]

Grip on loose rock..?? You can run any tire at any pressure - you will still have no grip, so don't worry about it..

 

[lulubel]

I suspect your bar bottle cage will prove useless once you pick up speed on descents. But you're right I hadn't factored your climate into the equation. A thin merino vest maybe???

It's an adjustable cage that you can set really tight round a normal bidon. It holds onto a full 500ml bottle fine over stuff that shakes the bike around so much that the chain is hitting my leg - and the chain isn't too long - and the chances of me descending with a full bottle are also pretty slim because I will have drunk most of it on the climb. I've ordered another one for the frame because I have had a full bottle jump out of that one on a rough section.

If I do get bottles jumping out, I'll just use a bit of velcro to hold them in place. It doesn't really matter if I can't remove it while I'm riding (although pulling the velcro back shouldn't be difficult if I position it well) because I don't mind stopping for a drink, and taking the chance to enjoy the view.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

500ml though. You'll blast through that in 30 mins/one climb. Could be kind of limiting.

and if you don't like camelbaks just wait until you discover body armour.....

 

[lulubel]

500ml though. You'll blast through that in 30 mins/one climb. Could be kind of limiting.

and if you don't like camelbaks just wait until you discover body armour.....

The frame will take one bottle, so that's at least 1 litre in total, and the kidneys can only process around 500ml of fluid in an hour, so there's no point in drinking more than that - it just gets peed out - which means I can carry enough water for 2 hours. If you know where to look in Spain, there are also lots of places you can get water. Even in what seems like the middle of nowhere in the mountains, there are concrete storage tanks that you can fill your bottles from.

My biggest problem is finding a way to carry my stuff. I tried to order the next frame size up - the difference in ETT was about 12mm, so hardly significant - because it had 2 sets of bottle mounts, but it came up out of stock when I added it to my basket. I was hoping to use the second set of mounts for a "storage" bottle because, as well as all my usual stuff, I want to start carrying a basic first aid kit. As I said, I'm sure I'll figure something out.

I won't be wearing body armour. If I'm going fast enough to need it, I'm going too fast. And I'm far more likely to be seriously injured in a crash on the road that involves another vehicle, and I don't see any roadies wearing body armour.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The frame will take one bottle, so that's at least 1 litre in total, and the kidneys can only process around 500ml of fluid in an hour, so there's no point in drinking more than that - it just gets peed out - which means I can carry enough water for 2 hours. If you know where to look in Spain, there are also lots of places you can get water. Even in what seems like the middle of nowhere in the mountains, there are concrete storage tanks that you can fill your bottles from.

My biggest problem is finding a way to carry my stuff. I tried to order the next frame size up - the difference in ETT was about 12mm, so hardly significant - because it had 2 sets of bottle mounts, but it came up out of stock when I added it to my basket. I was hoping to use the second set of mounts for a "storage" bottle because, as well as all my usual stuff, I want to start carrying a basic first aid kit. As I said, I'm sure I'll figure something out.

I won't be wearing body armour. If I'm going fast enough to need it, I'm going too fast. And I'm far more likely to be seriously injured in a crash on the road that involves another vehicle, and I don't see any roadies wearing body armour.

I strongly recommend knee and elbow pads, a decent trail (not XC) helmet (and a camelbak to carry the needful you just get used to them in heat) when riding in real mountains. You might need to think about a frame bag or a large saddle bag if camelbak is a nono and you actually want to carry the required clobber, spares, etc., first aid kit, and knowledge how to use on, is a must imo.

 

[lulubel]

I strongly recommend knee and elbow pads, a decent trail (not XC) helmet (and a camelbak to carry the needful you just get used to them in heat) when riding in real mountains. You might need to think about a frame bag or a large saddle bag if camelbak is a nono and you actually want to carry the required clobber, spares, etc., first aid kit, and knowledge how to use on, is a must imo.

Greg, I do respect your views, but I suspect that, while I may have never ridden in "real" mountains, you have probably never ridden in "real" heat. I was doing 2000ft+ climbs this summer in 40C and 100% humidity, and in those conditions you do not load your body with anything that's going to increase your temperature even further. I wear enough clothes to be decent, a lightweight, well-ventilated helmet and a pair of sandals to protect my feet. That's it. It's the same as I wear on the road in extreme heat.

My view is that, when you're on your own on the trails, you are entirely responsible for your own safety, so if you're sensible, you won't suffer any major injuries. Therefore, the need for protective clothing is minimal. Riding on the road, where you're subject to the whims of people travelling around in big metal boxes, the chance of any crash being serious is much higher. So, if I don't wear a particular piece of protective clothing on the road, I don't see the need to wear it on the trails either.

I don't ride stupidly fast. I never will. It's true that I'm not particularly concerned about my safety for my own sake, but I have a family who need me to come home, and I'm much more likely to suffer from potentially fatal heat stroke here than to be involved in a potentially fatal crash.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Blimey lulubel have I hit a nerve or what? In future I'll mind my own business!

 

[lulubel]

Blimey lulubel have I hit a nerve or what? In future I'll mind my own business!

Sorry. That probably didn't come across the way I meant it. I'm just frustrated, and I know it's because it's so different here that neither of us can fully appreciate each other's worlds.

It was a bit drizzly and damp here yesterday, and my ride was awful. I was coughing and choking and couldn't breathe properly - that kind of damp isn't great for my asthma - and I can't imagine what it was like in Cornwall riding in those kind of conditions most of the time, even though it was only three years ago that we left. In the same way, I don't expect you can imagine sun so intense that you get a minor burn from brushing your leg against the top tube of your bike during your ride, but that's what happened to me in the summer.

If I was ever MTBing in high mountains (Alps, Pyrenees, etc) or somewhere that I really didn't know on my own, I'd probably put a rack on the bike so I could carry a rack bag with everything but the kitchen sink in it, so I was prepared for every possible eventuality. But round here - and I admit there is probably some element of thinking nothing will happen on your own doorstep - I know quite a lot about how things work, where you need to go to find water, etc, so I don't feel the need to be so well equipped. I am putting together a first aid kit, complete with all the usual stuff, plus steroid tablets (which I need if I get an allergic reaction, and carry anyway) and sticky stitches so I can patch myself up if I need to, until I can get proper medical care. I also have the advantage of mobile phone coverage being really good here because they have a lot of antennae to cover the areas between the mountains, and I haven't found anywhere yet where I couldn't get a signal, which is pretty reassuring - as long as I remember to charge my phone

And what I said about coming home was absolutely true. If I killed myself, I wouldn't be in a position to care - obviously - but there are people at home who need me. I also think, in general - and I know there are exceptions - women are naturally more cautious than men. It's probably something to do with hormones. So, while I do fall off a lot, it's all pretty minor. I'm far too careful - and far too scared of heights - to put myself in a position where the fall will be long and/or hard.

 

[Motozulu]

I obviously respect your opinions Lulubel and that heat is ridiculous - but when I split my knee open the other week I was going really slowly, negotiating a rock garden but was just unlucky that my knee hit a sharp rock so hard. I hope you're luckier than me and it never happens, but no matter how careful you are your knees are very, very vulnerable. I'll never go on the trails again without at least knee protection. I'm tempted to put up a photo of my knee for you that was took when I got home after the injury, but I won't because it's far too graphic, but it might make you think again if you saw it. Anyway - good luck with the new bike.

 

[lulubel]

I obviously respect your opinions Lulubel and that heat is ridiculous - but when I split my knee open the other week I was going really slowly, negotiating a rock garden but was just unlucky that my knee hit a sharp rock so hard. I hope you're luckier than me and it never happens, but no matter how careful you are your knees are very, very vulnerable. I'll never go on the trails again without at least knee protection. I'm tempted to put up a photo of my knee for you that was took when I got home after the injury, but I won't because it's far too graphic, but it might make you think again if you saw it. Anyway - good luck with the new bike.

Go ahead and post a picture. Other people post graphic pictures of their injuries. (I can post one of my infected shin wound from earlier this year if you like )

But seriously, you could fall over walking on the trails and break your ankle/split your knee open on a rock/whatever, but I don't see anyone wearing anything more protective than a decent pair of boots when they go hiking (and I see plenty of people wearing flipflops to walk on the same trails I cycle on). I can remember falling off a horse as a teenager and taking all the skin off my forearm. I said I was NEVER riding a horse without long sleeves after that, which lasted until my arm had healed, and then I was back in short sleeves again. I think you just have to wear whatever protection you're comfortable with, and that's the reason I don't tell anyone they should wear a helmet, although I wear one myself and think it's a sensible thing to do.

 

[billflat12]

Go ahead and post a picture. Other people post graphic pictures of their injuries. (I can post one of my infected shin wound from earlier this year if you like )

But seriously, you could fall over walking on the trails and break your ankle/split your knee open on a rock/whatever, but I don't see anyone wearing anything more protective than a decent pair of boots when they go hiking (and I see plenty of people wearing flipflops to walk on the same trails I cycle on). I can remember falling off a horse as a teenager and taking all the skin off my forearm. I said I was NEVER riding a horse without long sleeves after that, which lasted until my arm had healed, and then I was back in short sleeves again. I think you just have to wear whatever protection you're comfortable with, and that's the reason I don't tell anyone they should wear a helmet, although I wear one myself and think it's a sensible thing to do.

even though i can respect your decision regarding heat exhaustion i do tend to agree with previous comments about carrying essentials out on the trails
we all think things will never happen to us , mostly it,s the inexperienced that have problems., uk mountain climate & conditions change rapidly and i suspect it,s no different near you " sensible thing to do" is reduce any unacceptable risk, (or make sure you have a mobile signal & look forward to a helicopter ride if you feel reckless ) it,s a personal choice of course..
Also considering the advanced nature of your new bike you have more potential to hurt yourself , as you intend to push your boundaries it would be wise to consider a little extra protection, ( i hate the idea of lookin like a cyborg warrior ) , my own kit has proved a good investment from when adrenaline has pushed me beyond my abilities.
sorry about any lecture here lulubel

 

[lulubel]

I'm leaving the forum for a bit because this is getting silly.

You really need to listen to yourselves. The next thing, you're going to tell me I should never cross the road because I might get run over by a bus.

I don't lecture other people on what they should do for their own safety. Please show me enough respect to not do it to me.

 

[Motozulu]

Sorry you feel like that Lulubel - of course it's your choice, just trying to offer some friendly advice - would hate to think you may get hurt on your super duper new bike as you get faster and more confident and I had'nt said my twopennorth worth. Yep you can get hurt taking a shower or walking the dog and it is entirely up to the individual how you prepare. My own mishap was due to overconfidence probably so because I don't trust myself not to get over fast again I'm padding up!