Cyclists - your experiences on the road

[E27007]

That's fine if you're confident that it will continue to be the case. I tried them once and took them back to the shop after failing to get them on the wheels, which made me worry that if I ever did have a puncture despite using them, I could be stuck miles from anywhere. But maybe I should give them another go if they really are that good.

Those stiff and strong Swalbe Marathons can be hardwork, but they should go on. So do have another go!
Are you fully aware e of tyre fitting technique? The technique when taking off or fitting a tyre centres on the valve of the rim., When mounting a tyre, start at the point on the rim DIRECTLY OPPOSITE the valve, manoevre and hold the bead of the tyre in the well of the rim and work around from left and right of the start point, and ensure the bead is staying deep in the well of the rim, sometimes yopu may need a helper to keep the bead in the deep point of the rimwell. A nylon tiewrap to squeeze annd hold the bead down in the rimwell is an option to a helper.
Keeping the bead deep in the well is the key point for an easy tyre mount.
The last part of the tyre to mount is at lhe valve position.

 

[dangie]

I bought one of these. A Rehook Tyre Glider. As long as you follow the methods described in previous posts in putting the tyre on, I do find it much easier, including Schwalbe Marathons.

Rehook Tyre Glider - No More Tyre Levers

The evolution of tyre levers. Quicker, more robust and simpler to use, Rehook Tyre Glider glides tyres both on and off with ease. The compact and lightweight design works across all bike disciplines, allowing swift removal and installation of tight fitting tyres. The evolution of tyre levers...

rehook.bike

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rehook-Tyre-Glider-Portable-replacement/dp/B09R27JFWT

 

[Techniquest]

I won't discuss the 'fun' me and a colleague had recently trying to install a brand new tube (theirs had suffered a puncture and the glue hadn't worked well) late at night on a really cold and wet night. Let's just say the inner tubes sold in Asda are a pain in the rear to use!

This thread has also reminded me that I should use this less than pleasant day of weather (it's meant to be dry all day but a light rain on and off is frustrating me) to get the bar tape out and apply some new tape to my machine. The lot that came off was on the bar when I got it second hand nearly a year ago (where has that time gone?) so it's done me proud really. It was doing a ticker tape impression recently, which was really unhelpful going down some serious gradients! They're not signed hills, but they are really unpleasant. Some serious speed can be got on them, which would be fine if they didn't end with sharp/sweeping bends that are known to have bad drivers race around or end by junctions which are notoriously difficult to judge! I hit 32.4mph on one of those hills, and that was with some controlling of my speed!

I'm also reminded that I need to find the funds to pay for a service on the Blue Beauty, as well as for a full overhaul of my touring bike. She hasn't been out since the autumn of 2022!

I attach a couple of photos of the bar tape and how much of a job I have ahead of myself. Got to sort out the left side too, which is coming apart as well! The first photo was taken after I locked up outside Aldi, the other two photos were taken today. At least they're a relatively easy task and doable indoors. Ignore the mess in the background, I haven't got around to having a proper tidy-up of the room lately!

That depends on how much ascent there is. But probably 12h or so. Plus coffee stops. Call it 15!

If you can do Way Of The Roses in that short a time, then I doff my cap to you sir! 170 miles would take me much, much longer than that, especially with lots of hill climbing!

 

[Ediswan]

Are you fully aware e of tyre fitting technique? The technique when taking off or fitting a tyre centres on the valve of the rim., When mounting a tyre, start at the point on the rim DIRECTLY OPPOSITE the valve, manoevre and hold the bead of the tyre in the well of the rim and work around from left and right of the start point, and ensure the bead is staying deep in the well of the rim, sometimes yopu may need a helper to keep the bead in the deep point of the rimwell. A nylon tiewrap to squeeze annd hold the bead down in the rimwell is an option to a helper.
Keeping the bead deep in the well is the key point for an easy tyre mount.
The last part of the tyre to mount is at lhe valve position.

Curious. I always do exactly the opposite, start with the valve position. That way, the last bit, when the bead is tightest, I don't have to wrestle with the valve stem at the same time.
(I agree about keeping the bead well seated.)

 

[Bald Rick]

If you can do Way Of The Roses in that short a time, then I doff my cap to you sir! 170 miles would take me much, much longer than that, especially with lots of hill climbing!

Depends on the ascent - I think it’s about 2,500m. I’ve done that much ascent and 130 miles in 8h cycling, so adding an extra 40 miles …

 

[Techniquest]

Depends on the ascent - I think it’s about 2,500m. I’ve done that much ascent and 130 miles in 8h cycling, so adding an extra 40 miles …

I once did some ridiculous amount of climbing in one 50-odd mile ride, but it was brutal. I'd have to have a look on Strava, but it was a couple of years ago on a ride involving Monmouth and the A466. Just the climb out of the town is nasty, how I survived that ride I don't know. I want to say that it was more than 5,000ft of climbing along the whole ride, but I forget the total right now.

Just the thought of cycling between Monmouth and Hereford on the A466 is enough to generate nightmares! It's no better going south, as there's seriously nasty climbs in that direction too. Llancloudy in particular comes to mind as a marker on the rollercoaster that is the A466!

So yes, I would probably survive the Way Of The Roses for the climbs but that was pre-Covid and I'm still not back to full strength yet!

 

[SCH117X]

That depends on how much ascent there is.

9709ft according to Strava https://www.strava.com/routes/855012 although clickling in duplicate changed it to 9961ft

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 May 2023 ==

The first 78 mile accounting for 5425ft of the climbing.

 

[Bald Rick]

9709ft according to Strava https://www.strava.com/routes/855012 although clickling in duplicate changed it to 9961ft

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 May 2023 ==

The first 78 mile accounting for 5425ft of the climbing.

12h cycling, max. I can sense a challenge coming on.…

 

[TheBigD]

12h cycling, max. I can sense a challenge coming on.…

I'll stick to my leisurely 3 days bikepacking...

 

[SCH117X]

I'll stick to my leisurely 3 days bikepacking...

Fourm really needs a like button. Where are stopping en route?

 

[TheBigD]

Fourm really needs a like button. Where are stopping en route?

Pately Bridge and Pocklington. Train straight back from Bridlington on the last day.

 

[Techniquest]

I think it's fair to say @Bald Rick is a more determined cyclist than some of us! Just the notion of a proper ride right now has me wanting to dive under the covers, whatever bug I have in me is driving me crazy as it's causing no end of fatigue!

 

[SCH117X]

Pately Bridge and Pocklington. Train straight back from Bridlington on the last day.

If you get the chance a pork pie from Hutchinsons butchers shop on the lower end of Pateley high street is not to be missed (assuming no allergys gluten etc)

 

[dangie]

If you get the chance a pork pie from Hutchinsons butchers shop on the lower end of Pateley high street is not to be missed (assuming no allergys gluten etc)

While we're on the subject of pork pies, Higginson's at Grange Over Sands

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

I once did some ridiculous amount of climbing in one 50-odd mile ride, but it was brutal. I'd have to have a look on Strava, but it was a couple of years ago on a ride involving Monmouth and the A466. Just the climb out of the town is nasty, how I survived that ride I don't know. I want to say that it was more than 5,000ft of climbing along the whole ride, but I forget the total right now.

Just the thought of cycling between Monmouth and Hereford on the A466 is enough to generate nightmares! It's no better going south, as there's seriously nasty climbs in that direction too. Llancloudy in particular comes to mind as a marker on the rollercoaster that is the A466!

So yes, I would probably survive the Way Of The Roses for the climbs but that was pre-Covid and I'm still not back to full strength yet!

Yes, the hill out of Monmouth is a beast, made worse I think by all the parked cars by the school meaning impatient motorists are stuck behind you as you struggle up. There is a pub at the top, the Royal Oak, for a shandy which has a fine view of the valley to the rear, but the landord is (or was) rather grumpy as I recall. I see Mr. Google recommends taking the A40 from Monmouth to near Ross-on-Wye and then the back roads to Hereford - I wouldn't cycle on the A40 for love or money with all the heavy HGV traffic. Having said that, I see that a lot of the original A40 does still exist so maybe there is a safe way through.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, the hill out of Monmouth is a beast, made worse I think by all the parked cars by the school meaning impatient motorists are stuck behind you as you struggle up. There is a pub at the top, the Royal Oak, for a shandy which has a fine view of the valley to the rear, but the landord is (or was) rather grumpy as I recall. I see Mr. Google recommends taking the A40 from Monmouth to near Ross-on-Wye and then the back roads to Hereford - I wouldn't cycle on the A40 for love or money with all the heavy HGV traffic. Having said that, I see that a lot of the original A40 does still exist so maybe there is a safe way through.

TBH I have lots of admiration for cyclists who consider anything at all on major A-roads (hill climbing or not) enjoyable. I absolutely hate cycling on busy roads and do it only when unavoidable, e.g. for a short section.

 

[181]

Thankyou for the suggestions about tyres.

 

[Falcon1200]

I absolutely hate cycling on busy roads and do it only when unavoidable, e.g. for a short section.

Same here, and if I do need to use an A-road I try to make it on a Sunday, when there is generally less traffic, especially large lorries, about.

 

[Techniquest]

Yes, the hill out of Monmouth is a beast, made worse I think by all the parked cars by the school meaning impatient motorists are stuck behind you as you struggle up. There is a pub at the top, the Royal Oak, for a shandy which has a fine view of the valley to the rear, but the landord is (or was) rather grumpy as I recall. I see Mr. Google recommends taking the A40 from Monmouth to near Ross-on-Wye and then the back roads to Hereford - I wouldn't cycle on the A40 for love or money with all the heavy HGV traffic. Having said that, I see that a lot of the original A40 does still exist so maybe there is a safe way through.

Oh yes, it's an absolute monster. I went past the pub a handful of weeks ago, it looked like a nice place but I think it wasn't open when I went past on my walking expedition.

Going via the A40 would involve a lot of climbing along a dual carriageway, I once arrived from the Ross direction after joining the A40 westbound off a junction for Glewstone IIRC. Let's just say, never again! I've done the entire A40 between Ross and Monmouth, over different rides, and it's just horrible to do. It looks no more fun beyond Monmouth over to Abergavenny either, when I eventually do the ride between the two towns I will absolutely be taking back roads!

Mind you, it's also worth noting that the A40 on the Brecon bypass is nasty. I point blank refuse to clear that bit of the road, it's not much fun as a passenger in a car, so there's no way I'll do it on two wheels!

I do a lot of A-road cycling, it's not much fun that's for sure. Sometimes though, the alternative can be really bad so a lesser of two evils is the main road!

 

[Bald Rick]

I've done the entire A40 between Ross and Monmouth, over different rides, and it's just horrible to do.

Wow, that’s nuts.

It looks no more fun beyond Monmouth over to Abergavenny either, when I eventually do the ride between the two towns I will absolutely be taking back roads!

There’s a cycling club out that way somewhere (Pontypool, I think) which uses the A40 from Abergavenny to Raglan for a regular time trial. Absolutely bonkers. They don’t half shift, but then so would I with 44 tonners heaving past every half Minute or so.

 

[SCH117X]

Its a case of knowing your local roads - I am perfectly happy to cycle on sections of some A roads and equally their are some sections of some B roads I avoid. One of quietest local roads is an A road. Twisty busy roads with uphils hiding around a bend whatever their classification are ones to avoid in my book. Newer A roads have an inside bridleway lane which if clear of grot makes their use pretty hazzle free from cars etc as with the wide carriageway their can be a free flow traffic adequately spaced from a cyclist.

 

[Techniquest]

Wow, that’s nuts.

[/QUOTE]

To be fair, this was mostly back when I was still relatively new to cycling and had larger spherical objects when it came to risk-taking. You absolutely wouldn't find me on that road now, unless it was an emergency, as I last did that bit of the A40 when things were still quiet-ish in 2021.

There’s a cycling club out that way somewhere (Pontypool, I think) which uses the A40 from Abergavenny to Raglan for a regular time trial. Absolutely bonkers. They don’t half shift, but then so would I with 44 tonners heaving past every half Minute or so.

Bonkers is right. I wouldn't do it, mind you I wouldn't put myself in a time trial position either. It's not my idea of fun, and to be honest I'm not capable of it anyway.

That sort of thing breeds competitiveness, and I can't be dealing with that. I've spent much time getting such desires out of my system, I'm not so nice when I get all competitive after all. That and I don't really want the bragging rights if I do better than someone else anyway. Don't get me wrong, I love it when I get a new personal best, or when I get a top 10 performance on Strava, but the joy is short-lived.

I recently got a top 10 (just!) finish after absolutely flooring it on a local segment, destroying my previous best time by many seconds. I was still 25 seconds slower than someone else, but the way I look at it is that at least I did it safely which may not have applied to the other person. Considering it involves a pretty significant roundabout, doing it safely is key. Shortcutting it, and yes there are illegal ways of doing so, can result in quicker times but it's just not right. I'll stick to my 10th place time! Thing is, the joy I got from it didn't last long, it was nice while it lasted but I think I'm just not into competing with others now.

Which is one thing that puts me off cycling clubs, yes it's a good way to socialise but it's just not for me. Perhaps I'm just too out of shape and not willing enough to rip the body apart to join a cycling club!

@SCH117X makes a good point, knowing the local roads is important. The A49 in some places locally is absolutely horrendous, in others it's pretty reasonable for a seasoned cyclist. Similarly the A438 is full of places that drivers are stupid on, and it's not well looked after despite being one of the county's most important roads. So is the A417 but let's not discuss how horrid some of that is for surface quality!

Equally there's B roads that effectively get used as a race track by the less intelligent, and there's a road locally that saves distance and time but its surface is so bad that it's better to avoid it, go up the hill on the A4110 and turn off on the crossroads instead. There's some unclassified roads that are absolutely brilliant for cycling, with a good width and good visibility, although that's more because there's HGV use of them for quarries or similar.

It seems for every good road there's about a hundred bad ones! Some that used to be good, but needing some attention in 2020, are now getting dangerous even for car users in 2023. A local example is the unclassified road between Tillington and Credenhill, going east it's not too bad because the rough bit at Credenhill you're going slow over anyway, and the bit halfway along is rough going east but manageable. At the Tillington end, the surface is pretty decent.

Going west along said road, the bit in the middle has some serious big holes in it and I was fortunate the other day there was no traffic on the road so I could divert around them all. One of the holes in particular must be between 4 and 5 inches deep now, and said road is playing host to a half-marathon on Sunday! The rough bit at Credenhill on the road you have to know is there going west, as you've got a good bit of speed going on down the descent, I once suffered a major mechanical failure on that bit and the surface is getting worse.

So yes, local road knowledge is absolutely key!

 

[JohnMcL7]

I used to ride regularly with a road bike group and it is good for getting an even well paced ride plus you're much more visible on the road so can go on some roads I'm less inclined to cycle on my own. I had joined a starter ride on a slowish hybrid I had but was clearly far too slow and wasn't going to go again except for a lovely guy who encouraged me to come back so hired a road bike, tried another ride then bought my own road bike. I found the 'advice' I constantly received frustrating particularly regarding the flat pedals I use (I've tried and hated using clipless pedals) and my non skintight clothing but what made me stop was even though I was on non-drop, non-competitive rides, if certain responsible people weren't there to keep the group in check they'd just randomly go into race mode and power off abandoning any beginners unfortunate enough to join the ride. I'd been told the riders had been reminded it's a no drop ride and to stop doing this so I went back and around three quarters into the ride I was stuck on the front of the group as they wouldn't rotate then they went into a sprint and disappeared on me leaving me on a road I wouldn't ride on my own.

I thought it's unfair to judge all these groups based on the experience with one so joined the other main group here and in one ride had frequent comments about pedals, clothing and then they all charged off near the end leaving myself and several beginners behind so I collected the beginners and caught the rest a couple of miles down the road who apparently just needed to stretch their legs not seeming care they'd abandoned a number of beginners on a non drop ride. I do occasionally think I should give it another go but Zwift is good for evenly paced workouts and races.

Amusingly these groups wonder why they find it hard to get people to stick with their clubs...

 

[Techniquest]

Sounds about right that! I know one club locally that I did a group ride with a shade over a year ago, and they're thankfully not like that. I just don't particularly enjoy group rides, but I did discover riding with one other person on a completely unplanned meet, during a pre-work ride, was nice if it's the right person to do so with.

I think a mix of ability in a group is a good thing, especially if it means a mix of experience, as it's great to discover hints and tips from others and to share experiences (good and bad). The vast majority of my experience has been on my own, and to be honest most of the time that's what I like as it gives me the opportunity to pedal away frustrations built up through work or whatever. I also like going with impulse on a ride, sticking to a pre-determined route is much less fun.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Studying the map further, I see it is possible to avoid the death-trap A40 between Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye. You can take the old railway track from Monmouth to Symonds Yat and then the back roads via Goderich to Ross - it cuts out most of the gradient and sounds a very pleasant ride. I'll give it a go sometime. Mr. Google does come up with some ridiculous cycle routes sometimes including fast dual-carriageways!

 

[PeterC]

It looks no more fun beyond Monmouth over to Abergavenny either, when I eventually do the ride between the two towns I will absolutely be taking back roads!

The old A40 can be used from Monmouth to the gyratory where the A40 and the A465 cross just outside Abergavenny. If you fancy a Greg's on the way you can even pop into Monmouth North services through the back gate. You would cross the A40 twice to go through Raglan and the gyratory itself looks a bit hairy

 

[TheBigD]

I've been a member of a number of cycling clubs. The road cycling club had someone who did the beginner rides and made everyone welcome, though the advanced group were really cliquey. I only left that club as I moved house. Another club (a CTC one) I left as the standard of cycling was atrocious. I quickly left another due to the (non cycle related) behaviour of one of the women who wouldnt take no for an answer.

I currently do a few rides with one local club, but most of my rides are on my own; just me, the road bike, and the Lincolnshire fens.

Anyway, looks like cracking weather for tomorrow's 62 miles from Morecambe to Pately Bridge. Sunny, 15C and a 5mph tailwind for most of the day, though the wind direction changes as the day goes on.

 

[JohnMcL7]

Sounds about right that! I know one club locally that I did a group ride with a shade over a year ago, and they're thankfully not like that. I just don't particularly enjoy group rides, but I did discover riding with one other person on a completely unplanned meet, during a pre-work ride, was nice if it's the right person to do so with.

I think a mix of ability in a group is a good thing, especially if it means a mix of experience, as it's great to discover hints and tips from others and to share experiences (good and bad). The vast majority of my experience has been on my own, and to be honest most of the time that's what I like as it gives me the opportunity to pedal away frustrations built up through work or whatever. I also like going with impulse on a ride, sticking to a pre-determined route is much less fun.

I do prefer group rides as I find the time passes much quicker and you don't notice hill climbs and similar so much, I'd joined a fantastic mountain bike group the year before and I was just massively out of my depth. I'd only done day to day commuting so it was a super steep learning curve dealing not just with the fitness but the darkness, the technical features and the wet and mud. After the second ride where I'd struggled to even walk down the trail I realised I'd just made a stupid mistake and was writing off the cost of the mountain bike plus clearly the group wouldn't want someone like me with them anyway as many of them were much better riders. However I was completely wrong as they were extremely encouraging to keep on coming out which I did and in time got much better.

I definitely agree a mix of ability is good and now I always try to encourage those who are beginning now and help pass on the skills that were given to me, what frustrates me is if I'd joined one of the local road bike groups before the MTB one I'd probably still be doing my little commutes back and forth each day to work and no more. What I find strange is both the local road bike groups have different nights for different types of riding so those who want to do more aggressive riding have plenty options to do so so why they come on beginner no drop rides and then trash everyone just doesn't make sense.

I'm pleased to have my road bike back from repair as it was sticking a bit when straight ahead so needed some work on the headset and the weather is looking better so hopefully can get more outdoor miles in.

 

[Techniquest]

Hopefully you'll be back out soon then I've got to take my Blue Beauty (my Carrera Zelos) in for a checkup soon, I don't fancy visiting Derbyshire without making sure all is working order. I'm not the most confident on downhill cycling, especially on roads I don't know well, so I want to make sure the brakes are in good condition.

Like yourself, I want to get out there and enjoy the better weather. It's felt like a long time getting away from the cold and winter weather this year! I mean, we've had winter-like storms here this week, on the same day that a couple of hours before it had been like early summer!

 

[TheBigD]

Lovely day in saddle today. Sunny, slight tailwind, no rain.

An easy start to the day with the first 10ish miles along the former railway line via Lancaster (Castle?) before turning off and heading through undulating countryside to Settle. 2 pints and a steak and onion pannini provided the fuel for the tough climb out of Settle. With panniers on the bike and all our kit for 3 days it was a tough slog! More undulating countryside of the Yorkshire Dales before the descent down Greenhow Hill in to Pately Bridge. This is 20% in places and 2 miles long, and just for a little extra surprise has traffic lights half way down!

A good night's sleep tonight another 65-70 mile tomorrow, though apart from a tough climb first thing, is largely flat, and we have good weather forecast until 4pm.