The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
I agree with slow down! I also agree with how on busy roads you don't want to slow down as I find cars take the piss more when you are slower
I tend to commute a bit too "hard" particularly on the MTB, I cant resist the scalps and pushing myself! Due to kids/work/odd jobs I can only do 3 x commutes a week at the moment so its no issue (10 miles each way). If I was doing 5 commutes in a row I would have to pace myself from Monday through to Friday, just take the edge off the speed/ease off on hills and don't try too hard into the wind. I find if I do 4/5 days of "hard" commuting I burn myself out for weekend club rides and don't really ever "improve" I just lose weight and go too skinny.
I tend to commute a bit too "hard" particularly on the MTB, I cant resist the scalps and pushing myself! Due to kids/work/odd jobs I can only do 3 x commutes a week at the moment so its no issue (10 miles each way). If I was doing 5 commutes in a row I would have to pace myself from Monday through to Friday, just take the edge off the speed/ease off on hills and don't try too hard into the wind. I find if I do 4/5 days of "hard" commuting I burn myself out for weekend club rides and don't really ever "improve" I just lose weight and go too skinny.
It was clear and still this morning, but only 11degC when I set off this morning. Long sleeve base layer required under my jersey.
My legs must be recovering from the past couple of weeks' exertions (a rest yesterday helped) as I was making good time this morning. I was hindered a bit by some traffic and sheep in the road, but still managed a respectable pace for my route overall, with a few PRs along the way, mostly incidental rather than targeted.
The road bike is so much faster and smoother than my old cross bike. It really was a superb used buy -one of my best!
My legs must be recovering from the past couple of weeks' exertions (a rest yesterday helped) as I was making good time this morning. I was hindered a bit by some traffic and sheep in the road, but still managed a respectable pace for my route overall, with a few PRs along the way, mostly incidental rather than targeted.
The road bike is so much faster and smoother than my old cross bike. It really was a superb used buy -one of my best!
MC Bodge said:
cirian75 said:
Gah, got ready today, came down stairs, started wheeling the bike to the front door
"whats that noise?"
spins rear wheel, bearing is grumbling, damn.
how easy to fix ?
Depends on the wheel. Press in a replacement bearing race or re-grease the balls. Not too tricky"whats that noise?"
spins rear wheel, bearing is grumbling, damn.
how easy to fix ?
bearings are not failing, its the Cassette Freehub thats run dry
he did not have the tool to get that open (very large torx bit), so he's packed in as much grease as he could, regreased the bearings and its better, but not 100% fixed, he said its a cheap hub, riding till it dies and replace with something better, also my chain is over worn, so need a new 9 speed chain.
So I'm going to smash it on the Fallowfield loop on Sunday and see how its goes.
Edited by cirian75 on Friday 17th July 06:42
Did my first ever 4 days of commuting in a row this week (80 miles). Quite happy with my pace despite it being pretty breezy for the last two days.
Unfortunately I've had 4 rear punctures in 3 days
The rear tyre doesn't have anything stuck in it, so I'm looking at the rim as the culprit as the tiny hole in each tube is in a similar area. Going to get some rim tape to see if that will cure the problem, otherwise I think I might need a new wheel. The tyre condition is okay, so I'm at a loss as to why I'm suddenly getting so many punctures.
Unfortunately I've had 4 rear punctures in 3 days
The rear tyre doesn't have anything stuck in it, so I'm looking at the rim as the culprit as the tiny hole in each tube is in a similar area. Going to get some rim tape to see if that will cure the problem, otherwise I think I might need a new wheel. The tyre condition is okay, so I'm at a loss as to why I'm suddenly getting so many punctures.RenOHH said:
Did my first ever 4 days of commuting in a row this week (80 miles). Quite happy with my pace despite it being pretty breezy for the last two days.
Unfortunately I've had 4 rear punctures in 3 days The rear tyre doesn't have anything stuck in it, so I'm looking at the rim as the culprit as the tiny hole in each tube is in a similar area. Going to get some rim tape to see if that will cure the problem, otherwise I think I might need a new wheel. The tyre condition is okay, so I'm at a loss as to why I'm suddenly getting so many punctures.
Don't you have rim tape already?Unfortunately I've had 4 rear punctures in 3 days
The rear tyre doesn't have anything stuck in it, so I'm looking at the rim as the culprit as the tiny hole in each tube is in a similar area. Going to get some rim tape to see if that will cure the problem, otherwise I think I might need a new wheel. The tyre condition is okay, so I'm at a loss as to why I'm suddenly getting so many punctures.Is there definitely no glass stuck in the tyre?
MC Bodge said:
Don't you have rim tape already?
Is there definitely no glass stuck in the tyre?
I suppose I cannot say for certain, but I ran my hand right around the inside of the tyre last night and felt nothing. I turned it completely inside out and had a good look and feel. So thinking it was fine, I put a new tube in it as the one I had put in yesterday morning went flat slowly through the day/evening. That tube went flat 1 mile from work Is there definitely no glass stuck in the tyre?
3 punctures inside 24 hours!It does have rim tape, but it's a 10 year old wheel
Probably time the rim tape was replaced, if not the entire wheel.RenOHH said:
I suppose I cannot say for certain, but I ran my hand right around the inside of the tyre last night and felt nothing. I turned it completely inside out and had a good look and feel. So thinking it was fine, I put a new tube in it as the one I had put in yesterday morning went flat slowly through the day/evening. That tube went flat 1 mile from work 3 punctures inside 24 hours!
It does have rim tape, but it's a 10 year old wheel Probably time the rim tape was replaced, if not the entire wheel.
Regards to replacing the wheel.... Is there an easy way to check if the wheels need replacing due to wear? 3 punctures inside 24 hours!It does have rim tape, but it's a 10 year old wheel
Probably time the rim tape was replaced, if not the entire wheel.A bike shop I no longer use told me my old wheels were worn and needed replacing. I bought a set of shimano RS80s online as an excuse to upgrade anyway but I don't think they'd have been especially worn out as I don't think I'd even got through 1 set of brake pads and they hadn't done THAT many miles.... Plus I'm only a light rider (I've. Never been over 57kgs on the bike!)
I still have the old wheels and was planning to use them during the winter.
Wheel wear is a bit complicated really. When the rim refuses to true or the sidewalls wear thin it's time for a new rim, when the hub bearing carriers wear too much or a spoke hole wears replace the hub and if spokes break replace the spokes. Otherwise a wheel never simply "wears out". However unless you can build and true wheels it's often cheaper to bin it and get a new machine built one than to have someone repair it.
Did the 50 mile round trip to work on Thursday, but doesn't enjoy it - was just 'one of those days'. Couldn't get my legs going on the way in (5 mins slower than usual) and just nothing left coming home. Will see how the weather shapes up this week and what rides I can fit in, hopefully with a bit more success.
I don't eat before riding to work normally, I set off before 0615 so don't feel like eating at that time very often. I tend to have a snack late the evening before instead. I normally average over 16mph the hilly way or over 18 the flatter way, but I couldn't go any further than 24-26 miles on an empty stomach.
Was supposed to be dry today, according to yesterdays BBC weather. This morning Carol Kirkwood told me, in her dulcet scotch tones, there would be some light drizzle.
35 minutes later at work im wringing out the water from my gloves and socks, and laying my soaking kit out on my desk at work, hoping it dries out in the next 8 hours. Miserable ride in.
And my w
ky Garmin seems to have packed up too. Bunch of arse.
35 minutes later at work im wringing out the water from my gloves and socks, and laying my soaking kit out on my desk at work, hoping it dries out in the next 8 hours. Miserable ride in.
And my w
ky Garmin seems to have packed up too. Bunch of arse.Nice and quiet ride this morning as most of the schools are closed, so fewer crazed parents driving like nutters or dozy teenagers texting and wandering on the cycle path.
Had an interesting ride for a mile or so with an older bloke who took umbrage to me catching him and subsequently passing his hybrid on my mountain bike! Was funny watching him try and keep up though.
Had an interesting ride for a mile or so with an older bloke who took umbrage to me catching him and subsequently passing his hybrid on my mountain bike! Was funny watching him try and keep up though.
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