New to Pedal Powered

[kritter86]

Hi, I'm a big fan of the PH website however not sure I qualify as a PHer based on driving a 520d?? Hardly my first choice in car but it's down to work.

I live in Thame,Oxfordshire and would welcome some training buddies. I'm a triathlete and I have a half iron man in July to train for so always up for new routes etc.

Can anyone join the PH Strava group?

I've read something about PH cycle stash, how do I get hold of such items?

Thanks in advance,
Kritter

[MiseryStreak]

kritter86 said:

Can anyone join the PH Strava group?

Yes. http://www.strava.com/clubs/pistonheads

Welcome to Pedal Powered kritter86. I'm nowhere near you and I don't do Bicycle st Sandwiches (Because I'm st at running, sink like a stone and am not competitive) but plenty on here do.

[jamiebae]

I used to live in Chinnor but moved away a few months ago, but there are loads of good routes down that way around and over the Chilterns.

[kritter86]

Cheers MiseryStreak already joined. There are some cycle machines on there!

[yellowjack]

kritter86 said:

Hi, I'm a big fan of the PH website however not sure I qualify as a PHer based on driving a 520d??

I live in Thame,Oxfordshire and would welcome some training buddies. I'm a triathlete and I have a half iron man in July to train for so always up for new routes etc...



...I've read something about PH cycle stash, how do I get hold of such items?

Thanks in advance,
Kritter

Don't worry about what car you drive, just make sure you don't say nuffink stoopid about how 'sporty' your diseasel is, and you'll be OK. My car history is very much 'ordinary' family hatches, currently in a Mondeo TDCi (I need it to carry bikes in the boot )

I'm nowhere near you, nor am I a triathlete, so sorry, I can't help there.

Not sure if you've been a victim of 'autocorrect' in your last question. If you're asking about cycle shirts then I'm afraid you're too late. They're not a shop stock item, and are produced to order when the perfect storm occurs, ie: there's high demand and someone (last time it was Rob T) can be found to steer that particular ship.

Welcome, though. Join in, and talk cycling all you want. Just don't mention the 'T' word again, eh?

Rule #42 - A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
If it’s preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run, it is not called a bike race, it is called duathlon or a triathlon. Neither of which is a bike race. Also keep in mind that one should only swim in order to prevent drowning, and should only run if being chased. And even then, one should only run fast enough to prevent capture.

(Know the rules )

[upsidedownmark]

'Rules' are for the obedience of fools...

[oOTomOo]

But...

Rule #1 // Obey The Rules.

[V41LEY]

kritter86 said:

Hi, I'm a big fan of the PH website however not sure I qualify as a PHer based on driving a 520d?? Hardly my first choice in car but it's down to work.

I live in Thame,Oxfordshire and would welcome some training buddies. I'm a triathlete and I have a half iron man in July to train for so always up for new routes etc.

Can anyone join the PH Strava group?

I've read something about PH cycle stash, how do I get hold of such items?

Thanks in advance,
Kritter

Small world ! I live in Brill but in Singapore at the moment and not home (maybe) until the summer. I recall lots of organised cycling club racing coming through the village so I assume there must be local clubs.
Have you looked at these ?
http://www.thamecc.org
http://www.aylesburycc.org
http://www.bmcc2000.com

[yellowjack]

upsidedownmark said:

'Rules' are for the obedience of fools...

...and the guidance of wise men.

[jamiebae]

V41LEY said:

Small world ! I live in Brill but in Singapore at the moment and not home (maybe) until the summer. I recall lots of organised cycling club racing coming through the village so I assume there must be local clubs.
Have you looked at these ?
http://www.thamecc.org
http://www.aylesburycc.org
http://www.bmcc2000.com

It must be something about that area and people emigrating, I left to move to Switzerland but still have a house there (at the bottom of Chinnor hill). I remember seeing lots of cyclists in orange kit (Henley I think, as I don't think Euskatel ever had a training camp there) but there were always dozens of cyclists out every weekend of the year.

[kritter86]

V41LEY said:

Small world ! I live in Brill but in Singapore at the moment and not home (maybe) until the summer. I recall lots of organised cycling club racing coming through the village so I assume there must be local clubs.
Have you looked at these ?
http://www.thamecc.org
http://www.aylesburycc.org
http://www.bmcc2000.com

thanks mate, will give them a look although not sure I'm up to standard of a club just yet!

Thanks for the heads up of the rules and I'll make sure I keep the Triathlon talk to a minimum.

[yellowjack]

kritter86 said:

...Thanks for the heads up of the rules and I'll make sure I keep the Triathlon talk to a minimum.

They're not so much rules, as 'guidelines'

There's a sticky at the top of the PedalPowered front page with a link to "The Rules" if you want a giggle. They're often quoted at another poster, but almost always in jest. I break about 50% of the rules, and the other 50% I regard as irrelevant. Take them, and anyone who actually takes them seriously, with a big pinch of salt.

As for the Triathlon talk? Talk away. Especially the cycling element of it. Although there's a thread going in the 'Sports' section for more specific Tri advice and chat (if you haven't already found it) http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[MiseryStreak]

yellowjack said:

just make sure you don't say nuffink stoopid about how 'sporty' your diseasel is

But, but, my diesel estate bike transport has 'Sport' writ large across its posterior, so it must be Sporty?

yellowjack said:

They're not so much rules, as 'guidelines'

I break about 50% of the rules, and the other 50% I regard as irrelevant. Take them, and anyone who actually takes them seriously, with a big pinch of salt.

I enjoy breaking the occasional rule. I went out the other day with no bottle cages and a hydro-pack! I could actually sense the roadies trying to 'undo' their nod upon noticing it!

Rule V is the only one that matters, really. Absolutely no whinging allowed under any circumstances, before, during or after a bike ride.

[upsidedownmark]

Indeed.. all of that I agree with Nonsense about big chain rings and not running/swimming you can keep

Good luck with the half. If you can, find a tri club to join. Well worth it for the swim sessions, and group rides. Should be a few around you.

[kritter86]

Thanks all, I've joined a local tri club.

I have some friends who are part of a small cycle club in Chinnor which when I man up will join for some rides. hoping for the first decent ride of the year after ruptured ligaments hence now retired from Rugby.

Loving some of the rules but certainly agree they are there to be bent at the very least if not broken.

[yellowjack]

kritter86 said:

...Loving some of the rules but certainly agree they are there to be bent at the very least if not broken.

The key thing to remember about "The Rules" is, if you ever meet someone who can put his hand on his heart and swear he obeys ALL of them, then you can be sure that you have met a complete ahole. I'm convinced that the entire thing is completely tongue in cheek, and I proudly attempt to break as many of the damned things as I can, whilst hypocritically quoting them on internet forums

[Disco You]

Zappis in Oxford is an excellent club, there are several rides every Saturday so I'm sure you'd find one at a suitable pace.

[kritter86]

Cheers Chaps

[Some Gump]

OP,

Don't shy away from cycling clubs. There are loads out there, and all have different personalities. My most local club wasn't for me (I'm too slow, they're all to serious, and the "rides must be in club kit" was a rule so far away from what I was looking for I thanked them and legged it.

The club I ended up joining are great - a bigger club, less focussed, but much more accommodating than the race orientated one I met first. We have rides 6 days a week. These range from relaxed entry levelsocial rides on a sunday on 1 end of the spectrum, to the sunday training ride on the other (60 miles, average over 20mph, no cafe stop. I mean really?). There are 3 chain gang evening s going from entry level to full race nutters, MTB rides, ride weekends, club TT season (I did this last ear and wasn't last - result), even 2 proper full blown races a year.

Best bit? All of that for 12 quid a year. I was so impressed I even bought the club kit (out of choice not because it was mandated). I've never felt out of place, and I can just leave those 4 or 5 "elite racer attitude types" to it - most of the people I know better in the club do!

Sadly my club is far to much of a commute for you, but I'm confident you can find something that fits on your doorstep, or at worst the next town over =)

[MiseryStreak]

Some Gump said:

OP,

Don't shy away from cycling clubs. There are loads out there, and all have different personalities. My most local club wasn't for me (I'm too slow, they're all to serious, and the "rides must be in club kit" was a rule so far away from what I was looking for I thanked them and legged it.

The club I ended up joining are great - a bigger club, less focussed, but much more accommodating than the race orientated one I met first. We have rides 6 days a week. These range from relaxed entry levelsocial rides on a sunday on 1 end of the spectrum, to the sunday training ride on the other (60 miles, average over 20mph, no cafe stop. I mean really?). There are 3 chain gang evening s going from entry level to full race nutters, MTB rides, ride weekends, club TT season (I did this last ear and wasn't last - result), even 2 proper full blown races a year.

Best bit? All of that for 12 quid a year. I was so impressed I even bought the club kit (out of choice not because it was mandated). I've never felt out of place, and I can just leave those 4 or 5 "elite racer attitude types" to it - most of the people I know better in the club do!

Sadly my club is far to much of a commute for you, but I'm confident you can find something that fits on your doorstep, or at worst the next town over =)

What is your club? It sounds great! I'm contemplating joining one but worried that with two young children I'm not able to commit reliably to going out every Sunday, for instance.