Any unfit roadies around Colchester?

[crashley]

Treated myself to a road bike, but the prospect of riding on my tod isn't very appealing. Before i resort to a turbo trainer in front of the skybox, is there anyone in the Colchester area that might fancy the odd Sat/Sun ride- albeit nothing to heavy to start with!

Cheers
Ash

[Andy OH]

I don't live in Colchester but a quick search gave this Colchester cycling club

http://www.colchester-rovers.org.uk/index.asp

I ride with my local club and at first the thought of a 55-60 mile ride was a bit daunting but after a few months of riding and becoming used to regular 45-50 mile rides the club rides weren't too bad. You will also be surprised how you get pulled along when in a group of other riders.

Edited by Andy OH on Monday 10th January 16:09

[Parrot of Doom]

There look to be a million small C-roads around Colchester. Don't bother with the main roads, you'll hate the traffic. Get onto those country lanes asap, ride around there. Start off with easy 10 mile rides, take about an hour doing those. Then just increase the distance as you get fitter.

The bad thing about riding with other people is that one of you is forced to match the other's pace, slow or fast. On your own you needn't feel embarrassed about taking breaks.

Another thing, if you have an iPhone with GPS or an Android-powered phone, get this:

http://www.sportstracklive.com/help/android

[mhill]

Maybe come the summer, road bike stays inside for the winter and i stick to the MTB this time of year.

What did you get and from where?

[crashley]

A specialized allez 16, 2011 bike - bought frm Thomas's in Stanway... i've got an 11yr old clubroost full-sus semi downhill bike for the muddy stuff, but that's being stripped and a few bits replaced at the mo (i don't really have time to do it myself). Besides, it weighs a ton an isn't too hot going up- i originally built it for riding Danbury common back in the day when Treasure Island was still there.

Where do you ride the MTB then?

[frontbum]

crashley said:

i originally built it for riding Danbury common back in the day when Treasure Island was still there.

Where do you ride the MTB then?

Hell yes! Used to be over there all the time until that got knocked down.

Still some decent riding to be had around there, but the locals seem to be very hostile (even when you're just pottering down a bridleway)

[crashley]

When i was 15/16 i used to be over there literally 5 days a week if not more in the summer as my old man lives down the road. Now live in Colchester so don't really bother (at all)... may have to re-visit the old place soon and see what they've done to it- and see if i've still got the bottle i had over 10years ago!!

[mhill]

crashley said:

A specialized allez 16, 2011 bike - bought frm Thomas's in Stanway... i've got an 11yr old clubroost full-sus semi downhill bike for the muddy stuff, but that's being stripped and a few bits replaced at the mo (i don't really have time to do it myself). Besides, it weighs a ton an isn't too hot going up- i originally built it for riding Danbury common back in the day when Treasure Island was still there.

Where do you ride the MTB then?

What did you think of them?

I used to ride out that way when i was a lot lot smaller, so small my old man & I had his and hers Raleigh Activators riding all over Chelmo & the surrounding areas

Dabble with a few trips around Alton Water with the odd adventure up to Thetford this time of year it a case of bashing the footpaths & farm tracks around Tendring.

[crashley]

Thomas's? Prices bit toppy but decent service, were very helpful re fitting/setting up road bike (given I had no idea what to really look for) and I'd rather give the biz to a local firm if poss (vs city bike shops that I found just wanted to sell the most expensive bike in the shop).

Actually took the bike for it's first outing earlier and to my own amazement, really enjoyed it- albeit I need to upgrade my lights!

[mhill]

I would never spend another pound there! As soon as they had my money they where a completely different people, quite a few of the guys who i now ride all say the same things around about.

Just started using Tendring Bicycles, the guy has just opened a small shop up in Clacton high street and really knows his stuff and the prices are a lot more favourable than your usual LBS.

What lights have you got at the moment?
Ive got a Exposure Joystick & Enduro and they really make a great combination and i wouldn't have one with out the other. The guys i ride with all use Hope & rave about them, i dont think the light is thrown as far but it has a wider spread. The main benefit of the Hope is the Lifetime warranty, my Exposure enduro has just developed a fault and sent it back where they seem to think its only a £15 fix, but its the principle of it on such a high end expensive product!

[yellowjack]

frontbum said:

crashley said:

i originally built it for riding Danbury common back in the day when Treasure Island was still there.

Where do you ride the MTB then?

Hell yes! Used to be over there all the time until that got knocked down.

Still some decent riding to be had around there, but the locals seem to be very hostile (even when you're just pottering down a bridleway)

Nice quote from the bikeradar forum [search 'Danbury common']: "If we don't look after these places then the National Trust are going to step in like they have before in Danbury. There are signs already up saying that bikes are okay to ride on the bridle ways but should not go off track. They turn a blind eye to our riding at the moment, But i fear that this kind of thing could ruin it for all."

Good to see that the National Trust "allow" bikes to travel the bridleways. Aside from the fact that the LAW allows cycling on bridleways, why is it that the very muppets who are 'hostile' to mtbs in the countryside tend to be the very groups who's members seem to do the most damage. A lot of bridleways (and byways) in the Saffron Walden area are often impassable due to the fact that they look like the fields of Flanders circa 1914-18. Now I'm not a forensic scientist, but last time I looked, MTBers did not have hooves (with which to cut up the surface when it's too wet to sensibly ride), nor did they inexplicably dismount to leave Richard the Thirds everywhere, for unsuspecting bikers to ride through. horse riders and dog walkers are devils in disguise And don't even get me started on selfish horseboxers, and the idiots in the bl**dy Kangoo's with those blasted 'caution - show dogs on board' stickers. Roundin' 'em all up 'n' shootin' 'em would be too good for 'em. Sorry, Off Topic, I know, but.......

[DJFish]

Just bought a bike from http://www.53-12.com in Colchester, they seem to know their onions, will post a pic or two tomorrow.