Tips/critique for a new rider

[paulrockliffe]

WhisperingWasp said:

B
I would also add, for the benefit of anyone new, that of the above, the most important thing/improvement for me has been the bib shorts. Honestly, I cannot overstate how much better they are - looks, comfort - than normal-waisted shorts. Even if starting out I would massively encourage getting this style of shorts.

I've been riding bikes on and off for 25 years, been riding for the last couple of months after almost a 10 year gap. 10 years ago I couldn't afford bib tights, so I got my first pair recently and they've been a revelation! They just stay in the right place and you don't get sunburn on the bottom of your back. Absolutely just buy bibs!

The other thing I got that is amazing is a Gore base-layer, it's like thin breathable with a second layer that's wind-resistant at the front. I honestly can't believe how it well it keeps you warm when it's cold without getting you hot when it's not. I've always struggled with hilly rides getting too hot climbing or freezing coming back down and being a bike-tart I won't carry extra clothes with me for descents. I wore this up and down a couple of the highest roads in England last weekend in the heat with a light t-shirt on top and it was still perfect in the heat. Probably wouldn't have got too cold on the descents, but I wanted to keep my arms covered from the sun. Amazing bit of kit.

[paulrockliffe]

Mark83 said:

Lunchtime rides are definitely quieter than evenings. I try to get out then when I'm WFH for an hour loop. That was the plan yesterday but was waiting around for our builder, who then cancelled so went after work.

One thing I've noticed because of Strava is how few people look at the roads in detail and plan their routes to avoid cars.

Round here there's a mix of A and B roads that go places that you see cars on all the time, some are really busy, some are OK, but still cars. Then away from those there's loads of roads where you usually see nothing at all. Yet when I look at people's routes they're more often than not hitting the busy roads, I guess because it's easier to plot routes that you already know and it can be a pain working out what's a farm track and what's nice tarmac.

I have a friend that spends most of his time in his garage on a turbo trainer, but occasionally he comes out and rides hills, he has lovely hilly roads all the way to the big hills, but he hammers down the main A roads for 20 miles each way. Absolute madness!

There's a couple of road club's I'd be inclined to ride with at the weekend, except that they plot their routes on Strava by clicking locations and let Strava put them on the busy roads.

Don't know what it's like where you are, but wherever I ride it always seems worth spending some time working out the best roads for bikes, then planning around those.

[Mark83]

I guess it depends where you live. I'm fortunate to have plenty of quiet roads on my doorstep and a club that has shown me the best routes. Although starting in a town, it's normally a main road to leave it. I cannot think of a club ride where we've ventured onto a single carriageway A road other than briefly to leave it again and never a dual carriage, that's asking for trouble.

Bib shorts - I cannot recall if I've said this before but buy the most expensive you can afford. I've a few Rapha classics and Assos bibs that I don't know I'm wearing compared to the cheap DHB ones I bought when starting cycling.

Edited by Mark83 on Tuesday 13th June 12:11

[paulrockliffe]

Maybe the clubs round here are a bit odd, I think it's a mix of that and maybe that is so hilly round here, the main roads are also the flattest roads. But you still get your legs battered so you might as well go all-in on the hills and have a peaceful ride.

I used to see the same in Manchester though, I could ride out of South Manchester on empty roads and stay pretty quiet, while most rides on my Strava feed were doing miles on main roads to get to the lanes.

[deeen]

paulrockliffe said:

Maybe the clubs round here are a bit odd, I think it's a mix of that and maybe that is so hilly round here, the main roads are also the flattest roads. But you still get your legs battered so you might as well go all-in on the hills and have a peaceful ride.

I used to see the same in Manchester though, I could ride out of South Manchester on empty roads and stay pretty quiet, while most rides on my Strava feed were doing miles on main roads to get to the lanes.

My local club has a volunteer ride leader rota for social rides which is great, you soon learn which ride leaders like the more quiet rural roads and stick to their rides!