And this single gear

With cycling you fall into one of a number of camps.

There is the weekend hardcore cyclist, who follow the Velo rules. Well worth a read. note.. once you have read the rules, you must obey

Those who follow the current trends

Commuters

Leisure riders

etc etc etc

Here is my advice to anyone. It doesn't matter if you ride a £50 Appollo or a £5k Bianchi, if you enjoy getting out on your bike, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks.

Comfort, make single small changes to your riding position and be patient. Not every saddle will suit everyone, they are a personal choice and what is comfy for your mate or what you read on the internet might not suit you. If your looking for help choosing a saddle, most bike shops should know how to measure your sit bones etc and be able to advise on a suitable saddle choice.

Maintenance, not matter what bike you have, maintenance is key to keeping your bike in the best possible condition. After a wet/muddy/gritty ride, clean your chain/dry it then re-lube it. If you have v-brakes/Cantilever or road brakes, keep your braking surface on your rims clean, this will help keep your braking to perform at its best and will help prolong the life of your rims.

Clothing, padded cycling shorts are great. get what feels comfortable for you, multiple pads are better than a single pad. Decathlon make good value for money clothing.

If your looking to start with cycling & haven't cycled for a while, the Sky Go-Rides are an excellent way to get into cycling, lots of like minded people go on the Go-Rides, some also include a food stop at a café (check your ride for this). The people leading will be qualified leaders and will be able to offer advise/pointers for keeping safe on the roads too.

or

If you have a question/query, feel free to send me a PM or post in here and I'll do my best to answer any questions (more contact details can be found on my website, link in my signature)

Matthew

The Rules, very important especially #1

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

Went out on mine today for the first time in months, so it was a bit hard work but worth it as I saw a small herd of 6 female fallow deer in Wyre forest as they start to gather ready for the rutting season.

Today was Oliver's 1st race @ Thornes Park in Wakefield.

 

Despite getting off to a rocky start and crashing in the pre race warm up & making a mess of his leg/hip/arm, he did really well and has yet again made me very proud.  He was one of the youngest in the under 10 category and started off last due to not wanting to race as he was in pain, by the time he was into his second lap he was about half way through the group of riders and not holding back

 

Sadly his new wheel rims didn't turn up in time so his cyclocross bike couldn't be used so he was relegated back to his old MTB, nor was his HCC kit ready but he soon forgot about it and really enjoyed himself once on the move.

 

 

After the race

 

It's the 1st event I've been to, I can't recommend cyclocross enough if you have children who are enthusiastic with cycling, its a cheap event to enter and the kids love it

Matt

I hope he enjoyed it!?


I rode that too, my first CX in 6 years (last one was co-incidentally at Thornes Park)
Due to the YCCA age-regulations, I was entered as a 'Vet 50' (birthday next month)

 

I rode over, using a little saddle -pack, with money, phone, BCF card, & flapjack
Decided to wear my  ClubSkinSuit (glad I did during race- as it was just enough clothing to maintain a good working temperature), with a long-sleeve jersey over the top, just for the journey to/home from

No series points, so right at the back (gridded starts now, for YCCA), 4 of us on the back-row, including one first timer, asking me what happens (I thought anyone signing up for it, may have some idea?)

By the time we'd got going (with the concertina effect), the leaders had a 500 yard advantage

I knew the course though, & barring one alteration, it was identical to 6 years ago
Fell off once, due to a touch of wheels, no harm done (unlike the Senior race, which, I was told, had 2 broken collarbones inflicted)

Made up a few places, couldn't use the larger sprockets with the big-ring (chain a 'hand-me-down', from the Ribble, & a few links too short)
As in years gone-by,
it would have been entirely rideable in big-ring, if I had the strength


Saw a few riders I knew, some to talk to, some just in passing
- Chris Young (nice guy, usually have a chat - not this time though)
- Steve Barnes (ex 'Ace Racing Team', with Tim Gould)
- Phil Hinchcliffe (20+ times 'Three Peaks CX competitor, & a good fell-runner)
- Norah & Phil Thackray (parents of my near namesake & ex GB Cyclo-Cross squad rider)


Not sure of placings yet

I actually enjoyed it, & was sorry to finish



 

Edited 20 September, 201510 yr by Richard A Thackeray

Richard, do you actually manage to stay on that saddle or just slide off the back. It's quite an angle you have on it.

Yes, had it pointing slightly upwards for many years (never any issues (be it position, or...... 'physical')

 

Not for me but my sons new model.

Sublimes always look damned fine

Thinking of buying a new Ribble HF83 myself (mixture of Ultegra & Dura-Ace)

 

Matt

I hope he enjoyed it!?

Not sure of placings yet

 

Richard,

 

He loved it, the first thing he asked when we got home was, when is the next race?

 

Up until now, I've never been involved with anything like this, its all still a learning curve, trying to work out how the placing's/points are awarded to both the rider & the club. I assume the kids are different and don't get places awarded (except for 1st/2nd/3rd)?

 

I wanted to have a go in the novice section but with only having a couple of hours sleep in the last 3days due to night shifts I was finding it hard enough to stay awake without trying to ride a bike!

Matt, the next race around here is Temple Newsam on Sunday 4th
Sadly I doubt I'll be riding it, as I'm working (unless I can swap days-off with a collegue)
There is Newsome, at Huddersfield, on Sunday 11th (just north-west of Castle Hill (think I've raced there before?)

 

Get him to them, but treat them as fun!
 

 

http://yorkshirecyclocross.com/the-home-of-cyclo-cross-in-yorkshire/2015-16-calendar/

 

 

 

I should be racing myself on the 11th, but on 2 legs, not 2 wheels, up at Haworth; http://woodentops.org.uk/index.php?topic=withins&subtopic=home

 

Photo-tour of 'Withins' https://plus.google.com/photos/110439573756197443848/albums/5800214895924027761?banner=pwa

 

 

Then I'll be running against the cross-riders & MTB-ers, which is always fun, at; http://www.bingleyharriers.co.uk/events/harriers-vs-cyclists/

 

 

I wanted to have a go in the novice section but with only having a couple of hours sleep in the last 3days due to night shifts I was finding it hard enough to stay awake without trying to ride a bike!

There's no Novice section, unlike it used to be in MTB racing (or it was, when I was doing it, in the early 90's; Sports, Experts/Pro)

It's just age-grouped

Has anyone in the Yorkshire area booked into this?

 

http://www.bikechallenge.co.uk/

 

I did it last year, it was a cracking event and is run by the local Scout group

Nick, a good friend of mine usually does it & generally finishes quite high up  he was 27th this year @ 2.36;10

 

 

My youngest son has always been keen on the outdoors and loves his cycling. He has been attending the saturday & Monday G0 Ride sessions at Holmfirth Cycling Club, this has really sparked an interest in cycling & has shown something that seems to come quite natural to him. He has been asking for a little while about racing, so over the summer he has attended a couple of road race training sessions.

 

He now has is Race License with his British Cycling membership & is signed up with Holmfirth Cycling Club (just need to order his kit now)

 

Here he is practising his lunging for the finish line

Is that an IslaBike??

 

I know a couple of 'Holmfirth-ers', as I usually see them, in their other guise at fell-races, but saw them at Thornes Park; Lisa & Phil Hinchcliffe

Phil was riding in the Senior event, for the points

 

Edited 22 September, 201510 yr by Richard A Thackeray

Richard,

 

The bike above is Raleigh's Performance 24, I picked it up about half the price of the Islabike. The quality & finish is on par with the Islabike, the only downside are the wheel rims, the Isla bikes allow you to run a road/cx/mtb tyre where as the Raleigh will only allow a 1" road tyre, despite being advertised as a cyclocross bike, not a big deal as I'm waiting on some new rims to arrive & I'll build him some cx wheels.

 

I hope to get him to Temple Newsam on the 4th October, sadly I'm working that day but have asked if someone will swap shifts with me, other than a couple of dates, I can make most of the dates upto Christmas

 

Oli made 30th place out of 50 on sunday :) very chuffed for his 1st race, all things considered.

Not seen the Raleighs yet

I, too am now working on a shift-swap now, to get Sunday 4th off, & I'd be in the 'Vet 50' class (14:00 start?)

That's a great position for a 'newbie'


Here's a few CX albums (inc Thornes Park; top-left) https://www.flickr.com/photos/hanglebads/albums
 

Edited 24 September, 201510 yr by Richard A Thackeray

Raleigh bikes are good value for money,

 

 

On a side note, if you Like & Share my pinned Facebook post in the link below, there is a chance to win a Weldtite Pit Stop Cleaning Kit

 

https://www.facebook.com/Dark-Peak-Cycles-Penistone-Mobile-Repair-Servicing-1554027451505044/timeline/

 

Please follow me as I intend to keep running offers

I want to start doing some time trialing, what would be a good bike to start with? I don't want to spend a fortune but I don't want to look like I'm on 60's tech either!!!!

I want to start doing some time trialing, what would be a good bike to start with? I don't want to spend a fortune but I don't want to look like I'm on 60's tech either!!!!

 

Just a suggestion that's tempting me at the moment:

 

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-id_8306944.html

 

Gaz

I want to start doing some time trialing, what would be a good bike to start with? I don't want to spend a fortune but I don't want to look like I'm on 60's tech either!!!!

 

Do you currently have a road bike? & have a budget in mind?

Pretty in pink for the road

I've been tempted by some of the hope tech ex works bikes they are selling off from last season for 1500-2000, all my fell running club mates who also cycle seem to think they are a bargain and hope are 1/2 a mile from my house which sort of helps too.

Do you currently have a road bike? & have a budget in mind?

I don't have a road bike or a budget in mind.

Gary
Do you run with one of the local Clubs out your way??
 

 

I hope to be across. for the 'Withins', at Haworth, on Sunday 11th (for 6th consecutive year)
 

Digressing;
"Whoo-Hoo!!", & "Chapeau, Lizzie!!!!"
:clap:  :clap:  :clap: :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: :clap:  :clap: :clap:    

 

I am training to run with barlick fell runners, I am one of those late starters who gets to nearly 40 and decides that it's a good time to take up fell running, I started last year at close to 20 stone and am making steady progress in both speed running and weight loss, I have done a couple of races but am concentrating on getting down to about 13 stone and running properly next year. Only 3 stone to go and I get quicker from month to month.

Gary
I didn't start running until I was turned 42 (I'm 50 next month)
 

That said I've been riding/racing for years, & could turn in a hilly 80miles+, when I started running
I was actually racing Cyclo-Cross, at the time, & was losing places on the carrying sections, so I thought I'd better get better on my feet

 

Original idea was to just be able to run a couple of miles easily, maybe stretch it to 4+ (to work), no racing................................

Then I tried my first race, just out of curiosity

 

The fell-running came from the Cyclo-Cross, as there's a lot of cross-over; at the top of the pile, look at names like Rob Jebb; 10 wins at the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross, & he's also won the Three Peaks Fell-Race a few times
 

 

As stated, 'Withins' is a good race. not far over the county border from you
Details; http://woodentops.org.uk/index.php?topic=withins

 

Race-route (glorious in good weather, can be a slog in bad... https://plus.google.com/photos/110439573756197443848/albums/5800214895924027761?banner=pwa

 

 

2014 'Harriers v Cyclists' (@ BIngley)

 

 

 

New (road) bike ordered..........................

Matt
Here's a few albums from Thornes Park
I'm in there, in the 'Vet 50' - can you spot me?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/88966689@N05/sets/with/72157656554504123





 

Yes, had it pointing slightly upwards for many years (never any issues (be it position, or...... 'physical')

 

Just pulling an image, at random, from a cycling forum I use (no slight on the owner, as that's how he rides), but as a polar opposite, I couldn't ride more than a dozen yards like this...............

The forwards slope, as well as the saddle position (very far forward), he's definately from a MTB background