Cycling

[Jonah]

Was out on Saturday morning with 2 other guys. The guy behind me called that a bunch was passing us. As they passed me, my mate said we should jump on the back of the bunch back to town. I dropped the hammer and was motoring along at 54kph and the bunch just pulled away from me. Turns out that the bunch was being led by none other than Richie Porte

Nice one mate....very jealous. I've still only been on the bike once since April due to sciatica - it's a right pain in the arse (left cheek to be honest). I've only just been given the all clear by the physio to get back down the gym - I wish I'd insisted on surgery now to slice up the protruding disc.

[Repo]

Didn't realise there we so many cycling fans here.

I'm relatively new to it, having decided that I could commute to work on a bike because:
a) I'm too unfit and not feeling as healthy as I should
b) I'm too fat and hate using my little "spare time" for exercise
c) It's got to be nicer than being crammed on the Central Line every day

Started off Last May on my (ancient) Peugeot MTB. Hard work and geared too shortly. So took advantage of the govt cycle to work scheme and got a new Specialised hybrid plus some panniers etc. last July. Wow! what a difference, plus it's paid for on salary sacrifice with the tax advantages of all that.

Haven't bikes advanced. Call me old fashioned, but now I have front suspension, disc brakes and one click gears. It's more modern and up to date than my car!

Hadn't cycled to work since the clocks went back in Oct, but bit the bullet this last week. Amazing how quickly you get out of shape again and how tough it was. Return journey of 28miles and very up and down (as when it's dark I cant use the Grand Union canal tow path - I'd fall in!). Tend to be more of a fair weather rider, hate cycling in the pissing rain and I don't do it every day, sometimes only 2 or 3 times a week but I can't believe how much better I sleep at night and how much more alert I feel at work!

Cycling in central London certainly livens you up and sharpens your wits! Not founf too much of an issue with cars. Pedestrians seem to be more of an issue, crossing the road right in front of you mostly!

[Jonah]

Excellent Repo. One more of us, one less of them.

Are you on Strava?

[Sav]

Good work Will, get yourself some decent shorts (bibs all the way), some clippy shoes & pedals and you'll be haring about with the cycling bug before you know it.

[DaddyR]

I shall be sure to look out for you when getting a cab down Millbank. Promise not to clip you!

[Mulletino]

Nice one mate....very jealous. I've still only been on the bike once since April due to sciatica - it's a right pain in the arse (left cheek to be honest). I've only just been given the all clear by the physio to get back down the gym - I wish I'd insisted on surgery now to slice up the protruding disc.

Had the same thing here, suspected bulging disc so haven't been to the gym since New Year.
Effing annoying thing isn't it, didn't take long to get sick of walking like i'd shat me pants.

Had quite a few visits to the Osteo and he's thrown me about a bit and this week is the first week it hasn't hurt or felt like someone was tazering my legs.

Suppose that means I'll have to go back to the gym soon, I hate the gym. No chance of cycling though, my cruiser has three gears and where we live now is hilly as fook. Wouldn't be so bad but it's so reclined I can't stand up on the pedals.

[Repo]

Good work Will, get yourself some decent shorts (bibs all the way), some clippy shoes & pedals and you'll be haring about with the cycling bug before you know it.

I've got some decent kit. These for the colder days plus the girlies at the office love 'em

http://www.madison.cc/road/mens/shorts- ... s-with-pad

Not sure about the clips on the pedals, too worried I'll fall off when I stop!

Might have to brave the weather this week with bloody tube strikes......again, but don't get me started on the RMT!

[Repo]

Are you on Strava?

Is it any good?

I've been using www.bikehub.co.uk as a GPS thingy so far

[Sav]

Heh, the early days of being clipped in are fun Been using them for over a year now and clipping in and out is now second nature.

Saw Richie Porte again today, looked like he has recovered from Thursday's exertions

http://instagram.com/p/jymnJCJS0p/

[Repo]

Tube strike day and glad I cycled. Traffic was a nightmare as was limited tube, so by far the best way to get to work.

Also gave Strava a run

Here's my 13.6m morning ride http://www.strava.com/activities/111298817?ref=1MT1yaWRlX3NoYXJlOzI9dHdpdHRlcjs0PTM4NDY3Njk%253D

[Sav]

Did my second 100km+ ride yesterday.

Feeling a bit sore in the knees today but I'm ahead of the curve to notch up 5000km for 2014

[Sav]

So. I'm getting a new bike.

http://www.avantiplus.com.au/products/av500a410/title/avanti-cadent-erii-1

I went into the shop to get a new Tyre for my existing bike and the night 25% off signs drew me in. I'm getting new wheels too as the stock ones won't be up to taking my weight too well.

W00000t!

[DaddyR]

So. I'm getting a new bike.

http://www.avantiplus.com.au/products/av500a410/title/avanti-cadent-erii-1

I went into the shop to get a new Tyre for my existing bike and the night 25% off signs drew me in. I'm getting new wheels too as the stock ones won't be up to taking my weight too well.

W00000t!

Wowser, that's almost as space age as this.

[naking]

So. I'm getting a new bike.

http://www.avantiplus.com.au/products/av500a410/title/avanti-cadent-erii-1

I went into the shop to get a new Tyre for my existing bike and the night 25% off signs drew me in. I'm getting new wheels too as the stock ones won't be up to taking my weight too well.

W00000t!

[Sav]

Did my second 100km+ ride yesterday.

Feeling a bit sore in the knees today but I'm ahead of the curve to notch up 5000km for 2014

I have 22.3km left to reach my target of 5000 this year. I'm going for a ride with a mate tomorrow to finish it off