RE 8.) If they're honking at you, at least you know they see you.
Jacob
· 4 months ago
"bottom most cog" is ambiguous to me. Is that the biggest cog (lowest gear) or the smallest cog (smallest radius--the top of the cog is lower than all the other cogs)?
Mr W
· 4 months ago
smallest cog
Mr W
· 4 months ago
6 b) If you have riders of varying levels in the group and want to do hard tempo intervals, plan a route with a couple out-and-back sections. This way the faster riders can ride a hard pace without worrying about dropping slower riders; slower riders can catch back on at the end of the out-and-back. This technique is also great for slower riders wishing to gain leg speed, as they can work at holding in as long as they can (threshold training).
Key to this is let everyone know the plan before you start, otherwise slower riders will think they have been permanently and or deliberately dropped!
6c) Convince someone to come out with a motor scooter. These are the greatest thing ever on a group ride (if the scooter rider knows what he is doing). When someone drops off for a flat, the group keeps going, and the scooter drops back, retrieves the rider and motor paces him/her back up. That way you are not all standing around watching like government workers.
The draft off scooters (esp. when you ride 3 inches off the rear) is *amazing* - you can comfortably maintain + 50 km/hr.
Viva la Vespa! (Yes, yes, I am mixing Spanish and Italian.)
When cleaning your sunglasses just pour water over them and shake dry. They'll come out much cleaner and scratch free than if you wipe them with a sweaty jersey.
Jeff
· 4 months ago
A good undershirt/baselayer is the most underrated piece of clothing. Buying a decent one will make your ride so much more comfortable - in the heat or the cold!
MonsTher
· 4 months ago
Agree with you on no. 10! Thanx to those baby wipes I now (almost) allways have a clean bike. Easy and quick
Mr W
· 4 months ago
11) Ensure you have a high end helmet with lots of vents, so that you can flip your sunglasses off and place them in the vents when not needed. Very pro.
Although Lance is showing bad form by not first flipping the glasses upside down... tisk, tisk.
13.) Remember to bring the cell phone. Wives/husbands/siblings will need to know why ya didn't come home on time... or come home at all. it's safe. I've needed it three times, will prolly' need it more.
Beagle
· 4 months ago
When someone sweeps their left arm behind their back, they're not saying 'stop sitting on my wheel and go around', they're saying 'there's an object ahead that we have to go around'. I remember spending my first ride on Beach Rd trying to work out why everyone wanted me to go around them...only to have them pass me 2 minutes later. Tres embarrassing.
Team player
· 4 months ago
1a) Its been said many times and is worth repeating - when pulling off into the slower line of a rolling paceline, remember it's a slower line so SLOW DOWN. No matter how strong you think it makes you look when the next rider can't get around you, it only makes you look like an ar_e. Alternatively, if he/she does come around, the pace will keep going up until people start blowing up (possibly you if you have misjudged the group). Whilst it is fun to put the hurt on others, there is a time and a place for it (a race), there is always a faster gun in the west and you will be dealt with eventually.
Andrew
· 4 months ago
Always ride through the middle of stalled traffic. If riding in between the cars and the curb someone will inevitably turn into a side street and you'll be the one who pays. This won't happen if riding up the middle. Drivers hate it though...
softie
· 4 months ago
14. Don't go long if Andy has his time trial bike out ! 15. Definetely don't go long if Andy has his time trial bike and Danny is going long too .... 16. don't get upset if I yell at you ... it's not personal !
Hollywood
· 4 months ago
Couldnt agree with you more on the Andy and Danny thing but how can I not take it personal? :-)
Stephen
· 4 months ago
Regarding point 10 - Cleaning your bike. How often should you clean your chain? What should you clean it with? How much lubricate is the right amount?
I typically oil my chain after 200-300kms (2-3 days of riding). I use the Rock'n Roll as Stew points out. I said 150kms in that post, but I'm finding that I really don't need to do it that often. Of course if it's wet out or if there's a lot of grit on the road I may oil the chain more often.
cyclingtips
· 4 months ago
Damn...you guys are gonna put me out of work. There are a years worth it tips here!
Cornel
· 4 months ago
I use an old athletic sock turned inside out that I spray with a cheap discount furniture wax to clean the bike starting top to the bottom if there's a minimum of mud, then the spokes and rims lastly and the tires I wash with a different rag and I use pine-sol which seems to be effective.
The chain I hit with the sock when I think it's time to throw it out. Wd-40 and a bit of oil worked-in takes most of the grime off using the sock.
Happy drive train
· 4 months ago
NEVER let WD 40 touch your bike!!!!
Tom
· 4 months ago
1. When wearing shorts, only white ankle length socks are acceptable. Sorry, calf length monstrosities look ridiculous even when they're claimed to be 'compression socks'. Just don't do it. 2. Should you find yourself 10 kgs overweight, lose it on the road, on the turbo, or in the gym before making for the start line please. You're taking someone else's place. Note for this year's Etape du Tour riders. 3. If you suspect a chainring tattoo on your calf (cardinal sin), stop, check, and wipe it off with a mitt. Better oil on your mitt than on your calf. 4. The key word in 'group ride' is the first one. Unless you have established some ground rules for this with your group, keep racing for races. 5. If you don't want to shave your legs, stick to golf. 6. You will puncture. So know how to fix one. And carry a pump.
All Comments
Key to this is let everyone know the plan before you start, otherwise slower riders will think they have been permanently and or deliberately dropped!
6c) Convince someone to come out with a motor scooter. These are the greatest thing ever on a group ride (if the scooter rider knows what he is doing). When someone drops off for a flat, the group keeps going, and the scooter drops back, retrieves the rider and motor paces him/her back up. That way you are not all standing around watching like government workers.
The draft off scooters (esp. when you ride 3 inches off the rear) is *amazing* - you can comfortably maintain + 50 km/hr.
Viva la Vespa! (Yes, yes, I am mixing Spanish and Italian.)
Great site!
Although Lance is showing bad form by not first flipping the glasses upside down... tisk, tisk.
http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2009...
12.) Don't forget number 11.
13.) Remember to bring the cell phone. Wives/husbands/siblings will need to know why ya didn't come home on time... or come home at all. it's safe. I've needed it three times, will prolly' need it more.
I remember spending my first ride on Beach Rd trying to work out why everyone wanted me to go around them...only to have them pass me 2 minutes later. Tres embarrassing.
15. Definetely don't go long if Andy has his time trial bike and Danny is going long too ....
16. don't get upset if I yell at you ... it's not personal !
How often should you clean your chain?
What should you clean it with?
How much lubricate is the right amount?
Newbie... Thanks in advance
That is the sort of info I was after.
Cheers
Here's another good tip that answers your question
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2008/12/clean-ch...
I typically oil my chain after 200-300kms (2-3 days of riding). I use the Rock'n Roll as Stew points out. I said 150kms in that post, but I'm finding that I really don't need to do it that often. Of course if it's wet out or if there's a lot of grit on the road I may oil the chain more often.
The chain I hit with the sock when I think it's time to throw it out. Wd-40 and a bit of oil worked-in takes most of the grime off using the sock.
2. Should you find yourself 10 kgs overweight, lose it on the road, on the turbo, or in the gym before making for the start line please. You're taking someone else's place. Note for this year's Etape du Tour riders.
3. If you suspect a chainring tattoo on your calf (cardinal sin), stop, check, and wipe it off with a mitt. Better oil on your mitt than on your calf.
4. The key word in 'group ride' is the first one. Unless you have established some ground rules for this with your group, keep racing for races.
5. If you don't want to shave your legs, stick to golf.
6. You will puncture. So know how to fix one. And carry a pump.