Sunday Hilly Ride (prev:Something different this weekend?)

[Andrew G]

A couple of others said they may join us for this, so just to nudge it, now renamed.

8:30 at CSS meet.

Route: as earlier post, looks like the CTC Hilly 50K if you remember it.
[quote]that other b*st*rd

[Mike I]

8.30 it is then. I won't set myself exactly the same for the Dragon Ride. For one thing, I plan on drinking a bit less on Friday 22nd than I did last night.

[mlocke]

Hi Andrew

RIght now I want to come but am having a few drinks tonight so if i'm not at CSS by 8.31 go without me

[Andrew G]

[quote]but am having a few drinks tonight

[adrian]

Good ride yesterday - ideal preparation for the now-imminent Dr**on R**e. Andrew, Mike, Mark L, Steve W, Huw, George and I set off from CSS bright and early and headed into Hilly 50 country - Leith Hill, Friday Street, Whitedown - you know the sort of thing. Door to door, hacked my way through 76 hilly miles, which was just the ticket.

Despite being a little sleep-deprived and hung over, I was feeling pretty good and enjoying the workout. But I was working with a recalcitrant bike all day - my rear wheel just won't stay in the dropouts on the more serious hills and the group had to wait up once or twice. Also, more worryingly, I went into a heartstopping shimmy a couple of times on the descents. All this on top of the aches and pains that seem to be inevitable after riding a steel bike for five hours or so on any surface, let alone the 'interesting' roads of the Surrey hills.

(Anyway, I've decided enough is enough already. If I'm to continue to enjoy cycling and improve as a rider, I need a new bike - lighter, with better handling and a more forgiving, comfortable ride - compliance, I believe they call it. And I need it fast - my challenge is to procure something between now and Saturday 23 June. Wish me luck! )

Good to see everyone yesterday. Thanks to Andrew for suggesting and organising, and to the others named above for a sehr gemüttlich morning.

[Andrew G]

Good luck on the hunt Adrian. Would a Synapse be in budget as you've given that a more than fair test ride? If you're converting your existing bike to fixed as you mentioned then you'll only need frameset and a few bits and bobs as your wheels, groupset etc will swap over. Just take the old bike in to the shop you buy the frame from and ask them to swap it all about. If you can't remember the frame size I'm sure Ernesto will.

[adrian]

[quote]Would a Synapse be in budget as you've given that a more than fair test ride?

[Mike I]

[quote]pains that seem to be inevitable after riding a steel bike for five hours

[adrian]

Nothing agin steel per se - just finding that my current set-up isn't suited to very long or hilly rides, which is what I like doing best. And having hired a carbon for a week in Italy, found that I could ride all day (quite literally, in some cases ) with nary a twinge.

Thanks for the link. On reflection (aka fretting) have decided to keep the Witcomb for commuting and also training/winter/wet use - it's served me well for four years. Still, will check out my dropout measurements for future reference - it does seem to be a fixie trapped in a geared body

[huw williams]

Interesting point - I have the same problem.

If I ride a steel bike I get really bad saddle sore. Even with the same riding position, set up and saddle as Carbon or titanium bikes

Full Carbon, Carbon rear end or titanium and no problems at all.

Anyone else experienced this?

[Andrew G]

Is the steel the fixie Huw. From what you were saying about spinning 35mph on a small gear I'm not surprised you get a sore. .

The only bike I tend not to be at full comfort on is my fixie on a long ride. It is steel, but I don't think it's the steel, it's more that the frame doesn't fit me properly. I've adapted to get as best fit as possible and is fine up to about 60 or 70 miles, but can get a few aches after that.

The only reason it doesn't fit properly is that, as with a lot of fixies, it's an old frame made for someone else that I've got 2nd hand. Personally I'm a bit fan of aluminium frames and tend not to find them too harsh as some do, so I shall be replacing the fixie with a Pearson Touche later in the year. Can't wait, I love a new toy to play with.

[huw williams]

Not just the fixie though - any steel bike I've ever tried - including mountain bikes!

Not really a problem as I never intend to ride a steel bike again (except for the fixed which I love)

[-Adam-]

[quote="seanieh.ThePengeAvenger©"]Going Compact Sir. oooh!

[adrian]

The one that comes with my new bike (thud) has 50/36. I've got a 27 on the back, so that should give me a few options when things turn nasty.

But, yeah, I agree with your man from Pearsons - the need for a 53T chainring isn't as common as the 53T chainrings themselves.

[Paul H]

If you have a compact, the differences between each gear is bigger and would probably be noticeable in the smaller cogs. This may not bother you but would me.