Howdy!

[Dan_K]

Hi Folks,

After lurking around for a while, I thought I would finally introduce myself!

I'm Dan and I live in Croydon, not too far away from East Croydon station.

I've been riding my mountain bike (Giant XTC 3.5) for about 18 months now and have been really getting into cycling!

So much so, that in October last year I got a Viner Gladius road bike through the Ride To Work scheme and have been slowly getting used to riding on the road.

I don't think I have enough mileage under my belt to come out on the Saturday road CR (maybe in the summer!) but would love to tag along on some of the local off-road rides.
This year, i'm aiming to get as many miles in as possible and do a couple of short sportives.

You all seem like a great bunch of people and it will give me more of an excuse to get out of the house and meet some like-minded individuals!

[kieran]

hi Dan, welcome to the forum. how does the XTC ride?, I'm in the process of building up a 2nd hand XTC frame and hoping to take it out off road soon as well.

[Dan_K]

It rides pretty well. Quite heavy for the price level it's at but it feels pretty sturdy with little flex.

The bike as standard came with a Rock Shox fork (Tora?!) which gives a fair amount of travel for what I need. I'm not into downhilling or anything so it suits me pretty well. I'm still amazed at how much bikes have moved on since I had my old Claud Butler!

[Rob Q]

[quote="Dan_K"]
I don't think I have enough mileage under my belt to come out on the Saturday road CR (maybe in the summer!) but would love to tag along on some of the local off-road rides.

[Marky Mark]

Welcome Dan, Do you drink alot and eat cake? It helps!

I second Rob's comment, you don't have to be fit to start riding with us. Just turn up on Saturday and go with the 15's (last group out), you won't get dropped and you won't get lost. CSS (Coulsdon South Station) at about 09:00.

I hadn't ridden for 25 years before my first run and the Addiscombe looked after me really well.

Just do it.

Marky Mark

[Alex S]

Hey Dan,

I recently got into riding with addiscombe, ive been on 2 and a half rides with them (one was stopped halfway by an ice scare). the saturday club run has a range of speeds, the 15 mile an hour group is quite a gentle pace, so don't worry yourself about fitness levels. Theres a good deal of comradery and they'll make sure you wont drop off the back.

That giant XTC comes with giant hydraulics does it not? Im thinking about getting the xtc 3.5 so i'd be interested in any opinions you have of those brakes..

Alex

[Dan_K]

Thanks for all the encouraging posts! I'll definitely make it down to a Saturday CR sooner rather than later.

Alex, my XTC 3.5 is the 2007 model and comes with Giant's own MPH hydraulic brakes. I always had V brakes before so can definitely notice the difference! I don't know how they rate against other brakes in the price level (I've heard Avid Juicy 3's are the benchmark). All I can say is that i've never had any problems with them. There's a dial to adjust the "bite" so you can tailor them to suit your style. Not sure what spec the 2009 bike comes with though.

You're more than welcome to take my bike out for a spin if you want to give it a good test ride before you buy (not this weekend though as i'm taking it off to the Peak District later today -yippee!)

[Roy Green]

[quote="Dan_K"]Hi Folks,

I don't think I have enough mileage under my belt to come out on the Saturday road CR

[Marky Mark]

Does Dan_K rhyme with Hanky?

[Dan_K]

[quote="Marky Mark"]Does Dan_K rhyme with Hanky?

[quote="Dan_K"][quote="Marky Mark"]Does Dan_K rhyme with Hanky?

[Andrew G]

Welcome to the nutter sanctuary.

[quote="Dan_K"]Do I need to develop a strange sense of humour to be part of the club??!