An easier ride - and given weather direction - Grafham? To mix it up - with a flat Kimbolton twist? Comes in at 73 miles. I was trying for a route the other side of the Water and A14 - but can't get it under 85 or so.
Martin - is there break off point? 73 miles is desirable but i fear the rest of the day could involve not moving from the sofa. My legs are only just recovering from Sg Major Macsheens sets of squat excercises....
Saturday morning comes with a SuperSteady2000 guarantee. And there's a few likely lads out to play, so plenty of places to hide if it gets a bit beefy botham for some.
If the Kimbolton hoop isn't desired that's all right with me. Maybe we take a view when nearby. It'd be 66-67 miles without it.
Good one. 66m @ 17mph. Me, Robbie, Jeremy, Malcolm, Pete, MC, Strappy. Weather not bad eh in the end. Props to MC - first ever fixed ride - thru gritted teeth at the end!
Pete and Robbie took in Wimpole for more training.
Springtime: we'll stick on Swinehead/Kimbolton - or bump it up big time over the Water and into Northamptonshire for 85ish.
martin
great ride, cheers for putting the route on the web site its much better for me to know how long i will be done 74 in all so well pleased.
just done another 30 this pm as a warm down i will be back to sunday next week so see you all then.
all the best .
strappy.
good report Mark.......I think that most hills are easier on fixed...steep hills that are short are o.k....long and steep drags really cane you on a fixed......on descents the key is smooth pedalling...on really steep descents try a slight amount of front brake whilst pedalling hard..sounds wrong but actually delivers a controlled action and far less bumpy...as you get smoother you can reduce this........don't overdo it or you will lose the front wheel grip.....for those who haven't ridden fixed there is a real plus if you convert...much better pedalling...a better transfer of power to the drive as no chain slack and far less friction/wear as chain and gears directly aligned....downside is that there is no rest...upside is that you work harder and get fitter...also higher cadence means that you get used to this and can get away from really big gears when on your geared bike. Less knee strain ultimately.
Sounds like you had a good intro there Mark. I think you are right, 50 miles is a sensible upper limit for riding fixed and yes it is harder in the sense of more of a workout than on gears but very usefull if you are on a shorter ride or riding with slower riders.
Also, a very important general point, if you are a London hipster with a straight bar, no brake machine with an aerospoke and luminous trainers you ride a "fixie". If you are a hardened road/racing man you ride "fixed". very important difference
Hope to join in this weekend. Didnt get out of bed in time last week and ended up going solo to Cambridge and back. Barrington hill x 2 was interesting.....
Has anyone got up this years hill climb on a fixed yet?
Comments
another week slips by :-(
i hope to be there as i am of work saturday if all goes to plan, if i am not on time go with out me.
see you 8.30.
strappy
http://www.bikemap.net/route/798886
Martin - is there break off point? 73 miles is desirable but i fear the rest of the day could involve not moving from the sofa. My legs are only just recovering from Sg Major Macsheens sets of squat excercises....
Saturday morning comes with a SuperSteady2000 guarantee. And there's a few likely lads out to play, so plenty of places to hide if it gets a bit beefy botham for some.
If the Kimbolton hoop isn't desired that's all right with me. Maybe we take a view when nearby. It'd be 66-67 miles without it.
Pete and Robbie took in Wimpole for more training.
Springtime: we'll stick on Swinehead/Kimbolton - or bump it up big time over the Water and into Northamptonshire for 85ish.
1719ft climbed see profile here
great ride, cheers for putting the route on the web site its much better for me to know how long i will be done 74 in all so well pleased.
just done another 30 this pm as a warm down i will be back to sunday next week so see you all then.
all the best .
strappy.
Also, a very important general point, if you are a London hipster with a straight bar, no brake machine with an aerospoke and luminous trainers you ride a "fixie". If you are a hardened road/racing man you ride "fixed". very important difference
Hope to join in this weekend. Didnt get out of bed in time last week and ended up going solo to Cambridge and back. Barrington hill x 2 was interesting.....
Has anyone got up this years hill climb on a fixed yet?