So I've probably had around 5 or 6 road bikes over the last 15 years, you know the drill.....buy the bike, all the gear, lycra, shoes, helmet etc etc. I start off thinking I'm going yo be king of the mountains and I watch hours and hours of La Tour de France and become obsessed........but only with the idea of it!! This has happened many times over the years and it usually ends up with the bike being sold a year or so later until the next time!! I really love cycling but I find it hard to get motivated which I think is a problem for many cyclists, the thought of getting up early and going out, especially on your own is something I've struggled with. This time however I'm going to really try and push myself, plus I don't really do any exercise and the Dad bod is ok but healthy body healthy mind and all that Bike still being built, I've gone for a PLANET X EC-130e carbon aero road bike, with decent spec components. I know that won't please the purists out there, but for the money and spec its a no brainer for me!! Will post my progress and pics of me in full lycra on here if anyones interested.......................
Good luck Paulo! I'm also a lover of all things 2 wheeled, the enjoyment is all the same to me. It's no coincidence a lot of the bike racers love cycling
Road Cyclists don't mix well with Cars, lorries and motorcycles, we love cycling but always cycle off road, away from traffic is so much more fun, get a good mountain or Gravel bike, far more fun than road riding imho lots of off road tracks these days Don't become another Bloody road cyclist
Agree.....I use my mtb nearly everyday, loads more interesting. You can take yourself off road all the time and explore. Lots of stunning mtb trails on your doorstep in the Peak District @PauloHRC Probably get you fitter too
I agree some cyclists make poor decisions on the roads they use and don't help themselves. But the road users who struggle to overtake a bike doing 16mph and get irate because their journey is impeded for 6 seconds need taking off the road and shooting. I also agree gravel riding is far better.
I've just sold a Specialized Stuntjumper alloy comp with full Fox suspension, again had vision of me doing Red bull Rampage and unfortunately the reality is very different. The problem with mountain biking is you have to go up hill first to go down hill, normally over rough terrain. Just not fit enough for that at the moment. Plus you have to put your bike on or in the car to get it to these trails and they're all miles away! If every trail had a ski lift to the top so I could do downhill all day ......that would be great, but they don't. Not for me that! Road cycling starts outside your front door and the uphill bits are smooth, much more appealing to me. I get that cyclists get a bad wrap from other road users, I've cursed many of them myself but l won't be one of those guys. That said all cyclists have as much right as any other road users. In some countries, think its Italy, Spain France etc.....the big cycling countries, you will actually get fined for not giving cyclists enough room. Not sure how they police that but anyway......fuck 'em, I'm doing this to get fit and feel better in body and mind. Just as likely to get knocked of my motorbike so .....
Hope you enjoy the new bike @PauloHRC , I have had a carbon bike for ages now but would go back to metal as the carbon is a bit twitchy. Mind you I have been saying that for over 10 years now and have never justified a new bike I also road cycle, don't enjoy off-road. I tend to get up early so the roads are quieter and stick to the back roads. I also pull over if I have cars "stuck" behind, although TBH that is normally some old biddy who wouldn't overtake a storm ddrain. Basic road sense and consideration is all that is required. If road cyclists get forced to stop due to the perceived risk and the incompetence of other road users then you know which group will be next on the hit-list. Just for clarity I also don't like the wannabe fashionista pelotons, and the ignorant gits who think that their right to be on the road surpasses all others.
I shopped at Planet X last week too. Got 3 pairs of cycling socks for the price of 2 . Love my bike but I've got Thetford Forest on the doorstep so it's all the trails in there rather than the road - unless Mrs says I have to go to Sainsburys .
I haven't got chicken strips on the Panigale now........some fucker at Ducati got rid of them for me!!! I owe that man a beer
Bike arrived yesterday and after setting it up I decided this morning was time to give it a road test. Only went out for an hour and did about 15 miles, just a nice relaxing cruise but still sweated my bollocks off!!! Loved it though......Alp Du'huez here i come !! thought the leathers were tight Brad......you ain't seen nothing yet!!
Now we know why he didn't what to come out to play Ron. He's been riding around in the middle of the road annoying motorists
