Cycling UK Forum

This looks interesting http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 1285511850

I have seen this advertised as a Rapha challenge too. Register with them, cycle 500km between Christmas and new year andcget a free cloth patch/badge.
http://www.rapha.cc/festive-500-2013

My anxiety levels might drop once Christmas and New Year are done and dusted

reohn2 wrote:The Clubman's rims,which according to the spec in the link,weigh 465g 28mm Marathons weigh around 480g
Mavic 719's= 575g + 550g for 32mm Mara's
A difference of 180g which isn't insignificant,but as I mentioned up thread a light 32mm slick such as Vittoria Hyper or P/racer Ribmo(folders) could reduce that by 150g

I have stuck the 28mm Marathons on it now so that is a saving of 70g. I just need to take advantage of the break in the weather and get out on the bike

colin54 wrote:I used to get slightly anxious when I hadn't eaten enough, say skipping lunch for instance, not particularly whilst cycling, it wasn't until someone pointed that out to me I realised what was going on, low blood sugar or something I suppose, I don't know the medical explanation.I try and make sure I've eaten plenty before I go out and top up during the day.I notice you mention nutrition in your original post. Hope you sort it out.

I think this is potentially quite a big part for me. I have noticed I have done much better when I have been ultra careful with food before a ride (for example eating a decent bowl of wholemeal pasta or porridge). I am also shocked how much I seem to need to eat and that I can show some signs of low blood sugar after 15-20 miles on occasions. As a big lass who would like to lose weight, it annoys me. I am definitely not diabetic.

It has been heartening to see others talking about anxiety. Mine really isn't that bad at all most of the time but I think it is an underlying problem. To those of you for whom it is a much bigger issue, you have my sympathy.

It is grey out today and there have been a few showers. The group ride today would be an interesting one but I dislike catching trains as part of a group ride; it opens up more interesting routes but I like my cycling to be quite self contained and functional. I may well take a train in a day or so for part of the route to see friends in west Wales but that seems sensible in my mind as it helps me avoid using my very thirsty car

I sometimes need the motivation of a group ride but often dislike the rigidity of them, the pace and rest stops never really aligning with what I want. The group I have referred to have become more and more ambitious in their rides as their fitness has grown and so they spend longer and longer out. I must admit that I often become quite bored on longer rides! I recall dropping out of a 108 mile ride at about 75 miles as we were on the sea front at Aberavon beach (Port Talbot), the sun was shining and all I wanted at that point was a nice cup of coffee and to people watch for a few minutes. When cycling becomes the end, rather than a means to an end it loses its appeal. Of course I appreciate the difference a nice bike or a nice component makes but it is part of something much bigger.

Ooops that turned in to a stream of consciousness

Thanks all for some really great replies.
I tend not to chat much when I am cycling as I like to try and stay alert. I think I am also still too amazed at this balancing on a bike lark to want to chat much (the stabilisers came off in 1973).
I have always thought that group rides only really work for the people at the front. Those poor so and sos at the back who struggle typically lose out on the wait/recovery time at the top of a hill. I also struggle with following unquestioningly, especially as the leader on a couple of rides has jumped a few red lights, often very busy ones.

reohn2 wrote:Have you had your Thyroid function checked?

Not for about 6 or 7 years. ME/CFS is a diagnosis by exception.

mercalia wrote:maybe in the wrong cycling group? anxiety at not able to keep up / measure up?

A bit lacking in fitness maybe and maybe not that keen on group rides at times, maybe.

mig wrote:are the rims on one set of wheels significantly lighter than the other?

I can't recall the weight of the Clubman ones but think that reviews suggested that the wheels were a little hefty.
The Clubman wheels are Alex A450 rims with non specific 32 hole Shimano hubs (spec here http://www.dawescycles.com/p-395-clubman.aspx)

Mavic's website suggests a weight of 565 grams for the A719 rim.

Bikeradar said of the Clubman
"The Clubman wasn’t quite as lively on the open road as we’d expected, perhaps stifled by a somewhat heavy wheelset. The all-up weight of 10.91kg isn’t light, though reasonable for the price. But the wheels account for a hefty proportion of that, weighing in at 3.34kg. The budget 25mm Vittoria Rubino tyres are durable all-rounders but we’d probably replace these with something lighter and grippier when they wear out. "

On a like for like basis, a disc braked wheel will be heavier. The hubs I used were for centre lock discs so I needed six bolt adaptors too

With the Clubman, I noticed very little difference in how it rolled between the various permutations of tyres I had on it
-Two Vittoria Rubino 25mm
-Front Continental Gatorskin 28mm, rear Vittoria Rubino 25mm
-Front Continental Gatorskin 28mm, rear Schwalbe Marathon 28mm
-Two Schwalbe Marathon 28mm

Am I the only person to find this has become a very uncomfortable thread to read?
Season of goodwill and all that...

The curve is to the side, just by the plastic release bracket so doesn't photograph well

Interestingly, the Croix de Fer is more comfortable than the Clubman.
I found the bar tape uncomfortable on the Clubman and I have some nice padded stuff on the Croix de Fer, plus cross top brakes too. The Clubman had Sora STI levers and the 105 STI levers on my Croix are much more ergonomic. I now have 3 comfortable positions in which I can safely use the brakes rather than one.

I am occasionally an anxious soul, and have separately had a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME. A few times on rides I believe I have had problems with getting the right nutrition for day rides.
I think that sometimes when cycling, these are difficult to unpick.
A couple of times lately I have done badly on group rides and have felt wobbly and faint. I am starting to come to the conclusion that the problems I have had most recently have been anxiety related. I have not been in a terribly anxious state but I do think that it has been enough to b*gger up my breathing sufficiently for steepish hills, leaving me feeling fairly awful.
My attempts at finding anything on google have failed as results tell me how great cycling is for overcoming anxiety. Clearly, the longer term attempts should be at overcoming the causes of anxiety or finding better coping methods. However, whilst slow, deep breathing (exhaling longer than inhaling) is great, can anyone suggest anything to help my breathing whilst on a bicycle please?

The hubs I am using are front dynamo Deore XT DH-T785 and rear Deore XT FH-M785 on Mavic A719 rims
Tyres on the Clubman were 28mm Marathon too.
Just tried to weigh me then the bike. I am guessing at 32 pounds but wouldn't put any money on it!
I haven't used the bike enough to give commute times and I have recently lost my job.
My feeling that the bike is soow or hard work is based on the subjective feel.

reohn2 wrote:What sort of 32mm tyres were you running it on?

Schwalbe Marathon. Replacement 28mm tyres are same (as were the last tyres on the Dawes Clubman)