Cycling UK Forum

I never use energy gels, preferring to stop every 20 to 30 miles and eat some food.

However, my son, who often rides 80 to 100 miles non-stop, can do so on a couple of 750 ml bottles of energy drink and 6-8 gels. It does help that he is sponsored by High 5.

I used to cycle 21 miles each way to work in summer, 10 miles each way to the station in winter ( to catch train to work). I'd do this 4/5 times a week.

Nowadays my commute is only 6 miles and i do it most days, summer and winter.

I'm using a SRAM 9 speed chain on a Campag 9 speed set up. My wife's using a 9 speed Campag chain on a Campag 8 speed set up (with a 9 speed rear mech). Both work perfectly.

My son's running Shimano 10 speed and uses a Shimano 10 chain. He's had no problems, though we've found Shimano chains easier to fit if you have the proper Shimano chain tool.

The chain lasts much longer on my summer bike than on my winter bike. 3 years (5000 miles) as opposed to 1 winter (about 2500 miles).

I had a similar problem with a Mirage front mech. I had to use my summer bike (no mudgaurds) in winter after breaking the frame on my winter bike. The road salt got to the frront mech and siezed it up within a month. I bought a new fromt mech, but did eventually manage to free up the old one by continued applications of WD40/GT85.

SPD's need the two slots. SPD-SL's need the three holes drilled in a triangle shape.

The shoes you link to have both, as do many other shoes (my spesh BG ones are the same).

I've previously ridden Shimano M030's and currently ride Specialised Sonoma. Both are equally good, though the Shimano's suit wider feet better. You can't get M030's any more, but the replacement is the basic Shimano trainer-type lace up shoe. Both the above will cost upwards of £40.

You could wait for Lidl/Aldi to have one of their cycling special sales, and get similar trainer type SPD shoes for £15. I've got a pair ready for when my Sonoma's wear out.

I wear my Sonoma's all day at work.

Managed 22 miles on Christmas day, 32 on Boxing Day and 47 today. So far this week I've done 251 miles. Hoping to smash the 300 barrier tomorrow.

I actually left the CTC and joined British Cycling for a couple of years, but I missed reading the mag, so I rejoined earlier this year. I think they do a lot of good work campaigning on behalf of cyclists. I used to ride with the local CTC section, but don't any more.

Hoping to get at least 30 in on Christmas day, and will be out Boxing Day too.

I've found that if you get out early on Christmas day, the roads are relatively quiet, but by 11ish, everyones unwrapped their presents and are on their way to see their relatives (by car of course).

Got a fortnight off work and I'm going to make the most of it. Went out for a ride today along the Trent Valley from Nottingham.

As I approached Carlton on Trent, I noticed a train going very slowly along the East Coast mainline, then I noticed it was a steam train. It stopped just south of the crossing at Carlton to let some fast trains past. It was the Sir Nigel Greasley. Got a decent photo of it on my mobile.

A great day for cycling, very warm and sunny for quite a while and the wind wasn't too bad. 52 miles for me today. Weather looking good for the rest of the week.

My son has ridden a titanium Merlin and carbon Planet X and much preferred the Merlin. When he first got the Merlin, he kept thinking he had punctured due to the compliant ride, but in a road race sprint, it is so stiff that there's no BB movement at all. The carbon is stiff but gives a harsher ride.

Only problem is that the Merlin frame would cost more than a complete Planet X bike (not a problem for him, as he's sponsored and gets them given to him, but he has to give them back at the end of the year - he'll be riding a carbon Cervelo next year).

If money is no object, go for titanium - gives a more comfortable ride without losing any power due to flexing.

Years ago, I was out on a Notts CTC Junior section ride, when a van driver cut us up. Someone gave him the V sign and he stopped and got out to remonstrate with us. After a while, we rode off and he went back to his van. Someone said " I bet he'll come after us, now". One of the young lads said "No he won't - while you were talking to him, we let all his tyres down".

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I have a pair of Ksyrium Elites and I weigh more than you. They're 6 years old but are still as good as new. They've been used for road racing, cyclocross, timetrialling and general leisure riding.

The SSC's are the same wheels but have alloy instead of steel spokes and slightly lighter rims. My son has a pair but his are for tubulars. Again, pretty bombproof, used maily for cyclocross.