Cycling UK Forum

Jon Lucas wrote:In reply to Martin.

I've lived in Bristol and now Bath for over 40 years and have kept a weather record most of that time, so can confirm it does rain on the majority of days, about two thirds to be precise. However, that includes many days or nights when there will be little more than some drizzle or occasional showers, so the weather isn't generally too bad. Occasionally there will be days when it just pours all day, but they aren't that frequent, and as you say, you can use the train to avoid those (a lot of others will be as well!). I've only ever recorded one month when some rain fell on every day, in November 2009, though it can feel like that more often while some months can be relatively dry, especially March and April (I see you have included April in your list, which can be the driest month). The wind is often more of a problem, if it is blowing straight up the Bristol Channel then it can certainly be gusty. I would say waterproofs are necessary, but if you have a choice of occasional public transport, you won't get very wet that often.

Neilo wrote:Can't be done, just get used to it
Have not managed it in over 30 years of outdoor activities.
Better to be warm and damp, than colds and wet.
As for what to wear, I could suggest something, but then someone usually chips in saying that bit of kit is crap, and you should use this other piece of kit.

Neil

Phileas wrote:

.....Waterproofs are always slightly problematic. When it rains it's usually mild, in which case waterproofs tend to be too warm....

gaz wrote:STI - Shimano Total Integration, brake levers and gear levers combined into a single unit. Other brands are available.

What it boils down to is that you loose a bit of dexterity in any glove, the thicker and more padded it is the more you lose. Make sure that you can you still brake, change gear, change settings on your lights, etc with the motorcycle gloves on.

whoof wrote:If you know of someone who uses a turbo-trainer you can offer the tyres to them. As the resistance in a turbo-trainers comes from the fiction between the rear tyre and a drum they eat tyres. You can buy turbo-trainer specific ones with a different compound that are not suitable for the road, only the trainer but a tyre that is beyond road use will also do.

irc wrote:

RideToWorky wrote:3) However, on Trip home though - tanked out, knackered, really struggling getting home, on uphill stretches etc.

Is there anyway to avoid (3)???

Get more fit obviously. If it was low blood sugar then rather than sports drinks I'd suggest not going to long between meals. Try and have some sort of snack an hour or so before the ride home. A banana, or sandwich, or a couple of cereal bars etc. Slow burning carbs are better than sugars.




Low blood sugar symptoms may include:

Sweating (almost always present). Check for sweating on the back of your neck at your hairline.
Nervousness, shakiness, and weakness.
Extreme hunger and slight nausea.
Dizziness and headache.
Blurred vision.
A fast heartbeat and feeling anxious.

Psamathe wrote:When I took up cycling a couple of years ago I was doing short rides and finding them challenging. I used to dream about how one day I might get really really fit and ride in to the local town (10 miles by bike) do shopping and ride home (and it's all really flat). Now, after regular riding I'm happy doing over 30 mile rides several days in a row (break days are only because of weather not lack of energy).

I always aimed to try and ride very regularly rather than long more occasional rides. I figured I was after being able to ride day after day and keep going rather than doing one long ride and then being unable to ride for a bit because of being knackered.

If you ave just started riding then you will get used to it.

And re: hills: Where I ride they are probably better described as "slopes" but I used to find them knackering on the legs until I changed my attitude and ignored speed thinking just take it slow and sustainable, and I used a lower gear and legs still feel it (but less) and they are less of a challenge.
Ian