Pedal Power

[Aussie Mike]

Watching a bit of the tour tonight. Bloody hell those guys are fast. It was the team time trial over about 25 km. They were averaging about 60km/hour. This really put it into perspective for me. For my 15km ride to work I average about 23km/hour according to Strava (I'm stopping for traffic lights though). I can maintain a bit over 30km/hour on the flat. These guys are going twice that! Amazing athletes.

[BMK]

Aussie Mike

Mike,

The 30kmh is quite good. Best to stay in the small front chain wheel. Also depending on your rear cassette - try and use the third and fourth down. Should be low 20 teeth.

This will keep you spinning at about 90 cadence which is ideal for your improvement. If you find you are bouncing on the seat due to your legs spinning just drop down one.

There is a good quality Santini short that is woven and not Lycra and it is a neat product.

If you need any clothing Mike call and I will send you some or drop it in.

Sorry not the framed ones in my photo gallery though......

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by BMK

There is a good quality Santini short that is woven and not Lycra and it is a neat product.

If you need any clothing Mike call and I will send you some or drop it in.

Sorry not the framed ones in my photo gallery though......

Hey Bernie, I know the offer was for Mike, but if you're still feeling generous and wanted to throw some cycling clothes my way I'd be happy to wear the sponsors logos with pride

I always wanted to be a sponsored professional cyclist, but the only time I can get to 60km/h is when I'm going down hill with a tail wind.


PS: Mike you couldn't be more correct. Its a blood sport for sure. More injuries and deaths than boxing and motor racing combined.

[sambo]

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

Watching a bit of the tour tonight...It was the team time trial over about 25 km. They were averaging about 60km/hour. I can maintain a bit over 30km/hour on the flat.

Mike, without working any harder you can add 10km/h to your speed if you're in a pack. Only the guy at the front is working at 60km/h for short bursts and if you're more than a few bikes back you actually get sucked along. It's great fun but you need to be on your toes - and it usually is involves riding with the posers on Beach Road. Ooh ahh.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by sambo

...and it usually is involves riding with the posers on Beach Road. Ooh ahh.

Easy tiger... I resemble/resent that.

All the gear...with no idea!
$10-grand bike with $10 legs... I also resemble that.

But hey I really get a kick out of it.

[Aussie Mike]

Had a great ride into the city today. I took your advice onboard Bernie and ran a couple of cogs lower than I normaly do peddaled and with a higher cadence. I was averaging well above 30 for a lot of it (34KM/h for a few Ks in one section). My knees dont hurt as much either. Thanks Bernie.

I absolutely blitzed my previous best time riding in and more importantly beat my more experienced colleague who rides the same route. He's away on holidays so I've posted on his facebook to stir him up when he gets back

Cheers

[Aussie Mike]

The seat bouncing was a good way to gauge if I was peddaling too fast. Thanks for that tip too.

Cheers

[Wazza]

Mike....

Use a THINNER playing card on the spokes....it won't slow you down as much ...

Just tryin' to help !

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by Wazza

Mike....

Use a THINNER playing card on the spokes....it won't slow you down as much ...

Just tryin' to help !

Nahhh. I just use the technique perfected on my cobra when sitting behind the wheel making my own broom broom noises. You get a bit of a dry mouth and run out of breath a bit on the bike though.

Cheers

[sambo]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Easy tiger... I resemble/resent that.

All the gear...with no idea!
$10-grand bike with $10 legs... I also resemble that.

But hey I really get a kick out of it.

All good, I was just fishing for bites. I did Beach Rd for many years and probably still would if I had some basic fitness. Ten years ago it wasn't the fashion parade that it is today, no attitude and far less traffic - and I don't mean cars.

At the moment I'm working up my base fitness on the wind trainer in the garage in front of the telly. Planning to start riding into work again soon which is 20km each way.

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Easy tiger... I resemble/resent that.

All the gear...with no idea!
$10-grand bike with $10 legs... I also resemble that.

But hey I really get a kick out of it.

I've only got a $1500 bike and Op-Shop legs

I do enjoy checking out some of the fancy machines at bike shop near my office when I head out for lunch. The technology in them these days is amazing.

Cheers

[Dimis]

Unfortunately my previous BMC was stolen from my garage when we were at hospital having our baby girl. This is much of the reason I hate Insurance, because despite our comprehensive policy apparently the bike wasn't covered

Alas, after some time slowly accumulating the right parts, I built myself one of these...



...and I can say it's a far superior bike than I can do justice, it teases me as I make maximum efforts, poking its tongue out at me, whispering with contempt, is that all you got you pu$$y...

Yes you're right... Bike technology as come a long way...

[sambo]

Dimins, according to your profile you haven't bought a motor for your Cobra yet - correct? Priorities my boy!

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by sambo

Dimins, according to your profile you haven't bought a motor for your Cobra yet - correct? Priorities my boy!

Priorities are sorted... Thanks.

Engine is on the menu.
Brent Lykins (B2Motorsport) has been cooking it up for a little while now & I'm in no hurry to rush the master chief baking perfection.

Details will follow... Patience grass hopper. Patience.

It's still winter here and I've got a truck load of sanding and polishing still to do... You're welcome to come round and help.

[sambo]

Thanks for the offer but my Cobra to-do list runs off the page and that's not going anywhere near body work!

[stephen low]

Well done Mike on the body downsizing, and you were warned it is a bit addictive.

If I stay off the wine a few nights in the week I might actually manage to loose some weight too ha!!

Only good thing at the moment about unemployment is that I can go for a ride at say 10am in 15 degrees and not at 6am or earlier in woo ha colder temps!!! Also means I can sleep in if I want to watch the TDF live rather than off the recorder!

Been up country on a free holiday so champing at the bit to hit the road again.

And have empathy too for the speed differential between the pros and our poor efforts. Though I was riding at 60 kph the other week beside a car for a minute or so as I rolled down Olivers Hill - lol!!

Same issue with the hill grades too, OH is only a 6% average over 400 metres, those bluddy Alps go forever and at far more scorching gradients. Shows you what sort of athletes these riders really are, wish I could do half their work rate...!

The cobra ride team is not so silly a thought either I'd be up for membership as a bit of a side giggle.

Slo

[BMK]

Sounds like you guys are really into it.

I will be embarrassed to stand next to you fit and healthy individuals.

I head of to France on Monday. Todd my son is there now. He squeezed himself into one of the BMC cars I think, or maybe a food bag assembler..

We then head to the UK for a few weeks and Todd is heading up to Italy and Switzerland with his mate.

[stephen low]

Have numerous red wines for us Bernie then and enjoy

Steve

[Dimis]

If any of you gentlemen are keen or need a riding buddy to get "around the bay in a day" let me know.

My brother has booked me in to lead him around,
210km Melbourne - queenscliff - ferry - sorrento - Melbourne
He's new to cycling, but is keen to give it a go. So average speed won't be Cadel's pace.
Just a "leave no man behind pace".

Happy if anyone else wants to tag along for all or part of it.
Like I said, just let me know.

[stephen low]

I'd been contemplating a better replacement bike over my 2008 TCR C2 Giant and took up an offer I couldn't refuse two weeks ago.

A 2010 framed Pinarello FP7 with all the good fruit



The owner wanted quality gear such as sram red cogs and brake system. Though only a 10 speed system at least it is more suitable for hills than the giant's gearing, it was last used as a flat track bike.



And Ambrosio rims on those lovely bendy Onda forks



It has a Deda bar and stem kit, most saddle and 4000GP conti tyres as well so the bloke was happy to spend some coin.

It was selling through consignment for the original owner but I have since received the original purchase paperwork including the Pino frame warranty to confirm costs and purchase dates.

Owner paid near on 6.5 Gorillas late in 2011 for the bare frame and parts and had it professionally built up early in 2012. Some time later he was injured at work and has not been able to ride at all since. He put a few hundred kilometres on the bike at best before he stopped riding it.

The bike shop that built up this bike has quoted $7K replacement value for insurance and I paid less than half this value for the bike. Whilst doing this valuation a couple of the guys remembered the bike and one was giving that frame a real rap as being very good at adsorbing road shock and hence an excellent mount.

I am seeing them Friday to do a proper bike set up for me so I can get the most out of it.

So I am rapped to the back teeth with the result but as has been said earlier I reckon my $3 legs wont do this $3K bike justice.

But I'll have fun trying my best.

Cheers

very Slo