Gsrais Road Bike Blog

[ClassikFan]

It does get easier, unclip well before any junctions until you get used to the action required and can do it any time. The benefits to being attached to the pedals are massive once everything settles down. Hold onto a wall and practise without moving.

[gsrai]

Thx Stuart I will do - I was thinking about isn't them tomorrow on the route to work but have now decided against it until I practice some more. I did find that different parts of my legs hurt after my brief trial today so I guess it is working.

I really should get the name of this thread changed as its become a bit of a blog ... How do I do that these days?

[sq225917]

Just make sure it's not your knee that's hurting- that's a bad sign with clipless pedals. It's normal to have some discomfort down the front of your shins from 'pulling up'.

[rockmeister]

clip pedals are great if you are pedalling 'properly' (i.e. you have worked out the foot pivot that makes you pull up with the normally unemployed leg which is doing the upstroke). I must say it took me a month or so of thinking about this action before it came naturally, and in the end, being more of a cycle tourist than a racing cyclist, I decided on simple, comfortable 'touring' shoes (like a trainer, but with a metal or carbon insert in the sole to provide rigidity) combined with a pedal cage, Cages are very easy to get out of, and free you from the 'falling over' paranoia. Also, you can walk around in touring shoes, but try it with your clips!
Now, I ride anywhere up to 20 miles or so in normal clothing and trainers, because I can't be arsed, but admit that I average about 8-10mph now, whereas we toured at 12 -15. Maybe its being fat and 60+!?
Take my advice with salty pinches tho. I never was in the league of the gentlemen above. My best ever was 54miles in 2 hours 42, but that was on a mountain bike, and up over the downs to Brighton. I was happy anyway!

[Mr_Sukebe]

Ref SPDs, do ensure that they're easy to get out of quickly. I've been through a couple of pedals, i.e. a Look copy, then a real one. The copy was a bitch to get out of, and I did fall over at junctions once with those because I'd failed to ensure that it could be done "on the fly" and in an emergency. No damage done, but VERY embarrassing.

[gsrai]

Woooohooooooooooooooooooo

I did it, I went to work this morning WITHOUT SPD's and did it in under 25 minutes:



I got up this morning and just felt good so did nothing special and hit my target. To make things even better I did the home journey in 28'48" (this normally takes over 32 minutes).I genuinely can't explain how good it feels when back in February this journey was taking me 38 minutes!

I haven't lost any weight but have discovered a great app called "my fitness pal" which is helping me focus on calories (only started using it on saturday but it's already got me thinking about what I eat which is what I want - I don't want to go on a short term diet just gradual loss through sensible eating of the things I enjoy).

On the SPD's I think I will keep practicing getting in and out for a few days before I brave the roads in them - I am wondering if my trainers were too loose when I had them on as they have a Velcro strap and laces but I got lazy and didn't tie the laces properly (too many years of slip on shoes ).

[Hayward]

Thats great! I'm feeling your excitement, it's made me smile after a crap day... Repped!!

[gsrai]

Thats great! I'm feeling your excitement, it's made me smile after a crap day... Repped!!

Thanks and I'm glad it's cheered you up

It felt impossible a few months ago so I'm really chuffed - now to cycle for longer !

[gsrai]

Firstly I'll apologise to those who now think this is a boring thread it probably is but I just have to post the following pic as I cannot believe I did the journey to work in this time today



23'57" thats nearly a minute of Monday's time and the only difference was the bib - it must have magical properties

Trouble is the home journey took over 31 mins cos I was knackered so it evens itself out.

On the bib thing, another great purchase as its much more comfortable than jogging bottoms even though I look a prat

I'm not using the SPD's yet but will practice some more at the weekend with them - I wonder if 20 minutes is doable

[Hayward]

Thread NOT boring! Great that you are making progress but take it easy, it's not all about speed . Your spd's will make a difference once you start to spin right. Don't rush though, as you have to give yourself time to get in and out of them. After a while you will be cruising to work and not even looking at the time (well not all the time anyway ) because you'll be enjoying it so much! I promise you in a while you'll want to cycle everyday because it won't seem like hard work. Your metabolism will work properly as you'll burn what you eat and your body won't store. And I don't know if anybody else has found this but when I'm cycling a lot I actually eat less! I think because I eat a good breakfast burn that, have a decent lunch and burn that off on the way home and then have a lightish tea. I then sleep like a log! This means that I don't lack energy and don't rely on extra carbs/sweet stuff to kick start in the morning or to top up during the day. Perfect! Cycling to work is going to change your life...

[gsrai]

Your metabolism will work properly as you'll burn what you eat and your body won't store. And I don't know if anybody else has found this but when I'm cycling a lot I actually eat less! I think because I eat a good breakfast burn that, have a decent lunch and burn that off on the way home and then have a lightish tea. I then sleep like a log! This means that I don't lack energy and don't rely on extra carbs/sweet stuff to kick start in the morning or to top up during the day. Perfect! Cycling to work is going to change your life...

I think you have hit the nail firmly on the head with that statement - rep'd

Before I leave home I have some peanut butter on toast and upon arriving at work I eat a boiled egg and I feel quite full and have enough energy as well. I was really pleased to learn from the myfitnesspal app that I burn more calories than I eat for breakfast !

I haven't quite sussed the correct lunch and I still snack but the myfitnesspal app is really helping me focus on eating better - dare I say it it's all coming together slowly.

Dont worry I'm not focussing on speed at all which is why I'm so surprised on the times I've achieved. The focus for me is to increase my average speed and pedal consistently all the way and the reason for this there are 2 hills that I really struggle to get up (hills is probably too dramatic but more like inclines) and I want to be able to cycle up these and not feel like ive run a marathon - I guess this is more to do with stamina and I need to start working out how to improve this!

[s2000db]

Well done mate..

[Alexxus]

Thread NOT boring!

I definitely agree.

After a while you will be cruising to work and not even looking at the time (well not all the time anyway ) because you'll be enjoying it so much! I promise you in a while you'll want to cycle everyday because it won't seem like hard work.

Yep, I was saying something along the same lines a few days ago. It might take a while, but you'll get there. Cycling is not only good for your health and wellbeing, it's also great fun.

Keep up the good work mate, and the thread alive, I've read lots of interesting things in it

[gsrai]

Thanks guys, I can end the week on a positive note, I've managed to lose 3lb's as well which is a nice bonus

This is also the first time I've done 2 consecutive days and the sub 25 minutes time was achieved again so its no fluke - I think I'm close to doing it every day ;)

Its kinda weird that I've lost no weight to date with the cycling but the minute I start calorie counting I lose a good amount ?????

The myfitnesspal app seems to be telling me my iron intake is awful which probably explains the tiredness so I guess I need to figure out how to improve that without asking supplements (I feel another tablet would be quite depressing right now).

Ive been mulling it over this evening and I don't think I'm at the stage where I'm enjoying it, I'm more enjoying the outcome and the consequent benefits -do I need to cycle further for longer before I get into the groove. I hadn't really thought about it much until today - how do you get to the 'enjoying' phase (probably a silly question I know).

The other thing that I've found strange is that a wet ground (after rain or even during rain) doesn't necessarily slow you down as I did the home journey in 28'11" so another record time for me but wind is a nightmare - I become the sail of boat and at times it feels like I'm going backwards

If the weather holds up this weekend then it's SPD practice time !

[Alexxus]

Ive been mulling it over this evening and I don't think I'm at the stage where I'm enjoying it, I'm more enjoying the outcome and the consequent benefits -do I need to cycle further for longer before I get into the groove. I hadn't really thought about it much until today - how do you get to the 'enjoying' phase (probably a silly question I know).

It's a natural progression, you don't need to do anything special, just don't punish yourself on the bike, that is definitely not the way forward.

As far as iron intake is concerned, I'm no expert, but you probably need to eat stuff like apples and spinach, they're rich in iron. I don't trust these gizmos, myself, I must be old-fashioned, as I don't use any of them. I just have a look at my watch and that's good enough for me.

The other thing that I've found strange is that a wet ground (after rain or even during rain) doesn't necessarily slow you down as I did the home journey in 28'11" so another record time for me but wind is a nightmare - I become the sail of boat and at times it feels like I'm going backwards

Yeah, wet roads are not a problem, but be careful as the tires lose a lot of grip, which could be quite dangerous in traffic. I use to hate the wind too. No matter which direction I was headed, the wind always seemed to blow me in the face. I'm not bothered so much about it these days, but if I had a choice I'd rather have it from behind

[alfie2902]

Firstly I'll apologise to those who now think this is a boring thread it probably is but I just have to post the following pic as I cannot believe I did the journey to work in this time today



23'57" thats nearly a minute of Monday's time and the only difference was the bib - it must have magical properties

Trouble is the home journey took over 31 mins cos I was knackered so it evens itself out.

On the bib thing, another great purchase as its much more comfortable than jogging bottoms even though I look a prat

I'm not using the SPD's yet but will practice some more at the weekend with them - I wonder if 20 minutes is doable

Nice one mate! You're making great progress atm! Just keep pushing yourself a little each day mate & you'll make the 20 mins. The SPD's will help once you've got used to the fact that both legs can work together. Do practise the clipping & unclipping leaning against a wall or something. They will loosen up a little if you keep clipping in & out, they can be loosened too if you think they're still to tight. Until you're used to the release action just unclip early & rest your foot on the peddle. It will save the bashed elbows, I've had a few too!

The only thing now missing from this thread is a photo of you in the Bib shorts! He-he keep up the good work mate!

[gsrai]

The only thing now missing from this thread is a photo of you in the Bib shorts! He-he keep up the good work mate!

LOL, I think you might have to wait a few lifetimes for that - Adonis I ain't

[alfie2902]

LOL, I think you might have to wait a few lifetimes for that - Adonis I ain't

I'll show you mine if you show me yours LOL

[s2000db]

Yes can we score?

[gsrai]

Okay - I'll give in, here's a picture of me earlier this morning on my way to the shops - now your turn