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tOfficial Cycling Thread
Posted on 6/20/21 at 1:08 pm
Posted on 6/20/21 at 1:08 pm
As a runner first and foremost I’ve picked up a ton of great info from the running thread here, so figured I’d start a cycling thread for those interested in sharing info and learning more.
Personally I’m transitioning to a cycling centered plan for the next few months at least, being I’m registered for a 105 mile ride in Arkansas with 5K’ of gain. The Big Damn Bridge 100 for those familiar. As a flatlander from Southern Louisiana, I’m fully expecting it to be brutal.
I bought a bike a few years ago when I had some issues that prevented me from running at the time.
I got talked into a gravel bike, not sure what I was thinking but I haven’t and probably never will ride in gravel. It’s a Specialized Diverge E5. Today was my first ride in new tires, Continental GT5000’s. I’d love to get an official road bike, but I can’t find any anywhere. I’ll just do what I can for now to make this one quicker.
Any other tips? Carbon wheels?
Any tips on workouts to prepare for hills when I don’t have access to any on a regular basis? For those familiar with La., I went and rode a 30 mile loop near St. Francisville last week and it was rough. Around 2K’. I’m gonna try to do that at least once a month.
I know we have some talented riders on here, so if y’all are interested in joining in I’ll create a Strava page for us also.
Personally I’m transitioning to a cycling centered plan for the next few months at least, being I’m registered for a 105 mile ride in Arkansas with 5K’ of gain. The Big Damn Bridge 100 for those familiar. As a flatlander from Southern Louisiana, I’m fully expecting it to be brutal.
I bought a bike a few years ago when I had some issues that prevented me from running at the time.
I got talked into a gravel bike, not sure what I was thinking but I haven’t and probably never will ride in gravel. It’s a Specialized Diverge E5. Today was my first ride in new tires, Continental GT5000’s. I’d love to get an official road bike, but I can’t find any anywhere. I’ll just do what I can for now to make this one quicker.
Any other tips? Carbon wheels?
Any tips on workouts to prepare for hills when I don’t have access to any on a regular basis? For those familiar with La., I went and rode a 30 mile loop near St. Francisville last week and it was rough. Around 2K’. I’m gonna try to do that at least once a month.
I know we have some talented riders on here, so if y’all are interested in joining in I’ll create a Strava page for us also.
19
Posted on 6/20/21 at 6:13 pm to TigeRoots
quote:
I know we have some talented riders on here,
This isn't me, but I'll be around this thread for sure.
Also, I've been looking into a gravel bike that rides well on the road. For some reason bikepacking interests me more than traditional road races, so I think my next bike will be a gravel.
This post was edited on 6/20/21 at 6:14 pm
Posted on 6/20/21 at 6:40 pm to TigeRoots
Hopefully you aren't doing your first century at the Big Dam event. Climbing 5000' in your first century would be masochistic. The last 20 miles of even a flat century can be really tough similar to the last 6 miles of a marathon. I was a runner too who transitioned to cycling but many moons ago. As for training for hills you really need to train on them, its tough to simulate those things. And try and find a group ride on the weekends that do long rides of 70+ miles. It helps to be with others on those long rides and you can learn how to ride in a pack. When you do your century, try to find a pack going your speed and sit in there and draft to save energy. Carbon wheels are rigid and uncomfortable to ride IMO so I would not go out and spend a lot of money on that. Better to spend some money and get your positioning on the bike setup by a shop who offers that service.
Posted on 6/20/21 at 9:38 pm to Zappas Stache
quote:
Climbing 5000' in your first century would be masochistic.
Meh that's not that much. I would say that is light rollers.
Posted on 6/20/21 at 10:38 pm to crazyLSUstudent
quote:
Meh that's not that much. I would say that is light rollers.
For an inexperienced cyclist from south Louisiana, its an arse kicker.
Posted on 6/21/21 at 4:41 am to Zappas Stache
quote:
Hopefully you aren't doing your first century at the Big Dam event.
Certainly am.
quote:
The last 20 miles of even a flat century can be really tough similar to the last 6 miles of a marathon.
I know what you mean by this and certainly expect this to happen, but I never experienced a Marathon bonk and my first Full my last 10K was actually my quickest. Of course I trained religiously for 18 weeks before hand and it was pancake flat.
quote:
As for training for hills you really need to train on them, its tough to simulate those things. And try and find a group ride on the weekends that do long rides of 70+ miles. It helps to be with others on those long rides and you can learn how to ride in a pack. When you do your century, try to find a pack going your speed and sit in there and draft to save energy.
That's the plan, we have a crew of about 5-6 of us going and are planning to ride together. Only thing is we've never rode together before and I don't think any of us have ever did any pack riding. We are trying to get together and practice before hand.
I'm fully expecting it to be a shitshow, just trying to do what I can to get as much training and prep in as I can on my end.
quote:
Carbon wheels are rigid and uncomfortable to ride IMO so I would not go out and spend a lot of money on that. Better to spend some money and get your positioning on the bike setup by a shop who offers that service.
Thanks, on my list. I see there is a guy in N.O. at Bayou Bicycles that is pretty reputable. Will be scheduling a fit with him.
Posted on 6/21/21 at 4:43 am to BlackCoffeeKid
quote:
Also, I've been looking into a gravel bike that rides well on the road.
Like I mentioned, I have a Specialized Diverge that sells as a gravel bike, but I've been riding it on the roads. They are hard to find right now for sure. What size bike are you?
Posted on 6/21/21 at 5:49 am to TigeRoots
Diverge looks like a sweet bike. Is yours 1x or 2x?
Posted on 6/21/21 at 6:03 am to jordan21210
2x. 52 cm. It's pretty much brand new. It may be for sale! 
Posted on 6/21/21 at 6:06 am to TigeRoots
quote:
As a flatlander from Southern Louisiana, I’m fully expecting it to be brutal
Got a smart trainer? Plenty of routes on Zwift with thousands of feet of elevation gain. Could be good practice for you during the week?
Posted on 6/21/21 at 7:24 am to TigeRoots
quote:
2x. 52 cm. It's pretty much brand new. It may be for sale!
You could probably just swap the rear cassette to a more road friendly 9 or 10 speed and be good to go - assuming it has a megarange cassette on it currently. No reason it can’t be a good road bike for you unless it’s really heavy. I’d peruse Craigslist’s for a road bike, every now and then something decent turns up.
Posted on 6/21/21 at 7:56 am to jordan21210
quote:
No reason it can’t be a good road bike for you unless it’s really heavy. I’d peruse Craigslist’s for a road bike, every now and then something decent turns up.
I'm surprised a gravel bike has a 52 ring on the front. Honestly if you are going to do anything with the bike to make it "more of a road bike" is get some new wheels. It's typically the same drive train, just geared down a bit, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Otherwise it's geometry and you aren't going to change that.
Posted on 6/21/21 at 9:12 am to jordan21210
quote:
I’d peruse Craigslist’s for a road bike, every now and then something decent turns up.
Louisiana bicycle buy/sell/trade and baton rouge cycling groups on facebook usually have good bikes.
Bogue chitto park is fun on gravel bikes if you ride the gorge trail and they just redid the entire trail system for mountain biking.
Posted on 6/21/21 at 9:15 am to Jon A thon
quote:
Otherwise it's geometry and you aren't going to change that.
Yeah, this is how it was sold to me. Geometry being the only difference which is why my main riding buddy who has much more experience than I do said to get some smaller tires (done) and maybe some new wheels and be done with it.
Also have a Garmin 830 and speed/cadence sensors on the way. Is a power meter necessary? Still have some looking around to do as far as what set up to get.
This post was edited on 6/21/21 at 10:15 am
Posted on 6/22/21 at 1:02 pm to TigeRoots
I would say a power meter is not necessary but I would recommend a heart rate strap so you can gauge your effort.
Posted on 6/22/21 at 6:14 pm to TigeRoots
I disagree on the carbon wheels. I found a difference with mine over Alu. even if I’m sporting Superteams for a short period.
I second the Smart Trainer and Zwift. I can knock out 25 miles a day fairly easy but my 1st few days on Zwift is kicking my arse. No way to simulate hills on true South Louisiana roads I guess. Zwift threw me on a 10% incline a couple days ago 20 minutes after I ate a hamburger and i regretted every bite.
If you’re riding roads check out Garmin Varia. I am way more comfortable with it.
Bike position is key and if your a dumbass like me pay attention to your toes. I tend to curl mine up/tension while riding leading to knee pain. I have to cycle through focus points like knees and elbows in, toes flat and relaxed.
I second the Smart Trainer and Zwift. I can knock out 25 miles a day fairly easy but my 1st few days on Zwift is kicking my arse. No way to simulate hills on true South Louisiana roads I guess. Zwift threw me on a 10% incline a couple days ago 20 minutes after I ate a hamburger and i regretted every bite.
If you’re riding roads check out Garmin Varia. I am way more comfortable with it.
Bike position is key and if your a dumbass like me pay attention to your toes. I tend to curl mine up/tension while riding leading to knee pain. I have to cycle through focus points like knees and elbows in, toes flat and relaxed.
This post was edited on 6/22/21 at 6:17 pm
Posted on 6/22/21 at 7:18 pm to ELLSSUU
quote:are legiiiit for the price.
Superteams
I am just getting into cycling, beats the shite out of a long run.
Wife and I are signed up for the 65 miler in Eureka Springs, AR next month. 3500ish feet of elevation gain
So far Ive done some pretty tough 30s with hills, mild 40 and a stroll 50. Trying to get out with the big dogs and not get dropped too hard.
Posted on 6/22/21 at 9:11 pm to ELLSSUU
If any of y’all saw an old guy on Zwift tonight doing a tidy 3mph up Fox Hill in London .... don’t laugh, lol. 10 - 14 degrees ascent for a kazillion feet liked to kill this old guy. No stops though.
Posted on 6/22/21 at 10:19 pm to ELLSSUU
Lol I rode Watopia tonight. Wish I had a smart trainer though, I wanna feel those hills
Posted on 6/22/21 at 10:26 pm to Ingeniero
:) did Watopia for breakfast this morning. Only like 30 minutes though.
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