Cycling Forums - Road Cycling

Racing in Taiwan

Dunners Dan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:53:23 GMT

For some reports on racing in Taiwan visit:

Giant National Cup - road race

Daniel Carruthers: 2009 Giant Cup National Race

and also see:

Round 7 Taiwan National Championships

Daniel Carruthers: Carruthers Podiums in Taiwan

You can follow this blog site for up-dates on the road riding in Taiwan and also for those interested in power stats - I will be including in my training/racing reports

Cheers!
Bikedan

Critical mass: London November 27th

Cyclist365 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:03:39 GMT

The next ride meets at 6.00pm on Friday, November 27th under Waterloo Bridge, by the National Film Theatre.

What's your Ultimate Cycling Dream Prize?

bikefan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:07:48 GMT

I�m a cycling fan who works in the marketing industry. Fortunately I get to work on a cycling sweepstakes for a Tour de France-sponsor client. In the past we have given away some pretty cool prizes�trips to Tour de France and other major tours, high-end Felt and Trek bikes, fantasy trips to meet Lance, etc. I�m trying to figure out what other cycling fans would want as your ultimate cycling dream prize. Any ideas?

'Tis True

pat5319 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:27:47 GMT

I know a guy who took 10th in the Colorado District Championships, he'd have done better but for puking from some bad food

"Won" a double century in 9 or 10 hrs- he got tired of riding alone and took a nap until the 2nd place rider,( a cat 2 racer), caught up to him
Did a hilly 180 mile ride and then did a club ride as if he were fresh

Did the tour of Swan River in Montana more than once,(231 miles in 2 days) He had a bell mounted on his h-bars and would ring it as he passed or just to say "Hi". A tandem rider who he'd passed several times was overheard to say. "If he rings that damned bell one more timeI'm gonna shove id up his a**) good luck finishing that one pal!!

Rode 60-70 miles round trip to go xc skiing apx 4500 ft up a mtn to get to the "track", lots of snow that year and as I recall it was really cold, Yes he ahd studded tires

and more, ad nauseum

All on a Schwminn Spitfire fat-tired cruiser with 52X18 gearing!!

That I sold him!!!!

We used them as "training tools" back in the day, b4 mtn bikes when we were young and ********, < use your own discription here, hee hee)

Etape 2010!

sappie66 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:06:36 GMT

I have signed up for the Etape in 2010. This will be my first. I registered as an "entry-only" through a cycle-tour company.

So, firstly, the feedzones -- food/water stations, etc. How are they? what do you they feed you?

Secondly, I am in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and my doctor will not sign the required medical certificate (required by the Etape, certifying that you suffer no counter-indications for cycle competition). My doctor says that the BC Medical College (their governing body/insurer) does not cover them if they sign a certificate from a foreign jurisdiction. Has anyone from BC wanting to do the Etape run into this problem?

Thirdly, and maybe most importantly, how fast do I have to go to avoid being swept up by the broom wagon?:) I am an avid rider, 43 years old, reasonably fit, but no racer. I can average 32 km/h in a 40k time trial (not fast, but okay for a rec rider). Am I out of my league? Of course I will be training for this event.

Thanks.

The 'Lance-factor'. Truth or fiction?

tonyzackery — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:51:49 GMT

Lance Armstrong Ignites USA Cycling Growth | Cyclingnews.com

What licensed cyclists will admit to purchasing said license because of LA's return to competitive cycling? I readily know human beings as a species of animal act like lemmings from time-to-time, but do you buy this?

Interesting dialogue from Armstrong:

"Sports need people," said Armstrong. "It's important to have those stories so people pay attention. As teams and people involve in the sport, you gotta keep that going. If you don't have the athletes who have the story and carry the personality, the sport will go away. It�s our job to develop young guys, riders who can keep people interested in cycling and interested in their stories for whatever reason. People look at my story and you can say they�re interested because he�s a strong cyclist or because he�s a cancer survivor."
"Anytime you create a movement, it has to begin with a person," he continued. "Sports are no different. If you look at cycling and the characters and the personalities we've had in American cycling over the years, the sport has embedded and flowed with that. Similar to Tiger Woods and golf, Michael Jordan and basketball or Michael Schumacher and formula one racing. When you think of these sports, you think of these people."

I think people who don't know two sticks about cycling will fall for a good story or two, but cyclists who follow cycling look for and desperately desire substance and integrity. The fundemental question here is: Who's more important to the long term success of pro/amateur cycling: established cyclists or dweebs just looking for something to keep their attention for a few moments? If it's the dweebs (aka Joe Q. Public who solely watches cycling on television and the commercials therein, then the UCI should just say "everything goes" and forget the charade that is drug testing...

I don't have the answers here, but interested in some dialogue on the matter...

Longest Climb

pat5319 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:51:07 GMT

I once did a 22 mile climb from Imnaha to Joseph Oregon. Imnaha is in the Imnaha River Gorge next to the Snake River's Hells Canyon and is just as spectacular. I'm guessing the grade is less than 10% but steady untill the top, much steeper. I had at least six water bottles and still ran out. Let's hear some other stories!

Young Newbie Cyclist - Advice Please

beetz15s — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:35:10 GMT

I just bought this

Marin Fairfax 2009 - Stock
Marin Fairfax '09 | BicycleBuys.com

I ride 12 miles everyday back and forth to work and ride at nights and weekend.
70 miles a week total. Bike is very smooth so far. Very happy

Im young 20 years 150 lbs 6'2 and have been cycling for about 3 months now. I have high metabolism eat a lot of food and junk mixed in there as well and I don't watch calories.

Question
How much training and dedication will i need to become mid range strong cyclist and perhaps eventually get into racing? and would you recommend changing handle bar style and bike in future?

Do I want a roadbike?

fungirl — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:48:30 GMT

For training/weight loss and most for fun I started to ride my mountainbike that I got from my hubby two years ago. We actually both purchased a mtb because my hubby likes to go on trails. Together we do, but I like to ride my bike more often than he does, and I dont like to go on trails all by myself. Now I really want to get a roadbike, just for speed and maybe trying races next spring. Most of all, I hear that it is really addicting. Is that so? I think its a great sport you can do anytime., all year long. Anyways, is a roadbike also better to climb hills? I have a hard time with my mountainbike climbing uphill. Just want to get a few more reasons that will convince me to get a roadbike. Or do I wait till spring?

Trek 5000

drosen1962 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:44:01 GMT

Looking at purchasing a used Trek 5000 bike. I test drove a specialized roubais elite compact, but really dont want to spend 3k. I am getting back into cycling after a few years and wanted a carbon bike. This has a lot of the shimano 105 components with an upgraded whell set. I am also trying to avoid buying a bike and then a year later wanting to upgrade. I can get this bike which I believe is a 2007 model for around 1300.00. any thoughts would be great.

New guy

skyshark14 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:53:01 GMT

What's up everyone. I am new to the sport. I am currently in Afganistan but should be back soon. I know nothing about road bikes and any info would be awsome about getting into the sport ( what I need etc). I really would like to get into raceing and be competitve. I am not to excited about the spandex thing I guess that takes getting used to. Well thanks.

Help me identify this Peugeot!

velo-france — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:26:29 GMT

Hi, as the title suggest, I'm trying to work out when and what model my Puegeot bike is. I was given it by a colleague. It says 'Made in France' and has the following serial number Y707 07652. The saddle needs a new cover and the wheels need pumping up (if anyone know the attachment for pumps, that's an added bonus).

If this also helps, the bike has Simplex gears, Atax handlebars, and Lyotard pedals. I've attached a few pictures. Any help is appreciated as I want to bring this back to its former glory!

If the pictures aren't clear, let me know.

Attached Thumbnails

All These Companies! How to Choose?

captain_juno — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:40:17 GMT

So, I'm trying to find that perfect bike and I thought I had it narrowed down but I was only looking at Trek. How in the world do you compare all of them? I don't like to limit with a budget but I know I definitely want something under $1000 and closer to the $800 range. I know some companies are Felt, Trek, Giant, Specialized, Jamis, Kona, and Fuji, but how do I decide? I'm pretty sure that I want Tiagra components and a carbon fork. Other than that, I'm not really sure. Thanks for your help.

Why is the road season over in the south?

velomanct — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:49:28 GMT

I just moved to Austin TX and it's been beautiful here, mid 70s and dry the last week. Average temps in November are low 70s, so why does the road racing season end in Sept/Oct?

The off season in the south should be the summer, eh?

What does this This

JonRidesBikes — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:16:17 GMT

Am I considered slow, fast, what? Should I work on climbing or sprinting? This is my first post btw

Larger photo can be seen here