Beach Road Riding

mark_melb

Where does one start, unwritten ones......hmmmmm......no rubber necking when chatting, keep an even pace, no nose clearing at the front.............

terminalvelo

Mark,
Sorry, no idea, don't tour on 700C - I run either Metro Duros or Ritchey Tom Slicks for commuting/touring on 26", and they're not too bad (compared to a VelociRaptor at least).

What do you think of the Randonneur?
Pete

terminalvelo

It's not so much the unwritten as the unspoken - it is completely against the rules for anyone to say g'day, nod, smile, remove their sunnies, or do anything else that might make a newcomer think they're welcome. Or is that only if you're on an MTB?

Seriously, what Mark said, and just hang out down the back of bunches for a while until you work out what's going on. If you let people know you're new to it no-one's going to get agro at you for staying out of the way. If they do, find another bunch. Sometimes you will experience hostility if you just tag on - understand that some bunches are training and don't want you messing up their tempo, and that unknown riders are percieved as a crash risk. Staying out of trouble is best for everyone, though there's a limit to how many turns you can skip before someone will berate you for hanging on.

Start small - riding in a group of 3-5 gives you a feel for the speed and gets you used to riding close without too much risk, and you can take the odd turn so you don't feel like a complete bludger.

Big, fast bunches are not the place to begin.

mark_melb

What Terminal says is kind of a true perception and reality.
The Randonneur is very good for the money $1000 screwed down to but forked out for Avid Shorty 6 Brakes as the ones on board are total ****e (Radius) and a joke.

terminalvelo

This should probably go over onto the commuting/touring forum, but since we've started - do the Shorty 6 work OK with the STI levers? I've read a few uncomplimentary remarks about the cranks and ratios, but they still look great value - there was one in the trading post for $750 last week.

mark_melb

The Shorty 6's are the Rolls Royce, Shorty 4's would have been OK. The 6's are sometimes used on Tandems. The Rim Wrangler pads pull well but have a reputation for squeeling. And they do, on and off. $750 Aus is good, new should be about 1250 ish. I've heard the same remarks about the cranks but I think where you read it, it was retracted. For some reason my crankset is not to the spec, same ratios though. 30/42/52. Being a tourer format, it is speced for road but the 30/25 will take you almost anywhere. Can't climb walls though. For the money, its a great all rounder.

http://www.australiancyclist.com.au...e.php?s=4&a=109 is a very good review but the bit about the brakes is a blatant lie. The standard ones are almost a crime.

Mark

Shabby

No, you'll get a similar response if you have aero bars as well.

It's a safety issue. No point being overfriendly to triathletes as they usually have poor bike skills compared to their fitness level. Hence, I'd prefer they time trialled off into the distance, so we usually let them go. New riders riding slow aren't an issue, because they can't hang on the back of a bunch until they've spent some time on the bike.

mark_melb

Shabby is correct. The hardcore tri people are not usually regarded as part of the cycling crowd. Technique, manner of dress, attitude, big chainring fettish etc set them apart from riders.
There is nothing wrong with that. They have their place.

steve

Don't forget that chain ring tatt that all seem to have

cheers

__________________
Steve

CyclingForums.com

mark_melb

......you are such a bitch.

su22

did you guys ride this morning? i couldnt bear to get my hard-earned road bike wet so i hopped on my fat heavy MTB and rode 30km for an hour and a bit. turned around at the sign which says "cyclists" and some people have named them 'Fred and Kurt' (somewhere in Beauie where the road narrows). (dont you wonder who fred and kurt really are? it's kinda cute)

i turned around and the clouds seemed to let go of some major tension. the headwind was there, and the rain would sting once in a while with gusts of wind that nearly blew me off my bike. i was pretty scared cuz the road was wet and i felt as flimsy as a butterfly, but it made me think, hey, this has gotta count for something. if you want to be good you've gotta be out there training when other people can't even drag themselves outside.

i ran last night and it was really windy down along the Brighton foreshore. you can't pay out too badly on triathletes cuz we're the ones out there when most people would spit the dummy. the olds still swam around the Bri pier (there's a triathlete in that group); the only two cyclists i saw were triathletes; and the other runner i crossed was also a triathlete.

there may be some arrogant FIGJAM ('f--- im good, just ask me') triathletes out there, but i think theyr'e the wannabe's who'd like to think they're hardcore.

today was fun-- got soaking wet, but riding a MTB with headwind makes you work so much harder! happy riding all... might c ya out there

mark_melb

Must admit I did not make it. Been a bit off colour with the flu all this week and thought I woud give it a rest. Might brave it tomorrow morning if the throat is better. Good work Su, you are braver than me. This morning would have been a horror.

mark_melb

I was all in the mood for a ride but the horizontal rain at 7.30am put me off a tad. The flu is 100% better and I can't wait to catch up on riding next weekend. I manage to do the cleaning 'round the flat and the newspapers are all in one bundle. Keep safe Su.

su22

hope you're feeling better! there have been some nasty bugs going around. im on the watchout cuz i havent been sick for about 8 months. it's about time tho

probably a good idea to stay home then! take care