31–36 of 36 posts
I really like how the author enumerated all his "mistakes" along the way. I was reminded of my mistakes the night I couldn't sleep and embarked on a full-day bicycle journey up to San Clemente at 3am (mistake #1). Woefully unprepared (#2) and on my mom's upright commuter bike (#3), I got lost in Camp Pendleton (#4) after convincing the entry guard I'd walk my bike all the way to San Clemente since I didn't have a hel…
I am amazed that a human being can cover 100 miles in a day, even if on a bike. Awesome. I feel like such a lazy bum!!
A double-century is a bit more challenging, but this is also a commonly encountered distance for recreational riders. Times tend more to 9-14 hours. At this distance, chafing and other discomfort can be an issue.
Elite cyclists may attempt 300 or more miles in a day, which does start to get a bit stiff.
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What is it with being scared of modern synthetic materials? Sure, if you have more money than sense wear the same stuff made from merino wool, but otherwise, why would you not take advantage of modern clothing technology that keeps you dry and warm? Not to mention the decrease in wind resistance, which is _the_ main factor in going fast on a bike.
i'm not! the rapha stuff is pretty high tech, merino/synthetic blend - i just wear shorts over the bottom half, partly because i feel somewhat exposed in just lycra, partly because it's kind of drafty without. another benefit is more pockets for longer rides. i'm not sure what the shorts are made from, but they're not straight cotton anyway - they don't seem to absorb sweat.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
i'm not! the rapha stuff is pretty high tech, merino/synthetic blend - i just wear shorts over the bottom half, partly because i feel somewhat exposed in just lycra, partly because it's kind of drafty without. another benefit is more pockets for longer rides. i'm not sure what the shorts are made from, but they're not straight cotton anyway - they don't seem to absorb sweat.
Pockets on your legs mean a lot of extra energy expended raising and lowering what's in those pockets. Panniers or a jersey pocket FTW.
my jersey pockets are full, that's the point.
i just came back from a 100 mile ride - you're a nutter to be doing it without cleats - you lose so much energy and it's asking for foot/ankle problems if you don't have stiff soles. i hope you had straps at least. as for the lycra i have to say i feel the same way.. it stays underneath or is replaced by too-expensive rapha stuff where applicable. nice tshirts anyway.
That isn't actually true. Cleats or no, the power comes from the down stroke not the up stroke: see http://roadcyclinguk.com/riding/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the... . While there are good reasons to use cleats (mostly so your feet won't come off the pedals), I haven't seen any evidence of significant efficiency gains. Furthermore there are plenty of ordinary shoes with sufficiently stiff soles to cycle in.