Tips for a newbie cyclist?

[black2002ls]

Shoes are like saddles too. You need to try on a bunch and see what fits your foot the best. If you make a bad choice you will have issues with numbness and other problems. $125 should get you a good entry level shoel. I like specialized shoes. I have had my current pair for about 3 years, but they are not for everyone. So just go try on a bunch and see what works best for your feet.

Thanks! I have been looking at saddles on ebay hoping to score some cheap used ones to try without dropping the $$$ on a new one and having it not work out!

I am going to have to get my bike in for service or learn to tear the crank apart soon. I am getting a click in the righ crank on the up stroke.

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[Beej]

Shoes are like saddles too. You need to try on a bunch and see what fits your foot the best. If you make a bad choice you will have issues with numbness and other problems. $125 should get you a good entry level shoel. I like specialized shoes. I have had my current pair for about 3 years, but they are not for everyone. So just go try on a bunch and see what works best for your feet.

[Vertnut]

Cool. Thanks for the info! I did some googling and learned a little! Any recommendation on a mid level shoe? I don't want to spend more than $125, though I don't want to compromise and end up with a shoe I have outgrown as a rider in 6 months to a year (if that is possible) I have a set of Shimano 105 pedals on the way.

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Shimano and specialized make some decent shoes that are very compatible with your pedals. As with anything in cycling, you pay for weight and/or technology. Carbon fiber soles are very light and very stiff. The stiffer the sole, the more efficient your pedal stroke is.

[black2002ls]

Well a race you are actually racing other riders. These types of events or rides are rally's. Just go out and ride, have a good time but no winner. Usually put on by local groups as fund raisers.


Races are usually categorized by age or skill level and are sanctioned by USA Cycling. requiring a license to participate.

Some events like the Cotton patch have both a rally for the non competitive riders and races for the licensed racers.

Cool. Thanks for the info! I did some googling and learned a little! Any recommendation on a mid level shoe? I don't want to spend more than $125, though I don't want to compromise and end up with a shoe I have outgrown as a rider in 6 months to a year (if that is possible) I have a set of Shimano 105 pedals on the way.

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[Beej]

Whats the difference? I just noticed they had rides starting that morning

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Well a race you are actually racing other riders. These types of events or rides are rally's. Just go out and ride, have a good time but no winner. Usually put on by local groups as fund raisers.


Races are usually categorized by age or skill level and are sanctioned by USA Cycling. requiring a license to participate.

Some events like the Cotton patch have both a rally for the non competitive riders and races for the licensed racers.

[black2002ls]

Hot Rocks is not a race, its a Rally.

Whats the difference? I just noticed they had rides starting that morning

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[Beej]

Hot Rocks is not a race, its a Rally.

[black2002ls]

Started doing some HIIT stuff tonight. Going to start doing that during the week and doing distance rides on Saturday and Sunday.

The Hot Rocks ride is Augist 10th in Rockwall. They have a 13 & 21 mile course. I am thinking about registering for that race as well.

Ordered a set of Shimano 105 pedals and cleats tonight. I am going to try and pick up some shoes this weekend. Any suggestions?

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[Strychnine]

"Shut up Legs"

You do get faster and you get better at learning how to suffer. Pain is temporary.

LOL. What Would Jens Voigt Do?

or Jens Voigt Facts

• Jens Voigt has twice won Liège–Bastogne–Liège–Bastogne–Liège–Bastogne–Li ège–Bastogne–Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
• Jens no longer has a shadow because he dropped it repeatedly until it climbed into the Saxo Bank team car claiming a stomach ailment and retired.
• Jens Voigt prepares for the Tour de Suisse by reassuring scientists at the Large Hadron Collider that he means no harm.
• Jens Voigt doesn't read books. He simply attacks until the books relent and tell him everything he wants to know.
• Jens' big ring is 56. His rear cassettte is 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-12.
• etc

[Beej]

Not many people 'round these parts quote LeMond.

5 pts to you, sir.

"Shut up Legs"

You do get faster and you get better at learning how to suffer. Pain is temporary.

[Vertnut]

Not many people 'round these parts quote LeMond.

5 pts to you, sir.

Lemond was awesome. In '86 he had to beat his frenchie team-mate, Bernard Hinault, and in '89, he beat another frenchie in Laurent Fignon. I'll never forget the look on Fignon's face on TV when he found out that Lemond had blistered that final time-trial to defeat him by just seconds. LOL!

[Strychnine]

It doesn't get easier. You just get faster.

Not many people 'round these parts quote LeMond.

5 pts to you, sir.

[Shorty]

I have been riding since 2009 and racing for the last 2 years. It will come with time. The more you ride the easier it gets. Only problem is you continue to push your self to do better and it always hurts but damn its fun

It doesn't get easier. You just get faster.

[Beej]

I don't know half of what you're talking about. Force me to do 100? I want to do 100.
Bonk? I think it'll be a challenge but Im pretty confident I could grind it out


19,000 riders? My God I was thinking like 10k and that would be huge! You made it to 55 without stopping? Damn man. We only skipped the 2nd and 4th stop. It's hard not to stop when they put the rest stop at the top of a massive hill.

I have been riding since 2009 and racing for the last 2 years. It will come with time. The more you ride the easier it gets. Only problem is you continue to push your self to do better and it always hurts but damn its fun


I broke my left clavicle in a bad crash the end of april so I have been working my way back to pre-crash condition. Last few months have really sucked for me.

[Vertnut]

I don't know half of what you're talking about. Force me to do 100? I want to do 100.
Bonk? I think it'll be a challenge but Im pretty confident I could grind it out


19,000 riders? My God I was thinking like 10k and that would be huge! You made it to 55 without stopping? Damn man. We only skipped the 2nd and 4th stop. It's hard not to stop when they put the rest stop at the top of a massive hill.

They will force you to do the 100k if you don't hit the cut off spot in time. I think it's called "Hell's Gate" or something. "Bonk" means your body shuts down...totally. It happens a lot on long rides.

The last time I did HHH there were 14k and several crashes at the front. Used to be that the race was part of the ride, and they were up front. Had a training buddy cover it in 3:40 the year that Alan McCormick won it. ('87/'88?)

100k in last weekends weather was a breeze compared to 100 miles in 100 degree heat, It's a little different. Just be prepared.