FAO Cycling Chaps on here

[CusworthRovers]

Back in training folks.

I've already booked for Hadrians Wall mid May.

Going to Le Tour in July for the weekend

Looking at a Wales Coast to Coast (top to bottom) in September

I'm now using my Road Bike (still a racer to me). I hated it at first, gear sticks on the brake handles and clickers on there too (not down the tube cross section). I'm getting on with it well now though. It certainly gets up them hills better.

Getting myself a bib/long pants, new shorts and a new Jacket for the old birthday.

What's everyone else on with?

[DaveDRFC]

I'm not really a massive fan of cycling, I do it as I got into triathlons last year and I'm good at swimming and running so the cycling is a bit of a necessary evil! I've not been out on mine since September but now the weather is getting better and there's a bit more daylight I'll go out on it a bit, got a standard tri at Newby Hall in Ripon in June and will probably enter a couple more over the summer.

My bike's nothing flash, it's a Giant Defy 3 that I bought cheap off a mate and it does me fine. It's got some different wheels with carbon spokes that another mate gave me and also got tri bars on it which I don't really like but they do help, especially on the half iron triathlon I did where I had to do a half marathon after 55 miles of cycling so any extra speed I could get with minimal effort was welcome!

I'm not a fan of the whole spandex culture that seems to go hand in hand with cycling, it's not fair to expect people to have to look at me in that get up. I do wear shorts with a pad in for longer rides but other than that I generally just wear my running stuff. I have got a tri suit for races which is definitely NOT a good look but it does help shave a minute or 2 off transition times so it's something that needs to be done I'm afraid!

[River Don]

I don't like the whole spandex thing but it doesn't have to be that way.

I like l'eroica stuff from Le Coq Sportif, in fine merino wool.



Then there is Wiggins, Fred Perry kit.

[northern soul]

If you're after a jacket, there was a place called Leckie's in Falkirk who do overstock items and they had Altura Varium jacket for £40 rather than £140. Superb jacket and well worth the money. There's an email address on their web site, and he'll send out a PayPal invoice. Brilliant to deal with too. There were only black left (from memory) but I can't be sure.
Hope its of some help
Otherwise try planet x next to magna, have got a wide selection for all price bands.

[wilts rover]

This clothing range may also be of use to some people on here too, ahem!



As regards me, I was knocked off in October and still building my strength back up from that, having a bit of knee pain. I did the Salisbury Plain Winter Challenge (an off road event) in 35 minutes longer than it took me last year, which wasn't so bad except I did the 60km route last year and only 35km this!
I wrote of the winter bike so been on the summer road bike all through winter (with winter wheels tyres and tyres). I havent booked any events as yet, there is a very small possibility of the Wiltshire Wildcat this Sunday but unlikley, but your Welsh C2C sounds fun, and lumpy!
My one piece of advice to people getting serious about cycling is buy the best pair of shorts (and chamois cream) you can afford. If you are going over 40 miles or so, yes you may look a prat - but you will be a prat without a sore arse!

[BigColSutherland]

Went up Box Hill last week. Absolute pleasure.

[River Don]

Do your shorts have to be skin tight?

Because I have seen a pair of slim fit shorts with stretchy nylon in them that look alright.

I don't want to wear ladies tights.

[BigColSutherland]

In my experience no. I've done London to Brighton in some swimming shorts. No issues.

Everyone's different though, and some prefer a bit of padding and can feel better in nicer gear.

[RedJ]

If you look on DHGate you can pick up cheap team kits as they're wholesale and from China. Got a Sky one off there for £26 a year or so ago.

[BigColSutherland]

What's the quality like RedJ? I wouldn't mind picking up a few bits and bobs, but not at pro team prices.

[RedJ]

Quality wise, just as if you'd picked them up at full price in a shop over here. At £26 (this was the shorts and the top bear in mind) you can't go wrong.

[RedJ]

http://www.dhgate.com/product/2013-team-sky-cycling-jersey-bib-short-summer/159417282.html#s1-2-1|3809569360 here's the 2013 kit for example. Price is in dollars, but it works out about £27 right now. Takes about 3-6 weeks to arrive but shipping is free.

[BigColSutherland]

Good man, thanks for that.

[wilts rover]

I got a replica Bianchi kit from the man in China and I did find the quality slightly less than the 'proper' gear, but that was what I expected. Make sure you order a size larger than you normally take though, they size chinese also!

[coventryrover]

http://www.dhgate.com/product/2013-team-sky-cycling-jersey-bib-short-summer/159417282.html#s1-2-1|3809569360 here's the 2013 kit for example. Price is in dollars, but it works out about £27 right now. Takes about 3-6 weeks to arrive but shipping is free.

What were the sizes like REd.  T shirts i am xl but cycling shirts 2xl or 3xl as dont want to look like the only gay in the village

[RedJ]

Might want to go with 2XL if you want to be on the safe side as they're a little tight.

[coventryrover]

usually find cycling xl shirts quite tight...though xl in cotton day to day tshirts.  Have 46-48 chest so may go for a 3 xl... what are the bib sizes like?

PS thanks for putting the link up.   

[RedJ]

Again, they're fairly tight, so you might want to go with a little bigger than you need them to be.

[coventryrover]

cheers fella

[LongbridgeMGRover]

Good afternoon two wheeled friends. I now cycle to work once or twice a week (10 miles) after about 25 years of not cycling.

Not many men over fifty can wear Lycra, but I have seen a salmon pink jersey and bib set on djh gate in which I think I would look gorgeous.

Good that there's no postage, but do you have to pay 20% import duty  and an £8 payment to the mail for the priveledge of having them collect  that duty?

[RedJ]

I've never had to pay any extra than the advertised price so I wouldn't have thought so, no.

[wilts rover]

Well done Longbridge that kit sounds absolutely divine, err. I find the advanatge with lycra is it doesnt chafe and gives you some support to the muscles. I also now find the advantage of being over 50 is that I dont give a monkeys what anyone else thinks!!

Hoping for a 60-80 mile ride through the Wiltshire countryside tomorrow and then back for the match. Hoping for it and doing it are totally different though.

[River Don]

Apparently Aldi do great cycling gear.

It is normally in the shop sometime now. As you might expect it's reasonably priced. It's also good quality, hard wearing stuff and consequently very popular. Apparently it always sells out quickly, worth keeping a look out for.

http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/news/article/aldi-cycling-gear-for-winter-38497/