July 2019 Biking Cycling Bicycling Bike/ Bicycle/Unicycle/Tricycle Challenge!

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Replies

  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I'm not a member of this thread, but I'm butting in with a (maybe dumb) question: do you have to use clip-ins on a road bike? I ride a mountain bike for fun, and I don't use clip-ins because I'm a big chicken and I'm awkward enough surviving the trails without having to deal with clipping in and out of my pedals on short notice. Sure, I don't have as much power, but I have fun without them so I don't worry about it. (I'm gonna admit that I get stressed out about certain little things that seem insignificant to others, and dealing with clip-ins is one of those certain little things.)

    I recently thought it might be fun to try road cycling, but a friend told me I'd have to get clip-ins for that. Pardon my ignorance, but is that really true? Do they not make regular pedals for road bikes? I'm not trying to race anyone or max out my potential, just have a relaxing ride. I don't feel I need more power and leverage. Everyone I know with a road bike has clip-ins. It seems absurd that you couldn't just switch in regular pedals like I have on my mountain bike. Or is it just totally egregious to be seen on the road with regular pedals??? :/
  • swonn
    swonn Posts: 323 Member
    I do not use biking (clip) shoes or pedals. My toes go numb occasionally so I take my feet off the pedals to shake them. I’ve just never felt the need to buy them. I ride about 60-70 miles a week.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    I'm not a member of this thread, but I'm butting in with a (maybe dumb) question: do you have to use clip-ins on a road bike? I ride a mountain bike for fun, and I don't use clip-ins because I'm a big chicken and I'm awkward enough surviving the trails without having to deal with clipping in and out of my pedals on short notice. Sure, I don't have as much power, but I have fun without them so I don't worry about it. (I'm gonna admit that I get stressed out about certain little things that seem insignificant to others, and dealing with clip-ins is one of those certain little things.)

    I recently thought it might be fun to try road cycling, but a friend told me I'd have to get clip-ins for that. Pardon my ignorance, but is that really true? Do they not make regular pedals for road bikes? I'm not trying to race anyone or max out my potential, just have a relaxing ride. I don't feel I need more power and leverage. Everyone I know with a road bike has clip-ins. It seems absurd that you couldn't just switch in regular pedals like I have on my mountain bike. Or is it just totally egregious to be seen on the road with regular pedals??? :/

    Of course you don't "have" to! That's your friend exaggerating.
    Use flats if you prefer. It's OK to be an individual rather than a sheep! :smiley:

    On my hybrid I have double sided pedals with flat one side and SPD fittings on the other. Shorter urban rides I wear trainers, longer rides I wear MTB shoes and clip in.

    There's a lot of advantages to clipping in (power transfer, stability, comfort, smoother pedalling efficiency) but do what you like. If you end up doing a lot of road riding then more than likely you will transition at some point which is what you are seeing in the roadie demographic. I've also saved a couple of big slides which would have been impossible if my feet had come off the pedals. Unclipping as you slow down becomes second nature.

    I live on the edge of the London urban sprawl and have to contend with traffic before I get to the countryside so use my cleats on the lowest tension setting to unclip easily. I've only toppled over twice in many thousands of miles, once on first ride with cleats (didn't read the instructions on how to adjust the tension and fell over gently after having to do an emergency stop), second time I had bonked and my mind was very confused.

    The disadvantages tend to come when there's a lot of stop/starts in traffic for example or you get fired over the handlebars and put a lot of torsion through your legs before the cleats release (ask me how I know!!).
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    OK, cool. Thanks for the feedback! That makes me feel better about trying out road biking. :D
  • awinner_au
    awinner_au Posts: 249 Member
    Another option is the older style toe clips, i ride in the inner city and see quite a lot of commuters use this, keeps your foot in position but you are not fastened in.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    awinner_au wrote: »
    Another option is the older style toe clips, i ride in the inner city and see quite a lot of commuters use this, keeps your foot in position but you are not fastened in.

    I'll research that, thanks!
  • dTedecel
    dTedecel Posts: 11 Member
    New to MFP but not to cycling. Making a comeback after a disastrous 6 months where I just "fell of the wagon" as they say. Eating crap. Drinking lots. No exercise. No desire to take care of my fitness. Kind of a burn out. I did a century I do every year in November that depending on the schedule, is 3 or 4 days before my birthday. My way of celebrating. I turned 66 in 2018 and was in excellent form. I did it in just a bit over 6 hours. A PR for me. I was riding 130 to 150 miles per week training for it over 3 months. Weight was way down. Now that I finally woke up, I'm up 40 pounds.

    I have to go to a formal event in 8 weeks and I just didn't feel like buying another suit at a bigger size, so I am on my bike trying to get my edge back.

    So far, in 14 days, I've done 8-22 milers. Been going to the gym to fight gravity the other 6 days. I am a 7 day a week guy. Eating clean- lots of green roughage and lean fish and chicken. My goal is to get back to 130 +/- miles per week. I can drop 1.5 to 2 lbs per week if I just stay away from the distractions.
  • dTedecel
    dTedecel Posts: 11 Member
    2019.07.14 ~ 22.31 miles in 1:35:52.
    2019.07.16 ~ 22.36 miles in 1:35:09.
    2019.07.17 ~ 22.47 miles in 1:34:53.
    2019.07.20 ~ 22.53 miles in 1:33:40.
    2019.07.21 ~ 22.56 miles in 1:32:47.
    2019.07.22 ~ 22.46 miles in 1:31:05.
    2019.07.24 ~ 22.47 miles in 1:30:30.
    2019.07.25 ~ (today) 22.46 miles in 1:30:25.

    All 8 rides on the same course. Just trying to get my legs back for the first few weeks. My weight hasn't gone down, but my time on the saddle has. Eventually I should be doing this ride in about an hour fifteen to an hour 20 minutes (16 to 17 MPH).



  • swonn
    swonn Posts: 323 Member

    7/01–16.1
    7/03–20
    7/05–61.48
    7/08–16.3
    7/14–10.3
    7/17–10.5 (stationary due to heavy rain)
    7/17–10.3
    7/19–21.6
    7/22–21.24
    7/24–25.24
    7/26–43.56

    Total—256.62
  • swonn
    swonn Posts: 323 Member
    7/01–16.1
    7/03–20
    7/05–61.48
    7/08–16.3
    7/14–10.3
    7/17–10.5 (stationary due to heavy rain)
    7/17–10.3
    7/19–21.6
    7/22–21.24
    7/24–25.24
    7/26–43.56
    7/27–16.15

    Total—272.77
  • dTedecel
    dTedecel Posts: 11 Member
    edited July 2019
    Friday 2019.07.26, at the gym. No time to do a bike ride but always time to spend an hour fighting gravity.

    2 more rides this weekend. Not exactly doing them with stopwatch in hand yet, but pleased my time is getting much better. A few minutes more, a few minutes less is all the same to me, but the faster I go, the harder I work. Feels good.

    2019.07.27 ~ Sat ~ 22.52 miles in 1:26:02.
    2019.07.28 ~ (today) 22.62 miles in 1:25:52.

    Total for this week, 5 rides, 112.53 miles. 8105 calories burnt (f you believe Garmin ~ I don't, and I don't care).

    Keep going guys.



  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    Just a few short rides on my hybrid this week as I let my injuries settle down and heal.
    Supposed to be a taper week before a Century ride but how do you taper down from just 16 miles! :smiley:

    Couple of hospital appointments coming up so hopefully the picture will become clearer if I can ride without causing more damage.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    Just a few short rides on my hybrid this week as I let my injuries settle down and heal.
    Supposed to be a taper week before a Century ride but how do you taper down from just 16 miles! :smiley:

    Couple of hospital appointments coming up so hopefully the picture will become clearer if I can ride without causing more damage.

    Physio has confirmed my suspicions I've torn the medial ligament in my knee but no apparent significant cartilage damage. Ligament should heal in a couple of months but good news is I can do the Century ride next weekend as long as I'm sensible.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    Just a few short rides on my hybrid this week as I let my injuries settle down and heal.
    Supposed to be a taper week before a Century ride but how do you taper down from just 16 miles! :smiley:

    Couple of hospital appointments coming up so hopefully the picture will become clearer if I can ride without causing more damage.

    Physio has confirmed my suspicions I've torn the medial ligament in my knee but no apparent significant cartilage damage. Ligament should heal in a couple of months but good news is I can do the Century ride next weekend as long as I'm sensible.

    Ouch!

    I think a TdF participant did something that just recently!
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes
    Apr-19 ... 160.3 km (99.6 miles) = 25 hours 4 minutes
    May-19 ... 164.0 km (101.9 miles) = 29 hours 10 minutes
    Jun-19 ... 246.2 km (153 miles) = 25 hours 40 minutes

    Goal: More than June!!

    Monday, 1 July 2019 … 2.2 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 16 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 2 July 2019 … 4.3 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 8 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 3 July 2019 … 6.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 4 July 2019 … 6.2 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Friday, 5 July 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Saturday, 6 July 2019 … 0.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Sunday, 7 July 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs

    Monday, 8 July 2019 … 3.1 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 9 July 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 2.5 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 10 July 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 2.8 km rowing + 5 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 11 July 2019 … 3.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.2 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Friday, 12 July 2019 … 2.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Saturday, 13 July 2019 … 2.6 km walking + 1.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Sunday, 14 July 2019 … 3.6 km walking + 9.0 km cycling + 3.3 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs

    Monday, 15 July 2019 … 6.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs + 30 min pilates!
    Tuesday, 16 July 2019 … 7.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 17 July 2019 … 2.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 15 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 18 July 2019 … 2.0 km walking + 5.0 km cycling + 2.3 km rowing + 14 flights of stairs
    Friday, 19 July 2019 … 5.3 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.0 km rowing + 14 flights of stairs
    Saturday, 20 July 2019 … 2.0 km walking + 11.4 km cycling + 1.5 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Sunday, 21 July 2019 … 2.0 km walking + 18.4 km cycling + 1.6 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs

    Monday, 22 July 2019 … 4.9 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs + 30 min pilates!
    Tuesday, 23 July 2019 … 7.2 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 24 July 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 25 July 2019 … 4.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 2.4 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Friday, 26 July 2019 … 5.3 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 2.5 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Saturday, 27 July 2019 … 3.1 km walking + 17.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Sunday, 28 July 2019 … 3.6 km walking + 18.5 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs

    Monday, 29 July 2019 … 4.3 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 2 flights of stairs + 30 min pilates!
    Tuesday, 30 July 2019 … 5.4 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 31 July 2019 … 5.1 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 3 flights of stairs



    2019 Monthly July
    Walking Distance (km): 114.0
    Walking Time (min): 1416.3
    Cycling Distance (km): 80.2
    Cycling Time (min): 260.5

    Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 135.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 108.0
    Rowing Distance (km): 23.1
    Rowing Time (min): 151.0
    Other Distance: 0.0
    Other Time: 90.0

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 217.3
    Total Distance (miles): 135.0
    Total Time (min): 2025.8
    Total Time (hr): 33:45:45
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    Got the bike repaired after my tumble: front wheel trued, derailleur hanger straightened, new bar tape.
    Legs are a mess but the bike is riding perfectly!

    The most unstructured and haphazard training build up to a big event I've ever done but got the basics in of a decent volume (36hrs / 540 miles), a reasonable amount of climbing (7500+ meters) and lost a few pounds of weight as well.
  • swonn
    swonn Posts: 323 Member
    7/01–16.1
    7/03–20
    7/05–61.48
    7/08–16.3
    7/14–10.3
    7/17–10.5 (stationary due to heavy rain)
    7/17–10.3
    7/19–21.6
    7/22–21.24
    7/24–25.24
    7/26–43.56
    7/27–16.15
    7/29–23.43
    7/31–30.18

    Total—326.38
  • awinner_au
    awinner_au Posts: 249 Member
    July was great winter weather except for the last week when the rain came, 27hrs, 652km and 7782 elevation for the month.