Tell us about your weekend ride

I killed my right shifter lever last time I was at Trollstigen.

So I hope to ride out there, and up the climb on the steel fixed donkey tommorrow. While my riding buds cruise up on their crabon stallions.

Actually think it'll be an awsome ride...... if I survive the desent.

http://www.climbbybike.com/profile/Trollstigen_Sogge_profile.gif

That's such a stunning place, I am consumed with envy.

I think in your shoes I'd probably use the limit screws to pick a ratio on the road bike though- that descent, fixed on a low gear, doesn't strike me as that much fun.

I shall call my trailer Trollstigen in honour of it's inspiration.

Looks amazing!

Never seen it fro that angle before.

Is that trash-heap from fragle rock on the top? or Jabba the hut?

fixed on a low gear, doesn't strike me as that much fun.

Especially with one brake.

Slowfurry, if your bicycle have the necessary mount for a rear brake and freewheel, then it's definitely worth it.

Having said that, descending a mountain pass on a fixed wheel is something everyone should tried at least once, and promise themselves never to do it again.

"...hope to ride out there, and up the climb on the steel fixed donkey tommorrow. While my riding buds cruise up on their crabon stallions. Actually think it'll be an awsome ride... if I survive the desent."

"...Slowfurry, if your bicycle have the necessary mount for a rear brake and freewheel, then it's definitely worth it. Having said that, descending a mountain pass on a fixed wheel is something everyone should tried at least once, and promise themselves never to do it again."

Some people like a challenge, so why are you suggesting a freewheel when clearly it's part of the plan to do the climb fixed? Surely descending is easier on a freewheel, but that's hardly the point. Can't really comment on brakes, it's not my thing.

Climb fixed, freewheel down.

Can't really comment on brakes, it's not my thing.

Sincerely hope it's not the reason you got a supposedly broken arse.

Sigh!

@Smallfurry
What's your gear ratio for this ride?

That's such a stunning place, I am consumed with envy.

I think in your shoes I'd probably use the limit screws to pick a ratio on the road bike though- that descent, fixed on a low gear, doesn't strike me as that much fun.

I shall call my trailer Trollstigen in honour of it's inspiration.

Second time I been back since were there. Awesome riding.

The road bike is in tiny bits.

Its having a new fork, headset bung, shorter cables, headset, bottom bracket, new right lever body, and a new cassette.

I'll build it carefuly over winter.

Especially with one brake.

Slowfurry, if your bicycle have the necessary mount for a rear brake and freewheel, then it's definitely worth it.

Having said that, descending a mountain pass on a fixed wheel is something everyone should tried at least once, and promise themselves never to do it again.

I have a 17t freewheel.
But no rear brake. I'd rather not rely totally on my front brake.

Sigh!

@Smallfurry
What's your gear ratio for this ride?

Starting at sea level its a slow climb over 30km to 850m elevation. I will ride this 48:17. This gets steep towards the end. It will be brutal.

I will then desend the cool bit. Something like 700m over 8km. (carefully)

At the bottom I will flip my wheel, swap chainring, and climb Trollstigen 41:26. Which is the cool bit. The chain length is the same for both.

I love these fixed rides. Only 2 things you need to remember. HTFU, and PFFS*.

(*Pedal For Fucks Sake)

Enjoy!

#sooojealous

Its having a new fork, headset bung, shorter cables, headset, bottom bracket, new right lever body, and a new cassette.

You're replacing the alloy fork? What with?

Trollstigen 41:26

Well jelly. You'll have more fun than anyone on your silent bike.

I herded a bunch of noobs interested in joining the club around on the (mostly) flat this morning. In and out of west cotswold villages and to a farm shop for coffee and carrot cake.

The conditions were amazing, maybe the nicest riding day this year and they were all keen, wobbly, full of questions and amazed they did 40 miles and all stuck together.

This past week I've been down in south west Co. Cork in Ireland with the parents and my brother. The riding has mostly been short ish easy going rides along the undulating coast roads, but I knew there were some more serious rides around. We were going to drive the pass anyway but when we turned northwards off the coast road I stopped the car and saddled up. The climb its self is pretty alpine in nature, starting gently before rising through a series of hairpins and getting steeper. There is one last kick after the final hairpin before the summit. From there the road drops away into Co. Kerry, hugging the walls of the valley overlooking the lake. Whilst I rode the pass, the family drove ahead of me, stopping to allow my Dad to shoot the photos you see here.

More photos on my Flickr and my blog

bit long winded but hey...

Beautiful! Looks fantastic.

Cheers, it's certainly a beautiful place to ride.

You're replacing the alloy fork? What with?
3t funda pro
I don't care how much weight I save. The ride most remain the same.

Well jelly. You'll have more fun than anyone on your silent bike.

I herded a bunch of noobs interested in joining the club around on the (mostly) flat this morning. In and out of west cotswold villages and to a farm shop for coffee and carrot cake.

The conditions were amazing, maybe the nicest riding day this year and they were all keen, wobbly, full of questions and amazed they did 40 miles and all stuck together.
I'm Fucked. It was awesome. But I'm so Fucked right now. Pics to follow.

"... Pics to follow."

Still waiting!

There are some roads up in the Lake District that look very similar to this which are equally great for riding. Actually, when I saw your photos I thought this was where you were. Will definitely try and get a ferry across at some point and check this out.

This past week I've been down in south west Co. Cork in Ireland with the parents and my brother. The riding has mostly been short ish easy going rides along the undulating coast roads, but I knew there were some more serious rides around. We were going to drive the pass anyway but when we turned northwards off the coast road I stopped the car and saddled up. The climb its self is pretty alpine in nature, starting gently before rising through a series of hairpins and getting steeper. There is one last kick after the final hairpin before the summit. From there the road drops away into Co. Kerry, hugging the walls of the valley overlooking the lake. Whilst I rode the pass, the family drove ahead of me, stopping to allow my Dad to shoot the photos you see here.

More photos on my Flickr and my blog

bit long winded but hey...

^^^ There's no denying that Cork and Kerry have some gorgeous landscapes, especially along the Atlantic coast.

This route was supposed to follow a pre ridden route to Brighton posted by almac. But we don't have a GPS and ended up deviating. some lovely hills, unfortunately we ended up cycling from Cuckfield to Crawley in the twilight and dark, not nice with only city bike lights, the cars didn't give a shit about us and were flying past very close, in fact they were driving faster in the dark then they were in the daylight.

We had lunch in Bill's in Brighton on North Road, great food, terrible service. I would recommend it as it's like an old fire station with a massive opening on to the street and easy to keep an eye on your unlocked bikes!!! Then we went for a swim, which was a welcome flush at the half time.

Ditching and devils Dyke are beautiful hills once your at the top, amazing scenery.

http://www.strava.com/activities/79000458

Still waiting!

Here ya go.

I was in decent shape on Saturday. So even though I was on the fixed (48:17). I actually did a PB over the 25km. Climing up through the valley. Things get steeper here though. So I did a gear change to 41:26.

I'd kinda planned to be desending Trollstigen 48:17. But couldnt be bothered to faff about swapping everything around again. We had a poker night to get back for!. Desending was kinda awsome. Once I got into it. was spinning the cranks at 90rpm while resisting, and not using my front rim brake.

At the carpark at the botom I climbed off the bike for a breather, and my legs turrned to stone. Must have been the use of untrained muscles on the way down. Nevermind I wont need those specific muscles on the way up surely?

It was a tough climb. Cadence averaged below 60, heartrate in the sufferzone, and legs burning all the way. Really happy to have made it up in 26mins though. Felt I deserved a cheesey Facebook pic.

My new carbon wheels being unfaithful on a newer flashier BMC.Whores.

No time for cheesecake :(
Straight up to the summit proper, and a change back to my everyday gearing.

Then it was just a case of rolling down the final 30km back to the car.
Except it was shattering. Cadence of 110 to 130 all the way. While trying to eat everything in my jersey pockets. Still. I love riding into this valley.

Great day.
Totally destroyed everyone in the poker. That is untill I got too pissed and lost everything. Which was also fun.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/368462611

SF so repped

Different ride today, at the risk of being nerged. No major miles, because my companions, although faster than me in a sprint, would struggle with 40+ miles.

Me at full speed, Trigger passing me easy

Track bikes and Lurchers, best combo

Hot and tired, time to cool off:

"Here ya go..."

Stunning, absolutely stunning! Went there a few years back, loved it. One of the most beautiful parts of Norway, which is saying something...

^^Looks like a great day out.

Really enjoying harvest time in rural Northamptonshire, amazing late summer evening sun all week, more tractors than cars.

6.00 start this morning. Arm warmers, merino socks and base layer made their first appearance for a while. Looked like this by 7.00