It’s the chilly wind rather than the ambient temperature that gets me I find. That and long downhill sections when the heat in my gloves turns to the ice in my gloves.
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Another 80k today c 1200m of climbing. Much better legs although a bit achey now…
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That’s 30k more than I managed Nice afternoon though. I’m watching folk on electric bikes these days and doing my best not to weaken. There’s a bloke near me in his early 80s who still rides an old steel, single speed, fixed wheel bike which is very humbling.
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I had two nice rides this week, a decent road run for the first time this year plus a good long muddy MTB (my usual winter choice).
Re ebikes, I have one. It is very much a road bike with some assistance. It doesn’t do the work for you (at least in the lower settings). If you are riding over 16mph then it won’t contribute at all. I bought it because I am managing chronic knee issues. I rode 45 miles and about 900m of climbing last Thursday on a normal road bike. If I wanted to do that sort of route again the next day I’d probably use the ebike to give my knees a bit of a break. Ditto when I play cricket in the summer; I struggle to ride a normal bike comfortably for a day so afterwards but I can get the ebike out. Used like this it is keeping me riding regularly and those ebike trips definitely contribute to my fitness as you are still doing plenty of effort.
So don’t think an ebike has to make you lazy. For me at least it help me ride more. I wouldn’t want it as my only road bike and I’m not tempted to use it more than I need to but it is definitely an asset in my ‘stable’.
As ever, it is about usage. If most if your riding is over 16mph on road then it would be pointless, but if you are below that you might appreciate a bit of help sometimes! The best bike is the one that keeps you riding.
Bruce
It looks fairly normal too!
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That’s a real beauty. I can’t store an additional bike, I just have ‘a bike’ so if/when the time comes it would need to be 1 out 1 in I’m thinking. Shame.
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Decent weather today. Managed 60k on a chilly, sunny afternoon. Plenty of cyclists out and about. Has everyone retired?
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72k today. Was chilly first thing but warmed up by noon. Sunny blue skies
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14 degrees today. Breezy but just great to be warm when riding.
‘Only’ 12 tomorrow but supposed to be sunny
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I’m toasty in 3 jackets, padded ski trousers, and old ski gloves from the 1990s.
Was out riding the snow/icy trails on wednesday after work with a co worker. I forgot my backpack at work, so I had to ride in a thin down jacket. It was hot. Temperature was only -5 or so, but very humid.
We always have time for coffee.
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I topped up my chillblain collection twice this week. Flat 70k around York and Wetherby with a mate on Weds in cold drizzle. Now the temp has risen but I am away. Kayaking. In the rain!
Bruce
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Not free to air in 2027 but maybe free to watch?
Bruce
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First ride of the year. 75km loop along the seafront and back home over the South Downs. Very leggy!
Have an Easter trip from Cherbourg to Dieppe, so need to get some miles into my legs .
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That’s a pretty brutal return to the saddle SiBrighton. Chapeau!
Peter
My bum hurts !
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Get yourself a nice fat gel saddle like mine!
I’ve never understood why people want to ride bikes with drop handlebars and hard leather saddles when there are bikes with easy to grab, raised, swept-back handlebars and lush gel padded seats. 
Okay, aerodynamics are one thing but the worse the aerodynamics on a sit up and beg design, the more exercise you get pushing against that wall of air.
Plus the traffic can see you more easily and you can see them, and see over hedges, and generally look around and have a nice upright back position.
Less speed - stronger legs.
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Soft spongy saddles just squidge and pressure gets applied to all those places it shouldn’t. Proper saddles enable the load to be effectively carried by the ischial tuberosities -aka ‘sit-bones’ - with minimal pressure on the delicate structures in-between.
Proper road bars enable multiple hand placement to facilitate both aero positioning for faster progress and upright posture on the tops for climbing.
There’s no way I could ride the 80 miles with 4500 feet of climbing I did today riding the bike pictured above - even with the motor!
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I’m a halfway house. Saddle has some padding. But not crazy levels.
A good chamois cream then works.
For this year, it was just because it was my first ride for a while. A few more half day rides and everything firms up !
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I’m a fair weather cyclist. Do more running than biking.
My 2nd year doing the London to Brighton bike ride. Approximately 16 weeks to go.
Trying to get some miles in the legs. Last weekend was 35k, hopefully 40k this weekend.
Here’s my trusty steed.
Removed the shimano components and replaced them with campy.
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May be it’s the photo but your cassette looks quite punchy to take on Ditchling Beacon!
Peter
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