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04-28-2008, 14:21 SNair_Drum Joined on 04-28-2008 Bournemouth, Dorset Posts 53 Re: How humble do I feel Hi Girls!! Finally managed to sort out my forum login and reading through the list I feel so humbled by the great achievements of everyone. I won't be going to IOW this weekend as I'm on call again, but the tips that were passed on the last time I did this challenge was that make sure your saddle is at your hip height when you are standing next to it. It may also be that your bike is too long for your body (I trained on my ex's bike and he was 6' so had sore front too, but now I have a bike suitable for shorter people and the difference is amazing) therefore get the handlebars raised. If you can't do that, see about getting bar ends fitted to the grips then you can adjust as you cycle. Another squemish tip is vaseline - lots and lots of vaseline. It is a god send!! Or sudacrem if you can't get any. Hopefully see you at the London Meeting in May!! Sam xx    Report

04-28-2008, 15:19 amandae Joined on 09-16-2007 plymouth Posts 154 Re: How humble do I feel Thanks Sam for the tips will get and have a look at it tonight after work. As for the sudacreme yes i have been applying that after rides to help ease the discomfort Where abouts are you i the country Sam? Amanda    Report

04-28-2008, 15:44 mavis@warwick Joined on 09-24-2007 WARWICK Posts 41 Re: How humble do I feel Ally, how touching – God rest little Fraser's soul in peace – a truly humbling story – and so good of his mother to donate his savings.   Jane, glad to hear your son is out of hospital – best wishes.   Sarah M – and anybody else out there riding with cleats – how do you manage to get the silly blighters out of the peddles before almost breaking your neck!!!   Not wanting to miss out, I thought I'd give them a go.   I took delivery of my shiny new cleated peddles on Wednesday and thought got to give them a go before 60 mile ride on the Sunday.  Left cleat wasn't too difficult to get on/off, right cleat took a bit longer, so as the ride progressed I made a mental note to prepare early.  At the end of the track decided to stop, managed to get the left cleat out ok – right cleat just wouldn't budge.  Fortunately managed to stop the bike and tried yanking my foot in every way I could to de-cleat – just didn't happen.   In the end I had to remove my shoe – cleat intact – there's me bending over my bike striking a very unflattering pose with bottom in the air (a large one too), wearing my tattiest pair of old running tights (about 2 sizes too small) and the brightest pink cycling top you could think of – to make things worse, it was peak time with dozens of workers from the Business Park zooming past and staring.     After failing to remove my shoe off the peddle I rang Keith moaning my head off that these cleats were faulty and I couldn't get my shoe off the peddle.  Despite him talking me through how to get them off – it still didn't happen.  By this time I was like a bear with a sore head.  I managed to somehow get my foot back into the shoe (not an easy task when the peddle won't stay put and the shoe is moving around it) and cycled back home very carefully ensuring that the other cleat didn't connect.  When I got off the bike with one shoe still on the peddle, all Keith did was twist and yank the shoe off once, and it came off with no problems.  Neither of us uttered a word, but you can just imagine the thoughts going through both minds..   Sorry to go on a bit, but I put Wednesday's ride behind me and didn't get a chance to get back on the bike until Sunday morning.  Cleating and de-cleating was still a bit awkward and Donna gave some great advice as she remembered Sarah M yanking her foot firmly to the right to de-cleat on the last Cotswolds ride.   Took that advice and it did work for a bit (lulling me into a false sense of security, making me think yeh cleats are a doddle).   It wasn't until I got to a junction just before our starting point for the ride – managed to get left cleat off with a bit of difficulty and right cleat wouldn't budge – by then I was in a panic and with right cleat still intact I fell off my bike, badly grazing my right knee and bruising my thigh.  It was a bit of a shock for me, but Donna is such a star – she dusted me off and we managed to register in time to start the ride.   We managed a few miles with no sticking cleats and me mentally telling myself to yank to the right every time I had to de-cleat- this worked for a while, but I was very conscious of these cleats now and was in fear of falling off, so I think I may have been riding quite gingerly.  We had to stop at another junction – I just don't know what happened, but left cleat took ages to come off and the right cleat just wouldn't budge, so yet again couldn't save myself – great panic and I ended up on the floor, this time with right foot still attached to the peddle and bike on top of me.  Again, Donna to the rescue.  This fall really spooked me and I thought that's it – I've tried them – they don't work for me.  By then we were all in agreement that cleats don't work for me – and I felt so much relief when Keith removed the offending blighters off my shoes.  I suddenly got my wings back – cleatless and full of confidence we continued to complete 60 miles with no further falls.   So the question is "To cleat or not to cleat"   Certainly for me it's "Not to cleat".  However, I do have to say, they certainly do make you peddle correctly, and somehow go faster up hills without fear of your feet slipping off the peddles.   So this is me signing off – happy cycling to you all.   Cleatless@Warwick    Report

04-28-2008, 18:12 Cadbury Joined on 07-22-2007 Rugby Posts 400 Cleatless @ Warwick Hey Mavis, Even though I was there for yesterdays cleating incident, you just had me in stitches. Amanda, sorry wasn't my intention to make you feel that way, Mavis and I just wanted to push ourselves and boy, I think I speak for both of us when I say we did! It wasn't a pretty site at the end I don't think...... If it makes you feel any better imagine me not even wanting to step in Mavis's house because my feet were leaking water everywhere! I think I may be doing the shorter ride on Sunday. Shame you can't make it Angie, but family do come first. Donna xx www.justgiving.com/donnacadycuba    Report

04-28-2008, 18:14 suzi new Joined on 10-21-2007 essex Posts 93 Re: How humble do I feel Hi Girls, After your advice I wont be buying any cleats. I need some advice, I was out cycling on Sunday around the bird sanctuary normal route, and there is a width restriction a bit like a sheep deep, with gates where you have to put the bike in close one gate and open the other. There was another cyclist putting his bike in and so we helped each other. He asked what I was doing, so I told him all about Cuba, and he is doing the London to Paris ride in June. He informed me that my seat was to low and so he heightened it for me, and we cycled together for about another hour. Well he has asked me if I want to do some training with him, because he could do with a cycle buddy, and he told me I need to kick up a gear with my training otherwise I am never going to cope with Cuba. You know what a scardy cat I am, and wont go on the roads with lots of cars, (Steve says my driving is bad enough without being on 2 wheels, or he will be cashing in the insurance policy early). Anyway back to the point I have taken this guys telephone number his name is Chris, but I dont know him from Adam, he has said he will meet me tomorrow evening, and he does a 15mile ride on roads (oh my god, how scary), do you think I should go, I'm sure his ok, but you know the other half of me thinks oh god what are you doing, help what would you do????? Luv Sue X www.justgiving.com/suenewton1    Report

04-28-2008, 18:14 Cadbury Joined on 07-22-2007 Rugby Posts 400 Re: Cleatless @ Warwick P.s. Julz have you managed to get in touch with the village hall? didn't forget just for got to ask at the end of last post. Donna xx www.justgiving.com/donnacadycuba    Report

04-28-2008, 18:18 Cadbury Joined on 07-22-2007 Rugby Posts 400 Re: How humble do I feel Take your phone and meet him after you have given your hubby his phone number and he's had a man to man chat, and explain that until you become more confident to be patient about your road confidence issues. Hopefully you will have found someone who's ok. Hope it goes well. Good luck Donna xx www.justgiving.com/donnacadycuba    Report

04-28-2008, 22:12 Sarah M Joined on 08-25-2007 Nr Winchester Hampshire Posts 351 Cleats Hi Mavis, Sorry to hear you had such a bad time with your cleats. Did you loosen the spring on the pedals with a allen key? I loosened my as much as was possible. I must say, I wouldn't be without my cleats now, especially on the road, I find them much easier. You can get pedals that have the cleat one side and normal pedal the other side. I always unclip mine when I'm a bit unsure, like when we went down that very steep, wet and stoney hill at Stratford where Herby got her puncture. It's a shame you can't make it on Sunday Angie, it would have been nice to have met you. The weather is starting to look better for the weekend, fingers crossed xx. Sarah x www.justgiving.com/sarahmarshallsay    Report

04-29-2008, 9:52 mavis@warwick Joined on 09-24-2007 WARWICK Posts 41 Re: Cleats Hi Sarah, Yes they were loosened, perhaps not enough.  It is a shame though, because when my feet were connected, definately felt I peddled differently - it was just the uncertainty  all the time of will they or won't they come off.  Keith took my bike in yesterday to have the cleated peddles removed.  I may just save the peddles for when I become brave enough to have another attempt. You IOW ladies have a fantastic ride at the weekend - enjoy it - rain or shine. Donna, I'm still laughing at myself everytime I think of cleats.  Take it easy at the weekend and thanks again for a fantastic fun ride. Mavis xx or should I say still Cleatless@Warwick    Report

04-29-2008, 13:48 SNair_Drum Joined on 04-28-2008 Bournemouth, Dorset Posts 53 Re: How humble do I feel Hi Amanda, I'm in Bournemouth (I would say sunny bmth but I haven't seen the blighter for a while!!). My only problem with training down here is the lack of hilly areas. Has anyone tackled them yet??    Report

04-29-2008, 14:28 amandae Joined on 09-16-2007 plymouth Posts 154 Re: How humble do I feel Sam Hills - don't mention hills Plymouth is full of them!!!!!There does not seem a part that is flat but i have to look on the positive side it is giving me good training. Julz you didn't make me feel too bad> just realised that i have to do even more training than wat i am doing. Done 29 miles this morning - with plenty of hills in the puring rain. I am a preferred fair weather cyclist but told Iain this morning that i couldn't really say not doing IOW cos of the rain. And hey once your wet youwt aren't you. The sun is breaking through now so i am going to put my gear back on and try another 20 miles. As for cleats i am terrified at the thought. I have probs with cycle clips never mind cleats. Down a off road muddy cycle path this morning tried to avoid large piece of wood lost bablance and fell off into a pile of nettles guess who had shorts on!!! Left shin covered in nettle rash. However got bike up, foot slipped on mud and ended up falling over the other way, straight on bum. Cycling shoes seem very slippy in the wet. Thankfully in enclosed quiet area so no one saw. Are we wearing something obvious on Sunday so we know who we are cos don't forget i don't know any of you yet. I have a cycle Cuba t shirt i could wear so u can spot me (or avoid me is you are embarassed to be knowing such a clumsy clot!)Looking forward to Sunday Amanda    Report

04-29-2008, 14:31 amandae Joined on 09-16-2007 plymouth Posts 154 Re: How humble do I feel Oh by the way forgot to sy alteration of handlebars seem to have helped as no painful bits after ride this morning Amanda    Report

04-29-2008, 14:45 Elaine Joined on 09-13-2007 southampton Posts 140 Hills? Hi Sam, I am glad you found the forum. Sounds as though you are a dab hand at this biking lark. I do worry when you say there are no hills in B'mouth because when I have been there the coast line has some corkers, it may be that my interpretation of hills differs from yours. Mind you, my judgement is based on carrying 4 kids and bags off the beach at Southbourne. (that was over 20 years ago). X E    Report

04-29-2008, 15:06 Elaine Joined on 09-13-2007 southampton Posts 140 Re: How humble do I feel Oh Amanda, how fantastically, amazingly, SCARELY, fit you must be. All them miles and hills to boot. I got up this morning , put on my gear, text Julz, ready to go, rain started, got heavier and the rest is history, I am still indoors. Julz, I suppose we have to be stronger and brave it. I did go out Sunday having got up early to the sunshine. 30 mins into my ride the black clouds hit me. Thunder, forked lightening, me with a bike pump sticking up out of my rather wet camelbak offering its services for the lightening to ground itself. My husband even drove out to check I was ok... but I did notice he hadnt even put the bike rack on the car for if I wasnt. I came back with a huge smile on my face because I had defeated the elements...It could have been hysteria and I know my bike has rubber tyres... hence I didnt get off it.. but I was at the highest point with not a lot of anything else around me. X E    Report

04-29-2008, 16:23 D-Ream Joined on 09-18-2006 Southampton Posts 254 ... Yes the heavy rain stopped play today! Forgot we have IOW on sunday coming.. argghhhh Will go for a ride on Thursday though at somepoint as having to work til 6 tomorrow. Then Friday til 3 then again til 12! So running out of time to train. Think I'll need to get train to Southampton sunday morning as although I can borrow a car, my bike rack is rubbish and my ex needs it as he is having my girls for the weekend. Weather forcast for sunday is looking good though thankfully. Donna... finally managed to get hold of the Parish council but they have nothing to do with the scout hut. Considering they help to arrange Hamble week all they could suggest was I call a number they gave me to ask about the memorial hall.. no answer there yet though! Asked a friend who lives near the scout hut to look out next time someone goes in there to get info on that for me. Well done Amanda.. you put me to shame having woosed out of todays ride due to heavy rain! Yes Elaine we need to harden up. Well I do anyway.. judging by your ride sunday! I ended up sitting in ALL day doing very little! Are we all getting the 8am ferry on sunday morning? I will definitely be wearing my cycle cuba t-shirt, and arming myself with some leaflets etc. Julz xx http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/referral/5828 http://www.justgiving.com/julzgoldsmith    Report

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