My Mountain Bike

My Mountain Bike

I bought my Mountain Bike in September 2008. It’s a basic bike that cost £300 from Halfords. So it’s nothing special then. I bought it for one objective only: get fit.

Mountain Bike

I’m writing this about 18 months on and my level of fitness has much improved. I have now cycled something like 500 odd miles. I average 10 mph and can cycle up most hills non-stop.  This has given me lots of confidence and experience. Living on top of a hill, means that whatever way I go, I always have a climb back home. That’s good for the fitness then! So far, my longest non-stop trip is 30 miles and that was a largely flatish route.

So 2009 was all about getting fit and gaining experience. Needless to say you start accumulating gadgets. I have bought a Cateye odometer so I know my speed and distance covered. I know also have a Garmin GPS for my next adventures! This is how I have arranged them on the handlebar:

Also, as I have mainly cycled on tarmac, I changed the tyres to semi-slicks. Makes life a little easier and has reduced the road noise quite a bit as well. And I also changed the inner tubes to the “self repairing” type. No more walking miles home for me with a flat tyre!

The knobbly tyre on the left looks bigger as it is not fitted onto a wheel.

So, what else needs to be changed? Well, as my fitness and leg strength has increased, I am using fewer gears. As mine has a triple chain ring, there is a lot of gear ratio duplication. So, as chains and rings wear out, I will replace with higher gearing – but will leave the lower gearing alone as that is just fine.

The target for now on is to go out on more off road venues. Several canal towpaths are on the agenda. And also trips to the New Forest and Exmoor and Dartmoor. This is why I bought the Garmin GPS. You can set it to a new “home” (i.e. the car), cycle around then set it to take you “home”. Theoretically, I will not get lost. But as I like a challenge……

And then what? Well, I would love to cycle around Britain. But I don’t just want to blast the Lands End to John O’Groats route. Apparently, it takes about 22 days of solid cycling. Not for me. I would rather take my time and actually see the country. So if it’s to be a 2 month (ish) trip that takes a spot of planning. And company would be nice. Oh, and a support vehicle. So I’m now showing my age and desire for creature comforts!

So, if you are interested, why not get in touch?! I don’t bite, honest. Ok I will bite if you ask 😉

Go to my cycling “drop down menu” for other articles.

Cycling – Longer Distances

Thought I would share a secret with you. Ever wondered how some people can cycle for miles and miles, yet you have major leg muscle burn after 10 miles? Well……

 All you have to do is get going and up to your normal speed. Then change down a gear. Uh? Yes, change down a gear. It works honestly. The idea is that you keep the same road speed, but your legs spin faster with very little force needed on the down stroke pedal. Therefore, you are not straining your muscles.

 And when you start going up a slope, keep changing down gear to achieve the same effect.

Your legs should be pumping up and down at least once a second. When you get better, you can up it to 80 pumps a minute. The pro’s can achieve over 100. If you get a chance, watch some pro racing on the telly and closely watch their leg speed.

But be prepared for the downside. With your legs pumping away so much, your heart rate and breathing rate will increase. Just get used to it.

 When I was told about it, my trip distance went from 17 miles, to 21 miles. Then 25 miles, then 30 miles. All in the space of just 3 weeks. No muscle ache, but my legs were a bit wobbly on the 30 miler.

 Provided you have eaten enough and drunk loads of liquid, you should not have any aches and pains the following day.

 Simples

 And some general tips for you:

• Eat and drink frequently
• When you have a tail wind, ride hard and fast – unless you have to turn around to get back home……
• Don’t ride against a headwind as you will tire out. Go slower and keep changing down gear to save those leg muscles!
• Carry money and a mobile phone in case of disaster
• Be seen….be safe…

Cycling Tips – Avoid a Sore Bum

Well, I’ve been cycling for a year now. Enjoyed it immensely and now a lot fitter than when I started. In fact my whole body shape has changed and I feel stacks better for it as well. I can now cycle for 2 – 3 non stop hours. The most frequent question I get asked is “how sore is your bum then?”  Here are the reasons why it isn’t at all sore:

Bike Size

Bikes come in all shapes and sizes. They are measured in frame sizes. You will have one size for a Mountain Bike, and another size for a Road Bike. Getting the right size is vital. If you are on the right sized bike, it means you are using your “sitting bones”. Sitting comfortably is good!

The saddle

Don’t blame the saddle for soreness. It’s not causing the problem. Use a narrow hard saddle – NOT a big “comfy” one.

Cycling shorts

Go out and buy some proper cycling shorts. Will you look daft? Maybe. But they have a foam padding in that vital area. Luverly jubbly. Comfort is good.

Knickers

Nope. Don’t even think about it. Time to go commando. Wear them at your peril. Knickers cause all the problems. The material bunches up and causes friction. This is what makes you sore.

Bet you have always blamed the saddle……….