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Any road bikers?
- Thread starter machine gewehr
- Start date
I tried one of their other programs, "MapMyHike" during a hiking vacation in the Rockies a few weeks ago. The online app was nice, but when I went to install the Android app, it asked for a senseless number of permissions, such as my personal contact list. So I bailed.
Instead, I installed something called "US Topo Maps." There are of course free (with ads) and paid versions. The free version is probably fine if you're never out of cell tower range. I got the paid version that supports bulk downloading of maps. It is a simpler program, that combines GPS data with free maps such as the US government topographics, and OpenStreet Map. I've used it for tracking my bike rides. But it's not a ride planning tool.
I used to enjoy Strava but my phone's battery is kaput and it shuts down half way through the ride. I need to get it to a service.
I ride with a garmin 305 and use mapmyride to track where I went and document conditions for the ride in the comment area. I find it interesting to see what my heart rate was as I "rode through the wall". It has been receding for years and yesterday was the first wall I had encountered in some time. I think it was a combination of having eaten a cheese stick and riding in a steady 20 mph wind. I hadn't felt so sick while riding in years - but I got through it without getting off the bike or hurling.
After getting my 3rd epidural, I still force myself to get off periodically and walk to loosen up my back. There is one particular hill I have never ridden up, even though I could do it easily. It just happens to be a great distance from the start of my ride and it has a nice sidewalk with plenty of shade. Sidewalks are rare so I try to use them to remind myself to get off the bike now and then.
After getting my 3rd epidural, I still force myself to get off periodically and walk to loosen up my back. There is one particular hill I have never ridden up, even though I could do it easily. It just happens to be a great distance from the start of my ride and it has a nice sidewalk with plenty of shade. Sidewalks are rare so I try to use them to remind myself to get off the bike now and then.
I'm considering starting to track my rides. Not sure what I'd do with that data, but it seems fun to keep track of my progress.
I'd like to use my phone for this purpose, just mount it on the stem somehow and get navigation in addition to centralized tracking. There are a few decent apps for that on the Google Play store so I'm not worried about that. But also, I'd need compatible cadence and heart rate meters. I know nothing about them, so recommendations would be appreciated.
I'd like to use my phone for this purpose, just mount it on the stem somehow and get navigation in addition to centralized tracking. There are a few decent apps for that on the Google Play store so I'm not worried about that. But also, I'd need compatible cadence and heart rate meters. I know nothing about them, so recommendations would be appreciated.
I'm a fan of the Garmin 500. I like being able to set my screens and not drain my phone. Their heart rate sensor seems really nice. I've heard the speedometer is useful if you're riding in heavily wooded areas. It's really nice being able to download rides. I remember keeping a log when I was kid. Then I got high tech and entered it into a spread sheet.
Garmin 500 seems to do all the tracking, but is fairly dumb with regards to navigation. Garmin 800 is what I'd want (with the caveat of having to purchase updated maps, you're so great Garmin) and it would cost short of $400 with heart rate and cadence monitors. That's a bit too much for a toy I don't really know I need in the first place.
A smartphone mount and sensors should cost way less.
A smartphone mount and sensors should cost way less.
I generally ride in areas I know well. During races I follow the wheel in front of me. I'm generally not a fan of using my phone since that could be my ride home.
I see. I'm still learning the bike paths in my town, and there are many I haven't been on. I also strayed off my route all but once, I am terrible at remembering street names. My need for navigation will subside with time for sure. I also bike alone, at least for now.
I've never been afraid of exploring. That was one of the reasons I got on a bike. I went to all kind of places I'd never been before, I find great joy in it. If you are not really bad with navigating, all roads lead to some pleace familiar after all. At worst, I can ask someone. If I am completely lost, I'm open up Google Maps.
Go out there and ride whereever the wind blows to.
Last night I had my first clipless moment. It was both emberrassing and very funny. I fell down like a brick hahah.
My injured wrist hurts now though and that's not funny.
Go out there and ride whereever the wind blows to.
Last night I had my first clipless moment. It was both emberrassing and very funny. I fell down like a brick hahah.
My injured wrist hurts now though and that's not funny.
I fell about 2 months ago at a stop sign. I clipped out and put the wrong foot down. A few people saw me, too. My hand was a tad sore. My ego was very sore.
I went for a ride that partially went through a town I'm not familiar with. I got lost so many times I got genuinely angry. I kept trying but the only part I got right was the entrance. I stopped for gps about 6 times.
It was also the first ride I did not enjoy. 50 miles during which I developed a headache, I felt weak, I was very thirsty (one of my water bottles was empty 1/3 of the way through, then I started saving the second for as long as I could). The getting lost thing was at about 2/3s of the way and completely killed my mood. My feet were hurting a bit too, I'm pretty sure I need to move the cleats a bit backwards.
How do you deal with water on longer rides/touring? Not even two water bottles and a full 3L bladder on the back would be sufficient for a day of cycling. Do you plan the route around towns in which to refill?
It was also the first ride I did not enjoy. 50 miles during which I developed a headache, I felt weak, I was very thirsty (one of my water bottles was empty 1/3 of the way through, then I started saving the second for as long as I could). The getting lost thing was at about 2/3s of the way and completely killed my mood. My feet were hurting a bit too, I'm pretty sure I need to move the cleats a bit backwards.
How do you deal with water on longer rides/touring? Not even two water bottles and a full 3L bladder on the back would be sufficient for a day of cycling. Do you plan the route around towns in which to refill?
Depends on a lot of things. Hotter days require more hydration. Higher exertion requires more hydration. Supported century rides will often have water stops. There are generally gas stations along the way.
Road cyclists generally don't wear backpacks because of our riding posture and the fact that they can feel hot. I also go fast enough that 60 miles isn't going to take me all day.
Hydration prior to the ride also helps you carry less.
Road cyclists generally don't wear backpacks because of our riding posture and the fact that they can feel hot. I also go fast enough that 60 miles isn't going to take me all day.
Hydration prior to the ride also helps you carry less.
I cannot fit a rack on my new bike. Something I didn't consider when buying. I'll need the backpack for clothes at the very least, basic hygene etc; my planned ride is a 100 miles, sleep, back another 100 miles.
Not a solution I'm happy with
Not a solution I'm happy with
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And a frame wedge should be easy enough to mount.
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And a frame wedge should be easy enough to mount.
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Finally sold my car and am ready to pull the trigger on a road bike. Will be riding to work at least 2x/day, 7 miles both ways. According to the internet so far this may seem to be a good bike albeit old; what do you guys think? How can I know if he *really* updated all the components like he said? Should I leave buying an old bike like this to someone who knows what they're doing?
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