Uneven road edges / nerves!

Chartsengrafs

Hey folks,

There's been an issue I've wanted to bring up for a while- hope it makes sense. Basically, I started a bit of road cycling before Christmas; hadn't cycled in years. Prior to this I had a stadard 'mountain' bike. Anyway, have a racing bike, skinny wheels and all that (which I believe to be part of the problem), but I lack confidence on certain stretches of road. I typically go from the Clontarf road, along the coast up Howth etc.

Specifically I mean where there are say lines in the road of tarmac, I feel like the slightest bump could knock me off balance. Yet if I'm ever on a normal stretch of road I'm right as rain. I'm sure a large part of it is a confidence thing. It's hard to explain, but on parts of the coast road there's a narrow strip of tar running parallel to the road markings. If my tyres hit this at all I feel like I could end up under a truck- nearly came off a few times. Should I proceed as normal or try to cycle further out?

Apologies if my post isn't clear enough!

Raam

I know what you are on about. I bike out that direction all the time. You will be fine. You just need confidence. Carry on cycling.

BostonB

Maybe different tyres might make a difference?

Ghost Rider

I know exactly the place you're talking about. Some road surfaces can be dodgy enough on 700x23 tyres but you do get used to taking care and the confidence comes with time. Thankfully there's only that one mile stretch there in Clontarf before you're back on the cycle path, which is reasonably well surfaced for the most part.

LUAS lines, now, they're a different story...

Basster wrote: »

Hey folks,

There's been an issue I've wanted to bring up for a while- hope it makes sense. Basically, I started a bit of road cycling before Christmas; hadn't cycled in years. Prior to this I had a stadard 'mountain' bike. Anyway, have a racing bike, skinny wheels and all that (which I believe to be part of the problem), but I lack confidence on certain stretches of road. I typically go from the Clontarf road, along the coast up Howth etc.

Specifically I mean where there are say lines in the road of tarmac, I feel like the slightest bump could knock me off balance. Yet if I'm ever on a normal stretch of road I'm right as rain. I'm sure a large part of it is a confidence thing. It's hard to explain, but on parts of the coast road there's a narrow strip of tar running parallel to the road markings. If my tyres hit this at all I feel like I could end up under a truck- nearly came off a few times. Should I proceed as normal or try to cycle further out?

Apologies if my post isn't clear enough!

NeilMcEoigheann

Ghost Rider wrote: »

LUAS lines, now, they're a different story...

scalelectrics cycling worked so much better in my head

Chartsengrafs

OK thanks guys. Had another bit of a bump and wobble on Sunday, but it was OK. Trainwreck..!

Other than that had my best spin yet probably, the sun even came out for a while. Only to get lashed on when descending..now for that raingear

Mycroft H

Ye i know the way..... You go out until your well into the country, and on the back roads the tarmac drops into a divit about 6 inches deep and they can cause problems lol


This is not mentioning the pot holes or the gravel lorrys that piss along the road.

Such is the joys of the country.

Wez

I refuse to ride anything skinnier than 25's on Irish roads, even then won't go to too high a psi because I'll just get thrown off!

I got a set of 23's by accident and haven't ridden them too much because of it!

72hundred

Wez wrote: »

I refuse to ride anything skinnier than 25's on Irish roads....

25c's
+
Smooth man hole covers
+
around a bend
+
raining
=
skids the front wheel

Was actually jealous of the MTB's around town today in the rain with better grip!


Thinking of getting Conti GP4000S for the racer, to combat the problem

david

My conti gatorskins stuck like velcro during the first main downpour today.. First time with them in the wet and was pleasantly surprised..