Question about ability (it's more about non-disclosure of purchases to OH though)

McTigs

This may seem like a daft question, but i've only ever really cycled on my own so i don't know what's considered fast or slow or average.

Say for a 75k spin i'd average about 28.5kph, bit slower over 100k and faster if i booted it over 40k.

I only really cycle (apart from the commute) about once a week and i'm slowly getting a bit quicker although i'm still just the same amount of ****ed after each spin as i was the first time. But I'm much better a pacing myself now too and haven't died miles from home in a long while.

How much better do i have to get before i can justify splurging on a flash bike without looking like an... ow you say... fred? At what point can you confidently say "I am now worthy of this new carbon blah blah blah with blah blah wheels and blah blah groupset"?

Is there an age or number of years of improvement after which you can't really expect to get any faster?

bcmf

You dont have be any good to buy a decent bike. If your ****e you will be ****e on a nice bike rather then a heap.
Just love yourself some more and buy yourself a nice bike. You deserve it!

Lumen

No better. Now. 80. 6.

07Lapierre

McTigs wrote: »

This may seem like a daft question, but i've only ever really cycled on my own so i don't know what's considered fast or slow or average.

Say for a 75k spin i'd average about 28.5kph, bit slower over 100k and faster if i booted it over 40k.

I only really cycle (apart from the commute) about once a week and i'm slowly getting a bit quicker although i'm still just the same amount of ****ed after each spin as i was the first time. But I'm much better a pacing myself now too and haven't died miles from home in a long while.

How much better do i have to get before i can justify splurging on a flash bike without looking like an... ow you say... fred? At what point can you confidently say "I am now worthy of this new carbon blah blah blah with blah blah wheels and blah blah groupset"?

Is there an age or number of years of improvement after which you can't really expect to get any faster?

If you can avail of the BTW scheme, nows a good time to buy. 28klm is good. As for looking like a "fred"? see the rules

ednwireland

Conor19

After taking it up last year I reckon any lad than can cycle 75K can ride whatever he likes!!

byebye

Conor19 wrote: »

After taking it up last year I reckon any lad than can cycle 75K can ride whatever he likes!!

Your spot on!

Fair play OP, your only gettin one day a week on the bike and putting in a v good pace!

Treat yourself !!!

Raam

07Lapierre wrote: »

28klm is good.

28 Royal Dutch Airlines? What you smoking?

walaw

Hi, I would also appreciate some advice from some of you cycling enthusiasts.
I bought a second hand road bike a few months ago with the intention of improving my fitness and also to lose a bit of weight.
I have been steadily increasing the distance of my spins and last weekend I did 70km, my furthest yet, at an average of 25.5 km/h
Now I am thinking of joining a club so I can take part in some group spins.
But I want to know that I would be at a reasonable standard when starting out with a club.
My question is what would be a typical distance and average speed for a club/group cycle?

thebouldwhacker

Varies club to club but sounds like you'd be well able for it. Perfect time of the year too!

07Lapierre

Raam wrote: »

28 Royal Dutch Airlines? What you smoking?

I work in the motor trade! It must be the exhaust fumes!

Keep_Her_Lit

McTigs wrote: »

Say for a 75k spin i'd average about 28.5kph

Nowt wrong with that.

At what point can you confidently say "I am now worthy of this new carbon blah blah blah with blah blah wheels and blah blah groupset"?

At this point! Now go and place your order! Then enjoy.

Is there an age or number of years of improvement after which you can't really expect to get any faster?

Possibly. But don't ever admit to having reached that point.

Beasty

McTigs wrote: »

Is there an age or number of years of improvement after which you can't really expect to get any faster?

General view is you will get faster for around 3 years or so, just by getting out on the bike regularly - that's the effect of the body adapting to cycling

Add specific training to that, and you will get faster still

One guy in the vets recorded a lifetime best 25 mile TT last year - he's 63, and has been riding bikes for 50 years or more

I've been cycling at a reasonably serious level for perhaps 3-4 years, and am in my fifties. Each year I've been getting faster. I'm fitter now than I've ever been.

McTigs

Thanks for the answers guys.

I did spend about 10 years commuting 10 miles round trip to school and college on a knobbly tyred steel frame mountain bike so that's probably given my legs a good base.... despite a twelve year gap of doing nothing till i got the bike i have now a few years ago.

Beasty wrote: »

One guy in the vets recorded a lifetime best 25 mile TT last year - he's 63, and has been riding bikes for 50 years or more

I've been cycling at a reasonably serious level for perhaps 3-4 years, and am in my fifties. Each year I've been getting faster. I'm fitter now than I've ever been.

This is exactly what i needed to hear, i hope to be getting out for a lot of years to come.

Now whats the best way to approach the wife about all this vitally important expenditure?

Lumen

McTigs wrote: »

Now whats the best way to approach the wife about all this vitally important expenditure?

Hide the credit card bills. Direct all deliveries to your workplace.

manwithaplan

In negotiations on one of my more ludicrous purchases, I tried saying "but cycling makes me a nicer person and a better father".

Whatever you do, don't say that.

McTigs

manwithaplan wrote: »

In negotiations on one of my more ludicrous purchases, I tried saying "but cycling makes me a nicer person and a better father".

Whatever you do, don't say that.

That was actually the tack i was going to go with....... not a good idea no?

daragh_

As noted above hide everything.
Get a second credit card.
Get a secret delivery address.
You may also need a second mobile phone.

If questioned deny everything. With conviction.

Essentially it's like Breaking Bad but with bike parts.

seamus

I often arrive home with "bike stuff". Sometimes I even drive into work to pick up "bike stuff".

She doesn't ask any more than that, and I don't tell. I see it as much the same as shopping. She says "I went shopping and bought clothes". I don't ask anything more than that.

I did tell her once about the Edge 500 I'd bought and how it was a treat to myself from my bonus in work. Her jaw still dropped, so I won't make that mistake again.

I can see it being a bigger issue though when kids come along and every penny needs accounting for.

Beasty

I have the only key to the garage. If she ever gets to look in, it's a case of "I got that one ages ago, don't you remember?"

maloner

McTigs wrote: »

Thanks for the answers guys.
Now whats the best way to approach the wife about all this vitally important expenditure?

On a nice new carbon bike with huge rims. But plastic bottle cages rather than carbon ones. Cause, you know, you can't just go crazy on it.

sled driver

I've heard of a guy who informed his significant other, who knew nothing about bikes, that he in fact won the new addition in a raffle.

The new addition being a Pinarello Prince. :eek:

manwithaplan

McTigs wrote: »

That was actually the tack i was going to go with....... not a good idea no?

Might work for you. My wife almost collapsed with laughter.

Having said that, I do think she tolerates my cycling because she believes it's largely true. She runs a lot and I think she recognises the benefits. The problem for me is that running takes up less time than cycling and isn't half as expensive.

squeaky crank

just make sure its all kinda the same colour combo then she wont notice your nice new Black and white Campagnolo Jacket has replaced your old Black and white Altura Jacket.

07Lapierre

Ah Lads! Man UP! Whats with all this scheming and deceit? We are MEN, we can spend our money on anything we want! We don't need our wife's permission to do anything! ..........right?

Beasty

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