Took the plunge

Madisonmenece

Hi All

well I took the plunge and placed the order for my new and first road bike in years (well since i was a teenager, 28 now)went for the Cube Litening HPC Pro http://www.cube.eu/en/road/road-race/litening-super-hpc-pro/

I'm based in Douglas area of cork so would welcome suggested routes to get out on when the bike arrives.

I have picked up the essential bits a pieces, good quality winter bib, gloves and such. But whats do kind of layers do you guys wear at this time of year and what equipment do you take on your cycles.

Cheers
Col

triggermortis

Congrats on the new bike - I like Cubes, they are good value and mine has not given me a moments hassle

This weather, I wear a vest-type base layer, a long sleeve mid layer and a windproof long sleeve top, bib tights, gloves, overshoes, shades and a wooly hat.
I always carry 2 spare tubes, tyre levers, a CO2 pump, multi-tool including chain tool, tie-wraps, tyre patch and rubber gloves. Phone, ID money, rain shell and food in my pockets and a bottle or two depending on how far I'm going

monkeypants

That's a fairly high-end bike, what did you pay for it?

Madisonmenece

Think its coming in at €2900, but they said they will do some discount when I settle the balance on collection I guess on the pedals and shoes ect.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Very nice bike!

I was out this morning, it was 3 degrees when i was leaving but it rose to 7 degrees at one stage.

I wore
compressions shorts
long sleeve compression top,
Lusso roubaix bib tights (no pad and very warm),
padded shorts,
long sleeve jersey (not thermal)
windproof sleeveless gillet,
aldi cycling cap,
aldi winter gloves
Running socks and taped up the ventilation hole on the soles of the shoes. (didnt bother with overshoes)

I had to take the hat off after 30 minutes as my head was burning up. Done 36km and never once felt cold except for my face for the first 15-20 minutes. I rode at a very relaxed pace as anytime i done anything over 35kmph my face started to freeze and hills were slow as the cold air makes it harder to take deeper breaths.

Roger Hassenforder

get up on Strava/map my ride and join a club, loads of em in Cork.
nice routes around Cork, & you 'll meet plenty of cyclists:
Douglas>Carrigaline>Monsktown>Douglas. flat as a pan, around 25km
Ballincollig>Coachford>Farran>Ballincolig. nice n flat, one handy pull up windy gap. around 40km. Shops and cafes on the route.
Longer version, but flatter: Ballincollig>Coachford>Macroom>Lisarda>Ballincolig. Around 70km
Bishopstown>Innishannon>Kinsale>Douglas. lumpier, busy road back from kinsale though.