Road Cycling - Getting to know my new road bike

Finally getting comfortable on my Bianchi "Brava" road bike. I think the clipless pedals are great. Luckily no falls yet, but I have come close. I have not experienced any back or arm problems
using the dropped (sic) handle bars after a long ride (20 to 30 miles). I keep changing my grip on the bars. Sometimes on top, sometimes just finger tips, sometimes on the drops. I just use the entire handle bar. Speeds for me on this bike are sometimes breath taking. Tops so far is 35 MPH. Never could do that on my hybrid or mtn bike. Had my first ever flat tire. Blow out on side of tire.(rear tire) Haven`t the faintest idea what caused it. LBS didn`t know either. I managed to remove the tire and put in a new tube I carry with me. Tube bulged out thru the blowout hole so put a patch over it (I was 5 miles from my vehicle). Later learned I probably should have put a dollar bill inside the tire over the hole. My goal this summer is to do my first 50 mile trip. I may just do it on my 73rd birthday, July 11.
Happy wheels everybody ;)

Well, I had a reply all composed and lost it! In case something similar to this mysteriously appears from cyber-realms unknown, that's why.

I wrote offering a big Bravo! for you and your Brava. :) I also said I was happy to read a post by somebody actually senior to me (I'm 61)--I was beginning to think I was destined to be the eldest here. And from New England! I'd been wondering why the northern states were comparatively silent on the Forums--while there are dozens from the South.

Your tire could have blown out due to wear caused by a brake pad hitting it in the same spot repeatedly (the slightest wobble could cause that, if the brake pad had slipped and was mispositioned). I found one of my rear brake pads had got knocked askew and was hitting the tire, just the other day. Now the tire has a bulge in one place.

Anyway, that's a possible explanation.

I hope you'll keep us informed about some of your rides. Have you any photos?

Re: the clipless pedals--they're a source of a lot of controversy on the Forums. I maintain they're safer than clips and straps. But the tension does have to be such that you can easily get out of them, unless maybe you're a pro riding great distances under ideal conditions (and even then, what benefit would a lot of tension offer?)....

Happy spinning! :beer:

all along I though I was the oldest guy here, I am 53, now I fell like I am a teenager again, thanks a lot JonR and Rider72

Originally posted by orguasch
all along I though I was the oldest guy here, I am 53, now I fell like I am a teenager agains, thanks a lot JonR and Rider72
Hey, you're welcome, kid--I mean, grandpa! :D

Congratulations Rider72 :thumbup:
Sounds like you're doing great! Keep it up and let us know how you're progressing.

I passed a "young" lady yesterday who was doing a good job on her old Schwinn of keeping up with many other younger cyclists. She appeared to be in her late sixties. I rode with her a while but she kept telling me not to slow down for her because her right knee was acting up. I hope I'm doing that well in another 10 or 12 years. ;)

Racso and JonR, she certainly made me feel young at my ripe old age of 56.

Ron

Here in Iowa City, we have a population 60,000, half of which are university students. So, it doesn't take much to make a man of 28 feel old. Most everyone I see is 18-22. The odd thing about living in a college town is that everyone here stays the same age, while I somehow keep getting older.

Steele,

Sounds like you should move. ;)

When I worked for a university a few years ago, I felt "uncomfortable" being around so many youngsters. I have children older than the students.

One of my coworkers keeps telling me he will be old next year when he is 30. :eek: I'll be nearly twice his age when he gets "old".

Ron

Just remember, "Never believe anybody over 120." :D

JonR /Rider72...it's guys like you, my 65 year old father-in-law (who plays competitive tennis, water skis and in-line skates and my local riding coach (65, didn't pick up a bike until he was 50 and can blow by me at will) that have me back riding. I'm soon to be 35 and want to still be ABLE to ride bikes, my horses etc when I am retired and have the time to do it more.

I rode 42 miles this morning (biggest chunk since I've been riding) and I was the junior member of the group. The fastest of which, riding a nice looking Schwin was a fifty year old woman. You guys kick *** and keep me spinning!!

Originally posted by J.R.
JonR /Rider72... You guys kick *** and keep me spinning!!
Thanks! :) (Rider72, where are you? Anyway, happy belated 73rd birthday, which was the 11th--thought maybe you'd show up here for cake and ice cream...)

I need to start putting in more miles. Need to find some straight country roads....

Congrats, rider72! That is really great that you are rinding, and enjoying your road bike! On March 31st of this year, I got my very first multi-speed bike at the age of 52, and started having fun. Shortly after my first ride, I made it a goal to ride to a town 35 miles away and back. Then, on May 19th, I got my road bike, and really started having fun! Now, I have done the 70 mile trip 3 times, and I just got back from a 50 mile ride with about 15 miles of hills!
Keep posting on this forum, because we will all cheering you on, and if you have questions, this is the place to come, as the folks here have really been a help to me!