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My vote goes towards Cambridge. I know @Thrasher has fond memories of riding around Cambridge in the summer...

I'm in for the way there, way back may need some convincing though! At worst, ride back to a slightly out of the way station on a different line where hopefully it won't be an issue to take our bikes.

Girona Part 3

Mango & Raspberry sorbet before anyone asks.

Girona Part 2

Girona Part 1

Mallorca.

Thanks! This was very apparent when looking at all the high-end, newest model, mamil chariot rentals; most just seemed quite boring and uninspiring :/

I’ve been very fortunate to spend some time cycling in Mallorca and Girona this month, Mallorca wasn’t an all-out cycling trip as I was with my partner so rides were kept short and with a fair bit of climbing, more freedom in Girona for longer days out. I took the Klein with me both times, with 53-39 and 11-28 it’s not exactly a climbing bike, but some cursory research suggested that I would just about be ok on that... Put in about 900kms and 13,000m in total with the longest day being around 140kms and 2,500m in Girona when we climbed both Mare de Déu del Mont and Rocacorba.

Given the aggressive geo, stiff frame, relatively thin tyres, etc. my main concern was comfort; not only on the day, but crucially the day after. Happy to report that I didn't feel completely broken riding back-to-back days, I mean yeah my legs were fucked at times, obviously, but the rest of me was relatively ok. Maybe it was because the rides had a fair bit of climbing which meant time out of the saddle. When the position did become a bit of an issue was on long descents, staying in the drops for any kind of decent stint did start to make my back and neck quite achey. That aside the bike was brilliant. Between the two trips I got my hands on a seatpost with less setback and I also got hold of some Ultegra 8000 derailleurs so the whole drivetrain is now 8000. I may look at getting matching levers and calipers but that's very low down the list of priorities right now.

A word on the Panaracer Agilests; really nice tyres. I fear they'll get cut to absolute shit on UK roads but out in Spain they were brilliant. Carbon rim brakes on the other hand, well, I treated them with the utmost respect and didn't push my luck on any descent, did start to experience brake fade on the longer descents and 13kms down Rocacorba in biblical rain is not something I want to experience again. I'm guessing the lack of grooves on the braking surface doesn't help things but oh well, they still got me round and surprisingly there's some life left in the pads!!!

Heard it from someone else but they may have picked it up from you or generally 'on here'.

RIP headphone users.

I was conflicted whether to go with one or two! I work for a German firm and that word is thrown around quite often. Good to see someone has an eye for detail though :)

Noted, thank you. Someone very wise swears by the mantra that overnight out in the arse end of nowhere you should take 5°C off whatever temp is forecast.

@Glws - probably not enough teeth for you but wold be epic on the Mash!

What size tyres are you running atm? They look pretty girthy and I'd keep them that way, the biggest you can fit without any danger of rubbing on the the mudguards. With the state of the roads at the moment every little helps. It wasn't fixed but I've tinkered a lot over the past 18 months or so trying to find comfort, tubeless at lower pressures helped but I know road tubeless is divisive matter so to each their own!

IMO, a carbon seatpost wouldn't hurt, but the game changer as others have said is the saddle, which is a very particular thing. If you do change saddle, for the sake of your bits please do a couple of long shakedown rides! I'm a touch heavier than you at 82kg and I've found the newish Fizik Tempo Aliante to be super comfy, as long as you get the angle just right because of how much shape the saddle has. It's more a case of setting up to be in the saddle as opposed to on the saddle, if that makes any sense.

Aero bars, yes. you'll be massively thankful for them if for no other reason than to give your hands a bit of a break!

Not sure how much lead time you have but something I've found that materially increases my comfort on the bike on looong days out has nothing to do with the bike, and it's core strength. The stronger I am the longer I can hold myself in a good position on the bike and the longer the inevitable aches and pains take to set in.

Bon chance!

Is anyone doing Jelly Fish Legs 400 from Stevenage this weekend?

Same, calendar events page is kaupt.

Are these 165mm?

Great thread. ID on those bars? Asking for a friend... 👀

Not that I was ever fully committed, but for the avoidance of doubt, I'm out.

Back on the electric mini pump chat, does anyone know the difference between the Cyclami A2 and A3? Aside from colour and possibly a negligible difference in dimensions & weight, I can't see how they're fundamentally that different... am I missing something?!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006967507259.html

FSA Gossamer Compact 40cm - 125mm drop, 80mm reach. 100mm FSA Energy stem pictured also for sale if needed. I'm in SE10.

Potentially...

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Pics from a few days riding out there. It was not shit.

Pepper bars sold to @user156791 , good to meet you!