I went out one of my drop bar bikes a few days ago for the first time this year where I live in central Poland. We have had quite a bit of snow and ice on the ground, so haven't been riding outside at all, and since I loathe turbo trainers I switched focus to strength training. It paid off, because my first 50 km ride out felt easy to be honest. There's a lot to be said for 'residual fitness' and switching training routines when the weather is crap.
I'm bending myself out shape with frustration - 2wks ago brilliant. Sunshine (in Scotland Lanarkshire), 6 degrees no wind let's go, brilliant ride 22 mile not bad for first attempt in 10 weeks (I'm 71). Since then total pish!!! Rain, wind, snow the full monty. I do spin classes and other stuff like cross-trainer but only the bike really 'does it' for me. Mustn't grumble I guess - some of my old pals are dead already and they never cycled a single mile. Keep going Len, you might be a big lad but that means nothing, cycling today means you'll see tomorrow. (Unless you hit an ice-cream van of course).
Good for you getting out! I made the mistake of choosing outdoors rather than the turbo a few weeks ago when we had a really cold snap and despite waiting until 10am, when the temp had climbed to a toasty 3C, I still found a lot of ice on the roads, which was pretty scary. Slick tires and ice are not a good combination! I ended up walking the bike for a few stretches. Can't wait for the better weather in the Spring!
Before winter really set in all the way last year, I was getting out at 30 F (-1C) and that wasn't any problem. It seems like the only time we have ice is after snow or rain so it's predictable. Fact is when it gets often quite cold and dark in the early AM I discontinue that and try for later afternoon rides before the sun sets.
@@jollygoodvelo Well like I said it's a stationary bike with a belt, a flywheel, a readout. It's not a bike attached to mechanized rear. It's not a bad machine at all. Made by a place called "Sunny Health". I've learned to appreciate it. Took some trial and error getting it adjusted. They all seem to have been more tailored to the average Oriental man. Still got it dialed in for me.
Got 50+miles in yesterday. Coastal route with 30+mph headwind. Wsy tougher than Zwift 😂.....I only bought a Wahoo at Xmas and hate it.... Will just stick to MTB til Spring(unless its dry and I get RB out).
Well done Leonard. I got my first (outdoor) ride of 2024 in today. Was 6c outside so no chance of ice, just a bit of wind and lack of sun but best I can hope for at this time of year
One way not to injure yourself on ice is get a recumbent trike which is also warmer due to laid back riding position, a fairing can be added for even more comfort. One of the issues you have is climbing hills; a trike, atelast mine, has atleast double the gear range of a bicycle if you put a rohloff on the back and tripple chainring on the front. The trike is super comfortable compared to my Kona Sutra touring bike and Ribble Endurance Ti , and alot safer due to 3 wheels and how it is treated by cars. Your bicycle can go ofroad though, which a trike is not really suitable for.
I'm 17 stone 7lbs. I've cycled 50 years and done all the usual stuff. Do we big lads break more components ie wheels, spokes etc. I always seem to.. Would interested to hear what others think.
He's back! Major inspiration for me starting cycling 365. Recently moved and have a new commute which coincided with the floods before storm Isha off-road flooded, on road flooded. So I decided to take the no bad weather, only bad gear approach and wore wellies for those two days and carry the bike through. You know it's bad when you share the toe-path with the boats.
Some of these views reminded me of today out around here. Waited till around 11:00 to jump on my road bike. Started at 33F and got up to 36F by the time I got back. Ice and snow in places (the more shaded) but mostly good on the roads, paths, and sidewalks which we use sometimes especially for some of the climbs. Felt good and strong, and wanted to take advantage of it. Gloves and jacket on and stayed zipped the whole time with the lined sweatpants and some layers. Passed some others riding too. Some were e-bike riders. First actual real ride since Weds. Winter would be a picnic with more days like today around here.
I can tolerate most winter conditions but the gales this year have been a real turn-off. Even choosing high hedge lanes for shelter isn’t working, I still get blown across the road and chilled to the bone. Only fix has been short rides, just getting out to keep the routine going.
ALL climbs are a tough slog, no matter how "gentle" others say they are. And, like you, I'm ALWAYS jolly glad to reach their top. Press on to South Africa, Leonardo! Press on!
Correct me if i'm wrong but the back tyre looked a bit soft, at the bottom of the wheel at least. You might have had an increase in rolling resistance just because you forgot to check the tyre pressure before you left. Just sayin👍. However i did watch the vlogg without my glasses but enjoyed it all the same. Good luck with your preparations for the trip to SA.
I’ve been using some new tyres; Shwable Marathon Plus and they seem to be really good at staying inflated. I check the pressure every ride and it seems to be fine. That said, I did notice a broken spoke the other day so that might be what you saw.
I envious those that have a turbo trainer well done for getting out I only been cycling to work since December yet to go do a decent miles 6 miles is really low according to some of my friends 😢🤦♀️
Hi Leonard, Happy New Year to you and all the best for the coming year. I’m not far from you and that looks like a great route, especially the cycle paths. Is there any way you can show us where you rode or would I be able to find it on Strava? Thanks for another great dose of inspiration 👍
Fantastic job coming back from an injury and the holidays. I agree Turbo trainers are boring BUT they have their place in the fitness bank. Keep up the training for South Africa!!!!!!!! Thanks for the post.
I finally got out about two days ago. 38 mi. Not bad, but very cold and icy on a paved trail similar to yours. Be careful! Great video BTW. Capetown Tour sounds like fun and much warmer than where I am. looking forward to those vids.
Another great video Leonard. I run and cycle and it doesn’t matter how much I do, I just die on hills, I get up them but find it a slog. On the flats I don’t find it a problem, I can get a good speed up. I have to remember I’m in my 60’s. No fun getting old.😢 Good luck on your tour of South Africa 👍🏻🚵♂️
You'll love South Africa, I spent 2 weeks cycling there in 2022 starting from Capetown all along the coastline, Sea on one side and mountains the other. Watch out for those baboons on the road.
30km at 2 degrees... perfect! Thats like a long ride on winter. Well done! Here where I'm living is around 2-4 degrees but very wet roads with some icy spots... don't worth...
Really enjoying your content And Good work Leonard your a better man than me I cannot cope with the cold 🥶 I did a ride from the cape of good hope back to Cape Town this time of year and absolutely amazing just watch out for the screaming baboons 🙊
Butser Lime Works is an amazing place. In times gone by, I've co-driven a rally car on a rally special stage, and also helped organise a National motorcycle trial there.
@@jollygoodvelo Where you are looking down on the A3, the lime works were on your left. The cycle path you were on was the original A3, and when motorcycle trials were held at Butser, that path was the car park!
Even winter in England looks bueatirufl - there's a lot of similarity to New England features. GOod motification and ride on! I hope to make it there someday to ride.
Great video, good luck for Cape Town. I only can dream and ride on those locations on Rouvy. I wonder what is your turbo trainer difficult level, I have heard it is at default 50% on swift. Power should be same but less gear changes, so it makes it too easy to crank.
On Zwift it is possible to set the level of difficulty. Mine is currently set to 50% but if I just want a ride with a constant, steady cadence I might reduce it to zero.
Looks summer! When You had -6C we had -26C.. (in north up to -44C) Did a 60km ride in a blizzard, warm -2C, at start of this week. It was also windy; 15-20 m/s and some roads wind had gathered dunes of snow over 30cm.. had to ”walk” through. Also one car which passed me; few minutes later it was upside down in a ditch.. driver, 80 year man, crawled out.. nothing bad happened because it was almost one meter snow where that car ”landed”! 😄Lovely trip for odd weather enthuastic like me.. 🤩 Today it was time to try not to fall.. ice, ice and ice. Using 42mm tires without any spikes.. yep, drivable. Infact pretty fun.. 🙃 You should try.. 😉 Anyway this winter never ends.. week and three months of snow.. and another two-three to go. Freaking breaking me.. 🤪
Onwards and upwards, that’s the spirit Leonard. One pedal stroke at a time and you will always get there. SA trip sounds fantastic, I’m maybe jealous 🚴♂️🙃
It sounds as if England isn't enjoying particularly good weather this January. I almost hate to report that southside Virginia state, USA has had pretty nice weather especially the last five days or so (high 60s, low 70s F). I've been unable to take full advantage of it though. 😢 Keep going Leonard, watch that ice, and have a great time in South Africa.
It really is rather flat round there isn't it?. I went out today and did a loop of 27km with 670m of ascent, slightly more than the local average of 200m for every 10 km ridden. I find riding on the smart turbo is generally harder (or more intense) than riding on the roads where the frequent variations in gradient encourage changes in cadence and torque.
Nice effort! Every day after a sprained ankle is risky, be careful... remember exercise is great but it's pointless if we don't get on a healthy meal plan , and cutting back on the pints can't hurt either. Good luck with your training!
Greeting from sunny down under. I really enjoy your videos, seeing all the lovely English countryside. You are so lucky to have cycle paths, I have to share the roads I ride with log trucks, milk trucks and cars etc. Have you ever though of posting a map of your route you have ridden at the end of the videos. Would be interesting to see the route on a map. Cheers and best of luck in South Africa.
Len if you want to shift the weight please look at the Carnivore diet. I have lost 73 pounds (just over 5 stone) in the past 7 months by applying this diet and other protocols to my life. I'm a 51-year-old guy from the north of the UK. I have also cured many of my ailments. My life has completely changed for the better. Shifting such a huge amount of weight has transformed my cycling and health for the better. I was battling a thyroid disorder and a sugar addiction. I have learned that diet is around 85% and exercise only 15% for results.
Leonard - I'm struggling to find well made and good looking cycling clothing (especially winter jerseys) for larger framed folk. Rapha, Le Col and Castelli are a joke in this regard. Any tips? Thanks.
Yes like it very much. I wonder how u get all of those non riding shots, ur shits if yourself standing and talking, and shots if signposts, etc etc. Must take much longer to complete a 20k ride getting on and off bike?
I had to miss Sun-Thu. this last week due to a cold. That's besides horrid rain and weather generally. I still would of missed some. First one of those since sometime in 2018, so I presume 5 1/2 years. I still got in some time on the stationary bike though every day. I'm still kind of congested from it, but I had a road bike ride yesterday and today stopped by for some groceries on the hybrid. A fairly nice day today too. Also got another road ride in the afternoon. Feeling plenty better today.
@@jollygoodvelo Yeah being sick is a drag. It's a very rare thing for me. That was for colds. Flu not since 1982. I consider myself immune to those, and Kung Flu too.
@@jollygoodveloI'd say that was the minimum for the sensible time being off of it. I see myself as being quite robust for health, and that is one of the reasons for feeling above a lot of the crap we've been ordered to believe in the last couple of years, but you have to have sense when it comes down to literally being sick, don't you?
@@jollygoodvelo Bah! I don't know where you get that from. Europe is Europe and distinct. The British Isles are distinct, geographically, politically, historically, culturally, and for language. Is that supposed to be some trendy thing to say now? You don't sound like a Frog either Lenny. What do think Winston Churchill would of said about that? Eh?
@@derekjolly3680 Not at all. Look in any atlas an England is most definitely part of Europe. Up until a Jan 2020 I was a European citizen with a European passport. For me that has not changed. The English language is just a mix of Scandinavian and French so it’s not different at all.
@@derekjolly3680 I went to university in France and lived in Denmark. I spoke both languages plus English. One doesn’t necessarily have to sound like a French person speaking English to be European.
Len, Please stop eating stuff. Every year you suffer for your self-inflicted excesses. Please understand that you only need to look at food to put on weight.. regards Andy & Sue
0:03 I've been cycling for 30 years and never have I done this. There's not just the point that it shows a bad example and thus tarnishes us all as lesser road users in the eyes of drivers, it's also extremely dangerous. If a motorbike or fast car came round the corner on your left entering via the first entrance it would not see any conflict on the relevant side of the circle and could run right over you. The same could happen from the right with a car entering expecting you to be over to the left. Not worth the 3 seconds it saves you really.
Mini roundabouts are designed to be driven/ ridden over; that’s why they are painted in the ground and not raised above the surface of the road. (It’s in the Highway Code) Even though I did this I still looked in the correct direction for oncoming traffic and obeyed the rules of the road. If a fast car or motorbike was coming and not looking they still might of hit me regardless of me riding across or around the roundabout.
Love your cycling vlogs, Leonardo! I'm trying to man up to the colder temps (though avoiding ice), but that and the low, bright sun can make for an uncomfortable ride sometimes.