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Frivolous Cycling Appareil?

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  • November 15, 2011 at 9:40 am #14490
    PeteH

    I was very amused the other day to see the article about the new Assos glasses (/content/news/47673-assos-launch-their-first-cycling-glasses-video), whose cost we assume will run into hundreds.

    It made me think it might be …..er……”enlightening” for other people to share their experiences of when they’ve gone seemingly OTT in terms of expensive bikewear they’ve gone out and bought.

    I myself am a fan of Assos, albeit more on a “peripheral” scale (I wish I could afford for everything I own to be by them). I generally collect a couple of items every year, so have a collection of their socks, mitts, gloves and even an excellent pair of bibtights from previous years. This year I went completely mad and bought both a winter jacket and a waterproof jacket, albeit in out-of-season sales. I have yet to buy any summer stuff (nor shades, I hasten to add) from them…I wish.

    In my own defence I not only ride for pleasure but also to commute. So as far as the commuting goes there is a definite equation which says “every week I ride the bike saves me £x on the tube” (around £100/month, so quite considerable over time). So from that perspective I am prepared to set aside some money in order to buy clothing which keeps me on the bike, especially during the winter. That I can also use these clothes for my weekend rides is a bonus.

    Anyone else prepared to admit their excesses?

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  • November 18, 2011 at 2:15 pm #657575
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    shollin

    This is an elliptical cross
    This is an elliptical cross trainer, you know stand on thingy, ebay bargain :). That’s fun to use. I have a turbo trainer from last year but it is mind numbingly boring as you say. It’s in my wardrobe hidden under some jeans. However, part of the persuasion to the other half of getting a winter bike was that I could put my other one on the turbo for the winter. This means I will have to use it! (|:

    November 18, 2011 at 1:54 pm #657573
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    PeteH

    I got a trainer last year and
    I got a trainer last year and the experience was pretty rubbish so I hardly used it.

    This year in an effort to make it more interesting I upgraded the trainer to VR. It is a bit more fun (I can import my actual rides and it shows my course on a Google map, with me as a little red dot) but sufficiently mind-numbing that I’ve still only been on it a couple of times so far.

    Maybe Radio 2 is the secret!

    November 18, 2011 at 12:36 pm #657571
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    shollin

    Shame about the base layer
    Shame about the base layer but I’m sure it will come in handy. You can never have enough gear! I was going to go out this morning but the winter bike hasn’t come yet. I got my bike out, started doing some bits of maintenance, changed the stem, started cleaning it, finished cleaning it, looked outside at the rain and muck and decided cross trainer and radio 2 instead! Not normally bothered by rain but I stripped my bike down a couple of weeks ago, soaked the cassette, derailleur, chain etc in deisel and they are all shiny. I just couldn’t dirty her!!

    November 18, 2011 at 9:51 am #657569
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    PeteH

    we have a Lidl quite close
    we have a Lidl quite close but our nearest Aldi is a fair distance away and in the wrong direction. I wore the Lidl baselayer this morning and whist for the price it is great value, its not going to be warm enough when it gets really cold.

    Ironic really, what I think I want is a merino base layer…

    November 17, 2011 at 9:58 pm #657567
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    shollin

    Aldi had Merino zipped polo
    Aldi had Merino zipped polo neck base layers in a few weeks, I think they were £15 ish. If I could get on with Merino I’d have got one as they were really good quality. I also picked up a perfectly good floor pump with a guage for a fiver in Lidl a few weeks ago. They had bike stands too, should have got me one of those. If you check Lidl and Aldi (if you have an Aldi near you) on line, they tell you what special buys are coming in and when. Aldi in particular regularly do some decent cycling/running gear 🙂

    November 17, 2011 at 9:04 pm #657565
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    PeteH

    I just experienced the other
    I just experienced the other end of the scale tonight.

    I was talking to my mate saying I was looking forward to an upcoming trip to France, I said I had a Decathlon run planned as I needed a couple of winter base layers.

    He happened to mention that he was in Lidl last weekend and they had some ski base layers in stock.

    So I popped over after work and picked up what seems like a perfectly decent base layer for just £12.99.

    November 17, 2011 at 12:27 pm #657563
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    shollin

    The winter bike really is a
    The winter bike really is a cheapo, very basic non branded road bike. The theory being that I can upgrade components as I go along but for now it’s just a starting point so I don’t hammer my current bike in the bad weather. It’s heavier so I’m either going to have to loose 2.5 kg in weight or pedal a lot harder! :”(

    November 17, 2011 at 11:20 am #657561
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    PeteH

    I’m more envious that you’re
    I’m more envious that you’re getting a “winter bike”. I’ve just got a “bike”!

    @)

    November 16, 2011 at 9:47 pm #657559
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    shollin

    Sleeping bag envy!
    Sleeping bag envy! [(

    November 16, 2011 at 9:00 pm #657557
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    PeteH

    well I concur with your fella
    well I concur with your fella there I’m afraid. You see, a guy should have the right to walk around in his undies in his own house. He probably wore the romper suit (which sounds cool, by the way, I have to make do with a normal sleeping bag) just to spare either his, or you friend’s, blushes
    😀

    November 15, 2011 at 9:58 pm #657555
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    shollin

    My other half was trying out
    My other half was trying out this sleeping bag thing he bought once. It was like a sleeping bag upto chest height but with with braces over the shoulders (bit like a thickly padded romper suit). He was in another room watching TV (I had a friend over, chatting away with a glass of wine). Then he comes jumping through the living room in this bag, goes to spend a penny then comes jumping back without saying a word…the cycling gear I get, this was beyond my comprehension!

    November 15, 2011 at 9:42 pm #657553
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    PeteH

    well I must admit I’m
    well I must admit I’m currently sitting watching the football wearing socks, padded shorts and a base top….had to take the bibtights off or it would have been stifling!

    Just as well the missus is so understanding.

    November 15, 2011 at 9:27 pm #657551
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    shollin

    Do we need normal
    Do we need normal clothes??…I did the hoovering in my thermal bibs the other day after coming back from a ride. Comfy, warm, sorted =D>

    November 15, 2011 at 9:22 pm #657549
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    shollin

    Just ordered a Winter bike as
    Just ordered a Winter bike as my Christmas present to myself Pete! Endura ones will have to do for now! Although,,, birthday in January. Hmmmmmm… 🙂

    November 15, 2011 at 9:16 pm #657547
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    PeteH

    I think to get 10 years out
    I think to get 10 years out of a pair of bibshorts is amazing, that kind of timescale easily justifies the initial layout. Congratulations that they still fit after all that time!

    Good luck with your Oakleys shollin, soon be christmas!

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