Cycling - hints, tips and routes

[malg]

I'm new to cycling, so thought I'd start this thread, as I'm sure there must be some other recreational cyclists on here.

I bought a MTB on eBay, a Genesis Mantle 20 (got it for £230, and the had only used it a handful of times). I've used it every day for work, but that's only down the road. I've also been on Clayton Vale about ten times, using the dark blue route (I did go on the red route once, but I'm still a bit of a shit bag, so I probably need to come off the bike a couple of times yet!).

So, I'm after hints and tips on looking after the bike. I do wash it weekly, and oil the chain.

Also, and more importantly, does anyone have decent cycling routes? I'm in Burnage, but don't mind travelling. I have a pathway (don't know if it has a name) that goes to Debdale, and has an off shoot to the canal pathway, but I've only used it to get to Clayton Vale).

Cheers.

 

[ColinBellsjockstrap]

Cycling along canal towpaths is great, usually there's quite a lot to see and it's easy being fairly flat. Not too far away you have the Bridgewater, Peak forest, Rochdale, Leeds/Liverpool and The Huddersfield Narrow Canals.

Make sure you keep your tyres pumped up rock hard, it makes riding a lot easier.

And never take your eyes of your bike or use a good lock and secure it to an immovable object. Bike insurance is pretty cheap.

If you fancy going a bit further afield the roads around Knutsford are very nice, not too many cars with a few tea rooms to call in at.

 

[the god Gerry Gow]

Don't forget to ride on the pavement when there are pedestrians about

And always cycle through red lights regardless of other traffic about

Until you manage these two things you can never call yourself a cyclist......





..... Other than that I hope you enjoy yourself. Some great places in the North West

 

[Innsbruckblue]

Do not wear f'in Lycra!

 

[uweuweuwe]

For maintenance bike right is a charity based in openshaw where you can do basic maintenance course website says it costs £75 but sometimes they have free courses.

Routes try http://www.sustrans.org.uk/
Plus pretty sure at the velodrome reception they have lots of free maps next to a big ap of the routes around Clayton.

 

[warspite]

Cycling along canal towpaths is great, usually there's quite a lot to see and it's easy being fairly flat. Not too far away you have the Bridgewater, Peak forest, Rochdale, Leeds/Liverpool and The Huddersfield Narrow Canals.

Make sure you keep your tyres pumped up rock hard, it makes riding a lot easier.

And never take your eyes of your bike or use a good lock and secure it to an immovable object. Bike insurance is pretty cheap.

If you fancy going a bit further afield the roads around Knutsford are very nice, not too many cars with a few tea rooms to call in at.

I'm lucky that where I live in Urmston it is a 10 minute easy ride to the paths of either the Bridgewater Canal or the River Mersey and as Arfur Daley said ''the world is your lobster'' you can get anywhere, me and a couple of mates went down the Bridgy the other week and with a few diversions onto roads ended up at a great pub called The Ferry right on the banks of the Mersey at Fiddlers Ferry
Keep your bike maintained especially your brakes, if they get spongy change the pads they are not expensive and keep everything well oiled, also carry a bag over your shoulder with basic tools and a spare inner tube or puncture kit, also a bottle of water as with all exercise never do it dehydrated

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

The path to debdale is the fallow field loop!

For a more adventurous ride try and get to werneth low via reddish vale. That's a great ride. Try and push your self and get better at going fast on rough ground. Once you're getting the hang of it head for landegla in North Wales.

Try the stw forum for more bike related stuff although most people on there (me included) spend more on tyres than you have on your bike.

 

[uweuweuwe]

If your based in burnage a good bike shop for repairs etc is lane end cycles just off kings way near big tesco. Been a couple of times and a decent shop

 

[Why Always Ste]

We've done Clayton Vale a few times and it's ok.
Philips Park in Whitefield/Prestwich is a decent route, good downhill.
Billinge Wood Trails in Blackburn is sound as well. a few good routes there.

Further away is one of my favourites coed llandegla in North Wales, get there in an hour or so.

There's a few of us who've just started MTB'ing again and we're based around Manchester, so if you're interested PM me.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Cycle insurance definitely. Mine even has breakdown insurance. About £70 a year. And they'll put you in touch with a decent legal team when some dozy prick knocks you off.

Get a decent bright helmet. You will probably end up on the road at some point. If you learn how to keep looking behind you, drivers see the head motion and give more room. Also be polite and keep calm. I always thank drivers as they pass if they had to wait.

A foot pump such as Joe Blow. Proper tyre pressure is worth upto 2mph. And carry a spare inner tube.

 

[ColinBellsjockstrap]

Don't forget to ride on the pavement when there are pedestrians about

And always cycle through red lights regardless of other traffic about

Until you manage these two things you can never call yourself a cyclist......

Lol!

Forgot to mention that.

Also wear a helmet cam (back and front) so you can report car drivers to the Police when they tell you to" stick your bike up your arse".....and don't forget to put the vids up on You tube. I like laughing at them.

Off to Todmorden now for a ride up the Rochdale canal towpath to Halifax with Mrs Jockstrap. God help any walkers who get in my way.....:)

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

Keep tyres at 120psi, it makes a huge difference. Get a saddle bag with inner tubes and tools and there are small gas canisters you can buy for a couple of quid that instantly inflate the tyre after a puncture. Change the tyres to Gaterskins. Its also worth going for a bike fit, its usually around £40 but sets you up on it properly. Find a club to go out with, its always better to go in a group and they will know routes which you can then learn for yourself. I took it up last year and wish Id done it years ago, it does wonders for your fitness and you will really enjoy it.

 

[whp.blue]

I regularly chat with Professional cyclysts that include several World and or Olympic Champions, some of them disabled olympians, and there is actually only one pertanant piece of advice they ever give to novice cyclists: "Chamois cream"

make sure your Chamios pad is well lubricated with it

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

Gloves are a must too, helps stop sweaty grips and reduces vibration but mainly protects your paws if you fall off. Instinct is always to out your hands down and they will get badly grazed. Glasses are needed for longer or faster rides as there is nothing worse than an eye full of fly or hitting an insect at speed with your peepers. Unfortunately both things can you make you look a bit of a cock to the haters, but they are essential accessories really

 

[malg]

We've done Clayton Vale a few times and it's ok.
Philips Park in Whitefield/Prestwich is a decent route, good downhill.
Billinge Wood Trails in Blackburn is sound as well. a few good routes there.

Further away is one of my favourites coed llandegla in North Wales, get there in an hour or so.

There's a few of us who've just started MTB'ing again and we're based around Manchester, so if you're interested PM me.

Thanks for the info. Someone at work mentioned Philips Park. I'll definitely take you up on the offer of joining in with the other guys, but only once I've got a bit more experience, as I don't want to hold anyone back.

 

[malg]

What are the advantages of tubeless tyres? Seen a bit about them on YouTube, but no too sure about them. Oh, and is it hard work to convert, or best leave it to a bike shop?

Thanks for all the tips. Oh, I've started going through red lights (safely!), so I'm half way there - still not graduated to riding on the pavement yet!

 

[malg]

If your based in burnage a good bike shop for repairs etc is lane end cycles just off kings way near big tesco. Been a couple of times and a decent shop

Cheers. I may be paying them a visit soon!

 

[whp.blue]

I'm new to cycling, so thought I'd start this thread, as I'm sure there must be some other recreational cyclists on here.

I bought a MTB on eBay, a Genesis Mantle 20 (got it for £230, and the had only used it a handful of times). I've used it every day for work, but that's only down the road. I've also been on Clayton Vale about ten times, using the dark blue route (I did go on the red route once, but I'm still a bit of a shit bag, so I probably need to come off the bike a couple of times yet!).

So, I'm after hints and tips on looking after the bike. I do wash it weekly, and oil the chain.

Also, and more importantly, does anyone have decent cycling routes? I'm in Burnage, but don't mind travelling. I have a pathway (don't know if it has a name) that goes to Debdale, and has an off shoot to the canal pathway, but I've only used it to get to Clayton Vale).

Cheers.

Cycle up to Gatley and visit Andy Hilton @ Bikehaus everyone from total novices up to world Champions call in there he will advize and help he is also a Manchester Wheeler member and it isn't just road and track bikes they cater for mountain bikes as well.

postcode is SK84EZ

 

[discopop]

Keep tyres at 120psi, it makes a huge difference. Get a saddle bag with inner tubes and tools and there are small gas canisters you can buy for a couple of quid that instantly inflate the tyre after a puncture. Change the tyres to Gaterskins. Its also worth going for a bike fit, its usually around £40 but sets you up on it properly. Find a club to go out with, its always better to go in a group and they will know routes which you can then learn for yourself. I took it up last year and wish Id done it years ago, it does wonders for your fitness and you will really enjoy it.

120 psi on a mountain bike are you mad? Even on a road bike it would be on the upper end and potentially become a a bit bone jarring but each to thier own I suppose, the rest I completely agree with, plenty of really good social cycling groups out there on FB land

 

[dan_bo]

A shagged drivetrain will ruin a good bike- keep cogs and chainrings clean and get a chain checker (probs 8 quid) and learn how to use it regularly. I'm out most Sunday mornings if anyone wants to hook up and usually ride out of failsworth- clayton vale is straightforward and spend a lot of time in Saddleworth. Pm if interested.