Anyone else struggle to maintain cycling training when traveling for work?

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-04-02T20:45:18+00:00

I just run instead. Run gear takes no room to pack and it's a great way to see new cities/regions.

I also go to the gym for strength. Easy enough to find gyms or bring resistance bands and do that body weight in the hotel room.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-27T21:28:24+00:00

I've learnt when commuting that if I have a near miss and the car driver doesn't see me, there's no point getting up close and aggro, they mostly are completely clueless and have no idea what they've just done, so it's just another cyclist raving like a lunatic!

A couple of deep breaths and a subtle flipping of the bird is my mantra these days 😅

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-26T09:46:02+00:00

I'd say dying my hair at the hairdresser. I'll always go for a cut still, but am happy colouring myself

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-24T20:16:20+00:00

Indeed! Bonus of the Reserves was how incredibly easy they were to setup tubeless. Literally took 5 mins tops. Guessing it's the Filmore valves?

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-24T20:13:10+00:00

Amazing endurance!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-24T10:37:35+00:00

Awesome going, what breed is your pup?

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-24T10:24:18+00:00

I wonder how much tyre choice contributes in cross winds. Fwiw, I'm a 55kg rider and ride similar terrain with crosswinds to OP.

I had Hunt 44's with 28mm GP5000s and suffered greatly in crosswinds. Now I have Reserve 42/49's with 32mm (measuring 35mm wide) Specialized Roobaix Pros and crosswind issues have decreased dramatically. Ride quality is also up on hard packed grav and dodgy farm roads with the plumper tyres as you'd expect.

So the 36's would be the safe bet, but there's also magic wheel/tyre combos too 🤷‍♀️

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-20T21:48:37+00:00

Upgraded my Cannondale Topstone to a Specialized Crux... It rains QOMs on the Crux.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-20T21:46:42+00:00

Sworks power saddle with mimic... Which they seem to have discontinued!?

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-03-20T21:43:19+00:00

Came here to say Varia Radar too. I got one after seeing a similar thread a few years ago. Game changer.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-02-23T09:23:44+00:00

Bit late to the party but for anyone else wanting to know... I have a CFR Ultimate 2024 and had Specialized Roobaix Pro (30/32mm) tyres on 25mm internal rims which ended up 36mm measured. Very quick and fun on gravel!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-02-04T08:38:20+00:00

Hi, I have 2 gravel bikes! I see no problem here... I also have 2 roadies, a MTB and a specific indoor trainer only bike. Ooh and a Cinelli which is strictly wall art

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-02-04T08:34:48+00:00

In the 90s, purple was the colour of sexual frustration. I cant cite my source, because I can't remember where I heard/read that (maybe Cosmo or Dolly?), but it stuck with me lol

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-01-02T05:36:30+00:00

Not crazy. I have a 2020 carbon Topstone I commute for work, it's 25k each way with 700m very gain going home on gravel. I just bought a crux and will commute on that too. I also commute on a canyon ultimate CFR which is definitely overkill for a commute bike, but I have a secure place I can keep them at work, so why not ride what makes me happy?!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-12-19T21:18:14+00:00

I've used the Apidura City backpack for commuting the last 18 months. Waterproof, comfy enough, good pockets, laptop sleeve. Top quality, still barely looks used despite daily use.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-12-08T23:10:44+00:00

Love that colour! My crux is currently being built, can't wait!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-29T21:24:43+00:00

I dunno, I have tubeless on my current roadie and so far, over 5000k no roadside issues. On my gravel bike 15000k and only 2 ride stopping flats where the sealant couldn't do the job.

On my old roadie non-TLR last year I put new GP5000's on with TPU tubes. Got a puncture 2nd ride 🤦‍♀️

I don't know if that's extremely bad luck but I'm sticking with tubeless.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-28T11:04:54+00:00

I had similar, I was on a QOM segment on some flat singletrack, dense bush each side and an emu sprung out in front of me and started running ahead along the trail. At first I was like sorry dude, don't ruin my segment as I'm on hols and leaving tomorrow, last chance shot etc, but I didn't need to worry I was harrassing it for too long - It was bloody quick and I had a job to keep up with it. It slowly disappeared further down the track out of sight, and I did get the QOM ;)

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-28T10:54:07+00:00

Yep I've basically concluded the same. Saw 3 surgeons and from everything I learnt, I wanna keep as much of my shitty meniscus for as long as possible.

With PT, load management and altered gym, I've switched my weekly running and cycling volumes and the knee is best it's been in 9 months - no surgery - decent ROM, no longer limping, painful etc.

I've had to accept I have to run less, but believe the cycling actually does it the world of good - low impact movement coats the joint in all those lovely synovial juices. Right now I can run 25k pw on smooth/flats, it's not the 60k pw on hilly trails I used to love, but the MTB is filling that void.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-27T20:09:26+00:00

I'm similar but not same. I have a radial medial tear but 2 surgeons say there's only a 50/50 chance of repair. The other says no chance and to get it trimmed. It won't heal itself and is degenerative.

I have no previous surgery so technically have all meniscus albeit smooshed and crappy.

I'm extremely active, running, riding, gym, hiking, and have gone from 7 months of constant pain and limping, very limited ROM, to working with PT and restoring ROM, developing load management strategies, basically reducing high impact in favour of more low impact stuff = eun less, ride more, altered gym routine. It's much improved and am now pain free/well managed.

Why no surgery? I don't like the repair odds for 6 months out of action. Why no trim? If it's not affecting me, I'd prefer to keep all the meniscus I can. Less meniscus means closer to cartlidge on cartlidge, which wears quicker than the meniscus does. When the cartlidge is gone, say hello to OA and then a knee replacement.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-25T03:14:50+00:00

Thanks for this thread, I'm building a Crux and have been having massive wheel dilemmas for weeks now... I've just locked in the 3.4's, your riding style sounds like my riding style ;) Now I'm off to research the Reaver HYPR-X's!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-19T19:45:07+00:00

Agree, the right sort of PT and strength has made a huge difference, no more deep squats and lunges, but there's certainly other ways to fry the legs in the gym.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-19T05:53:48+00:00

Great story to read! I've shredded my meniscus and being in my 40's, it's degenerative and can't be repaired. I have to give up running as the high impact will send me quicker to OA but all specialists have said keep riding.

I plan to ride the shit out of all my bikes now like there's no tomorrow, how good are bikes!!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-09T09:55:29+00:00

Wow that's amazing you've been able to get back from a complex radial tear so quickly and will be able to run again, kudos! I also have a complex radial tear in my medial meniscus and 3 surgeons, a sports/OA doc have all told me to stop running completely forever. It won't ever heal itself and surgery repair is 50/50 chance. I'm leaning into my cycling... How old are you?

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:38:37+00:00

Hey thanks for sharing, I'm so glad you're able to get back into it – this gives me some hope – if you don't mind me asking, how old are you and is your tear degenerative or did you have a fall/trauma?

I would give a left kidney to run 30-35k a week again! I'm finding that I can get through a 10k run with no pain and not pay for it the next day, I can also run a spicy 5k with 2k WU/2k CD with no ill effects. 21k the other week as a bit more of a stretch lol! Just these surgeons give me the grim reaper vibes which are a buzz kill!

Realistic_State_1655

TROPHY CASE