Well almost,
Started this cycling malarkay back at the end of March and have to say I have been thoroughly enjoying myself.
seem to be going through a conversion into a full blown roadie and its happening far quicker than I would like
Day 1 brought my shiny new Dawes Giro 300, was at the top of my budget but really liked it on a test ride so decided to blow the money and get it anyway. Was visited by the puncture fairy on my very first trip![Sad :sad: :sad:](/styles/default/xenforo/smls/sad.gif)
Week 2, a couple of rides out by myself and commuting to work ( only a few miles round trip but a start), a friend asks if I fancy going for a ride with him and we do a 20 miler with the biggest hill I have ever seen in it, I had to get off and walk close to the top but still a great ride.
Week 4 still commuting to work and now riding a 10 miler most evenings when the weather is good enough for me to get out and about
week 7 decide to join on to the 'saturday morning meander' ride leaving from near my house, its only a 20 miler but the first time I rode it the pace felt very high and i was shattered by the end
week 10 now starting to really enjoy my rides and have actively started to seek out some hills, going back and conquering the beast that defeated me in week 2, that really gave me a confidence boost.
week 11 my clipless shoes arrive, what a transformation, was very weary of them at first and took the recomedation of getting mtb style cleats rather than road ones, glad that I did as I have had to do a bit of walking in them since thanks to my friend the puncture fairy. (I am still yet to join the clipless club with a fall..... I know that has just jinxed it)
week 15, my jersey arrives, not sure if I like it and it sits on the shelf unworn for a while
Week 17, dont want to unpack my work bag and put my cycle stuff in so decide its time to use the jersey and stuff the back pockets with what I need, havent look back and have since ordered a couple more
Last week; my first off, had a crash with a muppet cycling on the wrongside of the road, but aches and pains have gone now and bike is ok.
and finally Yesterday - I became a member of the 2 bike club, picked up a new (well new to me, but clearly second hand) Specialized Sequila elite, As I spend my time between cambridge and Manchester decided to have a bike to leave at each place. Havent had much of a ride on it yet but rode it the 10 miles home last night and im so impressed, it just seems to fit, the 105 groupset feels fantastic and I can really gun it on the flat while pulling up the hills, allthough it will not be my main bike while down south I am still looking forward to putting many miles on it.
The main things that I have learned:
1)My new 'Cheap' hobbie is actually not cheap at all,
2)Clipless shoes are awesome and so long as you set them to release nice and easy are nothing to be frightened of
3) you meet some great people on group rides
4) its amazing for your health, I started to ride to loose a bit of weight but am very happy to have now lost 3 stones since starting, going from around 19 stone to just under 16, Am aiming to get under 14 by the end of the summer, and for once I am confident that I may be able to keep it off.
5) PAY ATTENTION, it may not be your fault but in an accident with a car you WILL come off worse.
anyway my main thing is to say to anyone thinking of getting into riding, do it, you wont look back.
Started this cycling malarkay back at the end of March and have to say I have been thoroughly enjoying myself.
seem to be going through a conversion into a full blown roadie and its happening far quicker than I would like
Day 1 brought my shiny new Dawes Giro 300, was at the top of my budget but really liked it on a test ride so decided to blow the money and get it anyway. Was visited by the puncture fairy on my very first trip
![Sad :sad: :sad:](/styles/default/xenforo/smls/sad.gif)
Week 2, a couple of rides out by myself and commuting to work ( only a few miles round trip but a start), a friend asks if I fancy going for a ride with him and we do a 20 miler with the biggest hill I have ever seen in it, I had to get off and walk close to the top but still a great ride.
Week 4 still commuting to work and now riding a 10 miler most evenings when the weather is good enough for me to get out and about
week 7 decide to join on to the 'saturday morning meander' ride leaving from near my house, its only a 20 miler but the first time I rode it the pace felt very high and i was shattered by the end
week 10 now starting to really enjoy my rides and have actively started to seek out some hills, going back and conquering the beast that defeated me in week 2, that really gave me a confidence boost.
week 11 my clipless shoes arrive, what a transformation, was very weary of them at first and took the recomedation of getting mtb style cleats rather than road ones, glad that I did as I have had to do a bit of walking in them since thanks to my friend the puncture fairy. (I am still yet to join the clipless club with a fall..... I know that has just jinxed it)
week 15, my jersey arrives, not sure if I like it and it sits on the shelf unworn for a while
Week 17, dont want to unpack my work bag and put my cycle stuff in so decide its time to use the jersey and stuff the back pockets with what I need, havent look back and have since ordered a couple more
Last week; my first off, had a crash with a muppet cycling on the wrongside of the road, but aches and pains have gone now and bike is ok.
and finally Yesterday - I became a member of the 2 bike club, picked up a new (well new to me, but clearly second hand) Specialized Sequila elite, As I spend my time between cambridge and Manchester decided to have a bike to leave at each place. Havent had much of a ride on it yet but rode it the 10 miles home last night and im so impressed, it just seems to fit, the 105 groupset feels fantastic and I can really gun it on the flat while pulling up the hills, allthough it will not be my main bike while down south I am still looking forward to putting many miles on it.
The main things that I have learned:
1)My new 'Cheap' hobbie is actually not cheap at all,
2)Clipless shoes are awesome and so long as you set them to release nice and easy are nothing to be frightened of
3) you meet some great people on group rides
4) its amazing for your health, I started to ride to loose a bit of weight but am very happy to have now lost 3 stones since starting, going from around 19 stone to just under 16, Am aiming to get under 14 by the end of the summer, and for once I am confident that I may be able to keep it off.
5) PAY ATTENTION, it may not be your fault but in an accident with a car you WILL come off worse.
anyway my main thing is to say to anyone thinking of getting into riding, do it, you wont look back.