6 months in

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rjwilki3

Regular
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:

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.
 

ChrisRicho

Active Member
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:

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.

Really good read. Im glad its all going well.

Also well done on the weight loss side.
thumbsup.png
 
D

Deleted member 1258

Guest
Well done, glad you are enjoying your cycling.
 

Sonofpear

Well-Known Member
Location
South Shields
Yeah well done mate. I was in a similar position a few months ago and can relate to many things that you have said. I'm obsoletely loving my road bike. Well done on the weight loss too. Keep up the good work.
 

BSRU

A Human Being
Location
Swindon
It's one thing many car drivers just don't understand, how enjoyable and rewarding cycling is.
 

Angelfishsolo

A Velocipedian
Tell me about it :wacko: :tongue:

Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
Henry David Thoreau, Walden
US Transcendentalist author (1817 - 1862)
 

oliglynn

Über Member
Location
Oxfordshire
I justify it by thinking of how much petrol money i've saved riding to work... And then I go an blow a larger amount on new kit :biggrin:


But there's more expensive hobbies out there such as motorsport, sailing etc, and it helps me lose weight and keep fit whilst being highly enjoyable so cycling is well worth it!
 

WychwoodTrev

Well-Known Member
Great read I also can relate to most of what you have done excellent work.
Think how much in gym fees you would have spent to get into the shape you are now plus petrol to get there and cycling is so much more fun
 

cloggsy

Boardmanist
Location
North Yorkshire
I'm in the same boat as you matie. I started riding early April, since then I have ridden 1140.51 miles (and counting as you will see from the ticker below...)

exercise.png


... and lost 48lbs (and counting,) in the process...

4090321.weight-lost-md.gif


Loving it!
 
OP
OP
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rjwilki3

Regular
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
Henry David Thoreau, Walden
US Transcendentalist author (1817 - 1862)



this is very true, I seem to have a habbit of taking up sports that require new shoes, and all seem to begin with C, at the moment I have my cricket spikes, my climbing shoes ( 2 pairs) and my cycling shoes, wardrobe is being taken over by footwear that all has a very specific use :smile:
 
OP
OP
R

rjwilki3

Regular
I'm in the same boat as you matie. I started riding early April, since then I have ridden 1140.51 miles (and counting as you will see from the ticker below...)

exercise.png


... and lost 48lbs (and counting,) in the process...

4090321.weight-lost-md.gif


Loving it!

great stuff mate, I dont have a mileage ticker and although I log a lot of my rides I have tried out a few different apps to do this and have lost a lot of data so dont have an accurate total, I have now settled on using endomondo now and will hopefully be able to keep a better track of it
 

R_Z

New Member
Agree that this was a great and fun read. Thanks for sharing. I hope to be back in the saddle soon once my bike has been repaired. I too am looking for a back up bike since I'm dangerous on 2 wheel.

You've take to the sport quickly. I smiled about the jersey since i too have one still on the shelf. Good work on the weight.
 
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