Am I still a beginner

[philinmerthyr]

I've been seriously cycling for the last 5 months. In that time I've cycled over 1200 miles bought a new bike ( specialized Roubaix) lost a bit of weight and become much fitter. I've done a 50 mile ride and can comfortably do 30 miles in a couple of hours.

I love the time I spend in my bike and intend to up the mileage as the evenings become lighter and the ice goes away. I'm still 21 st but don't feel huge any more. My legs hurt but that's because of the 70 miles I've done in the last 3 days.

I struggle to find kit to fit and don't look like most cyclists I encounter on my rides but I really don't care. This winter has been superb and it can only get better.

So the question is Am I still a beginner? ( I don't really care, Im having a great time anyway)

 

[Fab Foodie]

Yes, No, Maybe ....
Who's to say?
Can you fix a p*ncture in the dark on a cold wet night?

 

[Gary E]

Yes, No, Maybe ....
Who's to say?
Can you fix a p*ncture in the dark on a cold wet night?

I can but choose not to

 

[Gravity Aided]

Could carry an extra tube - that would show foresight .
Unless you carry it on your ankle, and it gets caught up in the chain and causes a spill.

 

[biggs682]

until your garage / shed is full of other bikes and associated parts then yes you are , sorry

 

[simmi]

For me the term "beginner" implies time, not what you can do. My oldest lad is just coming up 18 and weighs 9st and without any training can get on a bike and leave me for dead!
I personally would call myself a beginner for about a year.

If we are talking about experience or ability then a better term is novice.
I would think the time your are a novice is limitless, if you put the time and effort in you might only be a novice for a year, but conversely if you don't you could be a novice for the rest of your life.

 

[simmi]

I've been seriously cycling for the last 5 months. In that time I've cycled over 1200 miles bought a new bike ( specialized Roubaix)

How are you finding the Roubaix?
I really, really fancy one of those!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Depends how well you know The Rules.

 

[GIOS]

Do you shave?

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Depends how well you know The Rules.

Got nothing to do with it.
It depends what you are looking for out of cycling, the rules Andy are tongue in cheek,

Do you shave?

Yes, have done since I swam in my teens.

until your garage / shed is full of other bikes and associated parts then yes you are , sorry

again not true, I own one camera does that make me a beginner or novice

Phillip by nigelnaturist, on Flickr

I believe you are no longer a beginner when you are comfortable on the bike, with the bike and in traffic. It's got nothing to do with going out in all weathers (it's not for everyone), it's got nothing to do with strava, it's got nothing to do with top speeds high avg speeds, one of the things to me is being out with nature (it's in the name, it doesn't always mean nude).

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Got nothing to do with it.
It depends what you are looking for out of cycling, the rules Andy are tongue in cheek,

As was my reply

 

[HLaB]

I've been cycling seriously since 2002; covered over 45,000 miles since I started keeping records in 2006 but I'd still class myself as a beginner; I can still learn something new

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I've been cycling seriously since 2002; covered over 45,000 miles since I started keeping records in 2006 but I'd still class myself as a beginner; I can still learn something new

So true, but isn't that being a novice rather than a beginner.

As was my reply

Be surprised how many believe other wise

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Be surprised how many believe other wise

People take the rules seriously? That's scary.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I know, right got to go photo group.