Beginner's progress

[HJ]

And now it's time to introduce you to n+1 where that is the number of bikes you want, and n is the number you have now.

Correction, it is i=n+1 where i is the idea number of bikes you need and n is the number of bike you already own...

 

[ed77]

Morning all,

Thought I'd introduce myself and say "hi".

I've been lurking on the site for a few months now before registering and posting but have picked up so much valuable information on here. I'd like to offer my thanks to the dedicated owners of this site and the experienced chaps who take time to post their considered advice for us novices.

Finding Cycling
A charity football match about six months ago I 'played' in finally demonstrated to me just how unfit I had become as a car-driving, home-working, occasional office-visiting 'business type person'. So, at 36 years of age and with an ever-increasing waist-band, I decided it was high time to take charge. I'm 6'2" and, three months ago, I tipped the scales at 16 stone.

Then I discovered cycling!

With no idea at the time whether I'd take to the sport (and after taking some advice from friends), I visited the local bike shop with an entry-level hybrid in mind, spending approx. £250 on a Dawes 201. While I'm now almost reaching the point of arousal whilst looking at some of the more expensive bikes, compared to my last one some 20+ years ago, climbing aboard the Dawes felt like mounting technology at the peak of its perfection.

So poor was my fitness when I first got the bike home, that the inaugural trip 'around the block' saw me literally crawl back into the house on my knees. My poor wife watched me flip like a fish on the floor as I gasped for air. It was only as I gained composure about 15 minutes later that she finally decided not to call the emergency NHS helpline.

I remember marvelling at the time about "one day" setting off for places 10 miles away from where we live and looking at barely sloping hills thinking "Imagine riding up that!".

Now, just 3 months later, I'm referring to the 25 milers as "a short one" and I've got a number of 60 milers under my belt. I'm sprinting up those "hills" I'd shuddered at during those first couple of weeks. I'm boring my friends with cycling stories (although, to be fair, they're pretty understanding). I'm even starting self-indulgent threads about my progress on cycling forums!!!

I friggin' love cycling!
I'm addicted!
I'm fitter!
I'm healthier!
I've got a sun tan!
My thighs are growing by the day!
...and I'm down from 16 stone to 14st10!

Why didn't someone tell me about all this 20 years ago!!!!?

Hi,
Another first post here; I was going to do one individually but your post so closely matches my own that it thought I would just add to the thread.

I had not cycled for about 30 years. At about 18 years old, as a keen cyclist, I passed the driving test and discovered cars, so completely lost interest in the bike and bought a car. Now working from home (my commute is less than 30 seconds on a bad day) and being increasingly sedentary, I needed to do something; the Gym is soooo boring, so I thought I would buy a bike; this was 4 months ago...

The big issue that I have is that I live at the bottom of a hill: I need to cycle for about half a mile uphill before I get to flat ground, or anywhere that you might want to go! My daughters and wife said I would only ride a bike for a week before the hill defeated me and I lost interest. So with family pressure I set my budget at £300, slightly higher than yours; I bought a Dawes Discovery 301 as an entry-level hybrid; this was based on the fact that most other local bike shops only wanted to sell me something at £450+ and could not justify why I should spend the extra money. For what I need this is a very good bike and so much better than what I remember. But like you I want more...


Sadly the Dawes Discovery is a Ford Mondeo (a good car) but what we wanted was the BMW (no better car, but with the brand image and a higher price tag). Compared to the competition at this price from other local shops (in my case this was Trek and Specialized) it is better specced: this is a good bike at a good price. Where Dawes have let themselves down is image; if they changed the decals to give it a more hip image and changed the marketing, they could make this bike cool.

Like you I am already looking at upgrading (am I being shallow here). The objective is that if I still manage to cycle through the winter I will get something different, or possibly build the bike that I think I want.

On my performance: I have not lost more than a few pounds weight (I was never actually a heavyweight), but the beer gut seems to have gone (but no reduction in intake). The Hill is not a problem. I am seriously fitter (I know I have thighs now) but also I feel the NEED to go out every day if only for a short ride; going to get a pint of milk from the corner shop seems to involve taking the long way round...

 

[KevinG]

Good posts and can relate to both having owned my Trek for just over a month.

I am amazed that I can now hit 30 miles in one session, a few weeks ago this would have seemed like a mountain to climb.

The hills that used to be a slog now seem a lot easier.

Already looking at clipless pedals as trainers just don't seem to cut it anymore. I guess this is where the upgrading starts and the pocket suffers!

 

[gregster]

I came back to cycling in May after a break of about 18 years, like the rest you, I passed my driving test and then work got in the way, and it went by the way side. My initial ride out in may killed me but I continued and did my first sportive in September, completing the 80km Kent ride. Chuffed to bits.
Unfortunately I had a bit of an accident coming home and wrecked the bike, so just waiting for my Cycle 2 Work voucher to arrive and I'll be back out. I've got serious withdrawal symptoms, but am managing to get out on my MTB with my son on the back to keep my foot in.
Will be looking at doing at least 3 sportives next year, probably 80km routes, and then increase the following year, and looking to join a club but my work can be prohibitive to getting to evening meets.
Love it, love it, love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!