Finally got out on my first ride.

[Sonofpear]

The weather was pretty crap today but I wasn't gonna let that put me off clocking up a few miles. One of the lads dropped out due to the weather so 3 of us headed off.The wind was pretty bad and in our face as we headed west, but the new bike is feeling good, I kinda stayed at the back and let my mates lead the way. Everything was going great until they took a sharp left turn I wasn't prepared for. I tried to hop up a ketb and follow but somehow ended up on the floor with a nice bit of road rash on my elbow and knee. Oww ya bugger!
Got back on and we headed through Newcastle, following the river upto wylam. It was a lovely ride and I really enjoyed it. Apart from the headwind. We had a quick refreshment stop, Then headed back down the other side of the river. after a few miles my mate was plagued by punctures which was a bit of a nightmare but we got sorted in the end. The wind was behind us now and we were flying along. Had a couple of little sprints along the way but I just can't compete with my mates, yet.
As we neared home I could feel my legs tiring. We hit a small hill and I felt like I was going backwards. I was at my limit for the last couple of miles but was very happy with the mileage we covered for my first ride. The bike rides great and I think my seat may need to be raised a little. Gonna try and get a few 10-15 milers in after work this week.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Wiped out on your first ride, bummer! Glad your ok though, and hope the bikes ok too

 

[ianrauk]

blimey, hope the new bike is ok. (and that you are too)

 

[Mark_Robson]

blimey, hope the new bike is ok. (and that you are too)

+1 How did the bike ride?

 

[Sonofpear]

Yeah I'm ok. Hip and wrist are a bit sore from the fall but I've had a lot worse. The bike has a little scuff on the seat and brake lever but it's nothing to worry about. Feel a bit stupid about the fall, gotta remember I'm on a road bike and not my bmx anymore.

Loved the feel of my new bike. Rides lovely. We did about 42 miles and I think that was probably my limit as my legs were dead for the last few miles. Average speed was about 15 mph. Which my mate reckons was good considering the head wind. There were some really fast sections on the way back with the wind behind us and our speed got upto the high 20's touching 30 for a few miles.

Oh yeah, and my butt is a little bit sore haha

 

[VamP]

Oh good on you!

I reckon getting a fall out of the way is essential - good job no serious consequences.

I went out for a 57 miler yesterday, similarly to yourself that felt pretty close to my limit. I have raised my saddle half an inch against what the shop said almost instantly, and yesterday added another half an inch. The difference to long distance comfort, and climbing performance is enormous.


Good news that you're enjoying your bike!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

A fall initiates you into the "cyclists club" as far as I am concerned lol. Glad you are OK. That average speed is none too shabby. Well done

 

[Sonofpear]

Oh good on you!

I reckon getting a fall out of the way is essential - good job no serious consequences.

I went out for a 57 miler yesterday, similarly to yourself that felt pretty close to my limit. I have raised my saddle half an inch against what the shop said almost instantly, and yesterday added another half an inch. The difference to long distance comfort, and climbing performance is enormous.


Good news that you're enjoying your bike!

57 eh vamp. Nice one.
Yeah I'm glad I've got my first fall out of the way, it wasnt too bad just a school boy error. Should have just taken my time instead of being my usual wreckless self.
Think I need to up my seat a bit too. Couldn't find the right Allen key at home so just had to go with how it was. Need to get a little tool kit sorted.
Gonna get out this week for a few smaller rides and test myself on a few small hills. Hopefully it won't be as windy.

Loving the bike and just getting out there. We had a few little sprints against each other which was fun. Got a slightly longer ride planned for next week and I'm really looking forward to that.

 

[Sonofpear]

A fall initiates you into the "cyclists club" as far as I am concerned lol. Glad you are OK. That average speed is none too shabby. Well done

I consider myself initiated then haha.
I've got myself an app for my phone to plot mileage etc. Dunno how accurate they are. Yesterday my friend used his and he also has a little computer thing and they both gave pretty similar results. Gonna try it out on my next ride.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

A well set up cycle computer is usually more accurate than a GPS app because of the way some GPS apps measure distance. Point to point via a straight line rather than the actual route. That said I am sure some are better than others and the more often your location is plotted the more accurate your distance and thus your speed will be

Enjoy the next ride out.

I consider myself initiated then haha.
I've got myself an app for my phone to plot mileage etc. Dunno how accurate they are. Yesterday my friend used his and he also has a little computer thing and they both gave pretty similar results. Gonna try it out on my next ride.

 

[ian turner]

Everything was going great until they took a sharp left turn I wasn't prepared
for

Hand signals ?

 

[Sonofpear]

They did give me a signal to follow the cycle route but I was on the road and kinda tried to hop up the kerb to follow them and misjudged it slightly. Oh well you learn from your mistakes as they say.