Finally pulled my finger out....

[Reece]

So been commuting to work for 13 months now although it's only a 2.4 mile round trip. I've wanted to get out and do some longer rides but lacked the motivation when it came to it. I've done a couple 6-7mile rides but last night I said to myself tomorrow is the day.

So 7.30am this morning, I donned my new Altura lycra jersey with my baggy mtb shorts (wished I wore bib shorts tbh though) and I left out on my Raleigh Airlite 100 I bought a few months ago for £90 to see if I enjoyed road bikes, planning to do 10miles. 4 mile in after a few hills I thought about turning back as the penny dropped about how low my fitness is or how the strain some of the hills took on me. However, I persevered as I couldn't turn back as wouldn't hit the 10mile mark so carried on.

Made it to Bradgate park and rode along the main path through there and then started my route back to home.
Here is the Strava link for my ride - http://app.strava.com/rides/21987308

Bike computer says I'd rode 13.3 miles but Strava stated 14.3miles and the max speeds were slightly different too. Computer read max- 29.5mph and Strava was max - 35.2mph. Averages came back at 14.5mph on computer and 15.1mph on Strava which I'm very proud of considering it was my 1st further distance ride and could easily improve this route if trained for the climbs better.

A small rant where twice I was riding towards a junction, car waiting to pull out, then did at the last minute the worst being my tyre was about 10" away from 1 car. Worst thing was both the drivers made eye contact with me but obviously they were not bothered about poor old me lol.

All in all a very pleasant ride and seriously motivated me.

 

[Dommo]

Well done on the first longer ride. As for the cars, I find giving them the evil eye before they think about pulling out usually does the trick.

 

[Reece]

Well done on the first longer ride. As for the cars, I find giving them the evil eye before they think about pulling out usually does the trick.

Lol. The 2nd car was probably the worst of the 2. The bloke had his son in the back seat on my side. He must have been about 5-6yo. When he pulled out the boy just looked at me in fear as my face must have been 1-2ft away from his window.

I usually just shake my head in annoyance, although last time that led to me being told to "Suck It!" ha ha.

 

[Reece]

Oh and also got me my first achievement on Strava too. 8th out of 17 on a pretty tough hill (well tough in my eyes lol)

 

[MontyVeda]

God for you Reece... I always believed (as a lad) that pushbikes were only good for short journeys, anything longer than about 8 miles I'd stick my thumb out and hitch. I used to regularly hitch 40ish miles to Waterfoot in east lancs and got picked up by a keen cyclist who quizzed why I didn't cycle instead of hitch (having been talking about how ace cycling is). He told me in no uncertain terms that a lad my age (early twenties at the time) would easily be able to ride the distance. so i gave it a try, took me 3.5 hours... loved it. That day i realised a bike was a proper mode of transport and not a bit of a toy.

 

[Breedon]

Well done for 2 reasons, first for getting out there and doing longer rides AND sticking at it, and as for hills treat them as your friend relax and enjoy it, as it make's it much easyer, second is you have the same name as my son

 

[RWright]

Strava times, over 10 miles, weekend ride, uh huh, I think I sense an addiction coming on with longer commutes on the way home being next. Congrats.

 

[Reece]

Strava times, over 10 miles, weekend ride, uh huh, I think I sense an addiction coming on with longer commutes on the way home being next. Congrats.

Already devising plans on routes home from work lol. Possibly riding towards parents house then the down the great central railway back. Easily turn a 1.2mile into 7milez