First 30 Miler!

[Deleted member 20519]

Sorry for boasting but I'm pretty proud of myself. I'm fairly unfit but I managed to get out for around 3ish hours today and cycle for 30 miles!

I was only planning to cycle to Halfords to buy a new bike light which is around 2 miles away, ended up going from Paisley to Gourock. Around 15 miles was on the cycle path, 5ish was on a cycle lane and 10 was on the road. I actually really enjoyed it, despite the rain and the extremely uncomfortable saddle.

Here's some interesting things that happened on my journey:

Fell off my bike going too fast round a corner in the wet (many laughs were given in my direction)
Strange child laughed at me and then apologised when he realised I wasn't 'Michael', whoever that is
On the cycle path and my headphones got caught around the chain, slicing them into two pieces
Didn't wear my gloves, hands were raw for the cycle back
Freezing cold, only had my cycling jersey on and no jacket
Almost collided with a car which failed to see me, gave me a fright

It was an interesting ride, going to try and do it some more!

Things that I need to do -

Buy a suspension seat post or a gel saddle
Get my tyres unbuckled
Order some Schwable slicks (I hear the CityJets are good)
Give my bike a good clean

If you pros have any tips on how to have a more comfortable/enjoyable/better ride, please let me know!

 

[biggs682]

city jets are much better than knobblys , and a decent saddle can make a big differnace

 

[d87francis]

I would try some padded shorts before a gel saddle (bib ones are comfortable as they don't cut into your stomach, £25 on ebay). Gel saddles often just shift pressure into bits of your behind where you don't want pressure. Ideally you want most of the pressure on your sit bones, and very little on the soft tissue between them. This may be uncomfortable at first but I promise after a few weeks you'll be used to it and comfortable, where as using a gel saddle will permanently limit your time in the saddle.

When you get your wheels sorted and some slicks, I would invest in a track pump - less than £20 for a decent one on ebay (get one suitable for both valve types presta & schrader - never know when it may come in handy) and then it is easy to run your tyres close to maximum pressure. You will not believe the difference well pumped up slicks will make, the miles will be so much easier.

It goes without saying that some sort of emergency kit will be essential at some point. Keeping your tyres well inflated will greatly reduce the risk of punctures but you will get one at some point. I tend to carry with me as a minimum: a spare tube, puncture repair kit (in case you have more than one puncture), a small allen key tool, a chain tool, a couple of plastic tyre levers, a small pump and an old sock (to keep bits in and to clean your hands). I don't know how skilled you are with bike maintenance but if you haven't before I would practice changing tubes and splitting and re linking your chain at home before you have to do it at the side of the road at some point.

I have only recently got very serious about cycling and being a broke student with limited budget I have learnt to love ebay as in most cases it is 50% cheaper than any bike shop. Also forums and youtube are your friend for learning about bike maintenance, if there's anything I'm unsure about I tend to google it with 'forum' after it in the search term and hey presto you get lots of threads on said topic.

As a final word I'd say get cleaning, look up how to clean properly and what lubricants to use and where, as a clean bike is more than just aesthetics, it's essential for long life of components and makes fettling and learning easier. Good luck and enjoy it!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Well done on the 30 miles.

Better tyres will make it much easier to go further and faster and the Cityjets are well respected.

Try checking your saddle adjustment before spending money on a new one. Getting the height, rake and fore/aft settings right makes a big difference to comfort and you'd be surprised at the effect a small change can have. To set it up from scratch try the following:
Height: your knees should be just bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke, which will probably be a higher setting than you'd expect.
Rake: set the saddle level to start with and make small adjustments if required.
Fore/aft: Try it in the middle of the adjustment to start and again make small movements as needed.
Gel saddles are nice and soft to start with but they tend to restrict circulation after approx 10 to 15 miles which is most uncomfortable.

I've only tried one suspension seat post so I don't have much experience here. It didn't impress me much.

I hope this is useful.

 

[Paulus]

Congratulations on your first 30. I would go with the padded shorts before getting a sus. seatpost. As others have said, get the saddle correctly positioned for you will help.

 

[lavoisier]

Boast away-fantastic achievement. I did 25 miles about 8 weeks ago but due to illness and bereavement haven't been near my bike since. Back to the beginning for me then. Once again very well done

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well done JazLoc! Falling off the bike is optional, you know?
I've got a spare gel saddle you could have, if you like. PM me, I will answer eventually.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Thank you and great tips!

I'll adjust the saddle and I'll have a look in some sports shops for some padded shorts, how much are those things anyway?

 

[Fubar]

Well done Jazloc, it's important to recognise and celebrate your acheivements when they pass you by - you'll soon be doing your first 50miles/100kms/75miles etc, etc. There are a few west-coasters on here and a few east-coasters (including myself), have a look at the CC Informal Rides section for a potential upcoming CC Ecosse West Coast Ride. Regards, Mark

 

[stephyt]

well done jazloc keep it up im yet to do my first 30 miler hoping next week

 

[Deleted member 20519]

well done jazloc keep it up im yet to do my first 30 miler hoping next week

Good luck! Don't forget to go prepared, I didn't even set out to cycle more than 2 miles, I was just going to buy a water bottle cage and then I just cycled! Remember to take all of your equipment with you, unlike me

 

[Peteaud]

Well done, ive not managed 30 yet but some day soon....

 

[stephyt]

Good luck! Don't forget to go prepared, I didn't even set out to cycle more than 2 miles, I was just going to buy a water bottle cage and then I just cycled! Remember to take all of your equipment with you, unlike me

lol yea will b prepared this time ive done me 10 last thurs, 24 miler 2 days ago , didnt have a water bottle so was often stoppin to buy a small bottle then drink it then carry on cycling my dad now fitted a bottle holder today when he came up to c me as he had all the alin keys which he has left with me so i can make ajustments myself... need to get myself a pump prob at weekend