First half century

[Deleted member 20519]

Perhaps it will go so far north that Scotland doesn't suffer?

Somebody was saying on my forum ride on Sunday that it always rains in Scotland. I begged to differ ...

My mum came from near Oban so we used to spend all our summers up there when I was a child. I remember one glorious summer when the sun shone every day for 6 weeks and I practically lived on the beach.

We went back with high hopes the next year and it poured down every day for the whole 6 weeks!

There was one really nice week back in May when it was warm, since then, every single day is has either been cold, cloudy or raining

 

[Standoff]

How long did it take you?

moving time...3hrs 45minutes. Three stops of about five minutes each to eat and put waterproofs on or take off!
Although at times the rain was atrocious at times it didn't bother me too much. After years of crazy expensive hobbies I can't believe a cheap £200.00 bike can give so much pleasure.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

moving time...3hrs 45minutes. Three stops of about five minutes each to eat and put waterproofs on or take off!
Although at times the rain was atrocious at times it didn't bother me too much. After years of crazy expensive hobbies I can't believe a cheap £200.00 bike can give so much pleasure.

Good time! What bike is it that you're riding?

Edit: Had a look at your other thread, it's an Apollo TdF. How's the bike going?

 

[Standoff]

Good time! What bike is it that you're riding?

Edit: Had a look at your other thread, it's an Apollo TdF. How's the bike going?

Going fine thanks. It's my sons cast off. He's bought a carbon framed thing and I just started going out for rides with him. Now I'm addicted. Keep thinking about upgrading but waiting to see if the addiction will wane....

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Someone's actually selling a Apollo TDF in my size (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apollo-TD...UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4d03272c55#ht_500wt_1413). The bidding's at £100 but with 4 days left, I expect it'll shoot up.

 

[Standoff]

Someone's actually selling a Apollo TDF in my size (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apollo-TD...UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4d03272c55#ht_500wt_1413). The bidding's at £100 but with 4 days left, I expect it'll shoot up.

what do you ride now? No doubt I'll get something better if my enthusiasm continues but I'll be keeping this for crappy weather days.....which we seem to have quite a few!

 

[Powely]

Great motivation for my first imperial half century, then onwards and upwards from there. Only on 40 miles at the moment. Thanks and well done you...

 

[martint235]

Congratulations! I'm a big fan of fish and chips for these occasions too. You can't beat tucking into a huge meal with a glass of wine knowing you've earnt it!!!

 

[Deleted member 20519]

what do you ride now? No doubt I'll get something better if my enthusiasm continues but I'll be keeping this for crappy weather days.....which we seem to have quite a few!

I ride a stupid mountain bike with slicks on them. Moving to a road bike would be a great upgrade.

 

[Standoff]

I ride a stupid mountain bike with slicks on them. Moving to a road bike would be a great upgrade.

To give you some idea...fifteen years and two stone less ago I used to do an eight mile loop, finishing with a two mile climb on my light, non suspension mountain bike. I managed to do it in 30 minutes once! On my cheap road bike I did it in three minutes less without really killing myself a few weeks ago!
So yes, you'll see a huge difference! I doubt if the move up to a thousand pound road bike will see such a step up but who knows.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

To give you some idea...fifteen years and two stone less ago I used to do an eight mile loop, finishing with a two mile climb on my light, non suspension mountain bike. I managed to do it in 30 minutes once! On my cheap road bike I did it in three minutes less without really killing myself a few weeks ago!
So yes, you'll see a huge difference! I doubt if the move up to a thousand pound road bike will see such a step up but who knows.

Does it get easier or do you just get faster?

 

[Standoff]

Does it get easier or do you just get faster?

They say you just get faster!
One thing is certain though...you don't need the latest carbon bike to cover good mileage but I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience more!

 

[Deleted member 20519]

They say you just get faster!
One thing is certain though...you don't need the latest carbon bike to cover good mileage but I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience more!

Any road bike will do me fine!

 

[Standoff]

Some proper cycling shoes and pump the tyres up to their max made a world of difference for me! Felt like a new bike.