First chance to get on my Giant XR2 since i bought it just before christmas. I fitted a computer to it and got out on it today. Only clocked up just over 5 miles, nothing I know for most of you on here but for me after 30 years away from cycling and no other form of exercise hard work. It can only get easier, and the best thing is I loved it! unlike my hate for running, gyms etc. For a hybrid it certainly does nip along.
First proper ride for years
- Thread starter Franksie
- Start date
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PaulSecteur
No longer a Specialized fanboy
- Location
- Walsall, West Mids.
Well done!
When I got my first bike as an adult I planned out a 10 mile ride, I got to 2 miles and was done! And I thought I was in reasonable shape to!
Its suprising how quickly you can build up distance, but if you are doing 5 miles already you already have a good head start!
When I got my first bike as an adult I planned out a 10 mile ride, I got to 2 miles and was done! And I thought I was in reasonable shape to!
Its suprising how quickly you can build up distance, but if you are doing 5 miles already you already have a good head start!
lanternerouge
Veteran
- Location
- Leafy Cheshire
WozzaTT
Active Member
- Location
- Solihull, West Midlands
Nice one! I'm just about to get a hybrid and start cycling and, like you, I pretty much hate the gym and running.
What does the computer do? Track your route and tell you distance cycled and speed etc? Did you go out in the countryside or urban?
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
This might interest you
http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/computers.html
It's in US speak, but similar products are on sale in the UK.
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
That article was written by Garmin wasn't it? 
They seem to be rather dismissive of a wired magnetic pick-up style computer, but I've found my Cateye Velo 8 the most reliable computer I've had (including the gps that loses signal in forests)
Frankie - well done on your ride, and 5 miles is not nothing, it's a ride that you enjoyed
It does get easier, and if you already love it now then I hope you find much more happiness as you carry on
They seem to be rather dismissive of a wired magnetic pick-up style computer, but I've found my Cateye Velo 8 the most reliable computer I've had (including the gps that loses signal in forests)
Frankie - well done on your ride, and 5 miles is not nothing, it's a ride that you enjoyed
It does get easier, and if you already love it now then I hope you find much more happiness as you carry on
Klaus
Senior Member
- Location
- High Wycombe
I was also quite out of practice early in 2010 when I started riding, initially I even had to stop on small inclines on the main road from me ..... now I am doing 10 milers on a regular basis. What I find is a good challenge is to tackle hills, nothing spectacular initially, but that builds stamina and in most places you can't avoid hills. Certainly not in my area - I live up a hill, hills in all directions.
Enjoy!!
ThePainInSpain
Active Member
- Location
- Malaga, Spain
Well done Franksie, join the club..................
I only got back into cycling at the end of August (last year 2010), but was surprised at how quickly I was able to add the mileage. And how fitter I became in a relatively short time.
I'm no spring chicken, 62 in 3 weeks time, and 3 st overweight.
Have been out today for the first time in 3 weeks, because of the abysmal weather we've had here and of course Christmas. Did 15kms and was knackered.
Still, won't take long to back back into the routine, weather permitting.
I only got back into cycling at the end of August (last year 2010), but was surprised at how quickly I was able to add the mileage. And how fitter I became in a relatively short time.
I'm no spring chicken, 62 in 3 weeks time, and 3 st overweight.
Have been out today for the first time in 3 weeks, because of the abysmal weather we've had here and of course Christmas. Did 15kms and was knackered.
Still, won't take long to back back into the routine, weather permitting.
superdomestique
New Member
i got into cycling in May 2010 after being an armchair fan of pro racing (mainly tour de france) for years. first ride with a couple of mates over 10 miles left me dead. however after regular rides i'm now doing 50 miles at weekends without difficulty. just keep going during this terrible weather and you will reap the rewards in the summer!
5 miles after 30 years out of the saddle is really good.
I managed 3 miles and felt like i was dying, after a few months was up to an easy 20 miles (in between hospital visits).
I have also met a some very nice people off this site whom i now consider friends and have helped me get into better shape.
Roll on 2011.
I managed 3 miles and felt like i was dying, after a few months was up to an easy 20 miles (in between hospital visits).
I have also met a some very nice people off this site whom i now consider friends and have helped me get into better shape.
Roll on 2011.
The first 5 miles are the worst. If your knees don't get you - your groin will!
The magic is just how fast the body adapts to new challenges. Muscles there was just fat a few weeks ago, a saddle that is a friend not a foe. The trick is to gently up those mileages in tune with your body. Nobody but you can judge that. The danger is to try too hard. If your target is distance - forget about speed. Your first 20 miler will be just that. The magic will be looking at that journey on a map as you relax afterwards. The time is immaterial (well until you do your next 20 miler which is always nice to do a little faster).
Gentle upping of mileage will get you to quite extraordinary success in your first new season and the weather is only going to get better and the days longer for the foreseeable future. And every ride can result in a really over-indulgent satisfaction of what you can, and most people can't, do on a bike.
0 to 100 miles is achievable by a fit person on a decent bike in their first season. And by nearly everyone else by their second. But every seasoned long distance rider probably has a very fond memory of their first five or ten miler. So really enjoy the moment and let the future look after itself!
The magic is just how fast the body adapts to new challenges. Muscles there was just fat a few weeks ago, a saddle that is a friend not a foe. The trick is to gently up those mileages in tune with your body. Nobody but you can judge that. The danger is to try too hard. If your target is distance - forget about speed. Your first 20 miler will be just that. The magic will be looking at that journey on a map as you relax afterwards. The time is immaterial (well until you do your next 20 miler which is always nice to do a little faster).
Gentle upping of mileage will get you to quite extraordinary success in your first new season and the weather is only going to get better and the days longer for the foreseeable future. And every ride can result in a really over-indulgent satisfaction of what you can, and most people can't, do on a bike.
0 to 100 miles is achievable by a fit person on a decent bike in their first season. And by nearly everyone else by their second. But every seasoned long distance rider probably has a very fond memory of their first five or ten miler. So really enjoy the moment and let the future look after itself!
