fresh start

[blades1889]

so apart from riding a bmx around my paper round 10 years ago iv never really rode a bike. After watching the olympic success i was bitten by the bug and working out wether to invest my savings in a road bike since. looking at bikers go past and thinking, i want a piece of that. then the TDF coming through my hometown was the icing on the cake and yesterday my first road bike arrived. I went for a Triban 500. basically cos my budget was £500 and the reviews sounded promising.

My first ride was last night, i live in the centre of Sheffield so everyway out is a pretty daunting roundabout ring road. But last night i decided to go the backstreet hilly way around the city and managed to end up getting caught up in a bomb explosion in a local apartment (google the story) the bike feels impressive, if the smaller wheels are a bit of a culture shock. and having to have eyes everywhere with traffic, buses, potholes, homeless people etc. but still arrived home after going around 3 miles itching for more. despite all the above.

confidence around traffic is certainly an issue. So whilst I learn to master the art of fully controlling the bike, I changed tack a little and put the alarm on for 4:45am this morning and went on a 6 miles road trip with a lot less traffic. I can defintley feel an addiction growing and im building up the fitness to tackle a route from sheffield to hathersage one sunday morning. Really wish i took the lunge and invested way back at the olympics now.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Good to hear you're enjoying cycling. Lots of folks on this forum came back to cycling after a break, and found that cycling is good for what ails you. Early morning rides are always a good idea.

 

[Steady]

so apart from riding a bmx around my paper round 10 years ago iv never really rode a bike. After watching the olympic success i was bitten by the bug and working out wether to invest my savings in a road bike since. looking at bikers go past and thinking, i want a piece of that. then the TDF coming through my hometown was the icing on the cake and yesterday my first road bike arrived. I went for a Triban 500. basically cos my budget was £500 and the reviews sounded promising.

My first ride was last night, i live in the centre of Sheffield so everyway out is a pretty daunting roundabout ring road. But last night i decided to go the backstreet hilly way around the city and managed to end up getting caught up in a bomb explosion in a local apartment (google the story) the bike feels impressive, if the smaller wheels are a bit of a culture shock. and having to have eyes everywhere with traffic, buses, potholes, homeless people etc. but still arrived home after going around 3 miles itching for more. despite all the above.

confidence around traffic is certainly an issue. So whilst I learn to master the art of fully controlling the bike, I changed tack a little and put the alarm on for 4:45am this morning and went on a 6 miles road trip with a lot less traffic. I can defintley feel an addiction growing and im building up the fitness to tackle a route from sheffield to hathersage one sunday morning. Really wish i took the lunge and invested way back at the olympics now.

Confidence really does grow with cycling on the road more, fitness and speed, speed makes a lot of things easier. I don't handle traffic well either, thinking about it makes me feel like a nervous wreck but when actually out I'm okay, so rather my perception of it is far worse than it really is.

I've a nightmare at the moment with roadworks and roundabouts, but don't let it spoil the ride, most drivers can be surprisingly patient and a thumbs up or a thank you (even if you have priority!) can go a long way.

I use to be an early morning cyclist but I got lazy, so I force myself out during the day now and it's really not as bad as I think it is, but cycling at six am is a wonderful experience!

It's even nicer when the kids are on holiday, and the traffic isn't so backed up the closer it gets to nine am.

 

[blades1889]

yeah the tranquility of a 5am ride is great. just you and the birds. be back at em tommorow! aim for an extra mile on a different route. and im sure the confidence will grow. itching to get back on the saddle and ask my fair share of questions on here to make the transition as easy as possible

 

[LSAF2011]

I would say keep the nerves as it keeps you on the edge and wary, but with that you'll learn to enjoy city cycling.

But when you get out on the open roads it will feel like freedom and you'll go for miles more.

 

[blades1889]

Just got in from my 2nd 5am ride.This one was 9 miles and took on some of the route the TDF used. The hills was pure torture and heaven all at all the same time.

Sheffield is a beautiful city when all the people who live there are asleep. One thing that isn't beautiful though is the roads. So many potholes, broken glass and such and im definitely obsessed with keeping my bike looking as pristine as possible. I cycled 4-5 miles out and stopped for a 10 minute water break. Just to take in the view of the peaks and it was a real rewarding experience but it wasn't half as rewarding as pulling up onto the last half of km and seeing the finish line and going all out. Why did I spend 3 years and around a grand in virgin gym membership fees to sit on an exercise bike static?

 

[Steady]

Just got in from my 2nd 5am ride.This one was 9 miles and took on some of the route the TDF used. The hills was pure torture and heaven all at all the same time.

Sheffield is a beautiful city when all the people who live there are asleep. One thing that isn't beautiful though is the roads. So many potholes, broken glass and such and im definitely obsessed with keeping my bike looking as pristine as possible. I cycled 4-5 miles out and stopped for a 10 minute water break. Just to take in the view of the peaks and it was a real rewarding experience but it wasn't half as rewarding as pulling up onto the last half of km and seeing the finish line and going all out. Why did I spend 3 years and around a grand in virgin gym membership fees to sit on an exercise bike static?

Hills are definitely something I enjoy, I may not be good at them or like them, but I definitely enjoy them.

They show improvement and progress like nothing else. After two weeks those hills start to feel a little different, easier in certain spots and it's a very nice feeling.

Keep on getting out, enjoying it and racing to that finish line. :-)

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Just got in from my 2nd 5am ride.This one was 9 miles and took on some of the route the TDF used. The hills was pure torture and heaven all at all the same time.

Sheffield is a beautiful city when all the people who live there are asleep. One thing that isn't beautiful though is the roads. So many potholes, broken glass and such and im definitely obsessed with keeping my bike looking as pristine as possible. I cycled 4-5 miles out and stopped for a 10 minute water break. Just to take in the view of the peaks and it was a real rewarding experience but it wasn't half as rewarding as pulling up onto the last half of km and seeing the finish line and going all out. Why did I spend 3 years and around a grand in virgin gym membership fees to sit on an exercise bike static?

I have never understood this one.

 

[LSAF2011]

I have never understood this one.

Agreed

Same thing for treadmills!! Outdoors there is this thing called fresh air!!!!!!!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Agreed

Same thing for treadmills!! Outdoors there is this thing called fresh air!!!!!!!

Not quite what I would call down some of the country lanes around here sometimes. then there is this or this or this but its all better than a gym.

 

[Dogtrousers]

When you're out and about on a quiet stretch of road, practice turning your head to take a look behind you while maintaining a straight(ish) line. It's a key safety skill and will help with your traffic confidence.

I have to admit that I'm not brilliant at it (tend to wobble), and I learned while in France that I'm completely rubbish at looking over my left shoulder.