How Did it Start For You?

[punkypossum]

It was the pet's fault really...I used to cyle a bit as a child, but then didn't really do much once I had got to teenage age. Then, about 3 years back, me and a friend used to walk my ferret on a path along the river in our local park. Bikes kept whizzing past us and we kept saying that it might be fun to get bikes. Then, about 6 months later, we took my cat to the vet, he had to stay in for an hour, so in the meantime, we popped into the local Halfrauds. A few hours later, we were the proud owners of a couple of cheap Raleighs - we really got into cycling (although we thought 10 miles was terribly far), but both bikes went to bicycle heaven (well, hell more like it) within 6 months due to various manufacturing faults. I sold the bike I got in exchange, as I didn't like it and bought myself a mountain bike in the Evans sale... Still being very much a newbie, I ended up with a bike about 3 sizes to large, so that got sold again and I bought my current trek 4300. He is going to be 2 in December. However, winter set in, me and my friend fell out and the bike stood in the hallway looking sorry for himself. I dug him out again the following spring, but then due to various reasons, incl. a couple of medical problems, the poor bike didn't really get used much that year either. Then, in late Autumn 07, me and puddleglum decided to do a 250 mile charity ride to Amsterdam (over 4 days). The weather put us off again, so we didn't really start any training till about february/march this year - at which point we were terribly proud if we did 10 miles at an average of 10mph. Just before the ride, we had got up to being able to do 30 without major problems and managed to complete a single 50miler as well. Then the Amsterdam ride came in May, absolutely loved it and got truly hooked. Have since joined a club, gone clipless, completed my first 100 miler, the average speed has gone up, 50miles feel like a doddle, anything under 20 is hardly worth getting on the bike for, I am well on my way to reaching my target of 2000 miles this year (I know that's not very much for some of you, but I don't need the bike for commuting) and I desperately want a road bike so I can go even further and faster! And that's the story so far....

 

[Scoosh]

Then, in late Autumn 07, me and puddleglum decided to do a 250 mile charity ride to Amsterdam (over 4 days).

I remember all the threads and posts around that time !
Can this be the same pp who was seeking so much encouragement/ advice/ knowledge just a few months ago ???

2000 miles this year

 

[punkypossum]

It's funny looking back tho, 'cause I must have improved, but while you are doing it, you don't really notice till you look at the figures or go out with someone that used to be the same standard!

As for Amsterdame - I'm doing it again next year, so I'm sure I can think of a few more panicky posts by spring time!!!

 

[surfgurl]

I hold the Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond responsible for getting me cycling as an adult.
Two years ago my car caught fire, so I was stuck for how to get to work five miles away with a limited bus service. Hammond had just had the accident with the jet car about 6 weeks before hand. There was a picture of him out on a bike obviously recovering from the accident. I figured if he could get out and cycle about to help him recover from almost dying then I could cycle five miles to work and back every day.

 

[chipmonster]

A collegue wanted a bike, I was her boss, so we both decided to go to the shop in works time. I borrowed the managers credit card as the cycle was going to be bought on the cycle to work scheme.

At the same time I bought a mountain bike thinking I would just ride it in the park every so often with the children. However, when I started using it, I liked it.

Got myself a carbon racer about a month afterwards. I work about 60 miles round trip, so cannot use it for commuting. However, i stick my racer at the back of the car and commute in the final 3.5 miles, which are the busiest and congested. Some collegues at work think I am mad, others thinks its a good idea.

In the last 6 months alone I have spent £1650 on the bikes and accessories, so its becoming an expensive hobby. I have been into cycling for about six months, still going through the pain barrier of climbing them hills, but I love my racer !!!

 

[Iainj837]

I used to drive everywhere, till I suffered a epileptic attack then couldn't drive.
I had a cheap mountain bike, but as I was using it 5 days a week and about a 20 mile round trip. I needed a newer and better quality.
I got a Claud Butler Odyssey.
I now have Raleigh Pioneer Venture, which I was able to buy though the bike to work scheme
Unfortunately I have not been riding as I got my license back.
I have been lazy and been driving everywhere

 

[fofo]

Used to ride when I was a kid but I always had really heavy uncomfortable bikes. Started to get really annoyed with getting the bus to work and decided that after a 7 year hiatus it was time to buy a new bike. Managed to pick up a Revolution Courier in the sale and haven't looked back since. I have lost the extra stone I was carrying. I often find myself going bizarre routes home to add extra mileage to my short (3mile) commute and at weekends I go off for miles without a care in the world (until the mrs calls me)

 

[john2702]

I gave up cycling at 16 when my parents bought me a Mobylette moped. I'd ogled them as a child on French caravanning holidays. it had a dual seat, an over-large twin-helmet top box and four shiny chrome mirrors.

Last year (then aged 49) I went to see the doctor about some RSI. Had my blood pressure taken and hey presto one blood test later I was a Type 2 diabetic.

Within a month I'd bought a front-sus Raleigh (not too expensive, but really comfortable, and now I can manage 50 miles in a day no sweat. (No mountains though.

Best thing I ever bought... AND it's keeping my blood sugar down.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Sorry to read about the Type 2 Diabeties but congratulations on the cycling and mileage.

I gave up cycling at 16 when my parents bought me a Mobylette moped. I'd ogled them as a child on French caravanning holidays. it had a dual seat, an over-large twin-helmet top box and four shiny chrome mirrors.

Last year (then aged 49) I went to see the doctor about some RSI. Had my blood pressure taken and hey presto one blood test later I was a Type 2 diabetic.

Within a month I'd bought a front-sus Raleigh (not too expensive, but really comfortable, and now I can manage 50 miles in a day no sweat. (No mountains though.

Best thing I ever bought... AND it's keeping my blood sugar down.

 

[lantern rouge]

For me it was a combination of riding my sons' MTB offroad this summer,great fun until I got sick of being left for dead by road bikes on the treks to and from woodland paths etc.

I've also followed the last few TdF's on Eurosport and ITV4 and leaving aside the dark side, (dopers etc) I found it rivetting.

I'd love to be good enough to do the Alpe d'Huez or Hautecam on a cycling holiday in the future, but for now I'll just try and get miles in.

best thing I've done in years

(Oh yeah, the fuel price hikes were the clincher with the wife!!)

 

[ianrauk]

In the early 70's riding bikes was what all the kids did where I lived (that, climbing trees, footy and British Bulldog, a bit different from today's kids with Computers, Mobiles and knives).
We used to go to the local tip and get all the bike bits to build our own bikes(with the help of a neighbour kids bike mad dad, his garden was just like a bike junkyard). We all wanted Choppers of course. I managed to get a Yellow one. But didn't last long because as well as the Coventry Eagle mutant jobbie I built, I got a Grifter for my 12 birthday...... it was the bike all the kids wanted at the time.
We must have spent all our school holidays on our bikes what ever the weather.. out in the morning... back at teatime..
I carried on cycling until I was 22 when the bike I had a yellow Peugeot got nicked. Didn't get another bike until 17 years later as I wanted to get fit (approaching 40 and was an unfit beer drinking lard arse)..
Got a Subway Carrera 2 as a pressie from 'Er Indoors so I could cycle to Orpington Station and back.. 1.5miles, easy.. or so I thought. nearly 20 years of Beer and Curry had turned me into one unfit bugger. It took 7 minutes to cycle home and 20 minutes to recover. (The Subway 2 was nicked from the Station after 2 weeks). Carried on riding to station and back, then started doing loops around local area of about 20 miles. Stretched the commute to 10 miles daily round trip. I then met up last year with The Bromley and Lewisham cyclists groups, so off out most Saturday's or Sunday's for longer rides. Stretched the commute to 26 mile round trip daily in April this year. 2 and half years later.. 2 and half stone lighter.. fit as I have ever been.. averaging 200 miles a week.. and loving every bleeding minute of it

 

[peanut]

my Dad bought me a gorgeous Claude Butler when I was about 10 The frame was far too big for me even with the saddle clamp upside down .The frame had exquisite fancy lugwork and it was painted dark purple.It had been hand built for someone who changed their mind.
I had mostly roller skated everywhere to that point but now I was hooked on road bikes. That was 47 years ago

I sold the bike in 1969 for 10.00 to the wife of a lbs so I could afford to take my girlfriend down the coast. One of the biggest regrets of my life

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Thanks to all for sharing your stories with us. Reading some of these, I feel quite ashamed that it took me so long to get back on a bike.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Never feel ashamed. It's not where you start but where you finish that matters

Thanks to all for sharing your stories with us. Reading some of these, I feel quite ashamed that it took me so long to get back on a bike.

 

[ArDee]

I had a three wheeler as a child from about 2½, 3 and was taught to ride a 2 wheeler by my father at around 5 been riding ever since.