Improving but had 1st fall

[sidevalve]

snorri is spot on. Just get out and enjoy at first. If you want to check your milage just so you can say [to quote the B&Q advert] "I did that", then fine but don't worry, it does get easier.

 

[ray7]

Rob, I have a problem with the calf muscles that the doctors never found a cause for then 10 years ago I came down with an illness that the meds I have to take cause muscle and joint pain. So most days I have a certain amount of pain without riding a bike. The problem with the calf muscles is the one I don`t want to set off, when it starts you can see the muscles twisting under the skin.

Ray

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Just take it easy Jim, and has been said dont worry about distances and times, they should improve, I seem to be going backward at the mo.

 

[Peteaud]

Keep it light and keep at it, the distance / time does not matter, just build it slowly.

And well done.

 

[Easytigers]

Just take it easy Jim, and has been said dont worry about distances and times, they should improve, I seem to be going backward at the mo.

I'm the same...during the summer (whatever we had), I was smashing PBs everyday...Over the last few weeks I seem to be getting slower and slower!!!

 

[Saluki]

Anglesey!! I haven't ridden there for years, not since the ex was at RAF Valley. Its all a bit uppy-downy for my liking so well done with cycling. It will all come together soon.
Don't worry about the speed/distance etc that anyone else does, you are not anyone else, you are you. People bomb past us on pretty much every ride but its better to be out there doing something than not and I am sure that your legs will soon get used to the new exercise that they are getting. Just do what you can and enjoy it.

I use Strava and am last on all the segments but I don't really care. I also use 'my tracks' which is an excellent app for a smart phone. It tells you your total time, moving time, total average, moving average and the climbs in feet or metres. Totally free app too. I really like it except for it has no 'pause' facility like Strava.

Enjoy your cycling I too am going backwards at the moment, using the MTB instead of the roadie has taken up 1/3 of any speed that I have been able to amass this year, the grotty weather is not helping much either (nor is the cake, the biccies or the crisps - one of those months)

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I'm the same...during the summer (whatever we had), I was smashing PBs everyday...Over the last few weeks I seem to be getting slower and slower!!!

Its my overall avg thats down, I usually get a few p.b.'s, but then I have been doing more difficult rides for me.

 

[slowmotion]

Just take it easy, Ray. It doesn't matter about times or distances to begin with. It doesn't matter later either, unless you want it to. Just get used to enjoying being on the bike. Visiting places that you have never been was a good start for me...just the unexplored lanes and alleys that are everywhere. Once you get to like just being on the bike, you put in a few more miles and get a bit fitter.
Have a lot of fun.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Don't dump the Strava thing! You may not be beating any KOM's for a while, but when I started it was seeing my total mileage creeping up that kept me going - I still remember being immensely proud when I hit my first accumulated 100!

By this time next year you'll be really grateful for living on a hill too - I have to go miles to find a decent one!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Don't dump the Strava thing! You may not be beating any KOM's for a while, but when I started it was seeing my total mileage creeping up that kept me going - I still remember being immensely proud when I hit my first accumulated 100!

By this time next year you'll be really grateful for living on a hill too - I have to go miles to find a decent one!

Almost the same here, there are a couple of short steep ones.
I will keep strava, but I dont think I will ever challenge for any KOM's, but its nice to see a record of your times on segments.
But then I can do that on ridewithgps too, and there arn't so many people on that, but when there are I am still toward the bottom, it also gives more info about your ride than strava.

 

[ray7]

Slowmotion - I am taking it easier now than the first few days I had the bike. Not a lot of lanes I`ve not been down round here as I go shooting when I get time and that takes me to some parts most people never see.

CopperCyclist - I will be keeping Strava for the time being as I need something to beat to keep me motivated.

Nigelnaturist - Ridewithgps looks interesting it looks to have a better graph than Strava, I will have to think about changing when I start doing longer rides.

Did my longest so far yesterday 2.1 miles. Slower max speed but faster adv speed so must be getting better on the climbs.

Thanks all for the help and encouragement.

Ray

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Did my longest so far yesterday 2.1 miles. Slower max speed but faster adv speed so must be getting better on the climbs.

Thanks all the help and encouragement.

Ray

Max speeds have never bothered me, though I guess they help toward a higher avg, I just look for a consistent effort, I know I am getting better when I compare times for given segments, though the weather (wind) effects them quite a bit. Some like the last mile home from Darrington, I just dont seem to beable to get close to at the, possible because I have been doing longer and higher rides, so I am more tired when I get to that stretch.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I try to improve speed just to have an idea of progress . But I agree with Nigelnaturist that consistent effort seems to be the key for me . As your routes may vary , so will your efforts .