Keep Me On Track!

[Crankpoet]

Having introduced myself a couple of weeks ago I thought I'd use the forum like a journal to track my progress towards the Ride London 100 in August.

I'm a bit overweight (92kg at 183cm height), getting old (57) very limited in fast bicycle experience - maximum 6 miles per week at a gentle pace for last year and before that not much at all at any speed but I did do a 300 mile bicycle tour in France 30 years ago. On the plus side I swim once a week - 1400 metres in around 36-38 minutes and run between 2 and 8 miles a week at around 8.40 minute mile pace.

Bicycle - a Carrera urban thing which was an insurance jobbie after my Scott atb - used for cycle trails when I lived in the West Country - was stolen (welcome to London!). I'm going to get a road bike soon.

Lifestyle - demanding job working 11 hours a day during the week, at weekend light exercise and relaxing with a bit of recreational drinking.

So progress so far - 2 weeks after getting the 'You're in!' news.

1st week, er, nothing extra due to high winds and torrential rain
2nd week, went on holiday, did some 3 hour walks.......
This week - summoned up my courage and cycled to work for the first time - East to West London around 10 miles - completed in just under an hour each way. Only 10 minutes slower than the tube and 20 minutes slower than my motorcycle. A bit scary coming back at night but the evenings are getting lighter .

My plans are to up my commuting over the next few weeks to try and reach 4 times a week and then try a longer ride over the weekend when I am comfortable with the commuting.

A question though - I have no specialist cycling clothing - any cheap recommendations?

Any observations or encouragement gratefully received!

 

[clockman]

Wiggle and the in house DHB brand. Aldi and Lidl do occasional deals on cycling clothing, but you have to watch their sites for when they are doing the deals. Padded shorts or tights, commando, of coarse and a water proof jacket if your commuting regularly.
Also ,check out the discounts, offers and retailers thread. Folk will post when deals become available.
Just enjoy your cycling, add distance gradually, don't worry about speed for the time being. It will come as you get fitter and confident.
Good luck.

 

[rafletcher]

And don't expect your waterproof jacket to be breathable, no matter what it says! You WILL get sweaty, but warm sweat is better than cold rain.

 

[Crankpoet]

Thanks for the advice, warm sweat has been a feature this week! So far I am on track, managed two commutes and a total of 39 miles this week and my time for the just under 10 miles through central London have dropped by around 4 minutes although traffic and traffic lights make a huge difference between each journey.

Interesting reflection on the difference between the commute by motorcycle and bicycle - I got myself in a couple of dangerous situations forgetting that two legs do not match 50 horsepower! The other thing is that my bicycle lights are good for being seen but not for seeing and so picking up fellow cyclists and pedestrians is difficult in the dark it is much easier to see with motorcycle lights. I find also that drivers seem to treat bicycles and motorcycles with a similar amount of respect, most are pretty good but the most dangerous seem to be those who are on phones/sat navs who don't seem to be paying any attention at all. Not keen on motorcycles using cycle lanes to nip past traffic though.........

 

[Nigelnaturist]

as @clockman says, I got a good winter Jacket from Aldi last year best purchase ever from them, their shorts or rather the padding isn't great ok for shorter rides but you will need better for longer ones, the shirts are fine, lights get a cree T6 light less than £20 on ebay and you will wonder why you never got one before.

 

[Crankpoet]

No need for a winter jacket this week! Still in my running kit as I haven't been able to get to the shops. Cycled a total of 58 miles on my commute and without really trying my fastest time is now a bit over 44 minutes so I know that I am getting fitter - my next target is to do some sustained distance as cycling through London is a series of stops at traffic lights which gives legs a bit of a rest. Does anyone have any quiet routes where this might be possible going out of east London? I'm quite close to the Olympic Stadium.
Wierdly my weight has gone up over the last two weeks (less than a kg) but I haven't been conscious of eating a lot more. I had anticipated it dropping.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Muscle weighs more than fat. Good job, keep up the good work!

 

[smokeysmoo]

Keep your eyes on the prize and don't give up what you want most for you want now

 

[Crankpoet]

Not giving up but had a easier week as a few family commitments meant only two commutes and a work trip. Will be making it up next week. This week's revelation - even a moderate headwind made a 3 to 4 minute difference over 10 miles. On an urban hybrid it was difficult to get a tuck in but then again the belly might get in the way!

Thanks for the motivation, much appreciated!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Not giving up but had a easier week as a few family commitments meant only two commutes and a work trip. Will be making it up next week. This week's revelation - even a moderate headwind made a 3 to 4 minute difference over 10 miles. On an urban hybrid it was difficult to get a tuck in but then again the belly might get in the way!

Thanks for the motivation, much appreciated!

People don't realise, it wasn't overly bad yesterday on the whole bit of rain and wind (garmin reckons 17mph sw) it knocked my speed down a little.

 

[BAtoo]

Re clothing:-
http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Ranges/6/cycle-cycling-wear/jerseys.aspx
http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/road-cycling/mens/jerseys/
DHB range @Wiggle

 

[sidevalve]

Check out good old E bay for cycling kit - most of my gear comes from the good people who buy things that either don't fit or they only use once then decide arn't "cool" enough [bless 'em].
PS 57 is NOT getting old - it is simply a fine mature age of enlightenment.

 

[Sharky]

Check out good old E bay for cycling kit - most of my gear comes from the good people who buy things that either don't fit or they only use once then decide arn't "cool" enough [bless 'em].
PS 57 is NOT getting old - it is simply a fine mature age of enlightenment.

Agree - 7 years ago I might have thought 57 old, but now I'm thinking it's Y+1.

Don't worry about the duration of your rides, just the frequency - even if you only have 10 mins - just get out on a regular basis. And on the shorter rides try and go as fast as you can, so you come back breathless. If you have a turbo, you can do this before going to work or last thing at night.

Good luck
Keith

 

[Triban5riderGD]

Hi Crankpoet,
Have a look at Sports direct for your cycle clothing.
By the way age is a state of mind, and my mind must be in a right state. Like you Im also 57, 6FT, and overweight. Started at 20.5 stone at the end of last year. Now down to just under 18 stone (work in progress). Riding a Triban 5 and having just got back from the North Downs in Kent having completed 43 miles. Yes I struggle on the hills and Im not that fast (except downhill), but I am making steady progress and im certainly a lot fitter than I have been for a long time. My current target is London to Brighton in early May. Keep up your good work, Im sure you will reach your goal, but most of all enjoy your cycling.
Take care on those London Roads, ride defensively and keep yourself safe. Good Luck.

 

[Stonechat]

Hi
I am 62 and after a year of having a bike again is going for the London to Brighton in June
With the bad spring last year it was some while before I really got going.
Only got a road bike end of Jan /start Feb

I am (sort of) following British Cycling training plan.
Think you need to plan of increasing distances, but allow rest between longer runs. As I am currently up to 47 miles and 2000ft of climbing, I am most of the way towards my target, but 100 is a bit more.
I was not badly overweight, but have been losing weight since cycling.

My first clothing came from Sports direct and Aldo/Lidl, though I am getting better shorts as need better padding for 40+ mile runs.
Watch the threads on Cyclechat too - sometimes there are bargains to be had.

Good luck with the training

(Edit)Now got the Pearl Izumi bib shorts just need the weather to wear them!!