Hi guys!
Back again with a new thread on my progress for anyone who's interested! Have a few more questions please as well...
So picked up my bike and bought extra's too in one hit! Prices were comparable to online plus got a 10% discount which was nice so can't complain! I got the following:
So next day after work I was ready and excited for my first ride!! I checked Googly maps and saw cycling from my house to a friends will be 6.2 miles and take 30 mins (or so with a pinch of salt!) I didn't have a holder for my phone so I decided to wing it as I know the route by CAR. Well, I did regret that obviously!!! What I didn't take into account was that cycle paths can take you some random way round to get you know where near your destination without a few turns here and there! Fair to say I took a wrong turn twice, asked a jogger where I am, ended up on some cobblestone path and almost fell off my bike! After that I had no choice but to cycle on the road as the footpaths ran out - but I quite enjoyed it! The cars gave me good distance (maybe as I was a little wobbly..!) But had 2 boy racers speed by quite close and a lady deciding she won't wait for me to go through a narrow gap which wouldn't fit us both (even though I was ahead of her) and was way too close to me for my liking and I almost wobbled off my bike! Luckily I didn't, plus I had made it to my friends finally! 1HOUR 10MINS LATER! LOL - WOOT! I was still happy for my first jolly! Tired too!
Today I went back to Stows for some padded shorts and the guy recommended Endura which I tried on in Large but didn't have Medium in Stock. I went off to Evans (Maidenhead) reluctantly but the guy there, seemed like the manager, was really nice and helped me. Tried the shorts, wiggled about, bent down in sitting position and felt like a good fit. Won't know until I try I guess! Also got a base layer top and a zip jersey. I feel like a pro now! Hahaha, well not really, but hopefully I will be more comfy on tomorrow's ride as I got super hot and felt stiff in my layered gym gear. Going to try the same route again tomorrow so will see how long it takes me this time….!!
One thing that is really confusing me is how people know how to get from A to B if you don't know the area? Sorry if it's a daft question but are maps really detailed enough? I've heard people say go to your local council for a map and saw (only 1) sign that said 'Cycling Route Y'. I went through 3 towns and really had to look for the cycle paths. I know they say you're not allowed to cycle on normal pedestrian footpaths but I was too scared of the road at first and took it slow and gave people right of way. (Of which there weren't many around now that I think about it weirdly..) Anyway, I can use the GPS on my phone if I get a mount for it but will this be the easiest way? Also, do you guys use the cycling option on google maps or some other cycling app thing? I downloaded MapMy Ride and Cyclemeter so I can't wait to share all my rubbish stats! Lol.
Mouks
Back again with a new thread on my progress for anyone who's interested! Have a few more questions please as well...
So picked up my bike and bought extra's too in one hit! Prices were comparable to online plus got a 10% discount which was nice so can't complain! I got the following:
- D Lock (Arbus Silver) & Cable (multi-braided)
- Cage & Water bottle
- Inner tube, thingy that gets tyre out & a mini hand pump
- Handlebar bag
- Helmet
So next day after work I was ready and excited for my first ride!! I checked Googly maps and saw cycling from my house to a friends will be 6.2 miles and take 30 mins (or so with a pinch of salt!) I didn't have a holder for my phone so I decided to wing it as I know the route by CAR. Well, I did regret that obviously!!! What I didn't take into account was that cycle paths can take you some random way round to get you know where near your destination without a few turns here and there! Fair to say I took a wrong turn twice, asked a jogger where I am, ended up on some cobblestone path and almost fell off my bike! After that I had no choice but to cycle on the road as the footpaths ran out - but I quite enjoyed it! The cars gave me good distance (maybe as I was a little wobbly..!) But had 2 boy racers speed by quite close and a lady deciding she won't wait for me to go through a narrow gap which wouldn't fit us both (even though I was ahead of her) and was way too close to me for my liking and I almost wobbled off my bike! Luckily I didn't, plus I had made it to my friends finally! 1HOUR 10MINS LATER! LOL - WOOT! I was still happy for my first jolly! Tired too!
Today I went back to Stows for some padded shorts and the guy recommended Endura which I tried on in Large but didn't have Medium in Stock. I went off to Evans (Maidenhead) reluctantly but the guy there, seemed like the manager, was really nice and helped me. Tried the shorts, wiggled about, bent down in sitting position and felt like a good fit. Won't know until I try I guess! Also got a base layer top and a zip jersey. I feel like a pro now! Hahaha, well not really, but hopefully I will be more comfy on tomorrow's ride as I got super hot and felt stiff in my layered gym gear. Going to try the same route again tomorrow so will see how long it takes me this time….!!
One thing that is really confusing me is how people know how to get from A to B if you don't know the area? Sorry if it's a daft question but are maps really detailed enough? I've heard people say go to your local council for a map and saw (only 1) sign that said 'Cycling Route Y'. I went through 3 towns and really had to look for the cycle paths. I know they say you're not allowed to cycle on normal pedestrian footpaths but I was too scared of the road at first and took it slow and gave people right of way. (Of which there weren't many around now that I think about it weirdly..) Anyway, I can use the GPS on my phone if I get a mount for it but will this be the easiest way? Also, do you guys use the cycling option on google maps or some other cycling app thing? I downloaded MapMy Ride and Cyclemeter so I can't wait to share all my rubbish stats! Lol.
Mouks