My experience so far

[simmi]

Hi all, thought it was time I stopped being a voyeur and got involved.
Back in August with a couple of weeks to my 43rd birthday and my weight at 16st 3lb i decided enough was enough and would have to do some thing about my decline from a sporty person to a sofa slob.
I started on 28th August mainly using a crosstrainer and the odd 12 miler on my lads hybrid.
I soon knew a better bike was needed so ordered a Ribble Audax/winter bike, which after what seemed like a life time arrived last week (was told delay was because some guy named wiggins had done quite well or something and demand was unprecedented)
So anyway first trip out on new bike managed my 12.2 mile course in 46.16 minutes nearly 5 minutes quicker than I could do on the hybrid.
Have now done a couple of 25 milers and yesterday went over 30 for the first time 32.2 in 2:05:31 which equates to 15.4mph.
Hy weight is now down a stone and a half to 14st 10lb and I feel the fittest I have in many years.
Obviously this is not just due to exercise I have had a overhaul of my diet and eating habits as well.
I have found reading peoples storries very inspirational and hope mine may do the same.

 

[DaveyM]

Well done simmi

That is good going, keep it up pal

 

[HovR]

to the forums, and congratulations on the weight loss!

 

[DougieAB]

Welcome to the club, sounds like you have been bitten by the cycling bug. No need to go see your GP, just take the Ribble out for a spin as often as you can and you will be fine.

 

[Lanzecki]

Thanks for sharing, this kinda thing is very inspiring.

 

[barrymanifold]

Well done keep it up see if you can beat your age before christmas. Spent my child hood in kirksandall happy days .

 

[simmi]

http://app.strava.com/activities/26920245
12 hour night shift last night so was not sure how I would cope today, felt good when I woke so went for it 50 miles! in 3:19:46, 15mph, I can't believe it, I won't lie to you it was hard, My quads are still on the verge of cramp, my backside has never been so numb and my right thigh was starting to cramp after about 45 miles, took some more fluid in and it soon went. Both my feet were like blocks of ice wore 2 pairs of socks and used overshoes but after 2 hours could feel my feet getting really cold.
After some good advise from Colinj took some food with me ate 2 brunch bars and 2 rice crispy bars and drank 1.4 litres of water with high 5 zero added.
The watershed moment came after about 12 miles a left turn would have brought me home in about 28 miles where as a right turn took me over the River Trent with the next bridge being about 15 miles up river.
I am exhausted but the sense of achievement makes it so worth it.

 

[Peteaud]

and well done.

 

[DaveyM]

50 miles

Very impressive

 

[Saluki]

Awesome. Well done.
I am feeling very shamed now as I've not even looked at my bike this week!

 

[paul04]

I think it does give you more motivation when you see the weight coming down each week. and like simmi said,

"The watershed moment came after about 12 miles a left turn would have brought me home in about 28 miles where as a right turn took me over the River Trent with the next bridge being about 15 miles up river.
I am exhausted but the sense of achievement makes it so worth it"

Alot of people would take the easy option and head home, but abit of hard work (and enjoyment of getting out and about) makes it all worth while.

 

[mark c]

As paul04 said

 

[Col5632]

Thats some going, well done

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I think it does give you more motivation when you see the weight coming down each week. and like simmi said,

"The watershed moment came after about 12 miles a left turn would have brought me home in about 28 miles where as a right turn took me over the River Trent with the next bridge being about 15 miles up river.
I am exhausted but the sense of achievement makes it so worth it"

Alot of people would take the easy option and head home, but abit of hard work (and enjoyment of getting out and about) makes it all worth while.

+1
Well done.

 

[simmi]

http://app.strava.com/activities/27085012

Out again today, after 50 miler on Sunday and with quads and other muscles that I didn't know I had killing me, didn't think I would be up to it so soon.
I am amazed how quickly I recover from a ride.
So anyway looked on O/S map for the highest point within easy riding distance and plotted a route through it.
Why are the uphill bits nearly always into the wind? 10-15 miles was worst took 26 minutes to cover 5 miles.
where as 20-25 only took 16 minutes huge difference.
32.24 miles in 2:14:32, 14.8mph my slowest to date but am still happy, was wet, windy and with more climbing than I have done before, and a guilt free large bowl of beef stir fry at the end