My Firsts:

[jay clock]

You are approaching it the right way. Little at a time. I remember my first ride to work in 1985 where I genuinely thought I was not capable of 5 miles.

Keep it up.....

 

[RichardB]

Lots of good advice there so thanks. Fingers crossed for a new little black dress for me for Christmas

As they say across the interwebs - pics or it didn't happen!

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Well.......maybe some after pics when the weight is off lol

 

[Cannondale Lady]

I'm having a 'can't be bothered to cycle to work' moment. The last thing I want is for it to become a chore rather than a pleasure. On the other hand, if I don't do it, I won't be getting into that black dress soon. Grrrrr!

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

Ah, you'll love it once you're out on the bike, wind, rain, doesn't matter, pushing the pedals, making the effort, seeing all the commuters looking out the bus window, stuck in traffic as you breeze by with the wind in your hair, a sunny smile, and flies in your teeth...

(There are no rules, ride when you want to ride.)

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I'm having a 'can't be bothered to cycle to work' moment. The last thing I want is for it to become a chore rather than a pleasure. On the other hand, if I don't do it, I won't be getting into that black dress soon. Grrrrr!

If it's any consolation I'm having the same today. I did a big ride at the weekend, had monday and tuesday off the bike to rest the aching legs and was going to ride in today but after looking at the local forecast (damp and windy later) am struggling to motivate myself.

Looks better for tomorrow so I'll take one of the longer and more scenic routes in which will perk me up again.

Edit: Missed out a bit I meant to say which is: Dunna worry about missing the odd day - motivation comes back and having to use the dull alternatives occasionally will help you appreciate the cycling more.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

I did it and actually enjoyed it, though it was a struggle. Legs felt heavy, energy level seemed low and I really felt tired. But.....another 6 hundred and odd calc burned up.

The cavorting couple I saw yesterday seem to have pitched a tent rather than gotten a room. Strange place to camp, next to a cycle path but when you get the 'get the urge' its better under canvas than in the open!

I forgot to tell you about the rather 'fanciable' guy I saw coming towards on my commute home on Monday. He had very defined, muscular arms and legs, not body builder like, but just well defined and 'chunky' like a good cyclist. I couldn't fully see his face from a distance, but thought mmm, he looks nice. He stopped still a fair way away from me as if waiting for me, and as I got closer, I realised it was my husbandwho had come to meet me on the way home...Awwwww, isn't that a lovely story?

*pass the bucket* you are all saying lol

 

[Wafer]

Do you need to tell him to bring the tent next time?

 

[Yazzoo]

I was just thinking 'aww how sweet'

Do you need to tell him to bring the tent next time?

then I produced a dirty snigger I wasn't sure I was capable of!

 

[Saluki]

Bananas are my weapon of choice when getting close to weigh day (I went today and then went on a 30 mile ride. This will happen to you soon). Overnight oats for breakfast, and then bananas. Works for me. I am close to goal so I lose 1lb or .5lb at a time really but I go to the gym, ride my bike and race about like a mad thing so probably losing squidge and putting on muscle, so I'm not bothered about the slow loss any longer.

Just follow the plan, lots of speed foods and you will be just fine. Don't forget to log all your exercise. You need those Body Magic shineys and we want to know about them

 

[raleighnut]

I did it and actually enjoyed it, though it was a struggle. Legs felt heavy, energy level seemed low and I really felt tired. But.....another 6 hundred and odd calc burned up.

The cavorting couple I saw yesterday seem to have pitched a tent rather than gotten a room. Strange place to camp, next to a cycle path but when you get the 'get the urge' its better under canvas than in the open!

I forgot to tell you about the rather 'fanciable' guy I saw coming towards on my commute home on Monday. He had very defined, muscular arms and legs, not body builder like, but just well defined and 'chunky' like a good cyclist. I couldn't fully see his face from a distance, but thought mmm, he looks nice. He stopped still a fair way away from me as if waiting for me, and as I got closer, I realised it was my husbandwho had come to meet me on the way home...Awwwww, isn't that a lovely story?

*pass the bucket* you are all saying lol

My partner Maz (Marian) was on the bus once when she saw a fella with long hair carrying a guitar in a case, she thought "he looks a bit of alright" only to realise when the bus got a bit closer that it was me.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Hubby met me on the track on my commute home. He took me on a new ride home, a bit longer than normal. Quite a few inclines and I did them all quite well. My heart was beating like crazy but swelling with pride. The legs were fine. I did just under 10 miles. With the just under 8 miles to work that another 17 ish under my belt, my furthest in 1 day so another first.

I'm very slow, everyone passes me (apart from 3 year olds on trikes) but ya know what???? SO WHAT!!!!!!! My work skirts are loose, new clothes are a size down, my shape really is changing and I feel fantastic. My journey started on 9 July, 4 weeks tomorrow. I'm loving it and roll on the next 4 weeks!

Hubby reckoned my bike would been on eBay by now.................*does a raspberry at him*

 

[EltonFrog]

This a great thread, second best on CC.

 

[Aunty Tyke]

I'm 52 and overweight. Not ashamed to say 17 stone, because I'm proud to be embarking on this journey and will be losing weight as my journey progresses. As you can imagine, getting on a bike at my age and weight and level of fitness has been hard and embarrassing.

Anyway....ride 3. Husband took me somewhere with more inclines. I called them hills, he laughed. I did them and really began to enjoy the ride. Bum much more acclimatised and the bumps on the track effected my nethers less this time. I managed several inclines that I never thought possible.

Distance - 10 miles
Ease - challenging but manageable for me, stroll in the park for hubby
Calories burned - 612
Top speed - 40 mph, bloody Aldi computer, Hubby says it malfunctioned, I said nah I'm FAST Baby!
Feelings - yes I can do this.
Total miles to date 29...yay

You're going well! Enjoying reading your adventures!

 

[RichardB]

Ah, you'll love it once you're out on the bike, wind, rain, doesn't matter, pushing the pedals, making the effort, seeing all the commuters looking out the bus window, stuck in traffic as you breeze by with the wind in your hair, a sunny smile, and flies in your teeth...

Absolutely right. I don't set off if it's tanking it down - I have a car for that - but if the weather looks iffy, I take the bike anyway. I have never regretted it (was the same with the motorbikes). Once you are out there, it's all good.

Do you need to tell him to bring the tent next time?

Fnarr!