My Firsts:

[Cannondale Lady]

Well done - I had wine with lunch so no chance of a ride now grrrr - bloody weather this morning!

Does going on my turbo trainer count?

 

[Aunty Tyke]

Admire your spirit,go girl!

 

[MissyR]

Bottled it going out this morning with the pathetic summer weather - it had better dry up by this afternoon, cos I want to get to that century mark (my first 100 miles in total) - I failed my other mission to loose 2LB this week, because at fat class, I stayed the same!

I've been reading this thread all week. What a breath of fresh air! Your doing fantastic and inspiring a lot of people and yourself too! Don't worry about your target too much in fat class think more about your body shape which will have changed with the exercise this week. Keep it going and I'll keep popping in for my daily laughs

 

[Mick lunn]

How you finding cannondale thinking of getting on

 

[TheSalisburyTeacher]

Well I had a first today! I was cycling out of my village with my partner, with me leading; there were some cyclists ahead of us and one chap cycling towards us. A car rounded the corner and proceeded to swerve across the road and drive at me whilst flashing his lights, he then shouted the 'c' word at me before speeding off.
I was rather taken aback and a bit shaken, luckily the cyclist over the road had memorised his registration plate and had dialled 999 before I could come to a halt. He checked up on me and said the driver did the same with the couple ahead of me. The police took my details and the Samaritan went on his way. In the end we had an amazing day, (longest cycle yet, 36k!), but that was a rotten start...

 

[RichardB]

I had a great day today. I went out on the Galaxy first thing, up to a local landmark, then took a longer (and much hillier) way home. I was out longer than I planned, but it was almost 14 miles and I felt good at the end. One good thing - that's more than my commuting distance, so going to work on the proper bike is definitely possible. Six months ago, it wasn't even conceivable. Second good thing - I checked my BP on a monitor when I got home, and for the first time in 30 years my BP is below what the doctor recommended. I've had high BP for a long time and it's a worry, so this is a major encouragement. I need to get it checked properly, of course, but it makes me hopeful that cycling is definitely benefiting my health. I tweaked the handlebar angle too (remembered to carry an Allen key) and those are just about perfect now. Oh, and I managed to crest a small hill by standing on the pedals. I can't do that on the ebike for fear of slipping off the pedals, so it was nice to go UP a gear, attack a small rise, and got to the top faster than I started. Brilliant.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Another couple of firsts:

My first commute to work on my own (have commuted home alone, but all my 'to work' journeys have be accompanied) - I didn't get lost, not even once.

My first time up the first half of a bank that has been my little nemesis so far. The bank is in 2 halves, up to a little gate, then after the gate. Who puts a gate in the middle of a hill FFS? Totally broke my stride. Anyway, I made it to the gate for the 1st time, then stupidly decided to walk the other part. Next time I will cycle up to it, through it and onwards (my challenge for the end of the week). It was a 'YAY' moment for me!

I passed a couple lying on the grass, well, I say lying, more writhing...Bit early for that sort of thing (8:30 am) but I didn't see any naked flesh so maybe it was just a bit of 'heavy petting'! Can anyone remember the old 'Do & Don't' sign in public swimming pools. No bombing, no running etc.....There was one that said 'No petting' and I remember asking mum why anyone would want to take their dog or cat to a swimming pool!

Shower at work was very refreshing but didn't do much for my stiffness (oooer)! Walking about the office, it looks like I have pooped myself!

Looking forward to the ride home and getting jmy 1st century (total mileage cycled so far).

 

[Cannondale Lady]

My first century:

Whoop whoop.......I have clocked up my 1st one hundred miles. Im so pleased, really, really pleased. I got a little further up my Cox Green nemesis bank, but hadn't really eaten right today so I'm not surprised I didn't do a bit better.

Some guys on the track with their bikes lying down, must have known I had something to celebrate. They offered me a can of Fosters as I struggled to reach the top of the bank. There was a lovely smoky smell too, kind of a sweet and musky. Wonder what it was! Haha

On a serious note, it makes me see how vulnerable I am alone along the track.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Dietary advice please. For those who are following my thread will know I go to fat class (aka Slimming World) every Thursday. I'm a stones throw (no pun intended) from my 1st stone and as such, I have to log everything I eat whilst sticking to plan.

Can anyone give me some dietary advice to keep my energy levels up but my sugar and carb levels down? I want to avoid red meat, too much potato and limit my pasta. I need to boost my fruit and veg but still feel full and energetic.

Am I wanting the impossible? I aim to loose 2lb a week. My calorie burn according to 'map my ride' is about 650 each way to work (just under 8 miles each way) so on the days I cycle its about 1300 until the fitness level rises and the weight reduces.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Dietary advice please. For those who are following my thread will know I go to fat class (aka Slimming World) every Thursday. I'm a stones throw (no pun intended) from my 1st stone and as such, I have to log everything I eat whilst sticking to plan.

Can anyone give me some dietary advice to keep my energy levels up but my sugar and carb levels down? I want to avoid red meat, too much potato and limit my pasta. I need to boost my fruit and get but still feel full and energetic.

Am I wanting the impossible? I aim to loose 2lb a week. My calorie burn according to 'map my ride' is about 650 each way to work (just under 8 miles each way) so on the days I cycle its about 1300 until the fitness level rises and the weight reduces.

 

[MissyR]

My first century:

Whoop whoop.......I have clocked up my 1st one hundred miles. Im so pleased, really, really pleased. I got a little further up my Cox Green nemesis bank, but hadn't really eaten right today so I'm not surprised I didn't do a bit better.

Some guys on the track with their bikes lying down, must have known I had something to celebrate. They offered me a can of Fosters as I struggled to reach the top of the bank. There was a lovely smoky smell too, kind of a sweet and musky. Wonder what it was! Haha

On a serious note, it makes me see how vulnerable I am alone along the track.

Well done on that century!!

 

[Wafer]

In terms of diet, personally I don't think you need to avoid stuff like red meat. You can swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes, basmati rice is better than normal white rice. Look at wholemeal options, though you still need to enjoy the taste!
I like the low gi approach, eating carbs that give you a more gradual release rather than sugar highs. More beans and pulses and stuff.
I think several people on here make Flapjack for some mid ride fuel, I've not taken any on a ride but it is lovely and easy to make.

We even got a fancy* gadget recently for turning stuff like courgettes into noodle like things then use that instead of rice/pasta. Called a spiralizer.

*fancy but hand operated so gets a bit annoying....

 

[RichardB]

I'm watching the calories too. If you want to keep up your energy, don't drop the rice and pasta, but lust have half the amount you used to have. You are burning masses of energy with your commute, so there's plenty of leeway. I have found that moderately restricting calorie intake, while doing massively more exercise, is the best method of losing weight I have ever tried. I feel healthy, happy and energetic on it, and the only thing I have totally cut out is sugar (which of course includes confectionery, sweets, cakes and biscuits). Trying to 'eat clean'. Everything else, it's the same as before, but less of it. Almost three stone so far in 18 weeks, so something's working.

 

[MikeW-71]

That's what I found TBH. I only weigh 11 stone now, but before I started cycling there was 2 extra stone on me. While I was then exercising a lot more, I didn't eat any extra. I began losing weight within weeks.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

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