New to CycleChat? Make your first post here and say HELLO :)

[bilboburgler]

Hi Shaun, nice to get the email saying welcome.

I try to ride outside of UK in Europe as I think British drivers don't look out for bikes enough. Well actually I don't think councils take their health and safety responsibilities seriously but hey.

As a result I tend to train riding the back roads between Ilkley and Otley in Yorkshire and then head off to Romania or Germany or wherever. I have heard of Lycra but I refuse to wear it. If I wanted to look like a banana I'd have been born a banana.

So no baggage then the sun is out and blue is the sky.

 

[elhumph]

Hi all...

Just signed up to cyclechat today... Took up road cycling a year ago and I'm now looking to enter a couple of rides - the first one being 'Night Rider 2011' in London.

Live in South Hampshire and I feel I'm at a point where a training partner/cycling club would help me progress (especially on the hills!), so if anyone has any recommendations/suggestions give me a shout.

Lisa

 

[edinburgh_col]

Hi, didn't obey the rules and post my first message here, no I just had to wade straight in, but hoping Mr Admin will overlook this faux pas... am I forgiven? Hello, by the way...!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

am I forgiven?

No!! and as punishment, you will have to buy us all some cake at the next Eccosse ride. The rules is the rules you know!

To be fair, I can't remember where I put my first post either, and I haven't had any knocks on the door in the middle of the night yet by the CC henchmen, so, I suspect you might just be ok.

 

[Hannah]

Hi everyone,

My name is Hannah, I am 24 and I have a Ridgeback MTB at the moment as I live in West Sussex it's pretty hard to tell the difference between trail and roads but I am going to get some road tyres for it so can try and cover a bit more distance and not just ride up and down the downs link! Then will be saving for a road bike. I like cycling for fun and sight seeing and although also a runner I like to go faster and see more if I can.

I have been thrown (willingly) in to the world of cycling as I am helping out a charity called Access Sport, to organise a sportive and cycling festival for later in the year, so I am hoping to find out a bit more about cycling and get involved in a few events myself and hopefully meet some nice people along the way! I am awaiting permission from the boss before I advertise our event but hopefully will find people interested in that too.

I am also planning on cycling around the IOW in a few months and cycle the South Downs Way with a friend as well but want to train for a longer distance event too. If anyone has any recommended routes in and around IOW would be much appreciated.


Hannah

 

[Paulus]

Welcome Hannah, There are many waymarked routes on the island, including the round the island 62 mile route. See here.
http://www.sunseaand...cle-routes.aspx


PS, you fell into Admins trap along with many others and posted in the post about how to post in the welcome section instead of starting your own.

 

[Aljojac]

Hello! I met a cyclist today who was wearing one of your shirts advertising this forum.
Initially I asked if he knew of any cycling groups around the St Albans / Harpenden area.
I'm newish to the cycling bug. I've a decent bike with road tyres but they also cope with the roots in Batchwood!
I'm 57, female and looking for people to go cycling with.
I've negotiated the whole of the Nicky Line, the Alban Way to Hatfield but only just discovered the Chiltern Way today and went from Harp to Luton Parkway. Woo. My knees are still recovering. ;-p
So. What now?

 

[Paulus]

Hello! I met a cyclist today who was wearing one of your shirts advertising this forum.
Initially I asked if he knew of any cycling groups around the St Albans / Harpenden area.
I'm newish to the cycling bug. I've a decent bike with road tyres but they also cope with the roots in Batchwood!
I'm 57, female and looking for people to go cycling with.
I've negotiated the whole of the Nicky Line, the Alban Way to Hatfield but only just discovered the Chiltern Way today and went from Harp to Luton Parkway. Woo. My knees are still recovering. ;-p
So. What now?

Welcome Aliojac, There are some nice lanes around Shenley/South Mimms/Colney Heath/ Sandridge to explore, once your knees are working again try to build your mileage up and explore some more.

 

[Aljojac]

Thank you.
There are so many websites out there extolling the virtues of their maps showing bike routes. Before I buy all the wrong ones, is there a particular company /website that is considered the best?
But the main thing I am seeking at present is a group of cyclists local to me to go riding with.

 

[Paulus]

Thank you.
There are so many websites out there extolling the virtues of their maps showing bike routes. Before I buy all the wrong ones, is there a particular company /website that is considered the best?
But the main thing I am seeking at present is a group of cyclists local to me to go riding with.

You could join the CTC, there are lots of benefits such as 3rd party insurance and discounts at bike shops. There is a CTC group near to you in St. Albans/Hatfield. They cater for all cyclists, no matter what you level is. Paul.


http://www.southhertsctc.org.uk/

http://www.southhertsctc.org.uk/Cycle/five-miles-to-fabulous

 

[swansonj]

Hi - trying to be dutiful and making my first post here. Adult male cyclist, Surrey, 50th birthday approaching, Thorn Raven Tour which gets used for commuting and touring-paced day rides, but sadly no longer tours since I've failed to sell the idea to the family, plus a Roberts adult tandem, a Thorn childback tandem, and a Brompton. HELLO

 

[Lwhiteyw]

Hi, I found this site after doing the sportive Kinross red route, and wanted to see what other people had thought of it. I'm new to cycling - after being a cycling widow for a few years, I decided to enter this year's etape caledonia, just to prove a point to my husband. Fortunately I've been able to take over one of his bikes, and over the last few months, have got completely hooked. I still really struggle on long hills, but can believe the improvement in my finess over the last 6 months.

 

[Dianthus85]

Hi everyone, i'm looking to start up cycling, I live in Leicester and I havent ridden a bike in many years!

Hoping to meet someone who would like to start up (or who has the patience to put up with a beginner!) lol

I guess the first start is to buy a bike, so im sure there will be loads of good info on here on what "not" to buy

Gem

 

[Hannah]

PS, you fell into Admins trap along with many others and posted in the post about how to post in the welcome section instead of starting your own.

Thanks for the welcome! I thought I was better than that ! It does appear that I am not the only one!!

Thanks for the link, will be making plans for the route we take in the next few weeks...could do the circular over a weekend....

 

[Highfire]

Hello fellow cyclers!

Just thought I'd do what it says at the top of the page, and drop in here to introduce myself.

I'm from Leicestershire, a 41 year old mum of two teenage boys, and am just getting back on my bike after many years away.
When I was expecting my first son back in 1993 I was knocked off my bike by a motorist and basically couldn't move for about three weeks!

Ever since then my confidence has been completely non-existent, but just recently with the lighter mornings I've had a yearning to get out of the gym and back on the bike out on the roads.

So I dusted off my sons old bike, replaced the saddle and tyres, and these past couple of weeks I've been out and about, getting used to it again and also re-familarising myself with the rules of the road!

This morning I went a good 20 miles or so, and touch wood I don't feel sore or have any aches or pains that weren't there before!

I'm gradually increasing in confidence, but I think it will take some time.

I've been lurking on these forums for a short while, and it seems like a really friendly place. I'm looking forward to conversing with like-minded people, and hopefully gaining some helpful advice along the way.