newbie

[Mikesshed]

Completed 9 miles today, will smash through 10 at the weekend, weather permitting

 

[Mikesshed]

11 miles today, milestone for me

 

[Mikesshed]

Need to adjust gears, lots of slipping when trying to use largest cog on rear, need to hold bike somehow so I can tinker with it

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Need to adjust gears, lots of slipping when trying to use largest cog on rear, need to hold bike somehow so I can tinker with it

Bike work stands, but depends on storage and budget I guess. How do you mean slips, does it slip off back to 2nd or slip as you rotate the cranks. This is a bit basic but I presume you are not using large front large rear (known as cross chaining) as this puts the chain at its most extreme angle between front chainset and rear gears

 

[Mikesshed]

Slips as I rotate cranks, middle at front

 

[Mikesshed]

I think its not quite adjusted to reach the larger cog, will get a workstand and have a play, cannot see what its doing at the back, have change up to stop the slipping, but then struggle cos still getting uphill

 

[Nibor]

sounds like you need to tighten the cable very slightly 1/4

to 1/2 a turn anti clockwise on the adjuster to start with then suck it and see.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Slips as I rotate cranks, middle at front

That sounds like a worn chain ring.

 

[Mikesshed]

Bought a Bike Stand, Halfords Bike Hut, thanks "vickster", adjusted gears, now I can get on Largest cog at rear, will ride at weekend to test

 

[vickster]

Don't forget to avoid cross chaining the big at front and rear, ditto small and small

 

[Mikesshed]

Its time to go further, only fear is holding me back, 30 miles, not far but have to do it

 

[Markymark]

You'll be fine. Your only adjustment now is making sure you have drink and food. Snack midway and drink throughout and you'll crack it in no time.

 

[User32269]

Don't get too hung up on distance. Just enjoy the rides, without noticing, speed and distance will increase.

 

[r04DiE]

Probably you might not notice, but look at the progress you've made already, first we had:

Am 53, overweight, cycling for first time in 25years, have a Kona Jake bike, all seems a struggle, feels alien

... and now, just 20 days later, you're up for this:

Its time to go further, only fear is holding me back, 30 miles, not far but have to do it

How good is that?
Another great thing is that you have fixed your bike yourself, too. There are plenty of people out there that have never done this, even after many years of owning a bike. Good for you and keep it up, I am following this thread with great interest as I'm sure many others are

 

[Wetdog]

Hi Mike, it's all good. The people that you thought were looking don't give two stuffs about you.
I'm 56, 6 foot tall, and 20 stone. I haven't taken any exercise in 25 years. I bought a bike and started, identified a few local routes and all is fine. I'm up to 8 miles and I don't get out of breath as much, and I'm stronger.
So come on, pat yourself on the back and get out 3 times a week . It's beltin