road bike newbie

[1989martin1]

hey everyone

im completely new to cycling and especially to road bikes. im currently 26 weighing in an awfully unpleasant 17 stone. I wanted to get into cycling for a while now before my 2 children were born i was 12 stone 9 hit the gym most days but after the first was born all of that stopped and I've been on a gradual increase ever since.

now the kids are at nursery/school it's freed up a lot of my time and I was looking for a new venture/hobby in which I could get fit again and lose all the excess weight. I figured cycling would be a good option as there's an abundance of good rides here in the north east of England.

the cycle to work scheme came up at work and after speaking to a couple of friends who are avid cyclists about what bikes to get I went to a local bike store to try some out and get fitted. I then ordered a focus cayo with the carbon frame and forkset with shimano 105 gearing

I picked the bike up Saturday and had my first ride on Sunday. it's fair to say I'm already hooked I found the ride position quite strange at first and was struggling to keep it straight but after a mile or so things felt really natural and I couldn't quite get over how quick these bikes go. I've done 2 rides this week both relatively short and I've got a million miles to go to get where I want to be but with every ride it's a little closer. really looking forward to getting better at it especially the climbs even the short ones seem a huge task for me but I guess the key is persistence

thanks for reading

 

[Lilliburlero]

to CC @1989martin1

I picked the bike up Saturday and had my first ride on Sunday. it's fair to say I'm already hooked

That was your epiphany

Enjoy

 

[1989martin1]

to CC @1989martin1



That was your epiphany

Enjoy

thank you. what more can I say riding in the sun surrounded by amazing countryside nothing more than the hum of the tyres, the chain whirring round I can't wait to get back out there.

I'm definitely buying some padded cycling shorts yesterday's ride has lead to a sore butt

 

[Tiny01]

Welcome I'm a newbie here to , only really been road bike cycling for 2/3 weeks & like you absolutely love it !
You'll lose some good weight combined with a healthy diet for sure good luck & continue to enjoy .

 

[Spiderweb]

Hi there, I love cycling and you certainly seem to have caught the bug too. Fitness and weight loss will come over time. When I started cycling again my rides were short, no more than 10 miles really, I would certainly recommend little and often to start with, don't try and do too much as it may put you off. Longer distances will come over time.
Are you clipping in to your pedals?
I put it off for a year, happy using flat pedals and if I'm honest a little scared of the thought of attaching my feet to the bike. I bit the bullet, clipped in and wish I'd done it sooner, fantastic!
I now use the Strava app on my iPhone, not because I want to compete with anyone but simply to log my miles. It's great to see your improvement in mileage and average speed. I did a solo 106 miler not long ago and for me it was great to see the ride logged. I would certainly recommend the free Strava app.

Keep us posted on your progress and most importantly have fun and enjoy.

 

[Doobiesis]

Well done, half the battle with cycling is having the right frame of mind for going out. And you've got it ten fold.

You'll find you will will be able to go for longer rides and you've picked the right time of year to start!

Good luck, any questions please ask. I've been cycling for three years now, and love it just as much now, if not more then when I was a newbie.

 

[Stevec047]

Welcome from another newish cyclist who is in a neat identical situation. I started back in October and it's so true fitness and weight loss come along exceptional quickly.

I made a plan to do 50k by September but have already done two 50k rides around the easter holidays.

Good luck and should you have any questions this forum is the best. Some great knowledgeable and very friendly members.

 

[1989martin1]

thank you so much for your reply spiderweb

I don't have the fitness for long rides at the moment I managed 10 mile yesterday and that was well more than enough. it's quite hilly where I live so Im really feeling the strain being so heavy.

I'm not currently clipping in but I did specify shimano m324 pedals when I bought the bike they're clip in on one side and regular flat on the other so Its something I'm building up to.

I'll definitely download the strava app hopefully reach that goal of 100 miles in the future must be a really good feeling to get there.

 

[1989martin1]

Well done, half the battle with cycling is having the right frame of mind for going out. And you've got it ten fold.

You'll find you will will be able to go for longer rides and you've picked the right time of year to start!

Good luck, any questions please ask. I've been cycling for three years now, and love it just as much now, if not more then when I was a newbie.

thank you

Ive always been the type to push to reach my own goals and targets and I find I have quite an addictive personality when it comes to getting where I want to be so I'm looking at cycling as a huge challenge with endless possibilities. really hope to follow in your shoes and still be enjoying it as much as I do now in years to come. I'm planning on buying a turbo trainer for the rainy days and nights after work so I can stay on top of it.

 

[1989martin1]

Welcome from another newish cyclist who is in a neat identical situation. I started back in October and it's so true fitness and weight loss come along exceptional quickly.

I made a plan to do 50k by September but have already done two 50k rides around the easter holidays.

Good luck and should you have any questions this forum is the best. Some great knowledgeable and very friendly members.

wow thank you for the welcome

that is very impressive I hadn't planned on doing that length of ride for a year but I guess fitness and weight loss really do come quickly. everybody seems very friendly. I don't plan on being a race cyclist it's nice to share experiences with like minded people who share a common interest and thank you all for the warm welcome

 

[mjr]

I'm definitely buying some padded cycling shorts yesterday's ride has lead to a sore butt

Check your saddle fits else adding padding will just be squishing the wrong bits. Some shops will measure your bum or there is a guide on artsCyclery.com somewhere.

Anyway

 

[1989martin1]

Check your saddle fits else adding padding will just be squishing the wrong bits. Some shops will measure your bum or there is a guide on artsCyclery.com somewhere.

Anyway

thank you. my saddle fits and the areas where it hurts appear to be the correct places I've actually lowered my saddle today as I was over stretched and Ive been shifting my weight side to side as I pedal so will see what the next rides bring

 

[steve50]

@1989martin1, enjoy your bike, wiggle do a good line in padded shorts etc DHB shorts are well padded and worth their weight in gold. you will get a sore backside until you break your posterior into your saddle.

 

[1989martin1]

@1989martin1, enjoy your bike, wiggle do a good line in padded shorts etc DHB shorts are well padded and worth their weight in gold. you will get a sore backside until you break your posterior into your saddle.

haha thank you for your reply. I'll look into those for definite. it's been about 10 years since I was on a bike at all so I wasn't surprised to feel this way. it's not overly painful but will take a rest day to let it recover before getting back on the saddle

 

[Spiderweb]

thank you so much for your reply spiderweb

I don't have the fitness for long rides at the moment I managed 10 mile yesterday and that was well more than enough. it's quite hilly where I live so Im really feeling the strain being so heavy.

I'm not currently clipping in but I did specify shimano m324 pedals when I bought the bike they're clip in on one side and regular flat on the other so Its something I'm building up to.

I'll definitely download the strava app hopefully reach that goal of 100 miles in the future must be a really good feeling to get there.

You're doing great Martin, keep it up.
As others have said a pair of bib shorts are essential!
Your Focus Cayo looks great, it's so important to ride a handsome bike, makes you ride more!