Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]

[Nigelnaturist]

what gets me is the need to put dairy in salt & vinegar crisps!

Need to check the label on that, neither can I.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

After a quick text enquiry last night about handlebar tape, I've been persuaded to go to my magic bike man again today for a bit of a tweak to the headset. It's beautiful so I have permission to cycle over there, as long as I take it steady
My actual work is finished for the day, so only got paperwork to do which can be fitted it anytime before Monday (as no more postal collections til Tuesday) so woo hoo, I've got an afternoon off. Catch up later peeps xx

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Need to check the label on that, neither can I.

and bread and margarine and ...
tis a minefield but I did have a wonderful lunch yesterday at a bike café in Bristol where I actually had choice of around 6 things (all vegan) that I could have had for lunch. It was wonderful a) to have a choice and b) the food was really good

 

[Biggler]

http://www.strava.com/activities/136831418
Legs are aching ... maybe 27 miles was too much too soon. More likely it was the 'elevation gain' in that ride, I usually stick to really flat areas

Not too sure if I get on with dropped handle bars... If I'm not in the drops, which I'm usually not, I quite often get cramp in the fleshy base of my thumb and the odd pins and needles sensation in my hand that lasts a second or so. Also I dont feel as safe reaching the brakes .

Maybe it's just practice, I've only done about 40 miles on that bike.

 

[Mark White]

Best furthest today at 63km, with a wrong turning, untended bit of off-roading, 4 impromptu sprints due to territorial dogs, and a stretch of very bumpy roadworks. Followed up later by a well deserved massage :-)

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/556339781

 

[morrisman]

Briskish 36 miles with 1400 ft of climbs (I know it's not much but Bucks is mostly flat), included a visit to the NT tea rooms at Waddesdon Manor. Now much more comfortable after fitting a higher rising stem, guess I'm still too fat for the full road bike thing

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Beautiful day for a ride to my favourite mechanic - and home again. He has fitted an adjustable stem to see if he can alleviate the numbness that creeps into my hands. I will find out more tomorrow I think when I head out with lovely hubby.
Hope everybody is having amazing rides today, it is truly gorgeous here.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Put a new shelf up in the bike shed, painted another undercoat on the Carleton other bits and pieces.

Briskish 36 miles with 1400 ft of climbs (I know it's not much but Bucks is mostly flat), included a visit to the NT tea rooms at Waddesdon Manor. Now much more comfortable after fitting a higher rising stem, guess I'm still too fat for the full road bike thing

Bit like here then.

http://www.strava.com/activities/136831418
Legs are aching ... maybe 27 miles was too much too soon. More likely it was the 'elevation gain' in that ride, I usually stick to really flat areas

Not too sure if I get on with dropped handle bars... If I'm not in the drops, which I'm usually not, I quite often get cramp in the fleshy base of my thumb and the odd pins and needles sensation in my hand that lasts a second or so. Also I dont feel as safe reaching the brakes .

Maybe it's just practice, I've only done about 40 miles on that bike.

Miles and more miles, takes time, I dread even setting off on 30 miles but before I know it I am home, not sure if the aches are bike or age, but its better than when I started. I had a word with the doc about pins & needles she said they should improve over time, and they did, but over time I have slight adjustments to the bike as well.

 

[Biggler]

I had a word with the doc about pins & needles she said they should improve over time, and they did, but over time I have slight adjustments to the bike as well.

I was thinking of lowering my seat slightly. I feel fine riding but when I stop and put my foot down I do feel it's a touch too high. Maybe that will help my hands too

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I was thinking of lowering my seat slightly. I feel fine riding but when I stop and put my foot down I do feel it's a touch too high. Maybe that will help my hands too

Your not supposed to be able to touch the floor whilst sat on your saddle. so dismount when stopped.

 

[Mo1959]

I was thinking of lowering my seat slightly. I feel fine riding but when I stop and put my foot down I do feel it's a touch too high. Maybe that will help my hands too

I am nowhere near even being able to touch the ground even on tiptoe on any of my bikes. It's not a good indicator of correct saddle height. If you lower it too much you will probably just end up with legs that fatigue much quicker and feel sore in the muscles just above your knees.

 

[stevey]

My little test this afternoon
http://www.strava.com/activities/136880223

First time in both ss jersey and bibs.. very nice

 

[BrianEvesham]

I get a bit confused by tyres - people swear by one type and rubbish another
Will probably have to use trial and error when getting new tyres

Or whatever's on offer does it for me.

 

[BrianEvesham]

Second longest ride to date for me;

http://www.strava.com/activities/136953001

And all that climbing (unlike me!) proves it is good to be taken out of your comfort zone.

@Nigelnaturist thanks the gears have held up nicely.

Feeling Epic

 

[Goonerobes]

I didn't think today's little 50 mile sortie in the forest was anything special, just the usual collection of annoying bank holiday tourists getting in the way at every opportunity (I'm thinking of a petition to get them banned or at least limited there numbers ). Then I got home & downloaded the ride only to find out I've got some dodgy KOM (my first ever), I say dodgy as its a 22.9 mile segment with 1 & a half little hills!!

http://www.strava.com/activities/136910426

Ps. Nice ride @BrianEvesham, I was typing the same time as you.