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

[Mr_K_Dilkington]

2nd ride with the local club loved it medium paced avg 15-16mph think there was around 12 of us in total

http://www.strava.com/activities/145749774

Look forward to the next one.

Joining a club is the single best thing I have done as a cyclist - great for meeting people, going on great rides, motivation to improve, advice on getting better and much more.

Going out now to test myself on a local 10 mile TT route - hopefully it won't piss down with rain on me while I'm out!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well I am now frequently aware that the gap is too big between two gears - this is the 18 - 21
This is where you score @Nigelnaturist whith the triple, and I , buying a compact with a wide ratio 11-32 cassette lose out - bigger gaps
50/34 and
11 12 14 16 18 21 24 28 32
Not that I am going to do anything about it.
I suppose 11 speed would give me a bigger ratio, but would need an RD that would handle the 32t
And of course would need the shifters!

Was also aware on yesterdays ride that my position / setup needs work, but this will wait.
THis will get sorted eventually. Suppose I can live with the gears

It all depends how much you need the 32th an option is change the chain rings to 36-52
34x32 is 28"
36x32 is 29.5"
50x11 is 119"
52x12 is 114"

If you could live with 105" which is between your 12 and 14 I find it plenty you could start at 13-14-15-17-19-21-24-28-32

Less teeth for the mechs to cope with, closer grouping on the front, less of a jump from 19-21, you could possibly drop the 14 and rearrange the 20-32 group

Lets face it 7sp came as 13-15-17-19-21-23-26, all depends what gear your happy on and work around that. if it was me and from my avg gear I would probably go with the bottom oneas my avg gear is about 62-3" so it would for the most part put me on the 52x21-23 for spinning which is were the gear changes are closest also

This is my set up.

 

[BrynCP]

Weather finally held up for me to get in my first lengthy (for me) ride on my road bike. Out to the coast and back, 43 miles. Managed 16mph over the whole distance, taking 2hr 45mins. This is 13 mins off my fastest speed on the hybrid.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I have an excel spreadsheet that calculates it for me... just uses the command and where your route mileage is in column B and your reference (in this case the number 1) is in cell D3... make d4 to be number 2, d5 = 3 and so on. Put the command above into E3 and then copy the command down. Just add new data to the bottom of the data in column B and it auto-updates. you then just have to compare one column of numbers with another column

This will sound really geeky, but that is a great formula, now got my data set up for my Eddington number to automatically calculate. Now to get it up to 75 (only 35 more needed ) and decide if I want to set any annual targets as well.

 

[Stonechat]

It all depends how much you need the 32th an option is change the chain rings to 36-52
34x32 is 28"
36x32 is 29.5"
50x11 is 119"
52x12 is 114"

If you could live with 105" which is between your 12 and 14 I find it plenty you could start at 13-14-15-17-19-21-24-28-32

View attachment 46198

Less teeth for the mechs to cope with, closer grouping on the front, less of a jump from 19-21, you could possibly drop the 14 and rearrange the 20-32 group

View attachment 46199

Lets face it 7sp came as 13-15-17-19-21-23-26, all depends what gear your happy on and work around that. if it was me and from my avg gear I would probably go with the bottom oneas my avg gear is about 62-3" so it would for the most part put me on the 52x21-23 for spinning which is were the gear changes are closest also

View attachment 46201
This is my set up.

I'll think on it a bit
I do not use the top speeds. Don't think I have ever used 50 x 11 and hardly ever 50 x 12
Also have got used to higher cadence now
NOt sure how easy it is to change (can't be that bad or you @Nigelnaturist would not be always changing)

Was definitely aware during ascent of the Farnham Castle hill how much my hill climbing has come on the main tougher part was about 0.8 mile at 5.9 average with shorter section s over 10% and I did not struggle too much.
Segmet itself is 1.4 miles at average of 4%. However that does not mean I am ready to give up the 32t!!
http://www.strava.com/segments/1458618?filter=overall

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

This will sound really geeky, but that is a great formula, now got my data set up for my Eddington number to automatically calculate. Now to get it up to 75 (only 35 more needed ) and decide if I want to set any annual targets as well.

It also occurred to me that if you have one of the more modern versions of Excel or similar then conditional formatting could be used to compare the data in row d with row e and colour the cell automatically when one D is greater than E... thus highlighting the row where the change happens. (Simple if =$d5>=$e5 in the conditional formatting extra rules option highlighting the cells say red).

But I have yet to work out a formulae that will automatically tell you the cross over point and update it, by analysing the range of cells and putting the answer into a single cell... It is possible, I just can't for the life of me think/remember how to do it.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

It also occurred to me that if you have one of the more modern versions of Excel or similar then conditional formatting could be used to compare the data in row d with row e and colour the cell automatically when one D is greater than E... thus highlighting the row where the change happens. (Simple if =$d5>=$e5 in the conditional formatting extra rules option highlighting the cells say red).

But I have yet to work out a formulae that will automatically tell you the cross over point and update it, by analysing the range of cells and putting the answer into a single cell... It is possible, I just can't for the life of me think/remember how to do it.

I've set my sheet up as you said, then I've but an extra formula in under the countif formula. This formula uses IF and returns the mileage target if it is lower than the count or a zero if higher. I've then put in a MAX formula to return the highest number which is the Eddington number. I've then put another formula in, this one showing the difference between the mileage and the number of days achieved.

I then use a +1 formula to increase the Eddington number and SUMIF to bring back the number of days remaining required to reach that number.

Might not of explained that very well, but it means that when I enter my ride data, my Eddington number is automatically displayed along with the number of days I need to hit the next five numbers (It then steps up in 5s to 100, but I am 92 off that, so a long way to go yet!)

 

[Nigelnaturist]

This will sound really geeky, but that is a great formula, now got my data set up for my Eddington number to automatically calculate. Now to get it up to 75 (only 35 more needed ) and decide if I want to set any annual targets as well.

I sort of have something sorted in Access its a bit rough but does work it out.

 

[Brendo]

I have not read all the comments but, I started on a road bike this year in January and started with 5 miles at about 11 mph average. I am now a lot fitter and see more of 16+ depending on route. I don't see that 20mph coming soon but you never know.
keep Going and it will come.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I'll think on it a bit
I do not use the top speeds. Don't think I have ever used 50 x 11 and hardly ever 50 x 12
Also have got used to higher cadence now
NOt sure how easy it is to change (can't be that bad or you @Nigelnaturist would not be always changing)

Was definitely aware during ascent of the Farnham Castle hill how much my hill climbing has come on the main tougher part was about 0.8 mile at 5.9 average with shorter section s over 10% and I did not struggle too much.
Segmet itself is 1.4 miles at average of 4%. However that does not mean I am ready to give up the 32t!!
http://www.strava.com/segments/1458618?filter=overall

This gives all the shimano ratios for 9sp http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bike-parts/cassettes/9-speed/9-speed/ , if you remove the pins holding the cogs together you can make up your own ratios (not sure about 10sp) however the spacers are very easily broken on the Tiagra cassettes so next time I do one I am going to punch the pins rather than lever the cogs, I broke 4 last time, but having two cassettes now I have spare, so if you got a 12-23 it would give you what you have or at least the ones that are not worn usually both high and low and or good even it the middle is worn 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23 so 12-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32 you will need the 12th locking sprocket or 12-13-14-16-18-20-23-27-32 though that 14-16 is a big one, not many cassettes have a 20th either. The other advantage its dead easy to clean the cassette just take it off a clean each sprocket.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Might not of explained that very well, but it means that when I enter my ride data, my Eddington number is automatically displayed along with the number of days I need to hit the next five numbers (It then steps up in 5s to 100, but I am 92 off that, so a long way to go yet!)

I am 99 off it. I need one more of 46 to get to 46 after today.

I have not read all the comments but, I started on a road bike this year in January and started with 5 miles at about 11 mph average. I am now a lot fitter and see more of 16+ depending on route. I don't see that 20mph coming soon but you never know.
keep Going and it will come.

I avg 15-16 I will never avg 20mph, mind you if I had an 8kg bike I would be doing it

 

[GreigM]

I am happy if I get 11mph average

Had a very wet 15 miles earlier, was lovely when I left the house too only for the rain to arrive.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I am happy if I get 11mph average

Had a very wet 15 miles earlier, was lovely when I left the house too only for the rain to arrive.

I was like that and the days I hit 12 I was
Morning ride was dry, then had to go out and 8.5 miles in the wet, as will tomorrow and Thursday and I need 60+ from the two days. and then just one more 30+ and it will be my second highest monthly tally, the total for the two targets I have set for the end of June are finally starting to drop, thats is the avg each day, not bad to say at the beginning of April the Doc's said I wouldn't be riding for up to 3 months.

 

[Reece]

Well, the Tour of Wessex went a bit pair shaped. Traveled down with friends and one of their cars and towing a caravan. Car broke down and got recovered back to Leicester having hours of waiting around. ended up missing stage one on saturday as we traveled down (although the weather was horrendous so not too fussed).

rode the 116 mile route which was grueling but some superb scenery and climbs. Favourite of the day was the scenery around Lulworth Cove and then the climb up through the military climbing range. Ended up riding solo for 30 of the miles trying to go between groups of friends. got back to camp completely drained and legs were on fire. Think I completely underestimated the severity of the ride/challenge I'd set.

http://www.strava.com/activities/145942210

Today woke up and just rode the medium rout of 58 miles but went all out speed wise. Pretty good route with an awesome climb in the middle and an super scary descent where I didn't dare let go of the brakes, as you just instantly accelerated far too quick! Got in some nice fast groups that helped although stayed on the front too long at times. I wanted to do the long route but was concerned about how my legs would feel with driving 160 mile home after riding 107 miles and climbing 10k+ ft. Thoroughly enjoyed myself but has showed me I really need to up the training for these things.

http://www.strava.com/activities/145942064

 

[Stonechat]

I had been cycling a bit before I used Strava
The first ride was 9 mph, the next 12 mph, and the next which had a hill in (I had to stop halfway) was 8 mph

I do... There is a decent near me with a few S bends, about a 35mph decent (my pb on it :P ) which I had a mug tailgate me all the way up the assent and then the decent I completely out ran him