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

[Crankpoet]

In February I started my 'training programme' for the RideLondon 100, which consists of trying to ride to work 2 or three times a week (10 miles each way through central London) and intending to do some longer rides when I could. Bought myself a secondhand Raleigh Airlite 300 (a revelation after MTB/Hybrids) and just been plugging away. Went for a ride this morning from east London to Epping, around 25 miles and was really pleased that even with traffic lights and a bit of traffic I managed to average 17mph, my fastest ever average on my longest ride so far but realised on my return (knackered) that if I am going to do 4 times this distance I will have to do a couple of really long rides - what distance should I aim for bearing in mind I don't have a lot of time most weeks?

 

[Stonechat]

In February I started my 'training programme' for the RideLondon 100, which consists of trying to ride to work 2 or three times a week (10 miles each way through central London) and intending to do some longer rides when I could. Bought myself a secondhand Raleigh Airlite 300 (a revelation after MTB/Hybrids) and just been plugging away. Went for a ride this morning from east London to Epping, around 25 miles and was really pleased that even with traffic lights and a bit of traffic I managed to average 17mph, my fastest ever average on my longest ride so far but realised on my return (knackered) that if I am going to do 4 times this distance I will have to do a couple of really long rides - what distance should I aim for bearing in mind I don't have a lot of time most weeks?

Nornal strategy would be to build up. All time in the saddle will help. but you need to be build up to at the very least 60 or 70 before the ride or it will be too much of a shock.
I am only doing London to Brighton (54) miles, and I have done 74 in training (though I will likely have to cycle to Clapham for the start).At the least you need to build up to 50but it sounds as though yu may have a way to go

 

[Effyb4]

In February I started my 'training programme' for the RideLondon 100, which consists of trying to ride to work 2 or three times a week (10 miles each way through central London) and intending to do some longer rides when I could. Bought myself a secondhand Raleigh Airlite 300 (a revelation after MTB/Hybrids) and just been plugging away. Went for a ride this morning from east London to Epping, around 25 miles and was really pleased that even with traffic lights and a bit of traffic I managed to average 17mph, my fastest ever average on my longest ride so far but realised on my return (knackered) that if I am going to do 4 times this distance I will have to do a couple of really long rides - what distance should I aim for bearing in mind I don't have a lot of time most weeks?

I would try and get some longer rides in. I have been training for London to Southend. I started off doing 10 mile rides, then 15,20,25,30,35 mile rides and finally last weekend 40 miles. I feel that I could do the 52 miles I'm aiming for now. Don't worry too much about your speed. Try and pace yourself over longer distances.

 

[Cold]

Lovely and sunny here very windy in parts and I had some old guy shouting abuse at me because I went past him.

http://www.strava.com/activities/150115656

 

[Stonechat]

As I am ever so slightly tapering off towards the L2B, instead of riding this afternoon cleaned and lubed the bike
(Will still ride on Sundfay though)

 

[morrisman]

Well did the promised 50, legs were tired so no great shakes on speed and a snakebite puncture from a pothole which I hit when avoiding another pothole. But all in all a nice ride out and the Strava segment where I punctured shows 21 mins where my normal duration is 9-10 mins so a good time for a retube then (Always look on the bright side of life).

http://www.strava.com/activities/150158717

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

@Mo1959 finally gotten around to fitting the new tyres today - now that I have a pair of them! They were not that much easier to fit to my Fulcrum Racing 7 CX rims! It make take a few weeks to find out if I am any faster on them unless I get out on Sunday though! Op is on Monday and sitting on a saddle for a while could be 'interesting'...

 

[Ciar]

Not much to report, but since restarting cycling and signing up to the forum, i have dropped just over 26 lbs, as for mileage i am up to 4 days a week commuting + riding the MTB on weekends when i have time.

and my mileage for the year 995m compared to all of last year which was 837

still got pies to lose but just not as many as previously

 

[morrisman]

Re my snakebite puncture, two roadies rode passed whilst I was fixing it with out so much as an 'You OK?'. Miserable gits! There I feel better now

On the up side riding through town saw a bunch of school kids on a pedestrian refuge about to launch themselves across my path, then the boy in the front stopped them, I said 'Thanks', he said 'Your are welcome'. Brightened up my day.

 

[Learnincurve]

New hybrid is here, and was in many, many pieces. The brakes were an absolute mess. Everything was out of kilter to the point where the front right pad was connecting with the tire. I pretty much had to lean how to disassemble and reassemble V brakes today. Turns out this 19 inch frame exactly fits me with the seat slammed right down, it's not light and I'm debating building on it. I'm changing the tires/inner tubes and seat this weekend for a start. The hidden bonus of assembling was that I know that the seat weighs at least 2lb, it is a very stupid seat and is stopping me from fitting my rear rack.

 

[matth411]

Just got back from a 48.9 mile ride (can I just call this a 49er?) The route I took I have done parts of it in reverse, I prefer the reverse route as I didn't realise the hills that I go down were actually that steep. Went over the Burton marshlands which is a Sustrans route, and has a lot of sheep. They are bigger than previously thought haha. Got chatting to a guy called Steve from Sustrans, he asked if I enjoyed the route and also if I support them (which I do) But yeah, he was a nice enough guy, as was pretty much everybody today. No close passes, roadies saying hello, MTB'ers saying hello, pedestrians saying hello. All in all a very good day, especially getting a top 3 on a short but sharp incline segment that I have only done twice.

Anyway, I'm rambling... http://www.strava.com/activities/150174181

 

[Mo1959]

@Mo1959 finally gotten around to fitting the new tyres today - now that I have a pair of them! They were not that much easier to fit to my Fulcrum Racing 7 CX rims! It make take a few weeks to find out if I am any faster on them unless I get out on Sunday though! Op is on Monday and sitting on a saddle for a while could be 'interesting'...

I found them really easy to fit on my Mavic rims but it seems to be the luck of the draw which rims are slightly easier/tougher.

Hope the op goes well and you are not in too much discomfort!

Just back from visiting my dad in hospital. It has felt a long day. Quick bite to eat then get my patient dog out at last. Beautiful evening for a walk after a stuffy hospital.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@morrisman I had the other end of the scale this morning, I was about to take a left junction off the main road, when I saw an elderly gentleman (well turns out he wasn't) he stepped out with out looking, but because I was aware of what he was about to do i was able to go round him and say to him don't you look before crossing, he called me a twat and did I have a bell, I said I was aware of what you were doing and avoided you, you just stepped out to which he called me a twat again.

 

[welsh dragon]

@morrisman I had the other end of the scale this morning, I was about to take a left junction of the main road, when I saw an elderly gentleman (well turns out he wasn't) he stepped out with out looking, but because I was aware of what he was about to do i was able to go round him and say to him don't you look before crossing, he called me a twat and did I have a bell, I said I was aware of what you were doing and avoided you, you just stepped out to which he called me a twat again.

sorry Nigel. Couldnt help it

 

[Coggy]

Had a great fun ride this evening.

Really enjoyed it and averaged about 14.5mph I think

https://www.strava.com/activities/150232103