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

[bigmig]

today I did 25 miles for the first time

http://www.strava.com/activities/151964597

I know the average speed is not great was 14.5mph but if I told you I was draging 20stone along on that bike it felt pretty epic to me. Cycling to lose weight. Managed to drop a stone in the last 5 weeks down to 20 from 21, so hopefully I can keep this up. Working towards a 50 miler for the end of July and trying to get my average up to 16 mph. The head winds crucify me. I managed a 16.2 average on just under 12 miles aabout 2 weeks ago, but throw a few hills in and the headwind and I get butchered. This was my 16.2 average run http://www.strava.com/activities/148751824

 

[Stonechat]

Well I had reached the point a while back where even 34" trousers were getting tight - even though noone would say I was fat
Same trousers are now rather loose and need a belt, and look as though I need a smaller pair

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@bigmig first time I did 25+ miles it was 11.17mph that was two years ago, I still dont average 16mph often, just enjoy the journey, head winds, just drop a gear or two and spin, to lose weight, keep your H.R. low and ride for longer, rather than work hard for shorter, but both have there place, the lower the hr whilst working burns more fat, higer hr's burn more carbs

 

[AndyPeace]

No. It's a Trek 1.1 nothing fancy.

I doubt my Madone 3.5 is much lighter, I.'ve not weighed it but believe it's a fraction under 9kg

 

[Exile]

A few weeks (or two months, time certainly does fly along apace) of commuting and I'm noticing improvements more than worthy of the name "Newbie Progress". My average cadence is up about 10 RPM since I started using the Garmin, but more importantly my average speed it up too! Makes sense I suppose that if I pedal faster the bike goes faster, but it's always nice to see figures heading in the right direction. Admittedly, my speed's only up about 1 mph but a gain's a gain, and that is carrying all my work stuff too.

I've also encountered a problem with my cycling attire: I can no longer ride in my cargo trousers without getting some leg pain. Seems the 50+ miles a week I've been commuting have bulked my thighs a little bit, and that's causing the trousers to be a bit tight around them. I'd not a problem for a quick ride to Tesco's on my lunch, but it does become rather uncomfortable after about 5 miles. Looks like it might be time to heed the call of the Lycra longs for those damp, drizzly British Summer rides.
Finally, I passed through the 500 mile mark for the year yesterday. Next stop 1000!

 

[matth411]

I have been meaning to move my seat for a while now because I keep having to slide back to sit down properly. Finally got around to it on the night shift, and the bolts were loose! Not massively loose, but loose enough to make me go So, I moved seat forward, then checked more bolts just in case. Headset cap was slightly loose, less than seat but still had a bit of play of it. And the front reflector (only one on the bike) was loose. I said sorry to the bike for neglect after tightening all bolts.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I doubt my Madone 3.5 is much lighter, I.'ve not weighed it but believe it's a fraction under 9kg

Told you I have a tank to get up the hills,

 

[Mo1959]

Told you I have a tank to get up the hills,

It'll go faster coming back down though.

Didn't go very far this morning but put in a reasonable effort. Supposed to get windy later in the day so I set out at Mo-time to avoid it. Had thought about cycling over to Dads later but it is to be the usual south-westerly here and quite strong later so I don't fancy doing gardening and cycling back straight into it with a sore back which I will be guaranteed to have after bending.

Had a few improved times on veloviewer but, as usual, about 28 worse placings

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Mo1959 I had a bad back back in Nov 2012 and the bike was the best place, It might be faster going down, but it doesn't make up for the extra time going up , also on longer rides its more tiring.

I got an improved VV score up over 82 now it was down to 78.8 back in Dec compared with 83.73 in Oct, so still some way to go.

 

[Stonechat]

Weather forecast for the L2B on Sunday is cloudy, slight NNE wind of about 10 mph (slight tailwind!)

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Weather forecast for the L2B on Sunday is cloudy, slight NNE wind of about 10 mph (slight tailwind!)

Sounds good, its nice to saunter around in the sun, but if you have distance and some hills lower temps are better, have a great day,

Hopefully my new RD will arrive today, and the wait for this nipple (spoke) is intolerable.

 

[L14M]

Well it's my birthday and I've gotten what I wanted a new watch and a giro savant! The left one is my three year old watch!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@L14M have a great day

 

[Goonerobes]

Happy Birthday @L14M - does that now make you L15M?

 

[Nigelnaturist]

It'll go faster coming back down though.

Didn't go very far this morning but put in a reasonable effort. Supposed to get windy later in the day so I set out at Mo-time to avoid it. Had thought about cycling over to Dads later but it is to be the usual south-westerly here and quite strong later so I don't fancy doing gardening and cycling back straight into it with a sore back which I will be guaranteed to have after bending.

Had a few improved times on veloviewer but, as usual, about 28 worse placings

Beat you 31 worse places and only one improved, but it wasn't really just an improved time, I did 30 new segments so is that 30 new p.b.'s