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

[welsh dragon]

Ive been a bit lax as well lately. I started off well in the spring with 15 milers, but then my get up and go, got up and went for some resson, and even now I don't know why. I went out this morning as it was quiet. The outward journey was fine, but once i reached a small village the skies turned dark and all the air seemed to be sucked out of the atmosphere and I could hardly breathe. Because of the dark clouds, and lack of air I decided to turn back. But I did take some photos though









The dark clouds on the way back were a bit ominous. Total distance 10.4 km not bad considering its been a while.

 

[welsh dragon]

Its my boys that don't remember not the O.H.'s

If they are teenagers, then they won't remember or think of anything that isn't about them. the reason why teenagers seem not to be able to relate to, adults is that they are totally different animals altogether.

 

[Harv]

Went out for a ride with my lad. Had a nice leisurely ride:

http://www.strava.com/activities/153727358

Found a car in a ditch part way through the journey.

Also picked up a pair of gator skins from Halfords for £31.48 (link at bottom right of this page http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...-PerformanceHorizon-_-skimlinks_phg-_-TopLink)

 

[MattMM]

So back after a work and mechanical-related absence. Courtesy of my LBS, now have a new spoke, crankset and rear hub bearing and the bike is running well again. Did my usual flat loop to Fenwick and back, some nice times given headwind on way back

http://www.strava.com/activities/153716009

 

[Trevor_P]

Intended to go for a ride today, but woke up this morning with really, really sore forearms. Seems I might have Handlebar palsy or whatever its called, similar to tennis elbow. Some numbness in the hands too. It appears I still don't have my bike setup sorted properly. So going back to basics and taking the measurements necessary to do this.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

 

[BrianEvesham]

My littlest Alfie (7) went on his first road ride today with Max and myself (oh at work all day) we went to the park for a picnic (very slowly!)

http://www.strava.com/activities/153841306

Think I will be selling the tag at last.

I was appalled at the standard of car driving towards us today, shocking.

 

[Kins]

Mixed bag when I eventually went out. 90% cloud cover and was sure it was gonna chuck it down again so started close to home. Then thought sod it and rode out along the main rode which is kinda flatish valley floor. Back held up well considering first 20 mile ride. Found out my Garmin is buggered (bought off here 2nd hand and only used about ten time ) as the battery was almost empty after the ride.

Also remember why i hate helmets (treated myself to a new helmet, glasses and bottle cages). On a muggy day like today just to damn hot.

Sat on the grass half way round to chill and talked to an old couple whose camper was parked in a layby for 20 minutes. Theyve done 17,000 miles touring in last 2 years, nice!

Anyway, nice ride and back isn't to bad, so good day.

http://www.strava.com/activities/153861936

 

[Stonechat]

Got up at 4 left house at 5 on the bike, got to Clapham at 6.15
Started at 7, first few miles had lots of stops for lights
Did one stop mid ride manned by scouts
Ditchling while hard was not impossible, got in to Brighton at 1115
All in all 72 miles at 13.7 from memory
Further details to follow

Did not feel it was too bad, still full of beans at the emd

 

[puffinbilly]

A couple of 30 mile loops this weekend due to having only a crippled hybrid. The road bike is left in the Lakes (cottage there not in an actual lake).The hybrid was cleaned and given a liberal spray of GT85 on Friday and ever since its impossible to stay in gear on the smaller chainring on anything approaching even a slope.I know that the chain and cassette probably need replacing soon but it appears the inner chainring has just magically stopped overnight- I thought this would be a gradual few slips then a few more etc?
So currently riding only on a 50 chainring with a 12/28 cassette so avoiding hills of any great size.

Anyone (by that I mean @Nigelnaturist in all probability) know if I can just change the inner chainring on a FSA Tempo chainset?

Worried by this natural phenomenon occurring in Wales - where the air is sucked out of the atmosphere as experienced by @welsh dragon - little bit too much fire breathing or fiery water partaken of!

Well done @Stonechat excellent effort- some fresh sea air.

 

[welsh dragon]

A couple of 30 mile loops this weekend due to having only a crippled hybrid. The road bike is left in the Lakes (cottage there not in an actual lake).The hybrid was cleaned and given a liberal spray of GT85 on Friday and ever since its impossible to stay in gear on the smaller chainring on anything approaching even a slope.I know that the chain and cassette probably need replacing soon but it appears the inner chainring has just magically stopped overnight- I thought this would be a gradual few slips then a few more etc?
So currently riding only on a 50 chainring with a 12/28 cassette so avoiding hills of any great size.

Anyone (by that I mean @Nigelnaturist in all probability) know if I can just change the inner chainring on a FSA Tempo chainset?

Worried by this natural phenomenon occurring in Wales - where the air is sucked out of the atmosphere as experienced by @welsh dragon - little bit too much fire breathing or fiery water partaken of!

Well done @Stonechat excellent effort- some fresh sea air.

Unfortunately no fire water for me. But there was so little oxygen I could hardly breathe. I shouldn't have gone out today to be honest, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity. Hoefully it will cool down a bit. I certainly hope so.

 

[Kins]

Anyone (by that I mean @Nigelnaturist in all probability) know if I can just change the inner chainring on a FSA Tempo chainset?

Looking at pics on the web, theres double and triple tempo's but both look like they are changeable. Also seems to be various models. be easier if you took a quick photo.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-UNUSE...9-16-034-THREAD-50-34-T-BARGAIN-/281351478096 If you zoom in on the chain set you can see the allen bolts to remove the rings. Just have to find the BCD and buy a new ring.

I personally use GT85 to clean the chain, but wipe it clear when done and use proper chain oil. Yours sounds like a combination of chain stretch and worn ring. Take a photo!

 

[Harv]

Tempted to go Strava Premium. There is currently a 30 day free trial.

I have to put in my credit card details. If I forget to cancel I'll be charged.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@puffinbilly if its a compact double chances are its a standard 110mm BCD yes loads of options if its not a compact i.e. a normal double yes but you wont be able to go below 38th, A compact is called a compact due to its B.C.D. (Bolt Centre Diameter) which is usually 110mm not because of the chain ring sizes, you can get road triple compacts 74mm BCD inner ring and 110mm middle and outer, these are usually used on touring bikes as the 74mm inner allows you to go as low as 24th I think. but a 26/38/48 and a 12-32 cassette gives a really wide range of gears.
I will need to find a chart re. BCD, but measure bolt centre to bolt centre, it is easier to measure same edge to same edge of adjacent holes.

http://www.hostelshoppe.com/tech_bolt_circle_diameter.php

 

[MattMM]

Also tempted, mainly by Strava Premium age/weight partitioning so I can see how I compare with other 40-something, local fat gits as opposed to getting depressed seeing how inferior I am to 20-something roadie racing snakes...

Despite all this, did manage to drop two roadies today on an undulating/downhill segment. Sometimes mass can be a good thing...

 

[Effyb4]

What I need strava to show is other 40 something, slightly overweight women with complex medical issues