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

[Mo1959]

Well, that was a severe shock to the system cycling in the heat of the day compared with the cool mornings. I even saw little bits of tar that had bubbled in the heat. Haven't seen that for years. Went over to my Dads for a wee visit to find out how he gone on with his doctor's appointment this morning and dug a trench and put in a row of peas in the garden when I was there. Another hot run home again. The muscles do seem to work a bit better in the heat of the day though as my times weren't too bad.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well, that was a severe shock to the system cycling in the heat of the day compared with the cool mornings. I even saw little bits of tar that had bubbled in the heat. Haven't seen that for years. Went over to my Dads for a wee visit to find out how he gone on with his doctor's appointment this morning and dug a trench and put in a row of peas in the garden when I was there. Another hot run home again. The muscles do seem to work a bit better in the heat of the day though as my times weren't too bad.

Advantages to both, hope he's well.

 

[morrisman]

Well it turned out to be 82 miles at a less than sparkling average of 14.4 mph;
I put the low average down to the following:

• I'm old.
• I'm not as fit as I think I am.
• I'm still to fat.
• I'm still sh1t at going uphill.
• The wind today was only an apprentice wind, it had passed, with flying colours, the 'How to be a Headwind' part of its training but seemed to be really poor at 'How to be a Tailwind' part

But further along and further up than any other ride so far, just 18 miles short of my next challenge, 100 miles.

http://www.strava.com/activities/154700378

ps.
I have found the most scary noise you can hear on a bike. Twice today cars have locked their brakes behind me when aborting a poorly judged overtake, the sound of screaming rubber is more than a bit unnerving.

 

[Nomadski]

One other thing that cropped up on both Suj's Isle of Wight ride and also the Revolution ride was bad lady saddle sore.

Now when she ordered the bike she ordered the lady version, but never got a ride on it as it had its issues and had to be sent back.

She got the replacement which is what she has ridden, with the issues.

Now I'm not an expert on lady saddles, but I swear this is a mans saddle, not a lady version.

I reckon they have rebuilt a bike and sent the male version.

What do you guys think?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

One other thing that cropped up on both Suj's Isle of Wight ride and also the Revolution ride was bad lady saddle sore.

Now when she ordered the bike she ordered the lady version, but never got a ride on it as it had its issues and had to be sent back.

She got the replacement which is what she has ridden, with the issues.

Now I'm not an expert on lady saddles, but I swear this is a mans saddle, not a lady version.

I reckon they have rebuilt a bike and sent the male version.

What do you guys think?

View attachment 47960 View attachment 47961 View attachment 47962 View attachment 47963

does not show it as being either a man's or a lady's saddle http://supracyclecomponents.com.au/shop/parts/supra-compline-road-saddle/ but it could easily be the wrong width for her.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Well it turned out to be 82 miles at a less than sparkling average of 14.4 mph;
I put the low average down to the following:

• I'm old.
• I'm not as fit as I think I am.
• I'm still to fat.
• I'm still **** at going uphill.
• The wind today was only an apprentice wind, it had passed, with flying colours, the 'How to be a Headwind' part of its training but seemed to be really poor at 'How to be a Tailwind' part

But further along and further up than any other ride so far, just 18 miles short of my next challenge, 100 miles.

http://www.strava.com/activities/154700378

ps.
I have found the most scary noise you can hear on a bike. Twice today cars have locked their brakes behind me when aborting a poorly judged overtake, the sound of screaming rubber is more than a bit unnerving.

Well done, you should join the Gran Fondo 6 challenge since you have just completed it

http://www.strava.com/challenges/gran-fondo-06

 

[Supersuperleeds]

One other thing that cropped up on both Suj's Isle of Wight ride and also the Revolution ride was bad lady saddle sore.

Now when she ordered the bike she ordered the lady version, but never got a ride on it as it had its issues and had to be sent back.

She got the replacement which is what she has ridden, with the issues.

Now I'm not an expert on lady saddles, but I swear this is a mans saddle, not a lady version.

I reckon they have rebuilt a bike and sent the male version.

What do you guys think?

View attachment 47960 View attachment 47961 View attachment 47962 View attachment 47963

Based on what @SatNavSaysStraightOn has said get the young lady down to a Specialized store and they will sit her on their assometer to check what width she needs.

 

[Nomadski]

does not show it as being either a man's or a lady's saddle http://supracyclecomponents.com.au/shop/parts/supra-compline-road-saddle/ but it could easily be the wrong width for her.

The bike that is listed has that saddle but is by default a mans bike. When you ordered you then request the lady version which apparently was supposed to come with thinner handlebars and a wider lady version of the saddle.

I could be wrong but looking at other women's saddles after the event her saddle looked far more like mine than theirs.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

For those beginners that don't know, there is a cyclechat club on Strava if you wish to join it

http://www.strava.com/clubs/cyclechat

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

The bike that is listed has that saddle but is by default a mans bike. When you ordered you then request the lady version which apparently was supposed to come with thinner handlebars and a wider lady version of the saddle.

I could be wrong but looking at other women's saddles after the event her saddle looked far more like mine than theirs.

saddles are rather like shoes. what fits one person and is comfortable for them will not necessarily work for another person. I actually prefer a man's saddle on my road bike, (spech phenon expert), am more than happy with the stock saddle on my mtb (rockhopper - mans) and have yet to find anything I can even sit on for more than a day on my touring bike after wearing out my woman's saddle and it having been updated with a newer model - new model is awful for my backside, yet its new owner seems more than happy with it.

However, usually, when they don't say what sex a saddle is for, it is designed for a man and narrower, but that does not necessarily mean it is the wrong saddle for her. saddle sores can be caused by shorts, hygiene, sweat, undergarments, as well as the saddle...

 

[Nomadski]

Maybe I am wrong, looking at the original pic of the first bike that arrived...

Just most women's saddles I saw had a much shorter nose.

What do I know...I'm a bloke.

 

[Kins]

Just out of interest, how many miles is she doing a week? Might be her arse hasn't acclimatized to saddles full stop. Saddle width I find the hardest to get right. I've got a Selle SMP which looks terrible but actually I find very comfortable after I got used to it. Bit Sliddy though. The bloke who had it before said it was agony to ride with though. Different bums for different saddles I suppose. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/selle-smp-trk-saddle/rp-prod23428

 

[Nomadski]

She is very much a beginner, but just to be clear it's not her bum that is getting pain from the saddle.

It's...well this is getting awkward now....

 

[Kins]

Yea, non dangly bits. Understood. http://totalwomenscycling.com/road-cycling/maintenance/gear-guide-choosing-a-saddle-901/

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

She is very much a beginner, but just to be clear it's not her bum that is getting pain from the saddle.

It's...well this is getting awkward now....

in that case look at a split saddle, but don't rule out men's saddles as well. If you can take her to a specialised concept store, they can measure her sit bones (she just sits on something that leaves an imprint which gets measured). If she takes her cycling shorts/kit and bike, she will also be able to try the saddle on her bike whilst wearing her kit (get her to take her cycling shoes as well to get the seat height correct - saddles vary in height!). Also at the concept store, you get a 30 day return/exchange option on any saddle you purchase so if she does not get on with it on the road, she can try another one (there are some t&c's).