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

[welsh dragon]

I started 6mths ago and was excited at doing 4 miles, now do 20 mile rides 3 times a week. Still need a hot bath and a beer after but its getting easier, my missus is still unimpressed though!!!!

Dont worry. Your not on your own. My OH isn't impressed either. All he says is it's too hilly here. No one else is stupid enough to cycle. Accept me that is. Keep going.

 

[beardy01]

Its too hilly where i live and cycle, still not keen on those but what goes up must come down and then those hills are forgotten about, its just potholes then you have to avoid at speed!!!!

 

[fivepence]

There seem to be two factions opening up here. Those of us who live in the hills and those who live on the flats. Those who live on the flats envy those of us who live in this hills, these people, in my humble opinion, are insane.

Hills may seem all exiting if you don't have any but trust me, they get old fast. Here are some examples: If I were to go from my house to chatsworth and back again, which is a 25 mile ride, just 14 times, I will have ridden the same height as Everest. To pop from my house to town and back again for milk I have to do 252 feet which includes a 13% climb. I have one and only one ride that's even remotely flat and it's on a gravel canal path and only goes in one direction.

Whilst I do love hills , I will admit to been slightly envious of some of the longer flat routes, I reckon I could clear 1000m elevation inside 50KM without going into the green zone of the peak district such is the terrain round here. In fact I might try it this weekend.

 

[matth411]

I have mixture of hills and flats, mostly flat but I suppose that is due to being by the coast. Further away from the coast the higher you get, which really is not much (but enough for me) when it is a peninsular. If you go back through my rides the amount of elevation is not that much compared to what I have seen from some of you guys. For example, in 49 miles I had 1498 FT of elevation which is only 456 Metres 78 KM (OK, the longer I look at this conversion and calculation, the more it is looking wrong. Night shift is getting to me haha)

 

[Harv]

Luckily for me, in Hull, I have the choice: of going east, where it's incredibly flat, or to the west and north west and into the Yorkshire Wolds, which are comparably hilly, although not as hilly perhaps as other areas.

However, there is flat, and there is 10 miles (I may be exaggerating) of dead straight flat road with nothing but fields either side and a nice unbroken wind to go with it! It's amazing how interesting it can seem to be just to pass a house with a nice garden ornament or something to break up a long stretch.

I'm not far from yourself. As I've only started within the last year I tend to stick to the flats. Once I'm a bit more advanced I'll start tackling some of the hills nearby.

Were quite fortunate we have a choice of both locally.

 

[Stonechat]

The joys of British weather.
I looked yesterday morning and both today and tomoorow were going to be wet.
This morning I see I will miss most rain today and tomorrow looks good too

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I just wish I could get climbs eaisier without going so far.
7 miles from here to Egham Hill or the variants if you go up another way.
Other nearby hills are easier.

Its the same here Bob the closest cat 4 is 12 miles away, though on rwgps this is classed a cat4 but not on strava, this happens a few times. http://ridewithgps.com/segments/Melton-clime

 

[Nigelnaturist]

The joys of British weather.
I looked yesterday morning and both today and tomoorow were going to be wet.
This morning I see I will miss most rain today and tomorrow looks good too

Going to be wet here all day, 50% + probability, great day to try out a brand new white saddle, which from the short test rides I am not keen on.

 

[welsh dragon]

Its dull and dark here today, and it looks set in for the day. I'll see what the weather is like later on before deciding on whether to go out or not.

 

[Mo1959]

Dull and breezy here. Neighbour just texted to see if I want to go for a walk. Light jacket will be required. Nice to get some fresh air though. I feel like I have been cooped up all week with nothing but a couple of walks.

 

[Stonechat]

Its the same here Bob the closest cat 4 is 12 miles away, though on rwgps this is classed a cat4 but not on strava, this happens a few times. http://ridewithgps.com/segments/Melton-clime

YEs Egham Hill not even a Cat hill
Box Hill is just less than 20 miles away.
So a longer ride may take in two or three hills. Needs to be a really long ride to take in more

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

It broke about two inch or so from the nose just behind where the rails join at the front, metal fatigue I think, what is it with me,

that is the very reason I gave up with the triban 3. it wasn't designed for the amount of use I was giving it and was wearing out at a ridiculous rate. My new road bike has now covered more than 1,000 miles since it was purchased at Easter and that includes 4 weeks off the bike through illness and an operation! It is getting a well earned rest today

 

[Trevor_P]

It can't really be classed as hilly here, although there are plenty of short cat 4 climbs very close by. The issue is that at 156m above sea level, home is only 33m from the highest points. Everywhere is downhill. But getting back home means a climb at the end of any ride. When you do go any distance, to get to the flat, you've usually doings at least a couple of climbs.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

It can't really be classed as hilly here, although there are plenty of short cat 4 climbs very close by. The issue is that at 156m above sea level, home is only 33m from the highest points. Everywhere is downhill. But getting back home means a climb at the end of any ride. When you do go any distance, to get to the flat, you've usually doings at least a couple of climbs.

I have to climb home, nothing major anything up to 150ft depending which way the 150ft is a gradual 4-5 mile or a shorter 80ft in 1/2 mile or something in between.

@SatNavSaysStraightOn The saddle was new last March and has done just over 10,000 miles, the wheels were new in March (spoke) the Sora RD must have done 7,000, front tyre is on nearly 6,000 or so.

I replace stuff with better kit as I can afford.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I have to climb home, nothing major anything up to 150ft depending which way the 150ft is a gradual 4-5 mile or a shorter 80ft in 1/2 mile or something in between.

@SatNavSaysStraightOn The saddle was new last March and has done just over 10,000 miles, the wheels were new in March (spoke) the Sora RD must have done 7,000, front tyre is on nearly 6,000 or so.

I replace stuff with better kit as I can afford.

same here - or when it works out cheaper to buy better quality/the old will cost more the replace repair than buy a better one. I did have one gel saddle that lasted me well over 20,000 miles and I was so sad to see it finally give up the ghost. It was that bad that my shorts padding had left a permanent imprint in the gel! Sadly I have not been able to purchase an identical one because the manufacturer had revamped the model and the new one was awful! Still looking for 'that' touring saddle which if plans come off, I will need in less than 3 weeks time! and I really should take my touring bike with me for that rather than my road bike, but can't see how at the moment....