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

[mrcunning]

Saturday was the biggest challenge so far for me,A ride to the mecca of the east coast called Skegness,85 miles i achieved this in 5 hours and to be honest i still had plenty in the tank(big surprise here) and could of easily gone on for longer..
I used gels throughout and a special mix of mine which i might patent it..The recipe was ready brek,milk,3 bananas,banana nesquick and 2 spoonfuls of protein all blended together the taste and energy i got from this was overwhelming.
d/side...for a day and a half ive had mega wind now im not sure this is down to my recipe or just because i rode further than ive ever done?
Plus my shoes every 20-30 miles i had to take them off and wiggle my toes for about 30 seconds to stop like a cramping pain in my toes,not sure if this is down to the shoes,position or distance.does this happen to anyone else?

 

[BrianEvesham]

Out with Sue again this morning, she has really got the bug. Planning a ride most days this week weather permitting.

http://www.strava.com/activities/162774458

 

[mrcunning]

Out with Sue again this morning, she has really got the bug. Planning a ride most days this week weather permitting.

http://www.strava.com/activities/162774458

Does sue sometimes want to grab you and have her wicked way with you mate half way thro your ride ..you know what women are like seeing us men in lycra..

 

[BrianEvesham]

Does sue sometimes want to grab you and have her wicked way with you mate half way thro your ride ..you know what women are like seeing us men in lycra..

Erm, No. I'm on my old hybrid in baggy shorts and old t shirt when I go out with her!

 

[welsh dragon]

I was tweaking the saddle on Saturday when I was In town. Its still not quite right though. Not going out today as I have a headache. Whats the best way to mark the seat stem when I find the right height? Its a tight fit. If I use a marker pen, it will wear off quick. If I use some kind of tape, it will come off quickly. Would it be ok to make a slight nick in the stem? Nothing major, just a slight nick as a marker for future reference?

 

[RWright]

I was tweaking the saddle on Saturday when I was In town. Its still not quite right though. Not going out today as I have a headache. Whats the best way to mark the seat stem when I find the right height? Its a tight fit. If I use a marker pen, it will wear off quick. If I use some kind of tape, it will come off quickly. Would it be ok to make a slight nick in the stem? Nothing major, just a slight nick as a marker for future reference?

I use a small piece of duct tape. You can also measure and write it down.

Edit: I didn't really answer your question after I thought about what I typed. I do what I do because I am constantly changing my saddle height and fore and aft position. I don't feel there is one perfect position. Your body will more than likely be changing as you get stronger and you may want to change things as you progress.

I would not put a nick in mine because they are carbon fiber or I don't want a dinged up seat post. If you feel like you want to always leave it the same and don't mind a dinged up seat post, I don't see any problems as long as you don't go too deep or try it with carbon fiber.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I was tweaking the saddle on Saturday when I was In town. Its still not quite right though. Not going out today as I have a headache. Whats the best way to mark the seat stem when I find the right height? Its a tight fit. If I use a marker pen, it will wear off quick. If I use some kind of tape, it will come off quickly. Would it be ok to make a slight nick in the stem? Nothing major, just a slight nick as a marker for future reference?

definitely not a nick in the seat post. anything from liquid paper / tipex to a piece of micropore tape to simply measuring the height between the saddle rails and the clamp or even the top tube and recording it somewhere safe!

 

[welsh dragon]

definitely not a nick in the seat post. anything from liquid paper / tipex to a piece of micropore tape to simply measuring the height between the saddle rails and the clamp or even the top tube and recording it somewhere safe!

Thanks for the advise ladies and gentlemen. I'll probably measure it.

 

[Kins]

Game of slug dodging on the morning commute. Seems the Showers have bought them all out! 100s literally of the little buggers.

Out with Sue again this morning, she has really got the bug. Planning a ride most days this week weather permitting.

http://www.strava.com/activities/162774458

Make sure you have rest days. Lets the body recover

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Hi - I'm hoping this is still an ok place to post about genuine 'newbie' rides.... these all look much more experienced at 'tough' stuff than I am. Been cycling all my life, and love it, but only got my first 'decent' bike last Sept, so this is the first summer with it really. I'm trying to motivate myself to do a 'round the block with the evil hill' in it (5.5 miles) each day, aiming for over 11 mph as an average on this circuit each time I do it, with longer or tougher rides thrown in at weekends. Today's was a 15 miles bigger block, with many more mountains in it than I'd ever noticed despite living round here for the last two decades - average speed was a miserable 10mph, but I was happy just to keep going and not have to push the bike at any stage

just keep riding things improve.
@Nomadski its a little to far for me to go. Though I did cover some of the route in York the other week

 

[Stonechat]

Went up to London so see the tdf today - all went past so quickly but good atmosphere

 

[Nomadski]

Saturday was the biggest challenge so far for me,A ride to the mecca of the east coast called Skegness,85 miles i achieved this in 5 hours and to be honest i still had plenty in the tank(big surprise here) and could of easily gone on for longer..
I used gels throughout and a special mix of mine which i might patent it..The recipe was ready brek,milk,3 bananas,banana nesquick and 2 spoonfuls of protein all blended together the taste and energy i got from this was overwhelming.
d/side...for a day and a half ive had mega wind now im not sure this is down to my recipe or just because i rode further than ive ever done?
Plus my shoes every 20-30 miles i had to take them off and wiggle my toes for about 30 seconds to stop like a cramping pain in my toes,not sure if this is down to the shoes,position or distance.does this happen to anyone else?

That scratching sound is the sound of Lance Armstrong making notes in his notepad!

 

[Stonechat]

just keep riding things improve.
@Nomadski its a little to far for me to go. Though I did cover some of the route in York the other week

In don't even fancy Haworth High Street never mind the big hill

That scratching sound is the sound of Lance Armstrong making notes in his notepad!

There was programme about him tonight, did not watch!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

@Mo1959 Are you likely to be back in hospital tomorrow?

 

[Mo1959]

@Mo1959 Are you likely to be back in hospital tomorrow?

Got a phone call last night Emma. Arranged for 5pm today. Just getting organised and having my breakfast. Although it's not till 5 they always seem to want you in ages before it for paperwork, etc. Neighbour will take me into Perth and I will get the bus to Ninewells and get in there for just before 11 so still six hours to sit and chew my nearly non-existant nails!. Lol.