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

[moo]

What kind of roads were you riding? The thought alone scares me!

I do an hour or so of commuting at midnight during the week. A good portion is via unlit winding roads. I find these safer at night as both you and oncoming motorists have ample warning from your lights. During the day, when you approach a tight corner with no visibility you're hoping there isn't an idiot speeding around it.

 

[RWright]

What kind of roads were you riding? The thought alone scares me!

I am going out some two lane roads for a mile or so, hitting a fast highway, then getting off it to a new fast bypass, then coming back up it for a ways to get onto a closed section of the bypass. I get about 8 or 9 miles (down and back) of new fresh four lane highway with zero traffic on it.

I feel at least as secure if not more so at night with good lights than I do during the day at least as far as with cars. As for deer, dogs and the boogeyman, they can come out of the dark pretty quickly so you have to keep your eyes open. A strong headlight makes things very nice. I even rode into town tonight before I went home. Probably didn't pass more than four or five cars up and back that two mile stretch.
I wouldn't hesitate to ride country roads around here at night with good lights. It does take a little getting used to but I like it.

 

[huwsparky]

Gonna have to give it a bash. What lights you guys using?

Sound way more fun than sitting on a trainer during the winter months!

 

[RWright]

I have a Cyglolite and a few Cree T6s. They all work nice but the Crees put out just as much light and cost a lot less. There is a big thread in the accessories section of CC about them.

 

[huwsparky]

I have a Cyglolite and a few Cree T6s. They all work nice but the Crees put out just as much light and cost a lot less. There is a big thread in the accessories section of CC about them.

Thanks, I'll check it out

 

[Heigue'r]

Well after posting to do a 10 miler last week it didnt happen, this morning it did .it was tough and what id consider quite hilly, not sure how to upload the strava, feeling chuffed, was beaten twice and had to get off, bith times not far from the top, ive discovered the best part about going up a hill is coming down the other side,41mph, very very enjoyable, time for a cup of tea

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Well after posting to do a 10 miler last week it didnt happen, this morning it did .it was tough and what id consider quite hilly, not sure how to upload the strava, feeling chuffed, was beaten twice and had to get off, bith times not far from the top, ive discovered the best part about going up a hill is coming down the other side,41mph, very very enjoyable, time for a cup of tea

Keep at it!

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Hi guys
Some good riding going on recently, well done folks .
Has anybody else had trouble with Garmin Connect not uploading to Strava today? Or am I just being impatient with wanting to see my data?

 

[morrisman]

Well after 9 days off due to Whitby Folk Week I went out today for a cheeky 28 miles and found my riding had suffered a lot less than it did after the same break last year. But, as it was chilly today, I have discovered the down side of weight loss, my winter long bibs are very big on me now, so off shopping soon

http://www.strava.com/activities/184593306

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Hi guys
Some good riding going on recently, well done folks .
Has anybody else had trouble with Garmin Connect not uploading to Strava today? Or am I just being impatient with wanting to see my data?

Scrap that. It's there now. Just being impatient I guess.

Take care folks

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Well after 9 days off due to Whitby Folk Week I went out today for a cheeky 28 miles and found my riding had suffered a lot less than it did after the same break last year. But, as it was chilly today, I have discovered the down side of weight loss, my winter long bibs are very big on me now, so off shopping soon

http://www.strava.com/activities/184593306

Any excuse!

 

[BrynCP]

Went for something a bit different today. Decided to try some "climbs".

Ok, they're not the biggest climbs, this being Hull area, but here is the normal profile (metres) of a 40 mile ride:

And here is today's:

I struggled a bit, and my knees can still feel it! Ignoring the first gradual ascent, I managed the 1st and 3rd in one go, which I surprised myself, the sharper climb in the middle I had to stop twice, the worst thing was actually coming back down it (it's a dead end) and I constantly felt like I was going to roll over! I never let go of the brakes.

 

[welsh dragon]

Went for something a bit different today. Decided to try some "climbs".

Ok, they're not the biggest climbs, this being Hull area, but here is the normal profile (metres) of a 40 mile ride:

View attachment 54228

And here is today's:

View attachment 54229

I struggled a bit, and my knees can still feel it! Ignoring the first gradual ascent, I managed the 1st and 3rd in one go, which I surprised myself, the sharper climb in the middle I had to stop twice, the worst thing was actually coming back down it (it's a dead end) and I constantly felt like I was going to roll over! I never let go of the brakes.

You lucky begger. I wish it was that flat here.

 

[BrynCP]

You lucky begger. I wish it was that flat here.

It's nice, but does mean even the slightest incline can seem like a mountain!

I want to improve the climbs because I think it's the next thing I need to do to increase my fitness. I am not kidding myself I will breeze up like some cyclists, I am still overweight, but hopefully if I do that loop once a week it will be a start!

 

[bash 73]

Hi Huwsparky they were undulating roads with some decent climbs and quick good descents which was fun. Also the sense of achievement when i finished was fantastic and a bit of a mental breakthrough as in the middle of july there was no way i thought i could ride that far.
Its become addictive swell