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

[BrianEvesham]

I managed to put down 130 kilometres at 26.4 kph yesterday, doing the McMillan Shakespeare 100k. It turned into 130k because I missed the split point at Mickleton and ended up following the 100 mile route instead! In my defence, I was in a 'mini peloton' at the time. One 'advantage' of doing this was that the longer route took me up Saintbury Hill for the first time. It's rather steep, goes on a bit, and was encountered after about 75k. I did end up being a temporary pedestrian on the steepest bit, along with a few other riders. I'm on a compact, 50/34 with 9 speed cassette, lowest sprocket 26T. Given a 28 or 32, I reckon I might have made it all the way. Next year I shall have to do the 100 mile proper now to put that theory to the test I suppose!

Well done on the new distance.
Don't worry, they usually use the Saintbury on the April 100k.

 

[Hatevessel]

Started commuting (partially!) by bike today. Roughly 3 miles to the station (which isn't my most local station), so not a huge amount, but I got geared up and went through with it, despite the "Monday Morning Feeling" demanding that I take the free lift instead.

It's a lot more challenging getting back, due to the elevation, so I have that to look forward to later. Eventually, I'd like to go one station further out which takes the commute to 6 miles each way.

 

[Trevor_P]

I'd love to be able to commute, but at 27 miles each way on top of a 12-15 hour working day, it's a bit unrealistic.

 

[Hatevessel]

Door to door to my actual place of work is about 45 miles, so I can't ever see that happening! Still, it's nice to work in a cycle for at least my trip to the train station. Just a pity you're not allowed to take bikes on rush hour commuter trains nowadays (and I'm definitely not interested in a foldable bike)

 

[gurninman]

Indeed - I'd like to commute, but I work from home 4 days a week with one day in the office, which is 70 miles away

 

[BrianEvesham]

Out with Sue in the rain this morning
http://www.strava.com/activities/194792861

Then I used the turbo trainer I bought last week from Halfords for a bargain £89 for the first time.
Just half an hour was the first target, surprised how warm I got.

 

[Mo1959]

Out with Sue in the rain this morning
http://www.strava.com/activities/194792861

Then I used the turbo trainer I bought last week from Halfords for a bargain £89 for the first time.
Just half an hour was the first target, surprised how warm I got.

I think that's why I've already given up on the exercise bike. I sweated so much I got a bad headache after it even when drinking lots. I just don't enjoy exercising indoors I'm afraid.

 

[Learnincurve]

I thought it would be a blindingly good idea to go test my new bike with the flu and never having ridden drop bar before, while living in derbyshire. It was not.

http://www.strava.com/activities/194829045

uphill was hard, (185 ft in 2.5 miles) and downhill was terrifying but I got the whole steering, changing gear and braking thing down. Need to sort out gears as they are hello jumpy. Right now, I only like the drops, because brakes.

edit: I picked that route because I had been meaning to go look at cock alley for a while.

 

[BrianEvesham]

I think that's why I've already given up on the exercise bike. I sweated so much I got a bad headache after it even when drinking lots. I just don't enjoy exercising indoors I'm afraid.

The plan was a maximum of one hour at a time and only when I cannot get out, be that bad weather or parenting duties!
I think maybe I went for it too much for a first time. I will be using the fan next time.

 

[Learnincurve]

Ah. A Lot just got explained. My handlebars were set up incorrectly which is why I could only reach the brakes from the drops.

 

[Trevor_P]

I think that's why I've already given up on the exercise bike. I sweated so much I got a bad headache after it even when drinking lots. I just don't enjoy exercising indoors I'm afraid.

I usually get a headache after drinking lots. Down here we call it a hangover.

 

[Learnincurve]

I have bought a much much shorter stem. 45mm short to be exact. Seems to be about right if I sit on the bike and hold the invisible handlebars and I can push the seat back 3cm if it's too short.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I have bought a much much shorter stem. 45mm short to be exact. Seems to be about right if I sit on the bike and hold the invisible handlebars and I can push the seat back 3cm if it's too short.

45mm is a very short stem.

What do you mean you can push the seat back 3cm if it's (the stem) too short?

The seat needs to be in the right fore/aft position irrespective of stem length.

 

[Mo1959]

@Learnincurve Agree with @SpokeyDokey You sound like you are doing things back to front. Get the seat in the most comfortable/efficient position first before you work on handlebar reach/height. If you feel you need as short a stem as 45mm it sounds like the bike may be too big? Hopefully, you are maybe just like I was when I first used a road bike and felt it was too stretched out, but within half a dozen rides started to feel much more comfortable. It does take a bit of getting used to if you have been using a hybrid or mtb.

 

[Learnincurve]

I'm not very good at explaining things in the correct bike terms. I have long legs (remeasured and I have 32.5" inch legs and am 5ft 5") so needed a 52 (also the shortest size they did). the seat is set up fine, but in fact may be a cm or two too far forward. However my body and arms ain't long enough to be able to grip the handlebars properly in any position so I need to shorted the stem. The stem on this bike is actually 105mm which is far too long for a 52 cm and was supposed to be a 90mm. (I have a £20 voucher from EB because of this and a slight scratch on the crank, it was the last 2014 in stock and on sale). This isn't a road bike, this is a Audux light touring bike so the geometry is different and far more relaxed. Rest assured I gave the dogs quite the show before I ordered the stem