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

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Not saying nowt, you know where i would have been

Don't worry, I had a bad year last year and only coveted 5,000km on the bike after my mtb incident that cracked 3 of my ribs and left me with major issues with my asthma and on steroids permanently... Some years are like that, still last year was better than the year before where the dog redesigned my left leg, so I can't complain too much

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Batgirl to be honest with you I don't work so I have a lot of time to ride, and like @SatNavSaysStraightOn hardly a newbie, downside to not working is lack of funds for the bike having said that its had all new components this year wheels in March shifters and drive chain in July bar the chainset which was new yesterday and unlike when the bike was new or when i took up cycling more seriously in 2012, the components are pretty decent, 105 shifters FD & RD cassette KMC x93 chain RS11 wheels, ok its not top range or middle range in the case of the wheels but not bad stuff, buts took me a long time getting the bike how I want it, the one thing I can not do much about is the weight, bar changing the forks for carbon, and things like seat post bars headset, not sure the cost would be worth it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Don't worry, I had a bad year last year and only coveted 5,000km on the bike after my mtb incident that cracked 3 of my ribs and left me with major issues with my asthma and on steroids permanently... Some years are like that, still last year was better than the year before where the dog redesigned my left leg, so I can't complain too much

I know, I am fortunate enough to have at least been able to get out sometimes for good periods so my fitness hasn't fallen to much, though today was a little tough, though that could just be as much trying to get in rhythm with the new gearing, I did actually find the 24 and 27 rear as combination to low on the 38th middle, I didn't really expect that, so I am considering a 12-25 cassette, this would make the 23 slightly shorter than the 40x24 but the 38x25 slightly longer than the 40x27, but the gaps wouldn't be so big, and I would still have a 27" on the 26x25

 

[Trevor_P]

Not been out for two weeks again since the back pain returned last Friday. Still sore. Found out that the Canterbury bike ride is tomorrow and not Sunday as I thought, so my first ever ride on my new bike will be 55 miles tomorrow morning.

 

[Batgirl]

@Batgirl to be honest with you I don't work so I have a lot of time to ride, and like @SatNavSaysStraightOn hardly a newbie, downside to not working is lack of funds for the bike having said that its had all new components this year wheels in March shifters and drive chain in July bar the chainset which was new yesterday and unlike when the bike was new or when i took up cycling more seriously in 2012, the components are pretty decent, 105 shifters FD & RD cassette KMC x93 chain RS11 wheels, ok its not top range or middle range in the case of the wheels but not bad stuff, buts took me a long time getting the bike how I want it, the one thing I can not do much about is the weight, bar changing the forks for carbon, and things like seat post bars headset, not sure the cost would be worth it.

I've a lot of respect for someone who is so open and who works hard to do up their bike - the technical stuff went over my head gotta say but I'm the proud owner and slightly in love with my jalopy £20 bike which now has new inners, chain and decent schwalbe tyres (it's a mountain bike but got smoother tyres as I ride on loose gravel and tarmac - she goes much MUCH better on tarmac now). So for me the job is either to use her as is for a while and buy a new bike (budget version compared to most on here of a couple of hundred) or whether to get her stripped back and repainted and carry on the renovation with cables / cassette etc.. but honestly she won't be worth a fortune to anyone but me. lol I'm a student full time so can understand the finance restrictions that come with non-standard lifestyle of the old 9-5.

Keep on enjoying your bike is a great hobby and method of fitness / transport.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Batgirl I don't know she's get a really cool colour scheme, I did read your thread about doing her up. My bike isn't expensive and many don't count it as a bike, its a Viking and if you look around they get ribbed a bit, also ignore bits when I start to waffle, I can explain things better, but sometimes its difficult to do so in a short paragraph.
This is my bike as it was winter 2012 it was a 7sp triple with cheese for metal on the spokes and rims, it however got me fit enough to think it was worth spending money on this hobby, intention was to get another bike, however things wore out or broke and each time I tried to get better bits, there are a few on here that can tell you the heart ache I have had trying to keep it going sometimes, however like you trusty stead its not worth much 2nd hand as a bike, though the components it is worth it, it cost £300 in 2008, but to get a bike kitted out with the level of components bear in mind its got a really unorthodox front triple chainset, so you are looking at a custom build really, I doubt there would be much change from £1200, @SatNavSaysStraightOn what do you reckon.

 

[Batgirl]

@Nigelnaturist I think it's a bit like having an old car, we have to spend money keeping it road worthy, knowing it's not going to return the funds on selling. lol Lovely pic and shows true spirit riding through snow.

Yes my girl is a fruit salad colour scheme and I'm adding to that with Red and bought a white hat today (finally) so rainbow is very much a theme. lol I don't mind I'm one for wearing black a lot and figure if my bike can be seen so can I . I must confess I saw a lovely classic bike earlier with a lady I know.. commented to hubby that type of bike would be what I'd go with and was greeted with shock as he thought I'd be a mountain bike kind of girl all the way through. I think in honesty a hybrid is right for me but I can't seem to bring myself to shop seriously for a new bike. Perhaps it is that I can't keep it warm and tidy indoors.. currently in a horses stable she'll move into a bike shed at home when i'm capable of riding the BIG hill I live on or I start commuting whichever come first. So pristine won't stay that way unfortunately.

We are adding more bikes though, hubbies got a cheapie and ordered a small balance bike for our youngest daughter, with a BMX to follow for middle child.. we'll soon have a full bike shed! lol

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Batgirl my bike shed is full of bits, still waiting on getting my Carleton back from the garage next door, long story. I got a it a year ago stripped most of it its primed, but could seperate the headset, I just about have enough bits to build it least ways on the road, once painted ect.
I won't be doing much of that this year unless i have to, had some very close calls, don't mind the cold but ice and snow on the road is not fun.
So long as it dry its fine for a bike, some people go over the top looking after them.

 

[Batgirl]

@Batgirl my bike shed is full of bits, still waiting on getting my Carleton back from the garage next door, long story. I got a it a year ago stripped most of it its primed, but could seperate the headset, I just about have enough bits to build it least ways on the road, once painted ect.
I won't be doing much of that this year unless i have to, had some very close calls, don't mind the cold but ice and snow on the road is not fun.
So long as it dry its fine for a bike, some people go over the top looking after them.

we'll be making sure the shed we get is dry even if have to double line it ourselves. They're out of the rain for now at least in a barn.

Hope you get your other bike sorted in time. Another great project.

 

[stevey]

@Nigelnaturist Well done on the mileage

 

[RWright]

I got out this evening for another hour, the rain finally stopped and it is nice again.

I don't know what I did to my Strava but now on my dashboard activity feed I only see my rides. I don't see any of the people I follow. I hope it is just a Strava glitch, I will give it until in the morning before I contact tech support and let them tell me how I broke it. I may even have a look at the free premium trial offer.

Edit: Strava working correctly now.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

just totted it up a rough guess for the parts of £675 excluding the frame, cheap frame like mine I guess £100-150, £800+

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Online (and on-bike) time seems to have been a bit limited recently, so I've not been on here for a bit. Well done for everybody who is getting out ; Get Well Soon to all those suffering from injuries, aches and pains, etc.
Had a scan yesterday and my cyst seems to be resolving, and it's now only about 4.5cm long, down from 9cm, so heading in the right direction. Hoping to get out this morning for a ride (a week seems to have felt a very long time), and hoping I can manage the Harrogate Sportive next weekend.
Take care folks, stay safe and keep smiling

 

[Harv]

Weather looks good where I am today.

No excuses. I'm going to go out. I've only been out once in the last two weeks.

It's like this every year for me. Weather gets cold and my outdoor activities take a dive.

Maybe I should buy an exercise bike or a turbo trainer.

 

[Goonerobes]

Weather looks good where I am today.

No excuses. I'm going to go out. I've only been out once in the last two weeks.

It's like this every year for me. Weather gets cold and my outdoor activities take a dive.

Maybe I should buy an exercise bike or a turbo trainer.

Nooooooo!

Buy yourself something nice & warm to wear & get out in the fresh air.