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

[Supersuperleeds]

Completed one of my targets this morning, first attempt at Beacon Hill (second highest point in Leicestershire) , not fast but I managed to do it, is also my first categorised climb on Strava

http://app.strava.com/activities/57638192#

Reece amazing ride - unbelievable average speed

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Damn!

Got up nice and early and was out by 8am to do my meticulously planned 30-miler.

7.9 miles from the off I was exiting a dark-ish underpass into bright sunlight turning slightly right...

...didn't see it but my front wheel did. About 5-6' of slippery loose gravelly road surface (where the cars don't go I guess).

So - bike washes out from the front and I have my first off. Cut chin, both knees cut, left hand has half a dozen cuts on, right hand 2 cuts but I can't move 3 fingers very well, left elbow bit ripped up and swollen, stomach and chest has gravel rash all down one side. First Responder Mrs SD has given me the once over and an all clear.

***

Bike has scuffed pedal (not bothered by that), both brifters minor cosmetic marking (can live with that), saddle has big chunk missing (Mrs SD has already gone and got a new one whilst in town), rear skewer scuffed and has sharp edges (new one now on order from LBS).

Everything else is ok - LBS has checked frame etc. Shame bike is no longer pristine but that's the way these things go. Not the end of the world.

All my clothing is amazingly ok too!

***

Fortunately no major damage to me and I am thankful a car was not following!

***

15.8 miles in hour and 5 mins; can't be bothered to work out the average.

Happy and safe riding all!

GWS to you and your trusty steed.

 

[NealM]

I've just managed my first 30 mile ride, It took just slightly over 2 hours, and the last 4 or 5 miles was HELL !! . . But I managed to keep going and not stop (so am quite pleased about that ). . .Previous best distance was about 24 miles ..

One thing though, was that I started experiencing numbness in my hands, as though there was too much weight on my arms. . But my handle bars are pretty much level with my seat, and I notice that a lot of hybrid type bikes have the handlebars lower than the seat ! ! ! So I'm wondering what's causing this ? ?

 

[SWSteve]

I've just managed my first 30 mile ride, It took just slightly over 2 hours, and the last 4 or 5 miles was HELL !! . . But I managed to keep going and not stop (so am quite pleased about that ). . .Previous best distance was about 24 miles ..

One thing though, was that I started experiencing numbness in my hands, as though there was too much weight on my arms. . But my handle bars are pretty much level with my seat, and I notice that a lot of hybrid type bikes have the handlebars lower than the seat ! ! ! So I'm wondering what's causing this ? ?

Were you wearing some glves w/padding?

 

[ThinAir]

Well, my second post inherent, and this looks like a good place to start....

I'm on a journey to lose over 100lbs. This journey began around 1 month ago, and it's been a struggle; I've quit smoking (saved a fortune already), started to use my expensive gym membership properly, and I have started to follow a Paleo diet/lifestyle. I'm feeling awesome already :-)

No doubt that when my cycle arrives this week, I will be posting some stats that will make you guys feel much better about yourselves, but I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully some for you will look at these posts and think "God, I can remember when that's all I could do, but look what I'm doing now"!

Currently just using a static bike in the gym, and blasting away for twenty minutes and getting very very sweaty, but living every minute. The goal for the end of the year is to be able to make the 24mile round trip to and from work more often than taking the car :-)

I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[NealM]

I was wearing some VERY cheap ones, with hardly any padding . .

Maybe time to invest in a decent pair ? ?

Also thought I'd attach a photo I took along the way. . At this point on the cycle path the wind was straight in my face for about 3 miles ! ! (My legs just aren't used to that sort of punishment )

 

[boybiker]

The speed surprised myself. Amazing what a group of 3 friends of same abilities chainganging and a super flat route can do.

Just need to start working out my next goal in cycling now. Hhmmm??

Have you done 100 miles in one hit? I know that's my next goal to do once I'm better and back to fitness .

 

[boybiker]

Well, my second post inherent, and this looks like a good place to start....

I'm on a journey to lose over 100lbs. This journey began around 1 month ago, and it's been a struggle; I've quit smoking (saved a fortune already), started to use my expensive gym membership properly, and I have started to follow a Paleo diet/lifestyle. I'm feeling awesome already :-)

No doubt that when my cycle arrives this week, I will be posting some stats that will make you guys feel much better about yourselves, but I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully some for you will look at these posts and think "God, I can remember when that's all I could do, but look what I'm doing now"!

Currently just using a static bike in the gym, and blasting away for twenty minutes and getting very very sweaty, but living every minute. The goal for the end of the year is to be able to make the 24mile round trip to and from work more often than taking the car :-)

I'll let you know how it goes!

Welcome along, I ride a 25 mile round trip to and from work every day. It's a nice distance as its long enough to get your blood pumping but not too far you wont ever do it. Good luck and I'm sure you will be surprised how quickly you get fit.

 

[stevey]

Taken the Mrs out this fine morning only a short trip only to find that she was really disappointed with the distance so next week i'll take her on a 25 mile round trip, really proud of her though cause she suffers with hills of any kind

http://app.strava.com/activities/57647331

 

[User28924]

I miss cycling. I've only been out once on a 'proper' ride in the last week or so. And that was only 30 dead flat miles. I can almost feel my 'fitness' fleeing. Cannot wait to be free! Good work everyone who is getting out.

 

[SWSteve]

Well, my second post inherent, and this looks like a good place to start....

I'm on a journey to lose over 100lbs. This journey began around 1 month ago, and it's been a struggle; I've quit smoking (saved a fortune already), started to use my expensive gym membership properly, and I have started to follow a Paleo diet/lifestyle. I'm feeling awesome already :-)

No doubt that when my cycle arrives this week, I will be posting some stats that will make you guys feel much better about yourselves, but I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully some for you will look at these posts and think "God, I can remember when that's all I could do, but look what I'm doing now"!

Currently just using a static bike in the gym, and blasting away for twenty minutes and getting very very sweaty, but living every minute. The goal for the end of the year is to be able to make the 24mile round trip to and from work more often than taking the car :-)

I'll let you know how it goes!

Hi,
the first thing you will learn when your bike arrives - exercise bikes are blooming boring. You'll soon how quickly your body will be able to adapt and get stronger and the hills you struggle on at the start will be lumps after a while.
When it arrives don't forget to share a photo.

Oh, and

 

[Reece]

It takes some great effort to maintain that for that distance Reece, even with two others, that was one heck of a ride. The flats create their own special type of obstacle to me, takes a little different approach for me, not easy to do and I think it might work me just as hard as a few hills. You don't get much rest on the flats.

I usually struggle keeping up a good pace on the flats. I usually leave people at hills but work harder to keep with them on the flats. I think everything just fell in to place yesterday (except for the wind)

Also just woke up as was out partying to the early hours last night with work mates for a birthday and leaving party. Was a long day yesterday which is starting to creep up on me now!

 

[Reece]

Have you done 100 miles in one hit? I know that's my next goal to do once I'm better and back to fitness .

Yes I done a very hilly 100mile ride at the beginning of May this year. Also got a 125mile sportive on June 29th which has 9 category climbs plus 5 other good hills in the South Downs. Looking forward to the challenge of that.

 

[Reece]

Completed one of my targets this morning, first attempt at Beacon Hill (second highest point in Leicestershire) , not fast but I managed to do it, is also my first categorised climb on Strava

http://app.strava.com/activities/57638192#

Reece amazing ride - unbelievable average speed

Cheers Chris. Was a bit annoying I had 19.1mph for 75 miles but the wind got me and knocked me down to 18.9mph but still very, very happy with it

Beacon Hill is a good climb (once you're at the top ). I've done it once but after 73miles of riding. I want to go again with fresher legs. A few in the club do reps up it, most being 7 reps in a row I believe lol!

 

[SWSteve]

Went out for a morning spin to loosen the legs and I'm off to watch some cricket later. I got angry a couple of times, shock, because I got held up by a car on this segment, I know I could have scraped a couple of seconds off. And when on my final stretch home cars refused to stop in passing places and then had a go at me for being near their cars as we were on the same bit of road. I would like to point out they had stopped in the passing places for a car that was infront of me...yet didn't fancy waiting for me

http://app.strava.com/activities/57652765

Silly STRAVA racing I know, but I love that decent as it's lovely and smooth tarmac