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

[J4MIE_P]

Planning on doing my first 50mile ride tomorrow as well. The closest I've ever done is 35 both solo and in a group so don't find it too unbelievable to do. Going to take my time and ignore the average speed and enjoy the scenery. As I'm going to do 3 laps of Rutland Waters

Any words of encouragement or guidance for the distance I'm travelling or should I find it relatively easy?

 

[AndyPeace]

I used a heart rate monitor today, to keep to a low pace. Struggled to keep cadence at my usual heights, but kept a low heart rate for me. Even on this short ride I felt bored, think I'll take a book with me next time

 

[Mo1959]

Planning on doing my first 50mile ride tomorrow as well. The closest I've ever done is 35 both solo and in a group so don't find it too unbelievable to do. Going to take my time and ignore the average speed and enjoy the scenery. As I'm going to do 3 laps of Rutland Waters

Any words of encouragement or guidance for the distance I'm travelling or should I find it relatively easy?

Just really to do what you mentioned and take it easy and forget about speed too much. Shove some nibbles in your pocket to keep you going and take a drink. At least you have the psychological advantage doing your 3 laps that you can bail if you really have to, but I am sure you won't. Enjoy.

 

[RWright]

I've just joined my local gym on a £20.10 a month. Rolling Contract so no commitment which includes unlimited gym/swim and classes. So once I get used to a routine of swimming and classes I think it's a good investment

Since you mentioned this I checked the rates at the only fitness club in my town that I know of that has a swimming pool. I used to be a member but remember it was about $50 dollars a month. This is more cost than worth (to me) for the amount of time I ever used it at the time and I recall I didn't like the pool that much for some reason, maybe it wasn't Olympic size or something, I forget now, maybe the humidity or something, I may go check it out again, it has been a very long time since I was in there.

While I was at their website I did see something that gave me quite a shock and almost brought tears to my eyes. It was quite a humbling experience to be honest and the first time it has ever happened to me. I found I can get a membership for about half price....with a senior discount, anyone 55 and over qualifies. Talk about a cold slap in the face. It really was quite depressing.

 

[philinmerthyr]

I went for my bike fit today with http://www.totalcyclingperformance.co.uk/

It was well worth it. Simon made changes to my cleats, stem and saddle height. The most useful aspect was that he transferred the set up to a watt bike connected to a computer and provided a full analysis of my pedalling technique.

Initially my pedalling was showing as only 39% efficient. I was mainly pushing down and I was favouring my right leg. He showed me some techniques for improving me pedalling stroke and helped me to focus on balancing he effort through both legs. In doing so my efficiency rose to 64% and after a cleat adjustment it further improved to 70%.

I was with Simon for over 2 hrs and the session cost £95. I now need to use what I have learned to change he way I ride. The challenge will be to make the pedalling second nature. I plan to focus on this over the next couple of weeks rather than just clocking up the miles.

 

[RWright]

Planning on doing my first 50mile ride tomorrow as well. The closest I've ever done is 35 both solo and in a group so don't find it too unbelievable to do. Going to take my time and ignore the average speed and enjoy the scenery. As I'm going to do 3 laps of Rutland Waters

Any words of encouragement or guidance for the distance I'm travelling or should I find it relatively easy?

You will do it with no problem, enjoy the ride.

 

[AndyPeace]

Planning on doing my first 50mile ride tomorrow as well. The closest I've ever done is 35 both solo and in a group so don't find it too unbelievable to do. Going to take my time and ignore the average speed and enjoy the scenery. As I'm going to do 3 laps of Rutland Waters

Any words of encouragement or guidance for the distance I'm travelling or should I find it relatively easy?

I'd take it easy for the first two laps, then bomb round for the final lap Drink plenty, sounds silly but it I find this easy to forget, especially earlier in the ride. Make sure you have a good few days resting your cycling muscles after, so the good work you've done can set in.

 

[RWright]

I used a heart rate monitor today, to keep to a low pace. Struggled to keep cadence at my usual heights, but kept a low heart rate for me. Even on this short ride I felt bored, think I'll take a book with me next time

I know exactly what you mean. My Dr. told me to keep my rate down and I do, but I did add ten BPM to what he told me to stay under. I couldn't have any fun at all or even get much of a workout if I kept it at his suggested max rate. But it is more difficult to raise my heart rate up into the zones I think I am capable of, being on the beta blockers I am on. I would really like to get totally off the medications but don't know if I will ever be able to.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I managed my first ride since my accident, I couldn't resist staying inside in this nice weather!

http://app.strava.com/activities/58380803

Will be doing the same (ie first ride after 'off') in the next day or two - well done for getting back on.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Planning on doing my first 50mile ride tomorrow as well. The closest I've ever done is 35 both solo and in a group so don't find it too unbelievable to do. Going to take my time and ignore the average speed and enjoy the scenery. As I'm going to do 3 laps of Rutland Waters

Any words of encouragement or guidance for the distance I'm travelling or should I find it relatively easy?

Good luck! Just hang in there if it gets tough.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

http://app.strava.com/activities/58329320
Hi Good folks..
Sorry I've not been around for several weeks but illness of loss of weight and pancreatitus had knock me for six..
So after a couple of short runs which I didn't register I feel loads better and I'm now riding again... so enough of my doom and gloom.

Get well soon

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

25miles in lovely sunshine this afternoon. Fastest average speed yet at 14.8mph despite being hampered by traffic at the start and finish. Not fast compared to some but felt like i was flying along.
Just started looking at gym memberships so I can mix things up a bit. I'm seriously unflexible and getting rapidly worse!

Do some stretches after each ride and it'll really help your flexibility.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

I've just joined my local gym on a £20.10 a month. Rolling Contract so no commitment which includes unlimited gym/swim and classes. So once I get used to a routine of swimming and classes I think it's a good investment

That's a really good price for gym membership

 

[J4MIE_P]

That's a really good price for gym membership

That's what bartering gets you. It should have been £30 a month but negotiated it down.

 

[morrisman]

Today I did 52.99 miles :-)
From sunny Wendover to Trafalgar Square, well actually the Cafe in the Crypt at St Martins in the Fields for Apple Crumble and Custard, then some tooling around the South Bank, St Pauls, Regents Park thence to Marylebone for the train home. Great fun was had cycling in London is OK as long as you keep alert the only problem seemed to be kamikaze bloody pedestrians!