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

[Pieface]

Thanks!

The thing that made me happier is I didn't need to stop for a break. Just a couple of lights and one near the end to check how many miles left to do!

 

[sleaver]

I think drives were mentioned earlier. I mean the ones you park a car on rather than going for a drive in a car. Anyway, I was walking about on Sunday and saw a drive that was steeper than I anything else I have seen. The following link doesn't do it justice but I would not like to have to face it at the end of every ride:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/previ...m4!1e1!2m2!1sDjzUu1jqdwIza0w6wZ9Mfg!2e0&fid=5

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Last week I done 280 miles and with this heatwave I've been taking it easy but exploring different ways home from work. I have even managed to get a few podiums on strava :0

Here are a few pictures from my recent rides around maidstone and Tonbridge areas. I've been enjoying taking it easy and stopping to take pictures makes a nice change.

Nice area! My wife used to work in Tonbridge when we lived down there.

We lived in Groombridge - do you know it?

I used to cycle over that why quite a lot in the early 90's.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I think drives were mentioned earlier. I mean the ones you park a car on rather than going for a drive in a car. Anyway, I was walking about on Sunday and saw a drive that was steeper than I anything else I have seen. The following link doesn't do it justice but I would not like to have to face it at the end of every ride:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/previ...m4!1e1!2m2!1sDjzUu1jqdwIza0w6wZ9Mfg!2e0&fid=5

Crikey - that is much steeper than ours - and ours gets on our nerves when we have done the ASDA/Morrisons run!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I think drives were mentioned earlier. I mean the ones you park a car on rather than going for a drive in a car. Anyway, I was walking about on Sunday and saw a drive that was steeper than I anything else I have seen. The following link doesn't do it justice but I would not like to have to face it at the end of every ride:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/previ...m4!1e1!2m2!1sDjzUu1jqdwIza0w6wZ9Mfg!2e0&fid=5

Just out the bike n the garage.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Well done to all that are having a go at the climbing challenge. No way could I do it.

I have however finished the PowerBar challenge Also looks like @Mo1959 should finish it this week as well

http://app.strava.com/challenges/powerbar-take-on-the-tour

 

[Supersuperleeds]

@AndyPeace I almost wish I didn't have time for it! It's hurting like mad but I'm keeping on target so I suppose another three days won't kill me.............I hope

Talking of phantom winds, have you also noticed certain stretches of roads seem to be optical illusions? Either looking like they should be downhill but are obviously not as the bike slows down quickly if you stop pedalling, or others that you swear look slightly uphill but you seem to roll along easily. Weird.

I have one of those on my morning commute, but I can accelerate both ways on it

 

[boybiker]

Nice area! My wife used to work in Tonbridge when we lived down there.

We lived in Groombridge - do you know it?

I used to cycle over that why quite a lot in the early 90's.

Yeah I know the area well I'm born and bred in Maidstone. The roads around groombridge , leigh, penshurst etc are all very scenic with the odd castle and points of interest dotted about. I do a ride through that area and head out to Gatwick as the roads are quiet and its all pretty flat.

 

[shelliemac]

@Mo1959 have to say i am in awe of your daily cycles.

Took both boys out again round Stirling Hill had great fun and they are both doing brilliant.

Hopefully there is a picture of my new bikie attached. Due to certain circumstances i have settled for this one. Initially had my eye on another but hey ho. And have to say that i am super chuffed with it. Hills i found a chore with Lucas's bike are no issue now. One happy cycling bunny

 

[shelliemac]

@boybiker one o my chums is from maidstone.

 

[Mo1959]

@shelliemac Nice bike Is your saddle high enough.....looks quite low in the pic.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

@Mo1959 have to say i am in awe of your daily cycles.

Took both boys out again round Stirling Hill had great fun and they are both doing brilliant.

Hopefully there is a picture of my new bikie attached. Due to certain circumstances i have settled for this one. Initially had my eye on another but hey ho. And have to say that i am super chuffed with it. Hills i found a chore with Lucas's bike are no issue now. One happy cycling bunny

Nice bike, nice and clean, but I bet not for long. Agree with Mo re the saddle

 

[shelliemac]

It feels fine, when sitting on saddle i am on my tippie toes. I am quite a shortie barely over 5ft on a good day. Should it be higher?

 

[Mo1959]

It feels fine, when sitting on saddle i am on my tippie toes. I am quite a shortie barely over 5ft on a good day. Should it be higher?

Rather than base saddle height on whether you can reach the ground or not, for comfort and best power transfer, the general rule is that when you are at the bottom of the pedal stroke your leg should be just short of being straight, ie just a slight flex at the knee. One way of getting an approximation is to put your heel on the pedal and your leg should be straight, so that when the pedal is under the ball of your feet you get that slight flex.

 

[shelliemac]

@Mo1959 thank you for that. Will try that tomorrow. Appreciate tip