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

[Smotyn]

Really not having a good week this week. I have really been feeling under the weather almost flu like. I managed to ride in yesterday but really couldnt muster myself today and its going to rain for the rest of the week here. Dont get me wrong I dont mind getting wet (except for rain on my glasses) the biggest problem is not having anywhere or anyway of getting my stuff dry at work. My stuff smells bad enough on the trip home after being stuffed in my pannier all day let alone if it was wet. This is really annoying as it really cuts down on the days I can ride to work. I do try and get out of an evening but this is often the hardest tiime to go I find due to lack of motivation but really do enjoy evening/night rides. Will keep working at it. I have cut down on my smoking but havent managed to give up completely just yet but at least I am not couching on the sofa all the time and do feel so much better for just getting out the little that I have. Just need to get my chain slippage sorted and will be good go. hopefully will fell better by and get out at the weekend x

Love reading about all your exploits on here and thank you so much for all your kind words and encouragement you really are helping to keep me going xxx

 

[Smotyn]

I love getting home from work and reading this thread.
Seems a lot of people are in the same sort of boat and it's encouraging to read so many stories of people seemingly ready to give up but keeping at it and getting their buzz back.
I'm now upto 180 miles in 3 weeks, which I can't quite believe tbh. If you'd said that to me 6 weeks ago as I sat on my arse I'd have laughed!

I went out yesterday morning and pulled my calf muscle on an overpass climb. It was agony as I tried to struggle on.
Feared I may have to rest up for a few days but done a short 5 miler this morning to test it out and it was fine. Been packing it in ice whenever I can and will test if for a longer ride tomorrow.

Also interesting to read about when people like to go out, I always go early morning starting at 6 normally. Nice empty roads and very peaceful.

Have today fitted bar ends to my Trek to give me another option with my hands so looking forward to trying them out


On another note, how expensive is this cycling lark!!!!!

Totally agree with everything you have said and I have the exact same bar ends and bag! Both brilliant hope you love them too x

 

[Hill Wimp]

Getting out the door is definitely the hardest bit! Wonder if it would help to set an alarm and try and do it in "@Mo1959 time". I like the idea of not much traffic, since I got the new(er) bike, found I prefer roads to tow paths etc and with the dark nights drawing in (sorry, but its noticeable).

I know I have improved, hills (to me, lumps to many) that I used to fear I can now cruise up, others I still fear! I need to be a little less hard on myself I guess, 4 months ago I was a couch potato who smoked 20 a day, now, I don't smoke (e-cig though ) and have done over 400 miles since starting in June. That's not a lot to some, but it is to me and something I would never have felt possible! I still remember that first 4 mile ride where I thought I was going to die!

@madferret thats great improvement, you are way too hard on yourself.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Nipped out test the adjustment on the headset, seems fine, but I didn't expect this p.b.
http://www.strava.com/activities/74715460#1482833150

 

[stevey]

No ride today so decided to lock myself in a room,some down and dirty rock music and nigh on kill myself with weights and cardio.....

 

[eevvee]

Just to add I think its my fastest avg over 30+ miles.[/quote]

Well done Nigel a great ride.

Who was it who said "it does not get any easier you just get faster" ..is this your experience?

 

[madferret]

@madferret thats great improvement, you are way too hard on yourself.

Thank you, I have just had a couple of those days, coming out the other side now. Cycling is one of the best things I have found for depression/anxiety, it's just hard to motivate oneself when your in it. Tomorrow is another day! Onward and upwards!

Well done everyone on your progress and it is all progress!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Just to add I think its my fastest avg over 30+ miles.

Well done Nigel a great ride.

Who was it who said "it does not get any easier you just get faster" ..is this your experience?[/quote]
Thanks, you get faster and it gets easier, though its a hell of journey, you get better at so many aspects, that they all help, cornering, gear selection (knowing your gears and which one you want), anticipation knowing how your bike handles, it all adds up. I ended up doing 14 miles for a quick test and to be honest cycling into the wind and the start of some rain I wondered if it was a wise choice, however it gave me 51.4 miles for the day @ 16.98mph.

When I started 10 miles was taxing, though I have always been able to do 10-30 miles, just not very fast and with numerous stops, these days I choice to stop, like this morning I wanted a break after doing the 18 mile loop in the trip, I didn't need to stop, just slow a little and recover, but it was such a lovely day and the end of the loop was a lovely village church.

Thank you, I have just had a couple of those days, coming out the other side now. Cycling is one of the best things I have found for depression/anxiety, it's just hard to motivate oneself when your in it. Tomorrow is another day! Onward and upwards!

Well done everyone on your progress and it is all progress!

This still limits my cycling in terms of being out, I could do so much more, three hours away from either home or my groups is about my limit.

 

[themosquitoking]

Who was it who said "it does not get any easier you just get faster" ..is this your experience?

It's rule #10

 

[madferret]

This still limits my cycling in terms of being out, I could do so much more, three hours away from either home or my groups is about my limit.

Guess it depends on the nature of the anxiety, but I know what you mean. The depression lifting effect for me has been a real eye opener. Walking had the same effect but to a lesser extent but too long to cover any distance's and not as much fun IMO. My overactive mind is calmed when cycling as I have to focus on what I am doing and keeping the pedals turning. Writing this as a reminder to myself if nothing else!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

It's rule #10

Rule 10 is wrong, as are all of them

Guess it depends on the nature of the anxiety, but I know what you mean. The depression lifting effect for me has been a real eye opener. Walking had the same effect but to a lesser extent but too long to cover any distance's and not as much fun IMO. My overactive mind is calmed when cycling as I have to focus on what I am doing and keeping the pedals turning. Writing this as a reminder to myself if nothing else!

Only really happens when my H.R. is up high, anything below say 140 I am just generally cruising, well thats what it feels like, though you have to focus on your riding.

 

[madferret]

Rule 10 is wrong, as are all of them


Only really happens when my H.R. is up high, anything below say 140 I am just generally cruising, well thats what it feels like, though you have to focus on your riding.

Ironically, due to health anxiety, I am too scared to use my HRM!

Soon as I put the damn thing on my heart goes like a rabbit! Same if I have to have BP taken, I seem to be able to make it shoot up!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Ironically, due to health anxiety, I am too scared to use my HRM!

Soon as I put the damn thing on my heart goes like a rabbit! Same if I have to have BP taken, I seem to be able to make it shoot up!

I always had a high H.R. 90+ resting, its currently 81. The more you cycle the lower it will become.

 

[madferret]

I always had a high H.R. 90+ resting, its currently 81. The more you cycle the lower it will become.

I will give it a go.......at some point! Need to find my true resting HR, it was about 80 I think but within seconds (as soon as I thought about it) it shot up to 100, that was sitting still. So I never put it on again......

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I will give it a go.......at some point! Need to find my true resting HR, it was about 80 I think but within seconds (as soon as I thought about it) it shot up to 100, that was sitting still. So I never put it on again......

Mine was like that, just keep at it.