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

[Nigelnaturist]

My new best mileage, 155 miles in two days (overall 14-15mph avg speed I think) and too think this time last year I believed I needed an electric bike to make the 12 mile round commute to work.

Just goes to show what can be done. Well done Andy. Not quite done 155 in the last two days done 126 @ 15.8mph. same days last year I did 63.6 miles @ 14.81mph ft/mile last year 30.62 this 41.1 total over the two days this year 5179ft this year, last year 2160ft

 

[Supersuperleeds]

My new best mileage, 155 miles in two days (overall 14-15mph avg speed I think) and too think this time last year I believed I needed an electric bike to make the 12 mile round commute to work.

Beats me, I've done 137.7 miles at 16.46mph.

 

[Stonechat]

All these big distances make my 32 miles look quite poor. Ave spped is poor but did not pause for the stops (at least on Strava) but computer will give me a better idea

 

[Nigelnaturist]

All these big distances make my 32 miles look quite poor. Ave spped is poor but did not pause for the stops (at least on Strava) but computer will give me a better idea

Make no mistake 32 miles is a good distance, avg speed varies with weather (usually wind) terrain, its better to look at long term increases.
I dont know about Andy but Chris and I are trying to do the CTS challenge, the way Andy is going I think he might be too. I certain don't avg near 60 miles a day as a rule.

My avg daily mileage when I ride is 32 miles this year, last year it was 27

 

[NickJ95GB]

Did 9.1 miles in 30 minutes today, average 17.99mp/h
mostly on a promenade with very few people (who are all apparently completely deaf to any form of sound you make) and annoying traffic lights that seem to target cyclists.

 

[AndyPeace]

Make no mistake 32 miles is a good distance, avg speed varies with weather (usually wind) terrain, its better to look at long term increases.
I dont know about Andy but Chris and I are trying to do the CTS challenge, the way Andy is going I think he might be too. I certain don't avg near 60 miles a day as a rule.

My avg daily mileage when I ride is 32 miles this year, last year it was 27

I have been holding the top CycleChat Club spot on this challenge although we're just 3 days in and I'm only just hanging on to it ,I seem to have stolen @Mo1959 's competitive streak I'm also training up to do this ride (or varation of given my navigation skills) in early September, as a two day ride with a Bed and Breakfast in-between. Call it a celebration of my first real year of cycling

@Stonechat like Nigel I don't do this kind of mileage every week. I often just ride my commute, 6 miles each way and no more. I just got a swanky new carbon racer for my birthday which is adding alot to my current incentive to ride big miles, wanting to justify owning it ( to myself, not the world in general)...and I'm also on Holiday from work (or trying to be, save covering absences).
Don't be disheartened and avoid comparing yourself to others. What I've found in this thread over the last year is a respect for personal progress and a good dose of encouragement. Besides I just realised you said 32miles, which is a long way!

 

[Stonechat]

Well on the pos side, it was easier than the 35 miles at the weekend, which was flat and today's ride had a few hills, not too big. Stopped off at East Street cycles in Walton, as they had a sale sign, but was not tempted

 

[AndyPeace]

Did 9.1 miles in 30 minutes today, average 17.99mp/h
mostly on a promenade with very few people (who are all apparently completely deaf to any form of sound you make) and annoying traffic lights that seem to target cyclists.

That's some speed! I'm pretty lucky where I am, in that if I want to go fast there's plenty of quiet country lanes for me to go about it unhindered. Not sure I'd want to be pushing for speed though where mixing with pedestrians even a few, they are as unpredictable as the weather! I do ride some shared use paths/ some with markings for which side the cyclist should be on. Where I do interact with people who hear the ring of my bell, they jump right out the way (literally), only for me to pass at 8mph- though I also get people who just ignore you, some for deafness, some for drunkness, some because they are in a different world and some for just plain rudeness, lol ...but as I say I'm lucky, I have somewhere else to outlet the desire to go fast!

 

[Exile]

Just seeing the miles some of you are doing impresses me no end. Keep it up, you're giving me something to aspire to!

@Nigelnaturist I just make sure I keep getting on the bike and turn those pedals. I'm sure the bigger distances and faster speeds do come with time, and to some extent already seem to be. And the segment results I've got aren't too shabby at all, especially if you consider me and the bike weight close to the 150kg mark together!

@Stonechat 32 miles is nothing to be sniffed at, I'd be chuffed to bits managing two 30+ milers in a week! I'm sure higher average speeds will come in time, although remember: the faster you go, the less time you have to enjoy the passing scenery .

Personally, I took today off from riding, kind of. I spent most of my spare time tinkering with the bike. Only managed to ride up and down the street a few times, testing the changes, but it's been worth it. The brakes have better "bite" now, I can shift through all 21 gears, and have working lights. Should be back in the saddle tomorrow, life permitting.

 

[BrianEvesham]

I am still out here Gang!
Just been told I am finishing work friday, apparently not required for a couple of months
So on the plus side, no more nights, loads of free time to get back on the bike and even time to recomission the Vintage Sun.
On the negative side, well, that's obvious

 

[AndyPeace]

I am still out here Gang!
Just been told I am finishing work friday, apparently not required for a couple of months
So on the plus side, no more nights, loads of free time to get back on the bike and even time to recomission the Vintage Sun.
On the negative side, well, that's obvious

That is bad news, throws the world into perspective. hope your ok.

 

[Hill Wimp]

I am still out here Gang!
Just been told I am finishing work friday, apparently not required for a couple of months
So on the plus side, no more nights, loads of free time to get back on the bike and even time to recomission the Vintage Sun.
On the negative side, well, that's obvious

Use the bike to keep your spirits up and motivated.It's helped get you where you are today. Fingers crossed the work front improves, and soon for you.

 

[Mo1959]

I am still out here Gang!
Just been told I am finishing work friday, apparently not required for a couple of months
So on the plus side, no more nights, loads of free time to get back on the bike and even time to recomission the Vintage Sun.
On the negative side, well, that's obvious

Sorry about the worrying news on the job front Brian. Hope it's just a temporary measure.

As Hill Wimp says, keep your spirits up and try and make use of the time off to do stuff you enjoy both for yourself and with your family.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well on the pos side, it was easier than the 35 miles at the weekend, which was flat and today's ride had a few hills, not too big. Stopped off at East Street cycles in Walton, as they had a sale sign, but was not tempted

I think you will find that flat rides are more difficult than you think, as you are working all the time.

@Exile You will manage two 30 miles in a week, just keep riding whenever you can.

@BrianEvesham Sorry to hear that , on the positive side you can keep me company when its quite in here from time to time.

Well I went out for a 2nd shorter ride last night, 18.9 miles (30Km's) on top of the 34.4 miles I did earlier @ 16.3mph nearly 1 mph faster. So in total yesterday I 53.3 @ 15.69mph, it seems I have plateaued for the time being @ just under the 16mph avg, seems I have to seriously consider saving for a lighter bike, or work much harder on the shorter rides.

So far this week (since Sun) 4 days 212.39 miles @ 15.81mph 8740ft elev avg 2185ft, 41.15ft/mile,

 

[Supersuperleeds]

All these big distances make my 32 miles look quite poor. Ave spped is poor but did not pause for the stops (at least on Strava) but computer will give me a better idea

We all have to start somewhere. 32 miles is a lot more than most people, keep at it and you will see your mileage and speed improving.