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

[RWright]

That is a good idea Steve. The only LBS in my town is very mountain bike oriented. I may start there. The guy I got my bike from lives about 30 miles away and I don't think I still have his phone number. I am sure the bike shop will be a big help. This mountain bike stuff is different than road bikes, a new can of worms to open. I now have to think of frame sizes in inches again it looks like, also if I want hard tail, full susser, 29er, 69er, 96er, or would I be better off with a CX vs a MTB. It may take me years just to learn all the new abbreviations.

I am going to start by going and checking out a nearby race track, this coming Saturday. I am thinking a lot of my off road riding will be there if I decide to get into it. I just feel sorry already for the person that may happen to show any interest in answering some of my questions. I have a ton of them.

 

[SWSteve]

That is a good idea Steve. The only LBS in my town is very mountain bike oriented. I may start there. The guy I got my bike from lives about 30 miles away and I don't think I still have his phone number. I am sure the bike shop will be a big help. This mountain bike stuff is different than road bikes, a new can of worms to open. I now have to think of frame sizes in inches again it looks like, also if I want hard tail, full susser, 29er, 69er, 96er, or would I be better off with a CX vs a MTB. It may take me years just to learn all the new abbreviations.

I am going to start by going and checking out a nearby race track, this coming Saturday. I am thinking a lot of my off road riding will be there if I decide to get into it. I just feel sorry already for the person that may happen to show any interest in answering some of my questions. I have a ton of them.

The shop would be silly to not send a couple of people along to the event to try and earn some business for later that week. If you see one of them have a chat, if they can't answer everything for you then they would be stupid to not suggest you go in-store afterwards to have a proper chat then.

 

[Stonechat]

Did a run to Warfield and back and went through the Windsor Great Park so it was quite hilly
27.8 miles at average of 11.2 - or 11.8 according to Strava
Elevation 557 feet so done some ups and downs
http://www.strava.com/activities/79459644
Felt ok during the run a bit flaked now. Want to feel a bit more consistent at these 30 miles (nearly) runs before I move up to 40m
Again 2 days away from cycling (apart from say about 5-6 on Weds)

 

[RWright]

The shop would be silly to not send a couple of people along to the event to try and earn some business for later that week. If you see one of them have a chat, if they can't answer everything for you then they would be stupid to not suggest you go in-store afterwards to have a proper chat then.

The LBS is a sponsor and organizer of one of the races there every year. This weekend's race is more of a collegiate level thing....I think. I have not been around bicycle racing at all. It is just the assumptions I am making from what I read. Totally new world to me. I do think most of the races out there are sanctioned by some national governing body. I forget the name of the sanctioning organization.

 

[SWSteve]

The LBS is a sponsor and organizer of one of the races there every year. This weekend's race is more of a collegiate level thing....I think. I have not been around bicycle racing at all. It is just the assumptions I am making from what I read. Totally new world to me. I do think most of the races out there are sanctioned by some national governing body. I forget the name of the sanctioning organization.

Okay, but I would hope they send someone there to try and catch people in their bike money net

 

[RWright]

Okay, but I would hope they send someone there to try and catch people in their bike money net

I have a feeling they will have a tent set up there or something. I have not been around bicycle racing but have been around a lot of motocross and done a little enduro motorcycle racing. I expect it to be something like the enduro motorcycle racing, just not as fast.

 

[BrianEvesham]

Perfect riding day here in Evesham. 11.2 hilly route with a nice avg of 16 this morning.
I have noticed that when I am down on the drops (more frequent now the beer belly has gone!) I find myself pushing back on the seat and thinking I should put the longer stem back on. It's fine on the hoods though.
Is this just me fitting into the riding position better now I have lost a shed load of wieght?

 

[Mo1959]

Perfect riding day here in Evesham. 11.2 hilly route with a nice avg of 16 this morning.
I have noticed that when I am down on the drops (more frequent now the beer belly has gone!) I find myself pushing back on the seat and thinking I should put the longer stem back on. It's fine on the hoods though.
Is this just me fitting into the riding position better now I have lost a shed load of wieght?

I think it is probably just you adapting to the position over time plus the loss of weight will have helped. I know when I first starting riding a road bike I felt really stretched out and swapped the original stem for a much shorter one for a while, then as time passed and I adapted to the position, I swapped back again as I prefer being a bit more stretched now.

Well done on that average for a hilly route. Went exploring up a hill myself this morning but it knocked my speed right back. Enjoyed it though and it was very peaceful.

http://app.strava.com/activities/79650631

 

[BrianEvesham]

Not as hilly as your ride @Mo1959.
I also fitted a shorter 90 stem to replace the original but I think I will swap it back soon.

Hopefully out this afternoon with the boys for a ten mile loop to the park with the tag combo.


Edit;
Yep another 10 gentle miles added.

 

[Tcr4x4]

Just gearing up to go for my first ride since last Tuesday after a very naughty and gluttonous camping trip in exmoor over the weekend.

Hopefully I haven't completely lost what little fitness I had!

I've plotted out a 26/27 mile route round the local lanes following the river Severn, so I'll see how I get on.
Looking to do my first 30+ miler this week, I have a route ready to go, which works out nearer 40 miles up towards Tewkesbury and then down all the squiggly lanes. I would do it today as the weather is so good, but I'm not sure my legs could take it after a week of no riding, so I'll try it later in the week.

 

[hopless500]

Sunday's jaunt to the coast and back was 60.3 miles. Average 10.7 which I'm not too unhappy with considering the distance - and it's a bit more up and down than my usual rides.
One thing I have learnt is - eat the day before. I didn't. V stupid . I practically blew up at the half way point. However some nosh and a sugar hit and a small amount of retail therapy got me going again. The 30 miles back was much easier. Having kayaked twice in the preceding week, but not cycled, my thighs decided to have a bit of a complaining session for the first time ever. Ouch . Thankfully it didn't last too long.
Forgot to add that we diverted down a lane just up from home even though I was pretty tired. I realised it was going to come in at just under 60. Previous longest was 50 and I was determined to make it (just) over 60

 

[Uncle_Fluffy]

Did my first 40 miler today and feel totally pleased with myself .

Weather was nicely warm but overcast with very light winds making it perfect for the attempt.

This is not only my longest ride but also the fastest, with an average of 16.04 mph. I'm thinking that this is pretty good considering the bike's just a cheap hybrid!

Ian.

 

[Mo1959]

Did my first 40 miler today and feel totally pleased with myself .

Weather was nicely warm but overcast with very light winds making it perfect for the attempt.

This is not only my longest ride but also the fastest, with an average of 16.04 mph. I'm thinking that this is pretty good considering the bike's just a cheap hybrid!

Ian.

That is indeed very good. Well done.

 

[Stonechat]

Did my first 40 miler today and feel totally pleased with myself .

Weather was nicely warm but overcast with very light winds making it perfect for the attempt.

This is not only my longest ride but also the fastest, with an average of 16.04 mph. I'm thinking that this is pretty good considering the bike's just a cheap hybrid!

Ian.

Well done. I aim to do one or two more 30 milers before tackling 40 milers. It won't be at your speed though, my 20 miles are at 12mph+ and my 10 milers are at 14.5ish

 

[Boon 51]

Did my first 40 miler today and feel totally pleased with myself .

Weather was nicely warm but overcast with very light winds making it perfect for the attempt.

This is not only my longest ride but also the fastest, with an average of 16.04 mph. I'm thinking that this is pretty good considering the bike's just a cheap hybrid!

Ian.

Great feeling when you reach a milestone.. well done.