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

[Stonechat]

Thanks, not as fast as you generally though, I just ride everywhere I go, I am just about to run a sugar bowl and jug to the O.H.'s dad's.

I try to do this but don't want to arrive sweaty etc. I am running a class (nothing to do with cycling) and will drive over this afternoon. But most of my shopping runs are now cycled.

My god has the weather changed! That wind is ferocious.

Got a medium ride in yesterday, 22 miles. When I left it was heaving down with rain, so I kitted myself out in long tights, long sleeve jersey and a softshell jacket with long gloves.
About a mile into the ride, the rain stopped and the sun came out, then proceeded to slowly bake me for the remaining hour and a half. The wind was kicking up with some pretty heavy headwinds at times. Still, got a few PR's though and averaged 15.5mph.

http://www.strava.com/activities/81246988

Today, determined not to get caught out again, I had shorts and a jersey with fingerless gloves and pretty much froze my bits off for the entire time!
The wind was even stronger and I was really struggling to push through it.
I wasnt planning a long ride, just wanted to get a few miles in, so only did 16.5miles, got a few more PR;s and somehow still managed to average 15.5 mph even though I swear the wind was so strong I was going backwards sometimes!

http://www.strava.com/activities/81459453

Im considering doing shorter rides everyday this week to see how it goes instead of two or three longer ones a week, but if the weather gets worse tomorrow I might just stay inside!

On a side note, Im now weighing in at 11 stone 8, down from 13 stone in mid July. pretty pleased with that!

I don't know what to where not being used to cycling
When I cycled years ago I just used normal outdoor type clothing
BEing a bit older need a little help now
However hybrid has a carrier, so have taken to going out with a little bag of extras to cope with conditions

 

[Stonechat]

This is one of my rides on endomondo.
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/226981468/6007730

I just exported my last ride from Strava to Endomondo
I'm sure it has strengths, but somehow now used to Strava (only since end of July)

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Hand update:

My hand will probably hurt for a good year or so according to the sadistic Dr S. That's how long bendy-wrong-way-fingers take to stop hurting.

Re the sadism bit: I swear he took great delight in putting each of the three (steroid) injections into the palm of my hand - one for each stretched tendon.

Blooming heck they hurt. It wasn't one injection in three places but three whole vials of horrendously painful burning stuff - bit like my hand was being filled with boiling water.

Mrs SD did the kiss it better thing when I got home so that'll help no doubt.

Dr S said I should notice a difference in a fortnight or so but in the meantime (he has a sense of humour) I mustn't do handstands or anything similar which I can say with absolutely 100% certainty will not make an iota of difference to my life.

Moral of story: don't fall off your bike but if you do try not to bend your fingers back and especially don't bend your fingers back twice on the same hand.

Stay safe everyone and watch those pinkies!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in.


New Strava Challenge:

http://www.strava.com/challenges/eddy-merckx-world-championship-challenge

 

[fatCyclist]

I sometimes feel embarrassed posting my tiny rides. Especially as this one is just 4.4mils and it took about 30mins (did have a strong head wind for 3/4 of it though). Of course, Im knackered. I think it's going to take me quite a long time to get better at this.

Still, it is what it is: http://www.strava.com/activities/81529178 On the upside, I'm exploring more of my local area. Even though I've been here all my life, there's tons of roads, lanes, and places I've never been.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I sometimes feel embarrassed posting my tiny rides. Especially as this one is just 4.4mils and it took about 30mins (did have a strong head wind for 3/4 of it though). Of course, Im knackered. I think it's going to take me quite a long time to get better at this.

Still, it is what it is: http://www.strava.com/activities/81529178 On the upside, I'm exploring more of my local area. Even though I've been here all my life, there's tons of roads, lanes, and places I've never been.

Don't feel embarrassed, a 4.4 mile ride is further than most of the population do.

 

[Mo1959]

I sometimes feel embarrassed posting my tiny rides. Especially as this one is just 4.4mils and it took about 30mins (did have a strong head wind for 3/4 of it though). Of course, Im knackered. I think it's going to take me quite a long time to get better at this.

Still, it is what it is: http://www.strava.com/activities/81529178 On the upside, I'm exploring more of my local area. Even though I've been here all my life, there's tons of roads, lanes, and places I've never been.

Don't feel embarrassed. Apart from those who started cycling with a good base fitness coming from other sports, most of us just started with a few miles and found it extremely tough. Just keep doing what you are doing and build up gradually and you will start surprising yourself before much longer.

 

[Jaco45er]

I sometimes feel embarrassed posting my tiny rides. Especially as this one is just 4.4mils and it took about 30mins (did have a strong head wind for 3/4 of it though). Of course, Im knackered. I think it's going to take me quite a long time to get better at this.

Still, it is what it is: http://www.strava.com/activities/81529178 On the upside, I'm exploring more of my local area. Even though I've been here all my life, there's tons of roads, lanes, and places I've never been.

Never feel embarrassed bud, 4.4 miles is a lot further than doing no miles at all. Keep it up

 

[fatCyclist]

Don't feel embarrassed. Apart from those who started cycling with a good base fitness coming from other sports, most of us just started with a few miles and found it extremely tough. Just keep doing what you are doing and build up gradually and you will start surprising yourself before much longer.

Thanks, Mo. Wise words One thing I've noticed in the new rides on the Sirrus is that I feel my quads burn quite quickly into the ride. Is that a seat height issue, do you think? Or just a general fitness issue?

 

[fatCyclist]

Never feel embarrassed bud, 4.4 miles is a lot further than doing no miles at all. Keep it up

Thanks mate. I'm sure I will keep going. This forum is a great motivator, even just by reading other people's progress.

 

[Mo1959]

Thanks, Mo. Wise words One thing I've noticed in the new rides on the Sirrus is that I feel my quads burn quite quickly into the ride. Is that a seat height issue, do you think? Or just a general fitness issue?

Could be a bit of both. I know if I have my seat too low I really feel it in the cluster of muscles just above the knee. I like my seat as high as possible without it causing me to rock to reach the pedals.

 

[stevey]

I sometimes feel embarrassed posting my tiny rides. Especially as this one is just 4.4mils and it took about 30mins (did have a strong head wind for 3/4 of it though). Of course, Im knackered. I think it's going to take me quite a long time to get better at this.

Still, it is what it is: http://www.strava.com/activities/81529178 On the upside, I'm exploring more of my local area. Even though I've been here all my life, there's tons of roads, lanes, and places I've never been.

Why? Like others have said you are doing more than most of the population currently do, credit to you

 

[Tcr4x4]

I sometimes feel embarrassed posting my tiny rides. Especially as this one is just 4.4mils and it took about 30mins (did have a strong head wind for 3/4 of it though). Of course, Im knackered. I think it's going to take me quite a long time to get better at this.

Still, it is what it is: http://www.strava.com/activities/81529178 On the upside, I'm exploring more of my local area. Even though I've been here all my life, there's tons of roads, lanes, and places I've never been.

One of my first rides was just over 4 miles and I could have died.
A month on, I'm knocking out just shy of 30 mile rides and feel pretty good after them. I never dreamt I'd be doing that sort of distance, ever.

Give it time, you'll soon get there and will look back and laugh how hard you found 4 miles.

 

[RWright]

I sometimes feel embarrassed posting my tiny rides. Especially as this one is just 4.4mils and it took about 30mins (did have a strong head wind for 3/4 of it though). Of course, Im knackered. I think it's going to take me quite a long time to get better at this.

Still, it is what it is: http://www.strava.com/activities/81529178 On the upside, I'm exploring more of my local area. Even though I've been here all my life, there's tons of roads, lanes, and places I've never been.

Nothing to be embarrassed about. It takes time to build up endurance, stick with it.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I sometimes feel embarrassed posting my tiny rides. Especially as this one is just 4.4mils and it took about 30mins (did have a strong head wind for 3/4 of it though). Of course, Im knackered. I think it's going to take me quite a long time to get better at this.

Still, it is what it is: http://www.strava.com/activities/81529178 On the upside, I'm exploring more of my local area. Even though I've been here all my life, there's tons of roads, lanes, and places I've never been.

You're doing ok - just keep at it.

In 1972 when I was 16 I caught the ferry from Gravesend to Grays to by a Crombie coat which was all the rage back then. Do they still sell Crombies in Grays?