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

[fatCyclist]

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.

I think I'll raise it a few mm and monitor it. Unscientifically I noticed my leg was still fairly bent at full stroke, so could probably do with it a little higher.

 

[fatCyclist]

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.

That's great progress, mate. Nicely done. I appreciate the encouraging words too

 

[fatCyclist]

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?

Well, Grays is a little backwards in time, so I wouldn't be surprised

 

[john-boy]

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.

Dont be embarrassed dude its an achievement and a step (or ride ) in the right direction. Here is one of my early rides http://app.strava.com/activities/71566391. 2.3 miles in 13.34 mins with average speed of 11mph on a flat road. We all have to start somewhere and the more you do the easier it will get

 

[SWSteve]

@fatCyclist you're doing more than a huge chunk of the population. Just keep at it and you'll soon be helping others who are where you are now

 

[Nigelnaturist]

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.

Just like @Mo1959, @Supersuperleeds and @Jaco45er said it's 4.4 miles further than most ride, keep at it it will get better the more you ride, and don't feel you have to ride everyday, if you hurt a lot, let your body recover it may take a day or so, but it is just as important as the riding.
This is the very first ride I recorded using a gps enabled phone (not strava but endomondo)
http://app.strava.com/activities/17076457
This segment I created to try and show you something but it's not yet sowing all my rides.
So over to rwgps.
it's 8.1 miles last Aug i rode it in 41:28, today I did it in 32:47with a N.N.W headwind at 13mph (according to garmin though to be honest didn't feel like that)
Avg sp last year was 12.6mph, today it was 15.4mph ( I have done the same segment in 29:28 but with a tail wind avg that day was 16.5mph)
http://ridewithgps.com/segments/First-ride-gps-comparison

My very first ride 23/6/13 I did 8.5 miles @ 9.32mph with 400ft of elevation (as far as could make out) . today I rode 42.3miles @ 16.36mph with 1976ft of elevation, and set 14 p.b's
This being one of my favourites of the ride though there are others.
http://app.strava.com/activities/81530159#1660458287

So really, as been mentioned many times in this thread and others on C.C. just keep at it, it comes but it will take some time.
I remember last year avg 11-12mph and seeing riders doing 15+mph avg's and think I will NEVER be able to do that, and even back in Feb I was still only managing 13.6mph, but gradually step by step it's gone up, and so far this month I am averaging 16mph (this is total distance/total time), but i have been here before this early in a month only to find my avg drop below 16mph, but one day I might manage it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@John Boy and @ItsSteveLovell
Sorry you posted before I finished typing.

 

[SWSteve]

@John Boy and @ItsSteveLovell
Sorry you posted before I finished typing.

It's fine. I'm happy we're all making the same point

 

[fatCyclist]

It's fine. I'm happy we're all making the same point

Cheers, everyone. I really appreciate the support I've no intention of giving or anything, so I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing small progresses along the way. At the moment, I'm planning on riding every other day to give me leg muscles time to recover. No point in blasting them everyday and not giving them chance to get stronger!

 

[fatCyclist]

Just like @Mo1959, @Supersuperleeds and @Jaco45er said it's 4.4 miles further than most ride, keep at it it will get better the more you ride, and don't feel you have to ride everyday, if you hurt a lot, let your body recover it may take a day or so, but it is just as important as the riding.
This is the very first ride I recorded using a gps enabled phone (not strava but endomondo)
http://app.strava.com/activities/17076457
This segment I created to try and show you something but it's not yet sowing all my rides.
So over to rwgps.
it's 8.1 miles last Aug i rode it in 41:28, today I did it in 32:47with a N.N.W headwind at 13mph (according to garmin though to be honest didn't feel like that)
Avg sp last year was 12.6mph, today it was 15.4mph ( I have done the same segment in 29:28 but with a tail wind avg that day was 16.5mph)
http://ridewithgps.com/segments/First-ride-gps-comparison

My very first ride 23/6/13 I did 8.5 miles @ 9.32mph with 400ft of elevation (as far as could make out) . today I rode 42.3miles @ 16.36mph with 1976ft of elevation, and set 14 p.b's
This being one of my favourites of the ride though there are others.
http://app.strava.com/activities/81530159#1660458287

So really, as been mentioned many times in this thread and others on C.C. just keep at it, it comes but it will take some time.
I remember last year avg 11-12mph and seeing riders doing 15+mph avg's and think I will NEVER be able to do that, and even back in Feb I was still only managing 13.6mph, but gradually step by step it's gone up, and so far this month I am averaging 16mph (this is total distance/total time), but i have been here before this early in a month only to find my avg drop below 16mph, but one day I might manage it.

Thanks for sharing your rides and progress story, Nigel. Very inspiring

 

[Tenandra]

@fatCyclist i think your about where i am, mate i am certainly no quicker.

My two rides, i have a day off from the commute tomorrow as i am off to another work site.
http://www.strava.com/activities/81488092
http://www.strava.com/activities/81648906

 

[Paulg04]

This is a very noob question but, how will my hybrid tyres hold up in the wet? I haven't been out on my bike in the rain since I've got it but the fine Scottish weather is taking over now by the looks of it.

I've got the standard tyres with my pinnacle neon 1, so not sure how they are in the wet.

 

[Mo1959]

This is a very noob question but, how will my hybrid tyres hold up in the wet? I haven't been out on my bike in the rain since I've got it but the fine Scottish weather is taking over now by the looks of it.

I've got the standard tyres with my pinnacle neon 1, so not sure how they are in the wet.

I am sure they will be fine. I got caught in torrential rain this morning on my road bike and barely noticed any difference in handling. It's a bit like driving in the rain. Plan ahead a bit more and realise it may take a few more yards to stop. Try and avoid obvious hazards like white lines and metal drains which are usually extra slippy and if it has been a long dry spell immediately before the rains watch for the roads being greasy. All common sense really.

 

[Paulg04]

I am sure they will be fine. I got caught in torrential rain this morning on my road bike and barely noticed any difference in handling. It's a bit like driving in the rain. Plan ahead a bit more and realise it may take a few more yards to stop. Try and avoid obvious hazards like white lines and metal drains which are usually extra slippy and if it has been a long dry spell immediately before the rains watch for the roads being greasy. All common sense really.

Thanks mo. that's what I thought. Don't really fancy coming off my bike on a busy road

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Paulg04 I set a p.b. to the hospital last Friday in a downpour.
http://app.strava.com/activities/80511845#1636715827