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

[Nigelnaturist]

This would be nice for him if road inspires him at all, but it is out of our range this year.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.tcr.espoir/15029/66823/

He might be quicker than me.

 

[Mo1959]

Yuk....what a horrible morning. So overcast it is still nearly dark and it's raining. Can barely be bothered walking the dog never mind cycling. Will give the cycling a miss but will need to get the waterproofs on and walk the dog. At least she gets me out the door when I feel like this.

 

[BrianEvesham]

No work again today but its raining. Booked up for next thurs and Friday though.
Applied rule 5 and ignored the light rain. 13.48 miles @ 16.7 avg found myself slowing down on some fast wet corners, a first for me.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Very funny, the 11 year old here, wants to go out and his bike is way to small. I am not intrally sure what type of bike, there are very few road bikes in our price range for him, and I am not sure it's what he would really want, I think this might not be a bad option though if we can stretch to it.
Giant XTC Jr 1 24 inch 2014 Kids Bike

• Sizes - 24"
• Colours - Red/Black
• Frame - ALUXX-Grade Aluminum
• Fork - Suspension, 50mm Travel, alloy monoque lower
• Handlebar - Giant Jr MTB, Low Rise 25.4mm
• Stem - Forged alloy ahead, 15 degree rise
• Seatpost - Aluminium
• Saddle - Giant Jr MTB
• Pedals - One-piece resin
• Shifters - Shimano Revoshift 21 speed
• Front Derailleur - Shimano Tourney
• Rear Derailleur - Shimano Altus
• Brakes - Linear pull
• Brake Levers - Alloy, Junior MTB
• Cassette - 14-34 freewheel
• Chain - KMC HV500
• Crankset - Prowheel 42/34/24
• Bottom Bracket - Semi-cartridge BB
• Rims - Giant kids 24", aluminium
• Hubs - Joytech nutted type, 32H
• Spokes - Stainless steel
• Tires - Giant Junior Sport, S-XC4 24x1.95"
• Extras - Bell, Kickstand

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/150641/products/giant-xtc-jr-1-24-inch-2014-kids-bike.aspx

or this £30 cheaper @ 249
I know the specs are a little lower,
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/150642/products/giant-xtc-jr-2-24-inch-kids-bike.aspx

Try second hand, at 11 years old he will quickly out grow it. Same reason I wouldn't worry about the specs of a bike, as if it is low spec it should still last a couple of years until he has grown out of it.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Yuk....what a horrible morning. So overcast it is still nearly dark and it's raining. Can barely be bothered walking the dog never mind cycling. Will give the cycling a miss but will need to get the waterproofs on and walk the dog. At least she gets me out the door when I feel like this.

I cut my ride down to 31 miles this morning (beginning of the year that would have been a great ride), I had no energy at all, probably due to waking up at 2am this morning and then not getting much sleep afterwards. Throwing it down now in Leicester, weather forecast was it would clear for tonights commute, if not, I can see me doing a very short ride home

 

[Mo1959]

I cut my ride down to 31 miles this morning (beginning of the year that would have been a great ride), I had no energy at all, probably due to waking up at 2am this morning and then not getting much sleep afterwards. Throwing it down now in Leicester, weather forecast was it would clear for tonights commute, if not, I can see me doing a very short ride home

Still pretty dismal here too. Another dog walk this afternoon and that will be my lot I think. Hope it drys up for you later.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Still pretty dismal here too. Another dog walk this afternoon and that will be my lot I think. Hope it drys up for you later.

If it is still wet I will have a 5 mile commute home, haven't done one of those for a while, I need to have a rest so reduced mileage won't be a bad thing.

 

[BrianEvesham]

I cut my ride down to 31 miles this morning (beginning of the year that would have been a great ride)

Still is in my book

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Wall to wall rain here - losing interest in cycling a bit!

 

[Mo1959]

Wall to wall rain here - losing interest in cycling a bit!

You sound a bit like me.......weather badly affects my moods and my inclination for doing stuff. I know I would be fine once I am out, it's just getting there! Even dog walking is spoiled a bit. I'll need the waterproof overtrousers and jacket this afternoon. Then the dog needs towelled off when we get back. Just takes a lot of the pleasure out of things. Tomorrow is currently looking better though so must try and even get a short run. To be honest, I would be perfectly happy with managing three runs a week over the autumn/winter.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

You sound a bit like me.......weather badly affects my moods and my inclination for doing stuff. I know I would be fine once I am out, it's just getting there! Even dog walking is spoiled a bit. I'll need the waterproof overtrousers and jacket this afternoon. Then the dog needs towelled off when we get back. Just takes a lot of the pleasure out of things. Tomorrow is currently looking better though so must try and even get a short run. To be honest, I would be perfectly happy with managing three runs a week over the autumn/winter.

Yes Mo' it does affect me. I like to do things to a schedule and tbh I stick at things better that way. I like to plan my life out (social, walking/climbing and riding etc) and then stick to the plan.

Maybe I should sell the bike and get another dog - at least he made me get out every day!

Only kidding - I love the cycling and am up to nearly 1600 miles for the year but it is so hit and miss - as you know I don't like to do much outdoors in the rain esp' cycling as apart from the filth and discomfort the safety factor (esp' visibility) drops horribly and I do not want to take the risk.

Went to Ambleside this morning to buy a new lightweight Hardshell for climbing and when I came back there were 2 riders on a busy road riding away in the murky car spray - good for them but not for me.

Someone will tell me to man-up I'm sure but I did all my risky stuff (climbing) way back when my young & dopey brain had convinced me I was immortal!

 

[Fiona R]

Just new to this site and thought I would through in my wee bit.

I got my first bike in about a decade, last Friday. Knowing almost nothing about bikes apart from what a 10 year old knows about the £100 mountain bike their parent gets them for Christmas, I decided to try Evans cycles in braehead. The guy in the shop was really helpful an showed me a few options that would do for my 10mile round trip daily commute an my £350 budget. In the end I got a pinnacle neon 1.

I've enjoyed the bike so far. Been out every day since I bought it on Friday. It's pretty quick but can feel every little change in the road surface, which is a bit different from what I remember my old mountain bike being like but suppose they are completely different types of bikes.

I decided to get a bike due to the fact I suffered a bad knee injury and had surgery in April. Slowly realising my football days could be over so need a new way to keep for. I've been enjoying my cycles to work, although finding it difficult to get up that bit earlier in the morning. I've been averaging 15mph roughly for every ride I do, which I think isn't too bad for not being on a bike in the best part of 10 years. I've also really started to think about my rants at cyclist when I was driving before, now I'm 'walking in their shoes'.

Glad I've got myself into cycling and really enjoyed reading everyone's post on here. Just need to keep myself going and also told my wife I would be saving £20/£30 a month in petrol so don't want to be proved wrong haha.

Going to up my miles next week and the hopefully do Glasgow to Edinburgh next month

I thought I was reading my history there! I managed on my £100 old heavy mountain bike on my 5 miles ew commute that I started in April, and rewarded myself with a new one for my birthday in August after building up to riding most days. About £400 to spend and as light as possible, I got lucky and got a Pinnacle Neon 2 in the sale for less than £350 online, after trying one in the shop. Glad I got the next size up frame though, not small that was recommended. I had a knee replacement 6 years ago in my early 40s, and my what a difference the cycling is making. I must admit, it will be harder in the winter, I work shifts and a 39 hour week physical job. it is a relief to get off my feet and on my bike at the end of the day!

 

[BrianEvesham]

Just picked the boys up from school and the sun is shining a treat now, if the OH wasn't at work I feel up to doing that same 13 mile loop again.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Yes Mo' it does affect me. I like to do things to a schedule and tbh I stick at things better that way. I like to plan my life out (social, walking/climbing and riding etc) and then stick to the plan.

Maybe I should sell the bike and get another dog - at least he made me get out every day!

Only kidding - I love the cycling and am up to nearly 1600 miles for the year but it is so hit and miss - as you know I don't like to do much outdoors in the rain esp' cycling as apart from the filth and discomfort the safety factor (esp' visibility) drops horribly and I do not want to take the risk.

Went to Ambleside this morning to buy a new lightweight Hardshell for climbing and when I came back there were 2 riders on a busy road riding away in the murky car spray - good for them but not for me.

Someone will tell me to man-up I'm sure but I did all my risky stuff (climbing) way back when my young & dopey brain had convinced me I was immortal!

Rule 5

 

[fivepence]

Roads dried up nicely so managed nip out for a wee spin this evening

http://app.strava.com/activities/83495689