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

[BrianEvesham]

Yeah made it out again and with the shorts! Sun actually out here this morning. 20.09 miles @16 avg and a new bigger loop discovered as well.
Feeling good.

 

[Mo1959]

Yeah made it out again and with the shorts! Sun actually out here this morning. 20.09 miles @16 avg and a new bigger loop discovered as well.
Feeling good.

Nice one Brian. It's amazing how many little roads you discover even in an area that you thought you knew. I love some of the little single track roads. Usually not great surfaces but the peace and quiet and scenery makes up for it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@BrianEvesham well done, your avg is as good as mine there and look at the miles I have done to get there, @Mo1959 I agree, but I also like how my body is reacting to the different rides I do, I set a nice new p.b. on a climb yesterday not long but quite steep, if I say my avg spd on it was 6.6 mph gives you some idea how steep it was.
http://app.strava.com/activities/83492338#1705455418
I know I am never going to race or probably do sportive's ect.. but it doesn't stop me wanting to improve what I can do, my target when I started was 15mpg avg, I pretty much do that over most rides these days, unless they are short jaunt to the supermarket or town (basically down the hill and up again), I guess I am now looking to see if I can manage 16mph avg over a month, it's close so far this month rounded to one decimal place it is 16, I also wonder just how fast I can get on this Viking weighing as much as it does sometimes.
Next year since the bike [EDIT]wont[EDIT] need so many mods, (almost everything having been changed bar the forks, and shifters), and clothing which should see me through to the summer, I might be able to start and save a little and get a newish bike (though the Carlton will need some funds)

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Yippeeyippeeyippeeyippee etc. Today I am a 'got out'. Only second time this month.

17.26 miles @14.76 mph.

Happy-clappy-chappy is me.

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Was also a bit of a on a long fast downhill with three bends that I have been wussing over since my 'offs' a few months back (time flies) - I just picked my line and (following advice on here) looked where I wanted to go instead of watching what the front wheel is doing and down I went maxing at 34 mph. Look at me.....dead brave!

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Lot's of good stuff on here as usual - well done to you all whether you are Newbie Newbies, Intermediate Newbies or Grizzly Veteran Newbies.

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Nice weather predicted tomorrow and Sunday although seeing is believing. Will get out on bike tomorrow and poss' Sunday although the mountains are calling me and my cycling may be 'relegated' if Sunday really is nice!

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Take it easy fellow Bike-istas.

 

[Tcr4x4]

Finally got my bike back after a week at the LBS. It was ready on Wednesday but they forgot to ring me.

New cassette,chain, headset, brake and gear cables, and the wheels have been trued.

Only rode it for 5 minutes back home from the shop, but it felt super smooth, the gear changes were almost silent and immediate.

Looking forward to Monday and going for a proper ride, I feel completely fat and useless after a week of no riding, I hope my legs remember how to pedal. It will be my first clipless ride too, so should be interesting.

 

[SWSteve]

Great to se everyone getting out, good spin @BrianEvesham
@RWright What I understand of mountain biking is that your average will be a lot lower, but it's a completely different sport so forget looking at road stats

 

[fatCyclist]

https://www.strava.com/activities/83701109

Thought I'd try a new route today and discovered a couple of Strava segments. Managed to nab 91st position on one Now I know where it is I'll give it a proper go.

Knackered me out, even though it was only an extra mile than my usual route. Definitely need to get a light now with the nights drawing in.

 

[RWright]

Great to se everyone getting out, good spin @BrianEvesham
@RWright What I understand of mountain biking is that your average will be a lot lower, but it's a completely different sport so forget looking at road stats

It is a lot different for sure. I am totally new to it.. The track is a Strava segment and my newbness shows. I finished third from last on the list. Only faster than two girls, they must have been really plump or having a picnic or something.

I stopped a few times for a breather and I was turning around and trying to do some of the obstacles again to try and learn how to do them. It isn't the safest thing I have ever done and requires practice and good technique. I normally don't wear a helmet on the street but I don't have any problem with the must wear a helmet rule for the area tracks. I think it is a good rule. It is rough enough that I worry about crashing and smashing my Garmin. I would be crushed if I did that. It looks like my new goal for MTB will be a lot like my road bike. Get off the last page on the Strava list. I am still feeling a little sore today but I enjoyed it. It will be a good mix to go with the street riding I think. I may even start looking for a less expensive Garmin or maybe even put one of my old Cateye computers on my MTB.

I forgot to add that the trails are marked and when I would see a sign that said "difficult" I would think Oh no, this might hurt.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@RWright Good luck, something I have never fancied.
On the bike front, for the little lad.
I have seen a couple of nice Dawes on Bike 2U Direct at nice prices, and also a Dawes Espior @ only £355
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B5423.html
http://www.dawescycles.com/p-725-24-road-espoir.aspx
and a Dawes Bullet @ £205 which is probably going to be the better bike for him to be honest, as he is more interested with knocking about with his mates, with the odd run with me.
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B5392.html
http://www.dawescycles.com/p-713-24-bullet.aspx

 

[Nigelnaturist]

If anyone is interested Autumn starts tomorrow afternoon. ( about 3p.m.)

 

[Mo1959]

If anyone is interested Autumn starts tomorrow afternoon. ( about 3p.m.)

I'm not clicking like cos I don't Well, autumn can sometimes be nice, it's just the thought of what comes after it!

I thought it was going to be cold this morning so had a lightweight jersey with a jacket on top and ended up too hot. Bit of a worrying clicking/creaking noise started. Hoping my bottom bracket isn't on the way out. If anything causes me to give up cycling, I think it will be the expense Just ordered a big bag of dog food and some boxes of cat food so that is pretty much all the extra expense I can spare for the month if I want to eat! I think it is the sort of job I could probably do myself but I would have to buy the tool as well as the part so hope it hangs on for a few more weeks if that is what it is. Pedals are DMR V8,s which can be greased so might try that first in case that's what's creaking.

Quite a nice run this morning though. Bit of a climb to start then mostly downhill/flattish after that but a slight headwind on the way back. Met a few cyclists

 

[BrianEvesham]

Bit of a worrying clicking/creaking noise started.

Are you sure it's not your knees?

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Are you sure it's not your knees?

Now now Brian, just you wait one day it will be your turn.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I got a pair of these, not full winter gloves, but will be great for the chiller temps up to winter, by which time I will get a some winter gloves, and as @Mo1959 said the other silk liner would increase the temp range they can be used.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110990334...eName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[BrianEvesham]

Now now Brian, just you wait one day it will be your turn.

No need to wait Nigel, mine already click and creak, have done for years.