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

[SWSteve]

Did I just read that @Nigelnaturist was watching the cycling? Wowsers trousers

Haven't been out in since thursday, probably best as BB is making a ticking noise. It's in for a service wednesday, so tomorrow night I'll clean it down properly and change the brake pads. Mainly so they can't flog me new pads

 

[Twotter]

Got home tonight and did my short 5.5 mile ride just to get me over the magic 100 mile mark for September. Another target ticked off my list

 

[Goonerobes]

Thanks for the positive comments folks.

@Mo1959 it's a hybrid ( Carrera Crossfire) I ride so the drops are not an option I'm afraid; I cant see me ever getting used to wind - its soul destroying! At least hills have summits!!

@Goonerobes I take it miles is the better way to train then rather than trying to build up speed? I don't commute (bikes dont float) so I'm really just looking to get a lot fitter and be better at this cycling game!

From my experience spending time in the saddle was the way that I improved. In the past 6 months I've gone from a longest ride of 18 miles to nearly 51 miles & with that my fitness has improved as has my average speed. Don't forget that on shorter rides the starting & stopping process will have a greater effect on your average speed than on say, a 20-25 mile ride.
I note that you are also on a hybrid so the chances are that it'll never be as quick as a road bike so just keep at it & enjoy the journey.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Ah apologies about the ridiculous speed on my last post - Strava must do some weird algorithms overnight or something because initially it showed the correct max speed of 26 mph... if I'd hit 57.7 I'd need new shorts! The brakes on my crossfire would not have coped with 57!!

I went out today to try and get some good speeds on the flats round here but hit some really nasty winds... I say nasty; when I was looking at the trees before going out it looked like just a gentle breeze but you don't half notice the difference on 2 wheels! Bit gutted actually cos I reckon I'd have managed a 14mph average which although pants by most of the folk on here's standards, I would still have been happy with it..

http://www.strava.com/activities/85984314

Ah well, onwards and upwards!!

Don't worry about the speed, it will come eventually.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

@Nigelnaturist My cree light turned up today so just taken it out for a test ride. To say I am impressed is an understatement, once I have ridden it through a couple of showers and am happy it is waterproof I will definitely be buying another one.

I took it out into the countryside and rode down some very dark roads, didn't feel like I had to slow down once, very very impressed, thanks for the tip

http://www.strava.com/activities/86044367

 

[stevey]

Had chinese for evening meal (How guilty did i feel ) although my mrs reckon i should be putting on weight..

So just back from this
http://www.strava.com/activities/86050615#

 

[Stonechat]

@RFATaff If it's any consolation, I have just over a year in now of cycling and still detest the wind every bit as much as when I started There are some on here who say you get used to it and it doesn't bother you as much (@Nigelnaturist ) but I am not one of them. I religiously check the weather forecast and hate when I see it forecast. I would much rather ride in the rain than the wind.

All I can suggest is, if it is a road bike try and get yourself down on the drops for a bit, drop a couple of gears and just do the best you can without over exerting yourself. I try swearing at it as well but it doesn't seem to make much difference.

I do really try to avoid rain. Wind I don't mind so much. I am retired (early) so my perspective on time has changed a little
I do check the weather forecast obsessively though.

 

[Andy Jeffery]

Just started last week for the first time in 22 years! Managed 2 rides of 12 miles and on Sunday did 16 miles in 65mins. Really enjoyed it and want to have a go at sportive so next year.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Did I just read that @Nigelnaturist was watching the cycling? Wowsers trousers

Haven't been out in since thursday, probably best as BB is making a ticking noise. It's in for a service wednesday, so tomorrow night I'll clean it down properly and change the brake pads. Mainly so they can't flog me new pads

It were a bit boring, don't see what the fuss is all about. Sush about B.B.I need one, but bought an 8sp shifter on ebay instead.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Nigelnaturist My cree light turned up today so just taken it out for a test ride. To say I am impressed is an understatement, once I have ridden it through a couple of showers and am happy it is waterproof I will definitely be buying another one.

I took it out into the countryside and rode down some very dark roads, didn't feel like I had to slow down once, very very impressed, thanks for the tip

http://www.strava.com/activities/86044367

Knew you would be, there is also this you can get to spread the light better.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251347465263?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Just started last week for the first time in 22 years! Managed 2 rides of 12 miles and on Sunday did 16 miles in 65mins. Really enjoyed it and want to have a go at sportive so next year.

Well done Andy, and

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Ah apologies about the ridiculous speed on my last post - Strava must do some weird algorithms overnight or something because initially it showed the correct max speed of 26 mph... if I'd hit 57.7 I'd need new shorts! The brakes on my crossfire would not have coped with 57!!

I went out today to try and get some good speeds on the flats round here but hit some really nasty winds... I say nasty; when I was looking at the trees before going out it looked like just a gentle breeze but you don't half notice the difference on 2 wheels! Bit gutted actually cos I reckon I'd have managed a 14mph average which although pants by most of the folk on here's standards, I would still have been happy with it..

http://www.strava.com/activities/85984314

Ah well, onwards and upwards!!

It is difficult in the wind, and yes what seems a gentle breeze can be much worse on the bike.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well I managed an avg of 16.14 mph for Sept, with 805.49 miles in 2days 1hr 53mins riding. 37,726ft (according to rwgps)

 

[Mo1959]

Well I managed an avg of 16.14 mph for Sept, with 805.49 miles in 2days 1hr 53mins riding. 37,726ft (according to rwgps)

Well done Nigel. You must tell me your secret as I am getting slower
Still got a niggling sore throat and not feeling 100%. It is to be another windy day and I am sitting here having a coffee debating whether to have another day or two off or nip out just for a short run before it gets any stronger.

 

[Stonechat]

Well I managed an avg of 16.14 mph for Sept, with 805.49 miles in 2days 1hr 53mins riding. 37,726ft (according to rwgps)

Not sure what rwgps is.
I don't have an average speed for the month. So many rides have stop offs it would not be good. However satisified I am getting faster