Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Took a while for me to get to 16 miles!
I am not planning any sportives!!!
Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]
- Thread starter Typhon
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I am not planning any sportives!!!
RWright
Guru
- Location
- North Carolina
I have only been getting in rides of about an hour lately, been a little busy with other things like work and house chores. 
Have been having to save some of the energy for those but I have gone out to one of the hills (I call it the beast 
) that made me get off in the rain and push my Townie up it. It is only about a half mile but some of the grades get up to near 10 percent, which isn't too shabby for the roads around here. I have been climbing it with standard gearing and notice I am making it up much easier these days. It still gets me winded and I do have to sit down to finish it, but I am recovering much faster than before. New goal to accomplish before the end of the year for me is to climb it all the way while standing. 
I miss my highway rides this time of year because of the evening sunlight, it keeps me warmer. It gets a little nippy riding in the shade of the trees on the country roads near dusk, although it hasn't been cold enough yet to get me out of shorts and short sleeve base layer t shirt, yet. I hope it stays that way another month or so but I can feel the cool air moving in. The country roads are just so much cleaner that I don't really have to worry about punctures (knock on wood).
I haven't put on my GP 4000s tires yet but I am getting antsy to try them.
Have been having to save some of the energy for those but I have gone out to one of the hills (I call it the beast ) that made me get off in the rain and push my Townie up it. It is only about a half mile but some of the grades get up to near 10 percent, which isn't too shabby for the roads around here. I have been climbing it with standard gearing and notice I am making it up much easier these days. It still gets me winded and I do have to sit down to finish it, but I am recovering much faster than before. New goal to accomplish before the end of the year for me is to climb it all the way while standing. I miss my highway rides this time of year because of the evening sunlight, it keeps me warmer. It gets a little nippy riding in the shade of the trees on the country roads near dusk, although it hasn't been cold enough yet to get me out of shorts and short sleeve base layer t shirt, yet. I hope it stays that way another month or so but I can feel the cool air moving in. The country roads are just so much cleaner that I don't really have to worry about punctures (knock on wood).
I haven't put on my GP 4000s tires yet but I am getting antsy to try them.
Mo1959
Legendary Member
- Location
- Perthshire,Scotland
@RWright If you don't hurry up and try these new tyres, winter will be here 
Well, I just went out a short run myself. A bit breezy and have a little niggly sore throat so just took it easy. I am looking for ways to keep the fun in my cycling without constantly bothering about distance, average speeds, segments, etc. Can't afford a mountain bike at the moment but that is definitely on my to do list if I ever have any spare cash and find a bargain. However this morning I noticed I had gone a couple of miles without changing gear and I decided to see if I could do the whole route in the same gear. Managed it no problem and actually quite enjoyed it. Big ring on the front which is a 50 and if I am looking at the blurb on a 11-28 cassette correctly looks like it would have been 17 on the rear. A reasonably flattish route mind you. Only had to stand up and push a couple of times and didn't really spin out too much either.
Well, I just went out a short run myself. A bit breezy and have a little niggly sore throat so just took it easy. I am looking for ways to keep the fun in my cycling without constantly bothering about distance, average speeds, segments, etc. Can't afford a mountain bike at the moment but that is definitely on my to do list if I ever have any spare cash and find a bargain. However this morning I noticed I had gone a couple of miles without changing gear and I decided to see if I could do the whole route in the same gear. Managed it no problem and actually quite enjoyed it. Big ring on the front which is a 50 and if I am looking at the blurb on a 11-28 cassette correctly looks like it would have been 17 on the rear. A reasonably flattish route mind you. Only had to stand up and push a couple of times and didn't really spin out too much either.
RWright
Guru
- Location
- North Carolina
I have considered trying to get thru the winter on my old tires.@RWright If you don't hurry up and try these new tyres, winter will be here
Well, I just went out a short run myself. A bit breezy and have a little niggly sore throat so just took it easy. I am looking for ways to keep the fun in my cycling without constantly bothering about distance, average speeds, segments, etc. Can't afford a mountain bike at the moment but that is definitely on my to do list if I ever have any spare cash and find a bargain. However this morning I noticed I had gone a couple of miles without changing gear and I decided to see if I could do the whole route in the same gear. Managed it no problem and actually quite enjoyed it. Big ring on the front which is a 50 and if I am looking at the blurb on a 11-28 cassette correctly looks like it would have been 17 on the rear. A reasonably flattish route mind you. Only had to stand up and push a couple of times and didn't really spin out too much either.
I have also thought about doing an entire ride in one gear and I often push higher gears than I normally would and sometimes spin lower than normal, just to mix things up. Most of my routes are pretty varied as far as going from flatish to hills so it would be a good challenge. I got pretty far up the hill I was attacking today on the big front ring but could not shift down either front or back because I was putting so much force on the pedals. There was some serious clicking going on when I had to finally hit the seat though.
I like mixing things up a little, hope you find a MTB you like for a good price. It is quite a bit different than road riding but care also needs to be taken doing it too. It is a little more tricky than road riding to me.
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Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Don't know much about tyres. In the old days I got new tyres when they wore out.
I was thinking that maybe thinner tyres on my hybrid might be better, make it easier on the road.
Seems to be a confusing amount of choice. Also need to keep an eye on the brake blocks or whatever they are called these days. I used to slide new blocks in . These all in one blocks with a threaded stud at the back are different to what I knew before. Hope I can tell when they wear out.
And the bike needs a realy good clean. I am not a type to spend ages polishing etc!
Thursday set to be rainy and some rain tomorrow and Friday - maybe I should do a run this afternoon.
Have some stuff I have to do related to non cycling activities, but some can be done on rainy days!
I was thinking that maybe thinner tyres on my hybrid might be better, make it easier on the road.
Seems to be a confusing amount of choice. Also need to keep an eye on the brake blocks or whatever they are called these days. I used to slide new blocks in . These all in one blocks with a threaded stud at the back are different to what I knew before. Hope I can tell when they wear out.
And the bike needs a realy good clean. I am not a type to spend ages polishing etc!
Thursday set to be rainy and some rain tomorrow and Friday - maybe I should do a run this afternoon.
Have some stuff I have to do related to non cycling activities, but some can be done on rainy days!
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
Per mycyclinglog.
1,635.60 miles at average of 15.80mph, 103 hours and 29 minutes of riding. No idea on the elevation, probably about 100 foot. 54 rides in total.
Second longest month for mileage for me.
I blame our lass for the average speed as I rode 92 miles with her at an average of 10mph
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
Thinner tyres will give you lower resistance and therefore you should be able to go faster.
You can change the brake blocks to cartridge based very easily, it is that easy I have done it on my hybrid and my road bike
Keeping the bike clean will make the components last longer. At the least you should "mickle" the chain
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
ridewithgps - very good site for mapping rides out.
Nigelnaturist
Guru
- Location
- Pontefract
Neither am I.
puffinbilly
Veteran
Phew!!! Just completed 450 miles for the day month - but then leeds(dropped the Super after seeing them last Wed ) and Nigel come along with their mileages 
- the elevation of 38000ft is incredible-1200ft of ascent each day - respect to you both. I'm averaging 14-14.5mph but getting quicker and lots of urban riding so stop/start.
Interested in the gearing discussion that went on a couple of pages back- Nigel seems to be very knowledgeable on this - could I ask a couple of questions directly through PM to you Nigel? One of the reasons for the interest is I ride a Triban 3 and seem to have no problems with getting a low gear to churn up the hills but my son rides a Carrera Gryphon and struggles and I have tried and struggled on some hills - the Gryphon is a 36*26 at its lowest - so 36.4 - I'm wondering is it easy to change the gearing to get a lower set up or is 36.4 about right for bottom gear?
I know from reading your posts Nigel that you regularly change the gearing-what tools are needed, level of knowledge, time etc?
) and Nigel come along with their mileages - the elevation of 38000ft is incredible-1200ft of ascent each day - respect to you both. I'm averaging 14-14.5mph but getting quicker and lots of urban riding so stop/start.Interested in the gearing discussion that went on a couple of pages back- Nigel seems to be very knowledgeable on this - could I ask a couple of questions directly through PM to you Nigel? One of the reasons for the interest is I ride a Triban 3 and seem to have no problems with getting a low gear to churn up the hills but my son rides a Carrera Gryphon and struggles and I have tried and struggled on some hills - the Gryphon is a 36*26 at its lowest - so 36.4 - I'm wondering is it easy to change the gearing to get a lower set up or is 36.4 about right for bottom gear?
I know from reading your posts Nigel that you regularly change the gearing-what tools are needed, level of knowledge, time etc?
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
A bit in need of a blast so went out for a shortish run up a hill I have not done before. Did no go down the other side as only wanted a short outing to clear the cobwebs
Did 13 miles (+ about a 1/2 as I forgot to start recording on Strava) average 14.6 (as per Cateye). Average speed is coming up. when there aren't too many stops for traffic etc
This route has potential, will do a longer one in the same direction. Judging by the segments local CC must do some time trials here.
Feel much better for having got out
EDIT
Here it is
http://www.strava.com/activities/86193632
Did 13 miles (+ about a 1/2 as I forgot to start recording on Strava) average 14.6 (as per Cateye). Average speed is coming up. when there aren't too many stops for traffic etc
This route has potential, will do a longer one in the same direction. Judging by the segments local CC must do some time trials here.
Feel much better for having got out
EDIT
Here it is
http://www.strava.com/activities/86193632
Last edited:
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Hmmmm - went down to the garage to dig out Lovely Trusty Steed after having spent an age summoning up enthusiasm to go out into the stiff breeze and as I was getting togged up I noticed I was precisely one glove short of a pair!
I guess I must've dropped it in the village at my end of usual ride stopping point which is about 150m short of the house - I use this distance as a cool down walk.
Cue total fraggy-ness on my part! I was really irritated but off I went with nude hands getting vibrated in an RSI inducing manner.
However, the lost glove scenario overwhelmed me (I couldn't get it out of my head) and in tandem with Mr Wind it demolished my hard won enthusiasm and after a short while I pootled home so only 8.76 miles @ 13.92 mph av' for me.
Had a ferret around Lovely Village Where I Live and the errant glove was nowhere to be seen so I was straight on the Lappie when I got in only to find that my gloves have been discontinued and replaced by a Newer Model which I have now ordered.
I stayed safe with All Black instead of White/Black which was way to daring for me!
Stay safe all and have good evenings whatever you are up to.
We will be glued to streaming thingy drinking wine and scoffing cheesy crisps
whilst watching Chelsea hopefully beating the daylights out of Steyr Bucharest!
I guess I must've dropped it in the village at my end of usual ride stopping point which is about 150m short of the house - I use this distance as a cool down walk.
Cue total fraggy-ness on my part!
I was really irritated but off I went with nude hands getting vibrated in an RSI inducing manner.However, the lost glove scenario overwhelmed me (I couldn't get it out of my head) and in tandem with Mr Wind it demolished my hard won enthusiasm and after a short while I pootled home so only 8.76 miles @ 13.92 mph av' for me.
Had a ferret around Lovely Village Where I Live and the errant glove was nowhere to be seen so I was straight on the Lappie when I got in only to find that my gloves have been discontinued and replaced by a Newer Model which I have now ordered.
I stayed safe with All Black instead of White/Black which was way to daring for me!
Stay safe all and have good evenings whatever you are up to.
We will be glued to streaming thingy drinking wine and scoffing cheesy crisps
whilst watching Chelsea hopefully beating the daylights out of Steyr Bucharest!
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
Phew!!! Just completed 450 miles for thedaymonth - but then leeds(dropped the Super after seeing them last Wed
Interested in the gearing discussion that went on a couple of pages back- Nigel seems to be very knowledgeable on this - could I ask a couple of questions directly through PM to you Nigel? One of the reasons for the interest is I ride a Triban 3 and seem to have no problems with getting a low gear to churn up the hills but my son rides a Carrera Gryphon and struggles and I have tried and struggled on some hills - the Gryphon is a 36*26 at its lowest - so 36.4 - I'm wondering is it easy to change the gearing to get a lower set up or is 36.4 about right for bottom gear?
I know from reading your posts Nigel that you regularly change the gearing-what tools are needed, level of knowledge, time etc?
450 miles in a month is a bloody good effort, I commute to and from work 5 days a week so I get the opportunity to build up the mileage
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
Hmmmm - went down to the garage to dig out Lovely Trusty Steed after having spent an age summoning up enthusiasm to go out into the stiff breeze and as I was getting togged up I noticed I was precisely one glove short of a pair!
I guess I must've dropped it in the village at my end of usual ride stopping point which is about 150m short of the house - I use this distance as a cool down walk.
Cue total fraggy-ness on my part!
However, the lost glove scenario overwhelmed me (I couldn't get it out of my head) and in tandem with Mr Wind it demolished my hard won enthusiasm and after a short while I pootled home so only 8.76 miles @ 13.92 mph av' for me.
Had a ferret around Lovely Village Where I Live and the errant glove was nowhere to be seen so I was straight on the Lappie when I got in only to find that my gloves have been discontinued and replaced by a Newer Model which I have now ordered.
I stayed safe with All Black instead of White/Black which was way to daring for me!
Stay safe all and have good evenings whatever you are up to.
We will be glued to streaming thingy drinking wine and scoffing cheesy crisps
You should take up comedy writing, your posts always have me laughing out loud
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