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

[SWSteve]

@ItsSteveLovell Or some gatorskins, remembering to avoid sharp stones though, whilst it didn't puncture the trye it did squash the tyre so much has to pinch the tube, apart from that pretty bomb proof so far after nearly 2,500 miles.

My stock ones that came with the bike lasted 1,500/ongoing. The only reason why I have changed the rear is because it was sliced open by some glass. The front has had one puncture in the 3,100 miles I've had the bike!

 

[Mo1959]

Glad today was my day off, horrible weather although it did brighten up a bit late afternoon. Hopefully tomorrow is a bit kinder and I can get out.

Yes, same here Greig. Chucked it down until about 3pm. Although I wouldn't class myself as a totally fair weather cyclist, I had just had enough of getting soaked and having a filthy bike to clean again. Agree, tomorrow looks more promising. Hope you get out.

 

[BrianEvesham]

Working 12 days out of the next 14 so won't get out much.
At least the bike will stay clean (still no mudguards).

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Yes, same here Greig. Chucked it down until about 3pm. Although I wouldn't class myself as a totally fair weather cyclist, I had just had enough of getting soaked and having a filthy bike to clean again. Agree, tomorrow looks more promising. Hope you get out.

My bike is filthy, but since there are no mudguards cluttering it up, it is easy to clean

 

[SWSteve]

One other question, what lights do people ride with? I want a strong (ish) front light to use when on unlit roads as will soon be cycling in the dark when going out in evenings/home from work?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

One other question, what lights do people ride with? I want a strong (ish) front light to use when on unlit roads as will soon be cycling in the dark when going out in evenings/home from work?

Look no further than one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item1c35a10034

c/o @Nigelnaturist

 

[SWSteve]

Look no further than one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item1c35a10034

c/o @Nigelnaturist

Cheers, will be buying on payday

 

[Nigelnaturist]

My stock ones that came with the bike lasted 1,500/ongoing. The only reason why I have changed the rear is because it was sliced open by some glass. The front has had one puncture in the 3,100 miles I've had the bike!

My stock tyres did pretty well too some Kenda, but handled like the proverbial (in hindsight).
Depends what you want, but I got a cree T6 last Nov, nice and bright cheap, draw back is the cable and battery pack, but you get use to it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item3a81f73f7d

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Look no further than one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item1c35a10034

c/o @Nigelnaturist

You beat me to it

 

[stevey]

Evil wind this morning, but decided I would go and look at Saintbury hill. I wish I had just looked, turned round and gone another way .
So I battled on, stopped 4 times to catch my breath and refused to push the bike up at all. Very slow going but at least I didn't stop and walk up. I had to stop when the Garmin auto-paused .
I even had head wind down the other side toward Chipping Campden.
Anyway have a laugh at my Saintbury hill full climb segment;
http://www.strava.com/activities/91180673#

I am surprised I'm not last, just assume they had punctures or one leg!

Good going getting up there @BrianEvesham

 

[RWright]

I did basically the same ride as yesterday except I looked for a couple of more hills on the way back home. What a difference riding two hours later makes. Very little traffic this evening plus I found a little more indirect route home, with even less traffic and two additional small hills to climb.

A year ago there was no way I would have ever believed I would be seeking out more hills to climb.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I was over dressed for Fridays morning run (well when it cleared up) and didn't enjoy it, I wore much less in the evening and was much better (though no faster) I have lost almost 1,mph since last month.

 

[RWright]

I was over dressed for Fridays morning run (well when it cleared up) and didn't enjoy it, I wore much less in the evening and was much better (though no faster) I have lost almost 1,mph since last month.

My speeds are going down as well. I am not pushing that hard but they are lower for about the same effort. Cold weather is moving in right now and that is my excuse for slower speeds..

 

[Nigelnaturist]

My speeds are going down as well. I am not pushing that hard but they are lower for about the same effort. Cold weather is moving in right now and that is my excuse for slower speeds..

I am climbing a little more per mile but only about a 8" but about 2 1/2 miles and 150ft on a daily basis. On the plus side the last time I had similar elevation figures back in May I was 0.8 mph slower than this month

 

[Stonechat]

I am climbing a little more per mile but only about a 8" but about 2 1/2 miles and 150ft on a daily basis. On the plus side the last time I had similar elevation figures back in May I was 0.8 mph slower than this month

My speed too is very slightly slower, but I am using a pannier mostly at present. YEsterday the wind was gusty and I could feel this