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

[Exile]

Between weather, odd-jobs and illness I've managed the grand total of about 4 miles since I got the rear wheel back a fortnight ago, 3 of which were today and nearly killed me. Seems I've lost a lot of the fitness I'd gained last year in the splurge known as Christmas and New Year. Still, at least I'm not entirely back to square one, more like square four or five. Would love to get out again tomorrow, see if I can hit 5 miles, but the forecast is pretty pants, so I'll probably hole up indoors and pretend the world outside doesn't exist.

On the positive side, so far this year my average speed is up, both on the flat and the 'hills' (yes, right now I count a 2% average grade as a hill . Looking out at the Pennines makes me feel a deep, dark foreboding in my soul). Also I'm really getting a feel for this whole 'clipless' thing. Realising both sides of each pedal needed the tension loosening individually was the biggest "Ah-ha, so that's how it works!" moment of the year to date and has helped avoid the muttered "it wasn't this hard to unclip/clip back in at the last set of lights..." I had the fist few times riding with them.

 

[Stonechat]

I think I need warmer weather than today's to progress
I wasn't unbearably cold but muscles were not working so well when they got colder

 

[Nomadski]

Did my longest ride since RideLondon and it was a real slog. No P-Fairy visits this time, but the obligatory 2014 hellfire came down about 3 miles in at Raynes Park. I seriously considered turning back and jacking it in for the day, but ploughed on. The weather eased up but it still rained 3 or 4 times in sporadic patches. the damage had already been done though, and each mile brought about louder and louder squelches.

It also was a little cold, and I had thoroughly prepared for it. Well when I say prepared I mean I was prepared for the cold. The rain was an unwelcome and unexpected part of the equation I hadn't accounted for. So while my neck and head were toasty, my feet felt like I had left them out of the duvet on a particularly cold night....while someone poured cold water on them...and then used a fan on "extra cold" setting.

In addition I have lost massive amounts of fitness (why cant all the work we do just be saved and stored somewhere to give us lazy months?) back to 12.7mph average speed as I was a few weeks ago, 33rd on a segment (vs my own times) almost right outside my door, and hills I used to storm up like a Spartan are leg breaking,cough inducing moments of humiliation, not even saved by the downhill part as I tended to spend the whole time gasping for air, probably resembling someone who had just escaped Colditz via Switzerland without stopping for tea.

Funny how 35 miles can become a very ordinary distance once you get good at this lark, yet feels like an expedition when your starting / starting again / been a lazy bum for too long.

http://app.strava.com/activities/109376260

Hope your all well beginners.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

How long the tyres last depends on which ones they are. I use marathon plus and get a good 5 or 6k out of them before I look at changing them. I would buy a new tyre, but not change it until you start getting visits

They were what was on the bike when I got it, I'll like as not only get 1 more ride over here on Saturday so hopefully it will last, going off looking for what they call a hill over here.

Don't know if you will be able to see the flat

But this is the make, no idea of quality but less than 1K I suspect they must be soft compound, if others give you 5-6k

Alan...

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I think I need warmer weather than today's to progress
I wasn't unbearably cold but muscles were not working so well when they got colder

I can vouch for that my average speed is up by 1.5 miles by being over here, suspect it will drop as soon as I return.

Alan...

 

[Mo1959]

Managed a rather slow 18 miles in a very cold wind this morning to finish off the January challenge. Next few days look wet and windy followed by a couple of days of icy roads so didn't want to miss the chance of completing it........not that I will be buying their t-shirt when they are charging $25 to post one!

 

[Stonechat]

Managed a rather slow 18 miles in a very cold wind this morning to finish off the January challenge. Next few days look wet and windy followed by a couple of days of icy roads so didn't want to miss the chance of completing it........not that I will be buying their t-shirt when they are charging $25 to post one!

Well done
I have only done 255 km
But had that time out for near flooding etc
It's been sunny all morning. I had decided to spend it on Mum's & Dad's affairs (takes so long)
Could've had a good ride
I need to ride three times per week for my training for the London Brighton - and don't want to miss any. Sky now is changing and don't think the rain will hold off for long now.

 

[Nomadski]

Managed a rather slow 18 miles in a very cold wind this morning to finish off the January challenge. Next few days look wet and windy followed by a couple of days of icy roads so didn't want to miss the chance of completing it........not that I will be buying their t-shirt when they are charging $25 to post one!

Well done Mo. Completing Strava monthly challenges is never easy, but especially with the weather we have had this month!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Managed a rather slow 18 miles in a very cold wind this morning to finish off the January challenge. Next few days look wet and windy followed by a couple of days of icy roads so didn't want to miss the chance of completing it........not that I will be buying their t-shirt when they are charging $25 to post one!

You just need to do the Gran Fondo one now

 

[Supersuperleeds]

They were what was on the bike when I got it, I'll like as not only get 1 more ride over here on Saturday so hopefully it will last, going off looking for what they call a hill over here.

Don't know if you will be able to see the flat

But this is the make, no idea of quality but less than 1K I suspect they must be soft compound, if others give you 5-6k

Alan...

I would just keep using them until you start puncturing, I've no idea what the quality of the tyre is like.

 

[Stonechat]

Could not resist it went out to try to beat the rain and did not succeed
HOwever quick blast, did 12.6 miles at 15.9 mph (getting faster!)
Rain forecast all day tomorrow

http://www.strava.com/activities/109545949

 

[L14M]

Back from halford, spoke to the bloke there. What a fella, telling me about his rides talking about garmins etc!
He's convinced me to want to do the London to brighton. Just got 1 issue, nobody to do it with as i'm only 14 (though by then i'll be 15!) Bit of a bummer but hey, i'll do it in a year!
Liam

 

[Mo1959]

Back from halford, spoke to the bloke there. What a fella, telling me about his rides talking about garmins etc!
He's convinced me to want to do the London to brighton. Just got 1 issue, nobody to do it with as i'm only 14 (though by then i'll be 15!) Bit of a bummer but hey, i'll do it in a year!
Liam

Awww, that's a shame, especially when you are so keen. You never know, maybe someone on here will read this and chum you round.

 

[Piemanpaul]

I am out tomorrow come rain or shine, depending on how much rain or shine it will either be a quick 20 mile blast or if the weather holds off then a 40 miler, hoping to get my average speed back up to 15mph!!

 

[Naemeth]

Well I'm officially knackered, commuting back in a strong headwind uphill after being on your feet at work for the 7th day in a row is no fun at all. Glad of three days off - one of which I am really going to try and do a long cycle, so far my record is only 5 miles - I must change that .