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

[Stonechat]

There is a gear calculator on Sheldon Brown website

http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

 

[stevey]

Getting back to the usual after work ride's
http://www.strava.com/activities/119796370

 

[Mo1959]

Ooooer.....minus 3 this morning.....ever colder than yesterday. Sky is looking lovely and clear though so a nice day ahead

Cup of tea and head out with the dog and catch the sun coming up. I find a brisk walk in the cold is much more pleasant than cycling in it. Maybe do what I did yesterday and have a wee run nearer lunchtime when it has warmed up a bit.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Taking my beautiful Princess to my magic bike tech this morning for its set up for my body etc. Squeezing the appointment in before I head out to work (later than usual start thank goodness) so I won't be able to ride it later on today as I've a late finish. Never mind, at least when I do get out I should find it even better

Have a good day folks. Early dog walk so I can sort out the car for my precious cargo

 

[Stonechat]

Ooooer.....minus 3 this morning.....ever colder than yesterday. Sky is looking lovely and clear though so a nice day ahead

Cup of tea and head out with the dog and catch the sun coming up. I find a brisk walk in the cold is much more pleasant than cycling in it. Maybe do what I did yesterday and have a wee run nearer lunchtime when it has warmed up a bit.

Your weather must catch up soon it's been relatively pleasnt lately here

Been busy lately with other matters(ground floor contents of our house was removed and take to storage), but squeezing in a ride today

ON Saturday Iam seeing the Revolution Cycling event at Lee Valley Velodrome (aka the Olympic cycling track) so the ride will have to be fitted around, one on Fri - not sure if I dare do the Sunday one too

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Ooooer.....minus 3 this morning.....ever colder than yesterday. Sky is looking lovely and clear though so a nice day ahead

Cup of tea and head out with the dog and catch the sun coming up. I find a brisk walk in the cold is much more pleasant than cycling in it. Maybe do what I did yesterday and have a wee run nearer lunchtime when it has warmed up a bit.

just wrapping up to go out in dense freezing fog here... 2 hours each way. Do I freeze for 2 hours in the hope it burns off and warms up or do I wrap up and cook when it does burn off? I hate this time of year!

 

[Mo1959]

just wrapping up to go out in dense freezing fog here... 2 hours each way. Do I freeze for 2 hours in the hope it burns off and warms up or do I wrap up and cook when it does burn off? I hate this time of year!

Yep.......that's the problem with going out early. You need to wrap up really warm to start with but if you are out any length of time and it warms up you end up boiling. Not so bad if you have your panniers right enough. You can always take something off and stow it.

My back is playing up a wee bit again so I think I will wait until it is warmer and just take the hybrid for a gentle tootle and enjoy the sun.

 

[L14M]

I need to stop slacking, get the puncture fixed an get out on some rides!! So 15 miles tonight.. I think the clipless moments have put me off !

 

[Mo1959]

I need to stop slacking, get the puncture fixed an get out on some rides!! So 15 miles tonight.. I think the clipless moments have put me off !

That's why I have stuck with flatties. My sense of balance isn't the greatest anyway so I'm pretty sure I would have had several tumbles if I had been clipless.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Yep.......that's the problem with going out early. You need to wrap up really warm to start with but if you are out any length of time and it warms up you end up boiling. Not so bad if you have your panniers right enough. You can always take something off and stow it.

My back is playing up a wee bit again so I think I will wait until it is warmer and just take the hybrid for a gentle tootle and enjoy the sun.

just resorted to ringing my mum up... cloud is burning off at her end and she can see the sun. I can't see across the 'courtyard' here, but it does look like I should cycle out of it, just a question of how soon. panniers will have a coat and leg warmers in them as a precaution though! cold leg muscles, partial paralysis and extensive scar tissue like mine don't like getting cold... but spring kit will be worn... and I will freeze for the first hour or so....

sorry to hear about your back... thankfully that seems to be the one good bit of me!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

That's why I have stuck with flatties. My sense of balance isn't the greatest anyway so I'm pretty sure I would have had several tumbles if I had been clipless.

How many times have you fallen off in the last two years Mo, seriously they are a great improvement, I was very unsure and I want say I took to them like a duck to water, but I would never go back.
I have a thinner Jacket that you can remove the sleeves thus making it a gilit quite useful as its wind proof, that along with maybe either leg warmers or 3/4 shorts, arm warmers shirt and base layer ( I rode last summer with a compression vest), should cope with any variation at this time of year.

 

[MattMM]

So finally back in the saddle after over 2 weeks out of action due to a brutal flu virus and chest infection. Decided to go with just a wee shorty, which turned out reasonably quick. Don't know if this was down to the good weather or the comprehensive bike clean, lube and fettle yesterday, but chuffed anyways given my still low energy reserves...

http://www.strava.com/activities/119945688

 

[Leescfc79]

Didn't manage to squeeze in a 50 miler before returning to work due to life getting in the way but managed 25 miles this morning, that takes me to over 100 miles in the last 5 days, after several months of wondering if I'd ever get back my enthusiasm I can safely say it's returned (I'm not going to lie, the weather is playing a huge part too).

Back to work tomorrow but I'm determined to build upon the last few days....

http://app.strava.com/activities/119952901

 

[Mo1959]

@MattMM and @Leescfc79 Well done guys. Makes it so much more pleasant in the sunshine doesn't it!

My back was a wee bit dodgy so I took my new hybrid and just meandered round some of the local back roads. Very pleasant. Just shy of 30 miles so quite pleased with that. Gave the Charge Spoon that came with the bike another go but I really don't think it's for me so must remember and swap it before I go back out again.
Couple of pics of the ride here.
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/my-picture-of-the-day-wheres-yours.117414/post-2973672

 

[Ootini]

Well I've been out for a few of my usual "lunch time ride" along a route near work. I keep doing the same route as it has a horrible off road hill on the way back that I'm trying to use to build up my fitness. It's only a 5 miler but it's convenient, great views, close to work etc.

Today I was hoping to use the sunshine to invigorate me to really master the hill, it had the opposite effect. The views were so gorgeous me and a colleague had a really slow relaxed ride taking photos at every opportunity. Either way, a ride is a ride.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2334184

It's worth noting that by taking the whole ride slightly slower and more relaxed I found the hill on the return a lot easier.