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

[BrianEvesham]

Having good lights is essential. Also another advantage is that it will lighter out and that usually means you feel better. That may be enough to get you home after long shifts.

Unfortunately. It will always be dark at 3am But on the upside I rarely see any traffic on the way home at that time.

 

[welsh dragon]

Unfortunately. It will always be dark at 3am But on the upside I rarely see any traffic on the way home at that time.

Sorry. Didnt realise that was the time you would be travelling

 

[Supersuperleeds]

It looks like I will be doing 4/5 nights a week until late summer so I am trying to get motivated to ride to work to keep the mileage up. I have never commuted on a bike before so this will be new for me.
This is the segment to work;
http://www.strava.com/activities/119012065/segments/2645735930
I know it's only 7.2 miles and getting there is no issue, it's coming home at 3am after a strenuous 10 shift in the dark (something else I have never done!) that's worrying me.
I have some better lights on the way.

My advice would be to have two rear lights on, just in case one goes off, and a couple of the T6 lights, use one and keep the other as back up. Riding in the dark is brilliant and at that time of night it should be very quiet.

Also it gets a lot colder when it gets dark, so make sure you are wrapped up especially as it is such a piddly distance and you won't be going far enough to get warmed up

 

[BrianEvesham]

Also it gets a lot colder when it gets dark, so make sure you are wrapped up especially as it is such a piddly distance and you won't be going far enough to get warmed up

I wondered who would comment on that first I could always go home via Stratford on Avon to get the miles up, now who was it on here that goes miles out of the way to get to work


Goes off to look at T6 lights.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I wondered who would comment on that first I could always go home via Stratford on Avon to get the miles up, now who was it on here that goes miles out of the way to get to work


Goes off to look at T6 lights.

If you didn't know, big thread on T6 lights here

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/lights-cree-xml-xm-l-t6-u2-etc-thread.117285/

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Supersuperleeds I wont say who started it.
@BrianEvesham, you will breeze it, as has been said very little traffic, T6 plenty enough light, not sure how to advise on clothing, because you will be going in whilst on the whole a lot warmer, legwarmers that way if its warm enough on the way in you dont have to wear them, a windproof Jacket/Gillit with arm warmers base layer shirt, should cover it.

 

[L14M]

Just went over to the bike.. Got another god damn fricken puncture, 4th so far and its only done 386miles :S
Really quite peeved atm!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Just went over to the bike.. Got another god damn fricken puncture, 4th so far and its only done 386miles :S
Really quite peeved atm!

Have a look on the tube and see where they are, I presume you do align the logo on the tyre with the valve so once you find it on the tube you have an idea where to look on the tyre, also check your rim tape, some rim type isn't so good, my tyres have been almost bomb proof since Aug, cant say the same about my front wheel though,

 

[Leescfc79]

Another 33 miles this afternoon but for some reason my garmin has me taking a quick detour to Autria and recorded over 1100 miles!?

Also had my first little accident today, pulled into a pub car park and just didn't notice it was gravel, I was only doing about 5 mph but hit the deck, only a couple of cuts and a bit of gravel rash and was more concerned about my bike (which looks fine!)

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Very nice indeed. How many bikes were on your short list before you went with the Giant?

Well my fabulous bike tech guy recommended some makes and models to try, (Giant Avail, Specialized Dolce or Roubaix and Bianchi Reparto Corse) and we did a bit of research online, went to Evans (who didn't have a single one of the right size for me to even sit on) and another Nottingham bike shop who had Trek's, but no other makes, then on Sunday we went to the Giant shop at Rutland Water and they were super-duper helpful, knowledgeable and friendly and, basically, they built it for me while we waited - an added bonus as I came home with it in the car - happy, happy, happy lady!!!

 

[welsh dragon]

Well my fabulous bike tech guy recommended some makes and models to try, (Giant Avail, Specialized Dolce or Roubaix and Bianchi Reparto Corse) and we did a bit of research online, went to Evans (who didn't have a single one of the right size for me to even sit on) and another Nottingham bike shop who had Trek's, but no other makes, then on Sunday we went to the Giant shop at Rutland Water and they were super-duper helpful, knowledgeable and friendly and, basically, they built it for me while we waited - an added bonus as I came home with it in the car - happy, happy, happy lady!!!

I am jealous.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Well my radioiodine treatment for Graves Disease (over-active thyroid) that I had early Nov' has finally kicked in.

On Friday I was declared markedly under-active on the thyroid front.

Nothing unexpected following the treatment but explains my lethargy, extreme tiredness and enormous weight gain since Xmas - not to mention some very negative thoughts in my head.

Consultant has taken me off all drugs and for first time in 4 years I have no tab's in me. Then in 4 weeks time I should begin replacement thyroxine for the rest of my days.

***

I aim to build up my cycling & hill walking slowly so am looking forward to feeling more positive about life and racking up some miles!

Best wishes. I am also in a similar boat (for a various conditions) and know if I stop taking the meds I am on, I am dead. still provided I always have the steroids handy I'm fine (my adrenal glands don't work properly and I'm a severe asthmatic as well just to add to the fun with the partial paralysis! ) On the bright side of things the occasional bad balance moment on the bike doesn't have make motorists give me loads of extra room when they overtake me ...
Just build up the miles slowly and don't worry about times or what the rest of the world does, just 'compete' with yourself and no-one else.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well another bit of good news, I checked the old rear mech on the carlton and its hanger can accept new derailleurs so that saves a fiver, however I am struggling getting one of the old B.B. shells off. Hopefully the new spoke may arrive tomorrow, I should then be able to get out.

 

[Mo1959]

Brrrrr -1 here at the moment but looks like it is going to be another lovely day. Too cold for cycling for me just now so dog walk, breakfast and maybe a short ride before lunch when it warms up.

@Nigelnaturist Hope you get your mechanicals sorted out and get back on the road soon

 

[Nigelnaturist]

You know me @Mo1959 nothing has defeated me yet (apart from the seat post on the Carleton, garage had to do that), the spoke its just a matter of changing it and tensioning it, and a very generous person on here has offered to look and see if he has something serviceable for the wheels for the project, so off the top of my head I need a B.B. left shifter chain and cables some cable clips/adjusters, tyre, tubes pedals (though I have some that will work short term) and paint (still to decide on colour) to get it rolling.
I think long term I will make it more of a touring bike, even though the base bike might be lighter than the viking.