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

[cyclingclueless]

hello,

ah its so good to see a discussion where by the small miles are not frowned on as "silly" etc. I really am starting from scratch for a charity ride next April and I've just done my second ride today since sign up. 9.5 miles, my first ride was last Sunday at 7.6 miles. I don't knw my speed as don't have them garmin things. I averaged with my friend 1.5-2 hours. i get the feeling thats not good time/ distance ratio tho.

i have seen others on here that are doing the same ride as me averaging 100-150 miles a week; and whilst I am striving to that, for now all I can do is this atm. small pedal strokes ... like dory said... "just keep peddling, just keep peddling!!"

is anyone else within this discussion like me starting from 0 miles (not been in the saddle since teens!)

Sam

 

[welsh dragon]

hello,

ah its so good to see a discussion where by the small miles are not frowned on as "silly" etc. I really am starting from scratch for a charity ride next April and I've just done my second ride today since sign up. 9.5 miles, my first ride was last Sunday at 7.6 miles. I don't knw my speed as don't have them garmin things. I averaged with my friend 1.5-2 hours. i get the feeling thats not good time/ distance ratio tho.

i have seen others on here that are doing the same ride as me averaging 100-150 miles a week; and whilst I am striving to that, for now all I can do is this atm. small pedal strokes ... like dory said... "just keep peddling, just keep peddling!!"

is anyone else within this discussion like me starting from 0 miles (not been in the saddle since teens!)

Sam

Dont worry about the miles. Its not important. Enjoyment is the name of the game. Just look at the posts above. Its all about fun. I'd rather cycle 10 miles and have fun than 50 miles and hate it and be bored. Welcome.

 

[Goonerobes]

hello,

ah its so good to see a discussion where by the small miles are not frowned on as "silly" etc. I really am starting from scratch for a charity ride next April and I've just done my second ride today since sign up. 9.5 miles, my first ride was last Sunday at 7.6 miles. I don't knw my speed as don't have them garmin things. I averaged with my friend 1.5-2 hours. i get the feeling thats not good time/ distance ratio tho.

i have seen others on here that are doing the same ride as me averaging 100-150 miles a week; and whilst I am striving to that, for now all I can do is this atm. small pedal strokes ... like dory said... "just keep peddling, just keep peddling!!"

is anyone else within this discussion like me starting from 0 miles (not been in the saddle since teens!)

Sam

I think we all recently started at 0 miles on this friendly thread. Two years ago I was doing 7-8 miles once or twice a week now its 30-70 miles two or three times a week, just keep at it & remember no matter how little you do make sure you enjoy it.

 

[Eribiste]

hello,

ah its so good to see a discussion where by the small miles are not frowned on as "silly" etc. I really am starting from scratch for a charity ride next April and I've just done my second ride today since sign up. 9.5 miles, my first ride was last Sunday at 7.6 miles. I don't knw my speed as don't have them garmin things. I averaged with my friend 1.5-2 hours. i get the feeling thats not good time/ distance ratio tho.

i have seen others on here that are doing the same ride as me averaging 100-150 miles a week; and whilst I am striving to that, for now all I can do is this atm. small pedal strokes ... like dory said... "just keep peddling, just keep peddling!!"

is anyone else within this discussion like me starting from 0 miles (not been in the saddle since teens!)

Sam

I think you'll find that most of the contributors to this thread started off as you have, including the old crusty ones like me. I started off about three years ago, when a four mile trip was an epic journey. The first long single ride I did was a 25 mile ride for St John's Ambulance, and I remember the last three miles feeling like a near death experience! Now I frequently commute to work, 13 miles each way and do four or five organised 60 milers each year. I'm psyching myself up for my first 100 miler, sometime next spring. All done because I enjoy it.

 

[Stonechat]

Well I started at 0 a bit before I joined Cyclechat
That was last year, first bike was Feb last year,
Only by June did I start doing beyond 6 miles
Then the bug bit and the rest is history

 

[Nomadski]

hello,

ah its so good to see a discussion where by the small miles are not frowned on as "silly" etc. I really am starting from scratch for a charity ride next April and I've just done my second ride today since sign up. 9.5 miles, my first ride was last Sunday at 7.6 miles. I don't knw my speed as don't have them garmin things. I averaged with my friend 1.5-2 hours. i get the feeling thats not good time/ distance ratio tho.

i have seen others on here that are doing the same ride as me averaging 100-150 miles a week; and whilst I am striving to that, for now all I can do is this atm. small pedal strokes ... like dory said... "just keep peddling, just keep peddling!!"

is anyone else within this discussion like me starting from 0 miles (not been in the saddle since teens!)

Sam

I was the same two years ago, actually buying a bike for the first time in decades and giving up the smokes. First ride on the new bike was an epic 4.7 mile loop that took me 20 minutes and about 3 times that to stop heavy breathing like a lunatic while I drank 2 pints of water with a towel round my neck like a pro...

If you read the last few pages you will actually find even some of the more experienced riders limit their mileage to whatever distance they find enjoyable.

As you ride more your tolerance for greater distances and speeds will naturally increase, mostly without you really noticing it. You will find a distance or a goal that you find enjoyable.

What I find great about cycling is even when you ease back on it (im doing 1 ride a week max as opposed to 3 last year prior to RideLondon) it doesn't take long to get back some of what you gained over a longer period.

Best advice I can give is only use any stat to compare against yourself. Don't compete against others unless you get really good, as there will always be those faster / younger / more time on their hands / less hills to do. Be your own nemesis, track your distances and speeds you do, and let a wry smile come across your face when you notice your improvement over time.

Oh, and enjoy it.

 

[Justinslow]

hello,

ah its so good to see a discussion where by the small miles are not frowned on as "silly" etc. I really am starting from scratch for a charity ride next April and I've just done my second ride today since sign up. 9.5 miles, my first ride was last Sunday at 7.6 miles. I don't knw my speed as don't have them garmin things. I averaged with my friend 1.5-2 hours. i get the feeling thats not good time/ distance ratio tho.

i have seen others on here that are doing the same ride as me averaging 100-150 miles a week; and whilst I am striving to that, for now all I can do is this atm. small pedal strokes ... like dory said... "just keep peddling, just keep peddling!!"

is anyone else within this discussion like me starting from 0 miles (not been in the saddle since teens!)

Sam

^^^^^^ What they said, start small and if you enjoy it your body will become fitter and stronger the more regular you go out, it doesn't have to be loads of miles! I find if I pick a circular route near my home it's surprising how far the ride can be without actually thinking its a long way (so you kind of do a loop not just going out and coming back on the same road). Most of us use "Strava" which is a free App on a smart phone that can track your ride via GPS it's very handy to record distances etc, so that you don't actually need an expensive bike computer, I don't have one and don't really see the need for one yet.

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

I started doing 6 miles a few times a week and maybe 15 to 20 on a week end, now I that my fitness level is up a fair bit I tend to go harder and further with anything between 20 and 40 miles after work with maybe 60 to 70 on a Sunday and I love it, my average speed is up to 17 mph over a 40 mile distance and I hope with some harder training I can get up to 20 mph.

 

[dee.jay]

Am into double figures within two weeks of riding again Really enjoying it and looking forward to finding more routes to go cycle on

 

[morrisman]

Day 4 of my no-bicycling family holiday in Suffolk, I want my bike and I want it NOW!

 

[Justinslow]

Day 4 of my no-bicycling family holiday in Suffolk, I want my bike and I want it NOW!

At least you've got lovely weather! My neck of the woods, where are you?

 

[morrisman]

At least you've got lovely weather! My neck of the woods, where are you?

Wangford, beautiful day yesterday. Currently at Snape Maltings.

 

[Justinslow]

Oh ok, very nice, Aldborough, southwold, East Suffolk, I'm around the Lavenham area more west Suffolk. My ride on Sunday was all through Constable country- Dedham valley etc, but it was foggy Typical back to work and it turns out lovely.

 

[Steady]

The StartCycles Scott lycra shorts I bought when I first started back in March on sale are now starting to go loose around my waist to the point I'm getting self concious and having to check they're covering what they're supposed to! I'm not quite sure I could fit size 14 shorts yet but pleased they're loose.

Though funny enough, the Aldi lycra shorts from June have faired better than the Scott which I assumed would be better quality but went knobbly/bobbly where as the Aldi ones are perfect still, and fortunately have a draw string waist to keep them in a better place so Aldi special are now my favourite set of shorts.

 

[Coggy]

My mate did that one aswell, rode to and from also, totalling 88 miles, asked me if I wanted to go but I thought it was a bit much too soon as they are a bit fast! I ended up doing 61 miles on my own elsewhere (as mentioned before) @16.4mph, but definitely gonna do an organised run soon. Two options near to me are late September Dedham ride and early October Ipswich. Oh and legs are a tad stiff today!

I signed up to the Ipswich Cycle Swarm 50 Miler yesterday. What is this Dedham ride you speak of ? Might be interested in that.

I really have enjoyed the two organised rides I have participated in so far. It's nice to ride in a group, meet others and also you discover that you really are starting to do quite well when you start overtaking people who at the start you thought to yourself "this lot all look very experienced and professional".