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

[stevey]

Durano +'s installed bit of a struggle... Totalled the tyre levers just ordered some park one's, new track pump, (Pick up from ha***ds on sat) and a quick link chain release tool.

 

[Mo1959]

Durano +'s installed bit of a struggle... Totalled the tyre levers just ordered some park one's, new track pump, (Pick up from ha***ds on sat) and a quick link chain release tool.

You weakling. You need stronger thumbs!

 

[Stonechat]

I'm with you Mo. I'm struggling with hills as well, I'm not sure if this is because a) it's cold b) I had some time off the bike or c) I've avoided hills for a bit.

I may find myself doing hill repeats in the future.

Think I'll be doing the same

 

[stevey]

New tyre test they feel bullet proof, heavy? yes but suprisingly not that slow from my fastest times on the old stock tyres so overall happy

http://www.strava.com/activities/108487504

@Mo1959 Please don't tell me you put these on with your bare hands....??

 

[L14M]

New tyre test they feel bullet proof, heavy? yes but suprisingly not that slow from my fastest times on the old stock tyres so overall happy

http://www.strava.com/activities/108487504

@Mo1959 Please don't tell me you put these on with your bare hands....??

I remember my dad changing my old mtb tyres by hand..

 

[Mo1959]

New tyre test they feel bullet proof, heavy? yes but suprisingly not that slow from my fastest times on the old stock tyres so overall happy

http://www.strava.com/activities/108487504

@Mo1959 Please don't tell me you put these on with your bare hands....??

Yep. It's all in the technique. Just make sure they are well seated all the way round and when you get to the last bit roll it over almost like you are trying to push it off the far side and it plops on.

 

[Mo1959]

Brrrr.....minus one with the prospect of sleet showers starting soon. I'll just head straight out with the dog and get a walk before it comes on. Supposed to get slightly milder later but turn to rain so not sure I will get out.

 

[Naemeth]

Found a new route back from work - it's shorter and much quicker (15 minutes despite being in completely the wrong gear and missing the turn I was supposed to go for and going up cobbled streets - not much fun! I could easily make it 12 minutes). I initially avoided it because the hills are a lot steeper than the ones in my other route, but it's actually easier to do two big hills that are short than one long hill, followed by another, followed by another with not much rest in between.

My previous route took anywhere from 15 minutes+, depending on how tired I was and I was always knackered at the end. Now, with the other route, I feel like I could go out for more cycling!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

New tyre test they feel bullet proof, heavy? yes but suprisingly not that slow from my fastest times on the old stock tyres so overall happy

http://www.strava.com/activities/108487504

@Mo1959 Please don't tell me you put these on with your bare hands....??

I use tyre levers to get the tyres off, but I can put my marathon plus and winters on without using them.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Bit strange re the Scwalbes. I have 32mm Marathon Supremes and had to change a tube as the little Presta serrated 'nut' sheared off. The tyre was an absolute bitch to get back on.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Bit strange re the Scwalbes. I have 32mm Marathon Supremes and had to change a tube as the little Presta serrated 'nut' sheared off. The tyre was an absolute bitch to get back on.

First time I put a marathon plus tyre on it took me about 45 minutes, I was that knackered I had to leave the second tyre until the next day. I can do them now, in the comfort of the home, in a couple of minutes.

This video really helped: Though I don't bother with the straps

 

[Stonechat]

Did some hill work today
Up Egham Hill four different ways

Tite Hill/Middle Hill
Crimp Hill
Priest Hill
Egham Hill/Middle Hill​

Tite Hill was a bugbear of mine. I have the new bike and decided not to have a negative mental attitude - logically I had done tougher climbs and it should be well within me

It seemed nowhere near as bad - quite manageable

Was not worrying about overall speed just the hills, but set some PRs
Have done more climbing but the first time I have done 4 longer climbs in one ride

Bike is near to a good setup now, more comfortable with saddle pushed forward and bars twisted further up to get hoods in a better place.
I think half the problem is that the stem supplied by Felt can be set to different angles +8 deg, -8 deg and some more
It came set to - 8 deg, not what I want - I have downloaded some instructions from the Felt website and it does not look hard.
+ 8 and I am sure all will be well.

Not at all tired so planning another outing Sunday morning.

http://www.strava.com/activities/108611123

 

[david k]

Raining on and off today.

Feeling rubbish - I had my radio-iodine treatment for an over-active thyroid 2 months ago and my guess is that I now have either very low thyroid activity or have even gone under-active.

I am really sluggish, my body feels 'heavy' and I am feeling pretty negative at the mo'. Even walking up my (steep) drive is a bit of an effort!

Had a blood test on Monday and back at Consultants tomorrow to see if I need to start on replacement thyroxine.

Hopefully yes and then onwards and upwards!

If the weather cheers up I will be back at it on Saturday albeit I won't be over-doing things!

i has RAI about 4 years ago, i went under and obviously still am, being under was horible, at its worst i didnt have the energy to pick up a cup of coffee i had just made without making a considerable effort
gets easier with the levothyroxine though

 

[Stonechat]

Forecast tomorrow not looking so good - may leave ride until Monday
(Eidt I know I should be harder - and get used to conditions- if Lond to Brighton day was raining I would have no choice)

 

[Mo1959]

Forecast tomorrow not looking so good - may leave ride until Monday
(Eidt I know I should be harder - and get used to conditions- if Lond to Brighton day was raining I would have no choice)

It will be warm rain by then though, better than this cold stuff! I only did one of my shortest loops. Wet and windy. Just got back and dried off then got wet again taking the dog out.