Show us your.......newbie progress!

[Elswick Cotterpin]

Eleven miles yesterday, but I was in good company, six or seven female members of the Great Britain cycling team breezed past me with a team car following. They didn't speak but I expect they were trying to catch their breath after chasing me down!

 

[nobbyp]

Short of time this weekend but squeezed a 30 miler in

https://www.strava.com/activities/257783310

Bit blustery and was waiting in vain for the headwind to turn into a tailwind on the turn for home. Couple of slightly hairy side wind moments at the top but all good

 

[sutts]

I went to Fuerteventura a couple of weeks ago. I hired a mountain bike with tyres big enough to put on a tractor...now considering that it was horrendously windy all of the time and quite cold, I managed to do 385 miles in 4 days of cycling. This was great really, 'cos there is nothing on that island to do at all. I really disliked the place, never again, but at least it boosted my year-to-date total...and gave me my 1st and 2nd 100 mile rides (and probably my last). The wind was atrocious, I battled and battled a head wind for almost 30 miles, only to turn around and it was still a head wind, sure of it!

 

[Justinslow]

That's a lot of miles on a slow bike!

 

[sutts]

That's a lot of miles on a slow bike!

Yes, it really was! I have put in a lot of miles since starting two years ago and it made it possible. I remember having jelly-legs after doing 15 miles when I started...seems impossible now! I'm not quick, too old to be quick, but I do have a great deal of stamina, I suppose. I'm really proud of what I have achieved, as an ex 50 a day smoker who gave up in 2000, this is a new lease of life and it has given me an improved outlook too. I just feel generally happier...unless of course I can't get out then I feel all guilty!!

 

[Justinslow]

Yes, it really was! I have put in a lot of miles since starting two years ago and it made it possible. I remember having jelly-legs after doing 15 miles when I started...seems impossible now! I'm not quick, too old to be quick, but I do have a great deal of stamina, I suppose. I'm really proud of what I have achieved, as an ex 50 a day smoker who gave up in 2000, this is a new lease of life and it has given me an improved outlook too. I just feel generally happier...unless of course I can't get out then I feel all guilty!!

Do you get out often in this country then? I want to get out more but I'm not really interested in freezing dark salt encrusted roads! It limits my saddle time no end, roll on the spring.
Top job though, kudos to you, proving it can be done, who would have thought it possible when you were puffing 50 a day (and omg the cost of all those fags)

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I went to Fuerteventura a couple of weeks ago. I hired a mountain bike with tyres big enough to put on a tractor...now considering that it was horrendously windy all of the time and quite cold, I managed to do 385 miles in 4 days of cycling. This was great really, 'cos there is nothing on that island to do at all. I really disliked the place, never again, but at least it boosted my year-to-date total...and gave me my 1st and 2nd 100 mile rides (and probably my last). The wind was atrocious, I battled and battled a head wind for almost 30 miles, only to turn around and it was still a head wind, sure of it!

I don't know, quite a sort after naturist/nudist place I believe.

 

[sutts]

Do you get out often in this country then? I want to get out more but I'm not really interested in freezing dark salt encrusted roads! It limits my saddle time no end, roll on the spring.
Top job though, kudos to you, proving it can be done, who would have thought it possible when you were puffing 50 a day (and omg the cost of all those fags)

Yes, to be fair, I get out a lot. I'm lucky (debatable!) that I work 12 hour shifts, so get plenty of time off (same hours a year, just that we work a day and a half every time we go in). I have failed twice to get 9000 miles in a year, achieving 8700 in my first year (got the flu in the last few weeks) and 8300 in the second (broke finger on bike, had to have surgery to repair it). This year, I am hoping to get it...and hoping to do much less next year, 'cos, its hard work (as we all know). I'm on 1409 year to date, so I am on course.

 

[sutts]

I don't know, quite a sort after naturist/nudist place I believe.

Oh! Not my thing Nigel..but it was too cold anyway...and we all know what happens in the cold!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Oh! Not my thing Nigel..but it was too cold anyway...and we all know what happens in the cold!

Doesn't bother a true naturist

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Pretty ropey out there - the four black horses in the field that abuts our back garden have turned an interesting shade of white-grey in the sleet and hail.

Mrs SD has been out with carrots to 'cheer them up'!


Oh; forgot to mention - no pedaling today!

 

[Stonechat]

Did another ride
Managed to fit in a little before my Chertsey visit
21.57 miles @ 16.2 mph
600 feet climbed

It was drizzling when I started
Got to Chertsey a bit mucky
Nice ride though

I am showing an increase in speed though it is a bit illusory as I am only doing short rides and no hill repeats!

Need to adjust tension on gear cables
Bike mucky too
https://www.strava.com/activities/259650260

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Squeezed a very short ride in 8.59 miles / 12.47 mph av' / 543' elevation gain.

Very windy and cold - I was pretty slow going against the wind and didn't seem to gain much when coming back (psychological thing I'm sure).

5 long sections of flooded lane - one almost at bottom bracket height for about 40m.

Bike looks a mess and can have a scrub-up at the weekend

 

[Stonechat]

Having done one job at home and accrued some brownie points, the weather looked good, a birthday card to be delivered (birthday today)
So donned my SHORTS! and did a little ride.

Couldn't remember the 'cycle route', but found it, not as good as I remembered
Had not got my overshoes on and went through some puddles and mud and with the loose gravel could not make such good time.
Returned with a diversion around Colnbrook

GLorious sunny day and legs had their first airing of 2015

Considering the slow part very please with average speed of 16.3 mph
16.12 miles done and 200 odd feet

https://www.strava.com/activities/260539936

 

[Steady]

Got up early this morning with the intention of taking advantage of the becoming early sunrises, got my cycling gear on only to find it was drizzling set to turn to rain, being a fair weather cyclist I did for a split moment think about ditching the ride but I was dressed and went along with a "sod it!" mindset and did a quick spin. I'm finding it much easier to clip in now, not getting half way to the next junction/unclip point before I get clipped in, it's almost instant.

The rain's killed my planet x rear light though, should have seen that coming from the reviews but oh well, maybe it'll dry out.

https://www.strava.com/activities/260812639