Getting quicker, now under 20 minutes both ways and I go up both hills without stopping. Yes I might be in the lowest gear by the top but it doesn't matter. Even riding into the bit of wind we had yesterday, I still did it in 19 minutes. Yay!
Show us your.......newbie progress!
- Thread starter Nigelnaturist
- Start date
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Rustybucket
Veteran
- Location
- South Coast
Ive nearly had 2 weeks off of the bike - Im getting withdrawal symptoms! Hopefully ride into work tomorrow!!!!
Nomadski
I Like Bikes
- Location
- LBS, Usually
@Berk on a Bike - Great bike dude, congrats! personally would lose the white tape but I'm sure it will last at least a few months ;S Super jealous of your rig though, its a cracker.
Despite my lack of serious riding this year, I do have a few things coming up so I need to get jiggy with it a little more.
Went out yesterday intending to do my 61 mile flatish route I had basically Frankensteined from other peoples rides.
Was also trying out a new Sony Action Camera from work (AS200V) on my head, which may not have been the best idea, given the jump in miles I was attempting!
Weather was dry, with the occasional outbreak of sun, and at times a little blustery 14mph wind. Nothing like the heatwave day before when I was stuck indoors on a late shift!
Everything was pretty smooth during the known part of my route, and hit Bushy Park for the first time and it was a lot nicer than I expected, with loads of deer, a large fountain roundabout and nice smooth road.
Had a few wrong turns at some busier sections of road, but was a pretty decent ride through to Staines where I noticed my average speed was in the 18.7mph range, pretty much warp speed for me!
As I headed through Virginia Water, I began to notice shifting issues again. Clicking up a gear wasn't doing anything from about the 4th cassette ring (from the smallest) to the 5th cassette, but then clicking again would jump two rings. I could then click down one to get to that 5th cassette, but it was a right pain, and something I had to put up with for the remaining 35 odd miles.
Worse still, my planned stop at the Old School Cafe on Longcross Road was abruptly stopped when I got there and it was shut!
Carried on the route and went through Chobham Common.
And it was going through Chobham at the 35 mile point, I started to really feel tiredness in my left leg creep in. I tried to start taking more water, but I was also aware that with no cafe open, I was running a little lower on water than I would have liked with half distance still to go.
Continuing through Send (which is a thing) my lack of checking the route I had frankensteined bit me back a little, as a tracked road seemed almost certainly to be a private one, mostly uphill, and in dire need of pothole management. I skirted through this bit as quick as I could, fearing Tony martin esque repercussions on my encroachment. Appearing on the other side, my next "street" was one fit for other types of bike, not mine! So had a wee stop and figured out the best way around it that didn't involve 4x4 wheels.
Just south on Ripley Lane I saw a couple of locals chatting outside, and I cheekily asked for a refill, to which they very kindly obliged. Yay for West Horsley locals!!
It was also shortly after that while standing at a junction checking out the route and distance to go, I was approached by a man who was either very eccentric, or quite mad, or possibly a mix. Sadly my camera had sadly died long ago so didn't get the meeting on record, but it did leave a smile on my face, and he eventually wandered off to either his mansion, or his skip.
Won't tell a lie, the last 20 miles or so were uncomfortable. But at least the sun kept shining, and it was decently warm enough. I eventually got to Raynes Park and realised with just a couple more miles (or maybe 5 to make sure no shenanigans took place) I could have just my 5th metric century.
So I detoured to Wimbledon, then did a wee lap of my local block, getting a couple of sneaky PBs in right at the end. Who says tiredness is mind over matter?
I WAS royally knackered by the end though. I truly have NO idea how I used to do this so comfortably 2 years ago, or how many people on here do this distance (and far greater) several times a week! I have learned I have many more miles to ride before I can take on Velothon Wales though - the thought of doing Caerphilly mountain at the point I finished (and having already done The Tumble midway) is brain numbing right now!
Oh and the distance, tiredness and back to London traffic meant my average speed dropped to 14.5mph, but happy enough with that.
I undid all the hard work 2 hours later with a large pizza and a pint.
I would have liked to have posted the video footage here with this post, but alas Youtube doesn't seem to want to publish my video at 60fps even though that is exactly what it is. Maybe when I sort it, will post.
https://app.strava.com/activities/290710240
Despite my lack of serious riding this year, I do have a few things coming up so I need to get jiggy with it a little more.
Went out yesterday intending to do my 61 mile flatish route I had basically Frankensteined from other peoples rides.
Was also trying out a new Sony Action Camera from work (AS200V) on my head, which may not have been the best idea, given the jump in miles I was attempting!
Weather was dry, with the occasional outbreak of sun, and at times a little blustery 14mph wind. Nothing like the heatwave day before when I was stuck indoors on a late shift!
Everything was pretty smooth during the known part of my route, and hit Bushy Park for the first time and it was a lot nicer than I expected, with loads of deer, a large fountain roundabout and nice smooth road.
Had a few wrong turns at some busier sections of road, but was a pretty decent ride through to Staines where I noticed my average speed was in the 18.7mph range, pretty much warp speed for me!
As I headed through Virginia Water, I began to notice shifting issues again. Clicking up a gear wasn't doing anything from about the 4th cassette ring (from the smallest) to the 5th cassette, but then clicking again would jump two rings. I could then click down one to get to that 5th cassette, but it was a right pain, and something I had to put up with for the remaining 35 odd miles.
Worse still, my planned stop at the Old School Cafe on Longcross Road was abruptly stopped when I got there and it was shut!
Carried on the route and went through Chobham Common.
And it was going through Chobham at the 35 mile point, I started to really feel tiredness in my left leg creep in. I tried to start taking more water, but I was also aware that with no cafe open, I was running a little lower on water than I would have liked with half distance still to go.
Continuing through Send (which is a thing) my lack of checking the route I had frankensteined bit me back a little, as a tracked road seemed almost certainly to be a private one, mostly uphill, and in dire need of pothole management. I skirted through this bit as quick as I could, fearing Tony martin esque repercussions on my encroachment. Appearing on the other side, my next "street" was one fit for other types of bike, not mine! So had a wee stop and figured out the best way around it that didn't involve 4x4 wheels.
Just south on Ripley Lane I saw a couple of locals chatting outside, and I cheekily asked for a refill, to which they very kindly obliged. Yay for West Horsley locals!!
It was also shortly after that while standing at a junction checking out the route and distance to go, I was approached by a man who was either very eccentric, or quite mad, or possibly a mix. Sadly my camera had sadly died long ago so didn't get the meeting on record, but it did leave a smile on my face, and he eventually wandered off to either his mansion, or his skip.
Won't tell a lie, the last 20 miles or so were uncomfortable. But at least the sun kept shining, and it was decently warm enough. I eventually got to Raynes Park and realised with just a couple more miles (or maybe 5 to make sure no shenanigans took place) I could have just my 5th metric century.
So I detoured to Wimbledon, then did a wee lap of my local block, getting a couple of sneaky PBs in right at the end. Who says tiredness is mind over matter?
I WAS royally knackered by the end though. I truly have NO idea how I used to do this so comfortably 2 years ago, or how many people on here do this distance (and far greater) several times a week! I have learned I have many more miles to ride before I can take on Velothon Wales though - the thought of doing Caerphilly mountain at the point I finished (and having already done The Tumble midway) is brain numbing right now!
Oh and the distance, tiredness and back to London traffic meant my average speed dropped to 14.5mph, but happy enough with that.
I undid all the hard work 2 hours later with a large pizza and a pint.
I would have liked to have posted the video footage here with this post, but alas Youtube doesn't seem to want to publish my video at 60fps even though that is exactly what it is. Maybe when I sort it, will post.
https://app.strava.com/activities/290710240
Last edited:
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
You will have cycled passed or potentially even through my old work place when you did Chobham Common. Is the old base still there? It's so long since I last went that way.@Berk on a Bike - Great bike dude, congrats! personally would lose the white tape but I'm sure it will last at least a few months ;S Super jealous of your rig though, its a cracker.
Despite my lack of serious riding this year, I do have a few things coming up so I need to get jiggy with it a little more.
Went out yesterday intending to do my 61 mile flatish route I had basically Frankensteined from other peoples rides.
Was also trying out a new Sony Action Camera from work (AS200V) on my head, which may not have been the best idea, given the jump in miles I was attempting!
Weather was dry, with the occasional outbreak of sun, and at times a little blustery 14mph wind. Nothing like the heatwave day before when I was stuck indoors on a late shift!
Everything was pretty smooth during the known part of my route, and hit Bushy Park for the first time and it was a lot nicer than I expected, with loads of deer, a large fountain roundabout and nice smooth road.
Had a few wrong turns at some busier sections of road, but was a pretty decent ride through to Staines where I noticed my average speed was in the 18.7mph range, pretty much warp speed for me!
As I headed through Virginia Water, I began to notice shifting issues again. Clicking up a gear wasn't doing anything from about the 4th cassette ring (from the smallest) to the 5th cassette, but then clicking again would jump two rings. I could then click down one to get to that 5th cassette, but it was a right pain, and something I had to put up with for the remaining 35 odd miles.
Worse still, my planned stop at the Old School Cafe on Longcross Road was abruptly stopped when I got there and it was shut!
Carried on the route and went through Chobham Common.
And it was going through Chobham at the 35 mile point, I started to really feel tiredness in my left leg creep in. I tried to start taking more water, but I was also aware that with no cafe open, I was running a little lower on water than I would have liked with half distance still to go.
Continuing through Send (which is a thing) my lack of checking the route I had frankensteined bit me back a little, as a tracked road seemed almost certainly to be a private one, mostly uphill, and in dire need of pothole management. I skirted through this bit as quick as I could, fearing Tony martin esque repercussions on my encroachment. Appearing on the other side, my next "street" was one fit for other types of bike, not mine! So had a wee stop and figured out the best way around it that didn't involve 4x4 wheels.
Just south on Ripley Lane I saw a couple of locals chatting outside, and I cheekily asked for a refill, to which they very kindly obliged. Yay for West Horsley locals!!
It was also shortly after that while standing at a junction checking out the route and distance to go, I was approached by a man who was either very eccentric, or quite mad, or possibly a mix. Sadly my camera had sadly died long ago so didn't get the meeting on record, but it did leave a smile on my face, and he eventually wandered off to either his mansion, or his skip.
Won't tell a lie, the last 20 miles or so were uncomfortable. But at least the sun kept shining, and it was decently warm enough. I eventually got to Raynes Park and realised with just a couple more miles (or maybe 5 to make sure no shenanigans took place) I could have just my 5th metric century.
So I detoured to Wimbledon, then did a wee lap of my local block, getting a couple of sneaky PBs in right at the end. Who says tiredness is mind over matter?
I WAS royally knackered by the end though. I truly have NO idea how I used to do this so comfortably 2 years ago, or how many people on here do this distance (and far greater) several times a week! I have learned I have many more miles to ride before I can take on Velothon Wales though - the thought of doing Caerphilly mountain at the point I finished (and having already done The Tumble midway) is brain numbing right now!
Oh and the distance, tiredness and back to London traffic meant my average speed dropped to 14.5mph, but happy enough with that.
I undid all the hard work 2 hours later with a large pizza and a pint.
I would have liked to have posted the video footage here with this post, but alas Youtube doesn't seem to want to publish my video at 60fps even though that is exactly what it is. Maybe when I sort it, will post.
https://app.strava.com/activities/290710240
Congrats on a metric century.
Berk on a Bike
Veteran
- Location
- Yorkshire
Cheers, mate. I hear you re the bar tape. Was almost a deal-breaker (but not quite).
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Are you talking the tank armour place? If so it hsa been redeveloped as Longcross Studios!!!
I frequently pass that area
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
Yep - it was MOD Chertsey. I worked on both sides of the M3... Longcross Barracks and MOD Chertesy - we had a walkway under the M3. There were talks about removing the entire site MOD Chertsey site to return it to the common (as was part of the original requirement when it was first developed.) They were never going to be able to get rid of the other side though with the barracks, officers mess and the test track.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
I'm glad the good weather held out until today for me, although not as glorious as other mornings which have had me in envy, it was pretty nice this morning.
Setting off immediately I ran into the aftermath of bad luck from another cyclist, if the two items were connected that cyclist must have had a horrible time. First there was a nice sliver (and clean) unlinked, and then further up a saddle with the rails completely gone, maybe they're not connected but neither really makes either sense. Had me wondering whether a thief had gone to extreme measures to get a bike, but that doesn't make sense either.
Bit of an adventurous morning, new route for me.
https://www.strava.com/activities/292032515
Setting off immediately I ran into the aftermath of bad luck from another cyclist, if the two items were connected that cyclist must have had a horrible time. First there was a nice sliver (and clean) unlinked, and then further up a saddle with the rails completely gone, maybe they're not connected but neither really makes either sense. Had me wondering whether a thief had gone to extreme measures to get a bike, but that doesn't make sense either.
Bit of an adventurous morning, new route for me.
https://www.strava.com/activities/292032515
Nomadski
I Like Bikes
- Location
- LBS, Usually
I didn't really see much there bar when I stopped for the photo, but then by that point the shouting at the legs and the gearing had started so.
Cheers, mate. I hear you re the bar tape. Was almost a deal-breaker (but not quite).
Ah getting new bar tape is no biggie, certainly no way to decide about a bike! It looks fab.
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Well , Ups and Downs Sportive 80 miler tomorrow with over 5000 ft of climbing
Have preregistered, so good to go tomorrow. Compared with 100 miler it's got all the main hills. After 70 milles I will hit Leigh Hill and White Down (18%).
Forecast is looking better than before.
Was checking over the bike and found a big cut in rear tyre, which has now been replaced.
Should be OK
Have preregistered, so good to go tomorrow. Compared with 100 miler it's got all the main hills. After 70 milles I will hit Leigh Hill and White Down (18%).
Forecast is looking better than before.
Was checking over the bike and found a big cut in rear tyre, which has now been replaced.
Should be OK
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Tankengine
Active Member
Nice rides from everyone 
Nearly didn't go today after seeing the forecast but chanced it and glad I did. About 68 miles at 1350m total assent. Quite tired so pretty slow effort. As I was grinding up a hill, front wheel lifting and weaving all over the place a guy cycling down in opposite direction yelled some encouragement which was nice (and got me up the hill!). Also met a guy early on with a puncture so gave him a spare and we rode together for a little bit. I love how easy it is to interact on bikes. I have aspergers and suck at small talk in any other area of life but I can handle cyclist social interaction much better
Nearly didn't go today after seeing the forecast but chanced it and glad I did. About 68 miles at 1350m total assent. Quite tired so pretty slow effort. As I was grinding up a hill, front wheel lifting and weaving all over the place a guy cycling down in opposite direction yelled some encouragement which was nice (and got me up the hill!). Also met a guy early on with a puncture so gave him a spare and we rode together for a little bit. I love how easy it is to interact on bikes. I have aspergers and suck at small talk in any other area of life but I can handle cyclist social interaction much better
Tankengine
Active Member
Good luck! Hope you get some good weather for it
