Show us your.......newbie progress!
- Thread starter Nigelnaturist
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Got out this afternoon, rode tound a loop through Frimley, Deepcut, Pirbright and accidentally hit central Woking
A bit of iffy navigation so was 38.9 miles instead of over 40
17.2 mph average and 1050 feet climbed.
So pleased with that - the ride was pleasant nice country lanes with some hilly bits
Saw few cyclists around
http://www.strava.com/activities/363370640
A bit of iffy navigation so was 38.9 miles instead of over 40
17.2 mph average and 1050 feet climbed.
So pleased with that - the ride was pleasant nice country lanes with some hilly bits
Saw few cyclists around
http://www.strava.com/activities/363370640
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
I can observe that I felt better today than Weds. Not that I felt off on Weds butfelt I pushed hard and not quite as good as I hoped
There may have been one reason. Tuesday I painted the wall in the conservatory, and there was lots of bending down. Legs were aching.
Also Weds was a bit thrown off as was getting false HR readings. Having washed the strp, readings were back to normal again today.
Not that I need HR, but if I am pushing sometimes it's only when you see the HR you know you are not pushing as hard as you can.
Usually happens when there is a wind. Contrast today felt really good and did not feel I pushed that hard, Yet got (a tad under) 40 miles at 17 mph.
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Sunday Club Run with the Hounslow and District Wheelers
Change of plan, it went to Seale tea rooms
Due to good turnout went in fron group, which may have been the faster one
49.79 miles at an amazing for me 18.0 mph
1503 feet climbed
Just getting a bit warm at the end
https://www.strava.com/activities/364931844
Good workout
Sitting at table with people who had done Galibier, Alpe d'Huez etc!
Change of plan, it went to Seale tea rooms
Due to good turnout went in fron group, which may have been the faster one
49.79 miles at an amazing for me 18.0 mph
1503 feet climbed
Just getting a bit warm at the end
https://www.strava.com/activities/364931844
Good workout
Sitting at table with people who had done Galibier, Alpe d'Huez etc!
Nomadski
I Like Bikes
- Location
- LBS, Usually
Bit late on the Waspgate report, but had to trek up and back to Manchester so.
Me and @themosquitoking went off on Friday to venture forth towards Leith Hill so I could do the much talked about White Downs. We went via the hilly How Lane (only 0.6 miles but 7% average), and down to Beare Green where we got liquid refreshment, and I had a wasp which crawled down my top and promptly stung my neck... Other wasps took this as an invitation for a frontal assault and I spent the next ten minutes Ned Flandering my arms around trying to defend my soul, with Matt looking bemused and amused in equal measure.
With the power of WASP inside me we powered on, the tower of Leith Hill looming far away in the distance, but getting ever closer.
Then onto the hill where a chap in a yellow fluorescent jacket warned us they were doing work, but wouldn't stop us going up there. The whole road had loose chippings which made for some hilarity in climbing it as the rear wheel spun like crazy and straight lines were in our dreams. That said Matt was storming ahead, clearly in 4x4 mode and looked good to better our PB's up there.
That was until 100 metres from the summit, when another road blockage and a guy warning us the whole road had the same surface. Not fancying a Leith Hill downhill on loose chippings we decided to head down Coldharbour Lane instead (my first time).
Blimey that was a steep descent! I've never gone up Coldharbour Lane, not sure I want to!
In keeping with today, our normal route out from Dorking to the A24 had yet more loose chippings, clearly they had waited till after RideLondon to do some work!
As we hit Box Hill we both agreed we werent going for a time, so cruised the first section. About halfway to the first switchback Matt said he had nothing in his legs, and for some reason this spurred me on to having a go at our time, feeling fresh! I have no idea why this psychology happened...
I put every effort into the hill, I knew I was going at a decent (for me) pace as I was actually catching and passing folk, and I looked behind where I had dropped Matt. As it turned out I did a PB of 9.28, and was left with the feeling of what could have been had I put the pace down from the start... Anyway, Matt arrived a bit later looking like he'd just been out for a Sunday stroll...
Some tea and more wasps decided they wanted to sit on my man parts / buzz me for shoots n giggles / generally make me Ned Flanders around again. I hate wasps, they are mean.
(For the record I did kill one, so as far as I'm concerned, it was Humans 1 : Wasps 1, a score draw).
And then rode home. Still haven't done White Downs, but did see what Coldharbour Lane was all about!
https://www.strava.com/activities/363516466/
Me and @themosquitoking went off on Friday to venture forth towards Leith Hill so I could do the much talked about White Downs. We went via the hilly How Lane (only 0.6 miles but 7% average), and down to Beare Green where we got liquid refreshment, and I had a wasp which crawled down my top and promptly stung my neck... Other wasps took this as an invitation for a frontal assault and I spent the next ten minutes Ned Flandering my arms around trying to defend my soul, with Matt looking bemused and amused in equal measure.
With the power of WASP inside me we powered on, the tower of Leith Hill looming far away in the distance, but getting ever closer.
Then onto the hill where a chap in a yellow fluorescent jacket warned us they were doing work, but wouldn't stop us going up there. The whole road had loose chippings which made for some hilarity in climbing it as the rear wheel spun like crazy and straight lines were in our dreams. That said Matt was storming ahead, clearly in 4x4 mode and looked good to better our PB's up there.
That was until 100 metres from the summit, when another road blockage and a guy warning us the whole road had the same surface. Not fancying a Leith Hill downhill on loose chippings we decided to head down Coldharbour Lane instead (my first time).
Blimey that was a steep descent! I've never gone up Coldharbour Lane, not sure I want to!
In keeping with today, our normal route out from Dorking to the A24 had yet more loose chippings, clearly they had waited till after RideLondon to do some work!
As we hit Box Hill we both agreed we werent going for a time, so cruised the first section. About halfway to the first switchback Matt said he had nothing in his legs, and for some reason this spurred me on to having a go at our time, feeling fresh! I have no idea why this psychology happened...
I put every effort into the hill, I knew I was going at a decent (for me) pace as I was actually catching and passing folk, and I looked behind where I had dropped Matt. As it turned out I did a PB of 9.28, and was left with the feeling of what could have been had I put the pace down from the start... Anyway, Matt arrived a bit later looking like he'd just been out for a Sunday stroll...
Some tea and more wasps decided they wanted to sit on my man parts / buzz me for shoots n giggles / generally make me Ned Flanders around again. I hate wasps, they are mean.
(For the record I did kill one, so as far as I'm concerned, it was Humans 1 : Wasps 1, a score draw).
And then rode home. Still haven't done White Downs, but did see what Coldharbour Lane was all about!
https://www.strava.com/activities/363516466/
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Well done @NomadskiBit late on the Waspgate report, but had to trek up and back to Manchester so.
Me and @themosquitoking went off on Friday to venture forth towards Leith Hill so I could do the much talked about White Downs. We went via the hilly How Lane (only 0.6 miles but 7% average), and down to Beare Green where we got liquid refreshment, and I had a wasp which crawled down my top and promptly stung my neck... Other wasps took this as an invitation for a frontal assault and I spent the next ten minutes Ned Flandering my arms around trying to defend my soul, with Matt looking bemused and amused in equal measure.
With the power of WASP inside me we powered on, the tower of Leith Hill looming far away in the distance, but getting ever closer.
Then onto the hill where a chap in a yellow fluorescent jacket warned us they were doing work, but wouldn't stop us going up there. The whole road had loose chippings which made for some hilarity in climbing it as the rear wheel spun like crazy and straight lines were in our dreams. That said Matt was storming ahead, clearly in 4x4 mode and looked good to better our PB's up there.
That was until 100 metres from the summit, when another road blockage and a guy warning us the whole road had the same surface. Not fancying a Leith Hill downhill on loose chippings we decided to head down Coldharbour Lane instead (my first time).
Blimey that was a steep descent! I've never gone up Coldharbour Lane, not sure I want to!
In keeping with today, our normal route out from Dorking to the A24 had yet more loose chippings, clearly they had waited till after RideLondon to do some work!
As we hit Box Hill we both agreed we werent going for a time, so cruised the first section. About halfway to the first switchback Matt said he had nothing in his legs, and for some reason this spurred me on to having a go at our time, feeling fresh! I have no idea why this psychology happened...
I put every effort into the hill, I knew I was going at a decent (for me) pace as I was actually catching and passing folk, and I looked behind where I had dropped Matt. As it turned out I did a PB of 9.28, and was left with the feeling of what could have been had I put the pace down from the start... Anyway, Matt arrived a bit later looking like he'd just been out for a Sunday stroll...
Some tea and more wasps decided they wanted to sit on my man parts / buzz me for shoots n giggles / generally make me Ned Flanders around again. I hate wasps, they are mean.
(For the record I did kill one, so as far as I'm concerned, it was Humans 1 : Wasps 1, a score draw).
And then rode home. Still haven't done White Downs, but did see what Coldharbour Lane was all about!
https://www.strava.com/activities/363516466/
Yes Coldharbour lane is a hard ascent - it seems to go on for a long time and has several false summits.
White Down is an evil b###er but is is cycleable - I even managed it after 75 miles in the ups and down sportives
Last edited:
nobbyp
Well-Known Member
Thanks Nomadski - was an awesome ride and for some unknown and delightful reason my legs just kept going and going
I got some really nice pics of the road - its an amazing bit of tarmac (recently been resurfaced on the section from Formentor beach to the lighthouse at the cap - its only really surpassed by the Sa Colabra road both of which were unfortunately on the iphone that I dropped in the sink last night - they dont swim very well it seems
Anyway highlights / lessons of 2 weeks in Majorca
1 Sa Colabra - pictures dont do this road justice - it is just bonkers plain and simple - 12 km of insane road leading to the tiniest little hamlet at the bottom with a stunning cove /beach. You have just got to love the plain madness of the decision to build this road.
To anyone who doesnt know it you have to ride all the way down it first so you find yourself plunging ever further down hill wondering if you'll ever manage to get back up again and why you are doing it - then when you get back trying to explain why you've done it to your non-cycling family is as challenging as the ride itself - "because its there" is about as strong a point as I could make
According to strava I recorded one of the slowest ascents of this bit of tarmac ever - in my defence - it was 34 degrees when I reached the top and I did pass 4 people on the way up and wasnt passed myself.
Thanks to the kind lady at the top who took pity on the incredibly sweaty mess that wandered into her lovely cafe - the plate of fresh oranges she gave me worked a treat!!!
www.strava.com/activities/361806609/
2. Majorcan roads and drivers - 95% of tarmac is smooth as silk with 99% of drivers giving you plenty of space and time
3. Climbing hills
Just really love pushing myself up these 6-12km long ascents - bizarrely enjoy it more than the descents - which I am really bad at and must the slowest descender in the world!! Managed to squeeze in about 33,000ft in the 2 weeks including 12,500ft in one 50m ride.
4. Getting fit[ter]
I got into riding 12 months ago when I hired a bike whilst staying out here in Pollensa and mostly did flat loops of about an hour - with my longest ride being the climb up to the monastery at Lluc - which took me about 2 hours to get up 18 km road and needed to stop probably 6/7 times just to get breath back - This year the same climb was done in half the time - never getting out of breath and never needing to stop. What a difference 12 months makes.
Can wait to get back - if you are ever out in the Pollensa / Alcudia area and need a bike I can heartily recommend pollensa cycling - brilliant customer service - really nice and well maintained bikes, free delivery and collection to your accommodation all from about 16 euros / day for a 10speed ultregra Kuota Korsa
GuyBoden
Guru
- Location
- Warrington
Newbie progress
First week I did a few 6-8 mile rides around Lymm Cheshire, getting use to the road bike.
Second week a few 12-18 mile rides around the country lanes, including Arley Hall Cheshire, things are getting slightly easier.
Third week I started with a 21 mile ride to Tatton Park and back, but at a very slow pace, the inclines are definitely getting easier.
At aged 52, and too many years off a bike, it's a lot harder than when I was a young man, but I'm enjoying the scenery more.
Totton park map below:
First week I did a few 6-8 mile rides around Lymm Cheshire, getting use to the road bike.
Second week a few 12-18 mile rides around the country lanes, including Arley Hall Cheshire, things are getting slightly easier.
Third week I started with a 21 mile ride to Tatton Park and back, but at a very slow pace, the inclines are definitely getting easier.
At aged 52, and too many years off a bike, it's a lot harder than when I was a young man, but I'm enjoying the scenery more.
Totton park map below:
Last edited:
ChrisEyles
Guru
- Location
- Devon
Very proud of Mrs Chris - she went out for a sneaky ride while I was away at the weekend and ended up covering 55 miles (her longest ride by some distance). Over the last couple of weeks she has covered a lot more miles than I have!
Nomadski
I Like Bikes
- Location
- LBS, Usually
Nice write up, and just checked out some google images of Sa Colabra, it does indeed look completely nuts!
Aunty Tyke
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Oxfordshire
Bit late on the Waspgate report, but had to trek up and back to Manchester so.
Me and @themosquitoking went off on Friday to venture forth towards Leith Hill so I could do the much talked about White Downs. We went via the hilly How Lane (only 0.6 miles but 7% average), and down to Beare Green where we got liquid refreshment, and I had a wasp which crawled down my top and promptly stung my neck... Other wasps took this as an invitation for a frontal assault and I spent the next ten minutes Ned Flandering my arms around trying to defend my soul, with Matt looking bemused and amused in equal measure.
With the power of WASP inside me we powered on, the tower of Leith Hill looming far away in the distance, but getting ever closer.
Then onto the hill where a chap in a yellow fluorescent jacket warned us they were doing work, but wouldn't stop us going up there. The whole road had loose chippings which made for some hilarity in climbing it as the rear wheel spun like crazy and straight lines were in our dreams. That said Matt was storming ahead, clearly in 4x4 mode and looked good to better our PB's up there.
That was until 100 metres from the summit, when another road blockage and a guy warning us the whole road had the same surface. Not fancying a Leith Hill downhill on loose chippings we decided to head down Coldharbour Lane instead (my first time).
Blimey that was a steep descent! I've never gone up Coldharbour Lane, not sure I want to!
In keeping with today, our normal route out from Dorking to the A24 had yet more loose chippings, clearly they had waited till after RideLondon to do some work!
As we hit Box Hill we both agreed we werent going for a time, so cruised the first section. About halfway to the first switchback Matt said he had nothing in his legs, and for some reason this spurred me on to having a go at our time, feeling fresh! I have no idea why this psychology happened...
I put every effort into the hill, I knew I was going at a decent (for me) pace as I was actually catching and passing folk, and I looked behind where I had dropped Matt. As it turned out I did a PB of 9.28, and was left with the feeling of what could have been had I put the pace down from the start... Anyway, Matt arrived a bit later looking like he'd just been out for a Sunday stroll...
Some tea and more wasps decided they wanted to sit on my man parts / buzz me for shoots n giggles / generally make me Ned Flanders around again. I hate wasps, they are mean.
(For the record I did kill one, so as far as I'm concerned, it was Humans 1 : Wasps 1, a score draw).
And then rode home. Still haven't done White Downs, but did see what Coldharbour Lane was all about!
https://www.strava.com/activities/363516466/
Aunty Tyke
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Oxfordshire
Total adventure
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Well I have gone for it - I have now entered the Surrey Legs of Steel Sportive
51 miles with 5248 feet of climbing, and it includes Barhatch Lane (also known as Winterfold Hill)
Roads signs say 21% but Another 100 greatest cycling climbs reckons it hits 25%
This is early October
51 miles with 5248 feet of climbing, and it includes Barhatch Lane (also known as Winterfold Hill)
Roads signs say 21% but Another 100 greatest cycling climbs reckons it hits 25%
This is early October
ChrisEyles
Guru
- Location
- Devon
@Stonechat blimey that sounds like a tough ride - good luck with the training! Looking forward to hearing how you get on on the day
