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

[Bielzibubz]

My first ride out in 30+ years after picking up my new bike to help me lose weight and get fitter. 12km around the roads where I live.

Forgot to start the Strava app so did my own in Photoshop

 

[Mo1959]

Couple of new peeps in here Welcome and happy cycling. I think I better come back in here as I'm getting slower these days............or maybe we need another section for old crocks with bad backs and niggly knees. Lol.

After having gone out yesterday and deliberately rode even slower, I can honestly say it was the most enjoyable ride I've had for ages. It's not good for you constantly comparing yourself either to how you were a few years ago, or to others who you feel you should be comparable to.......just do your own thing and enjoy it or you won't stick at it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Bielzibubz try ridewithgps (rwgps) for maps and data, they have an app too, rides from either can be exported and uploaded to either, I just upload to both from my garmin, nice one on get out on the bike, keep at it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Mo1959 hi stranger, you and me both, though in my case I know why (apart from the age thing of course)

 

[Goggs]

I'm not new to cycling as such but I've been off the bike for far too long. I just got a new bike four days ago & I've been out on it every day since but I have to say my but is killing me. I was ready for that but I wasn't ready for wrist pain. I'm not sure what to do about that to be honest.

It's great fun though & ironically just about the only way to keep cool in this insufferable heat.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Goggs till you stop.
Could be one of several problems, from just not being used to it, putting to much body weight on your arms, slightly wrong fit length of stem angle of saddle tipping you forward slightly to put weight on your arms, fitness there are people on here that will help better than I can

 

[welsh dragon]

Like Mo its been a while since I was on this thread and it is nice to see new people. I must admit I lost my mojo big time, but for the last few weeks I have been getting out there.

@Goggs get yourself some good cycling shorts and like nigel says relax. Don't put quite so much effort into cycling. Relax your arms and take things slowly. Good luck and its nice to see new cyclists here.

 

[Goggs]

Thanks Nigel. I've been tinkering a bit and moved the saddle back just a bit. It does seem to have helped the back-end but my right wrist is still giving me trouble. I'm thinking about chopping the bars down a bit because they do feel very wide to me. Alternatively I might look for a decent riser bar.

 

[Goggs]

Hi Dragon, I bought a pair of Fox shorts which aren't too bad. The liner is padded & the outers look like regular shorts. I'm just back in the house from a morning ride - to the local boulangerie for cake, lol - and things do feel better.

 

[Mo1959]

Thanks Nigel. I've been tinkering a bit and moved the saddle back just a bit. It does seem to have helped the back-end but my right wrist is still giving me trouble. I'm thinking about chopping the bars down a bit because they do feel very wide to me. Alternatively I might look for a decent riser bar.

I presume it's a hybrid type bike with flat bars when you mention chopping a bit off? My little Charge Grater hybrid had exceptionally wide bars and I chopped a couple of inches off which helped. A good set of comfortable bar ends would help too and give you some different hand positions which might help.

 

[Goggs]

Bar ends are an excellent idea Mo. I'm going to a bike shop later today so I'll see what's available & for how much.

 

[steve50]

@Goggs , how long is the stem from steerer to the handlebars, if the stem is too long you could be "over reaching" which will cause you to put more pressure on your wrists, if you suspect this to be the case you could try a shorter stem. Ideally you need to be able to ride your bike with very little weight on your wrists, your saddle (backside) should take the majority of you body weight with your hands just lightly resting on the handlebars, bar ends are a must if you ride flat bars so you can vary your hand positions.

 

[Goggs]

Hi Steve. The length is fine. I think it's just me as I've had trouble with my left wrist at work. This is the right one that's playing up now though which is strange but hey, I'm not getting any younger. I think I might swap out the bars for a pair of risers and see if that does the trick. One thing I'm not sure about is these ergonomic grips. Are they supposed to be horizontal or angled downwards? I'm going to look into bar ends later today, although the shop I'm going to isn't really the best.

 

[Goggs]

Does anyone know where to measure your chest as a rough guide to handlebar width?

 

[steve50]

Bar ends want to be imo angled slightly upwards or if you prefer horizontal, it's a case of try it and see what is more comfortable to suit yourself. The handlebar width thing is again personal choice, some like wider bars others like narrower. Arms straight out in front of you palms down should give you a rough idea of handlebar width, I know, primitive but I don't know any other method.