Any advice for my first ride?

[Belfastox]

Well done redcard. Sounds like a good run. I always try to get away with taking the bare minimum with me but it makes sense to take the essentials: last time I tried to get away with it ended in a seven mile walk with a flat rear tyre, it was raining and it was cold and I'm never going out again without the wherewithal to fix a puncture . Have fun.

 

[Col5632]

Good for you

As for the sore Ar$e that will become less sore with time, more you go on the bike the less you will have the pain

 

[redcard]

Good for you

As for the sore Ar$e that will become less sore with time, more you go on the bike the less you will have the pain

Big improvement this morning - some discomfort, but nothing like it was yesterday.

Felt I was able to make a bit of progress this morning - just under 12 miles in 55 minutes. My commute is going to be around 12 miles, and it'd be good to get this down to around 45 minutes, which is how long the bus takes. Also felt like I had a bit to spare on the way home. I went out just after 9am, as opposed to the 7am I've been going out the previous few days - not sure if this made a difference.

Target of 15 miles tomorrow

 

[Col5632]

Awesome stuff

My commute is about 5.5 miles each way and that takes me around 25 mins or so, about a mile every 5 mins on average

Just keep at it and the time will soon become alot less

 

[Risex4]

dont forget a rest day is good for you. also arse will get used to it. so im told.

This. I've found that frequency is something you need to build up alongside range and speed. Going from 0 - 5/6/7 days a week instantly is a big big jump, and in the early days giving your muscles time to recover from the "shock" (for want of a better word) for a day or so I believe is more healthy in the long run than 'forcing' yourself through it constantly. If you wake up one morning and your legs are telling you its time to catch the bus/put your feet up/walk or do something less strenuous, it can be a good idea to listen to them.

Only every so often mind. If I listened to the excuses the legs are telling me all the time, I'd never ride again.

 

[SteveBM]

Never thought I'd find myself giving advice being fairly new to this lark myself, but on the subject of shorts, try and get a decent pair of bibbed shorts and leggings. I had a cheap pair of Decathlon shorts for my first ride and they didn't offer hardly any protection. Took the advice of someone here and bought some DHB's from Wiggle. Made a world of difference to my comfort such that I don't have any aches and pains after a long (27-ish mile) ride.
The advice I got was spend a little more and the clothing will pay you back over a longer period of time and will be more comfortable. Hope that helps

 

[redcard]

Never thought I'd find myself giving advice being fairly new to this lark myself, but on the subject of shorts, try and get a decent pair of bibbed shorts and leggings. I had a cheap pair of Decathlon shorts for my first ride and they didn't offer hardly any protection. Took the advice of someone here and bought some DHB's from Wiggle. Made a world of difference to my comfort such that I don't have any aches and pains after a long (27-ish mile) ride.
The advice I got was spend a little more and the clothing will pay you back over a longer period of time and will be more comfortable. Hope that helps

Yep, that's the intention. Just waiting on pay day.

The shorts have actually been ok since, only really had discomfort on the second day, and this was probably due more to the saddle than the shorts.

Awesome stuff

My commute is about 5.5 miles each way and that takes me around 25 mins or so, about a mile every 5 mins on average

Just keep at it and the time will soon become alot less

My best 10km on Endomondo has gone from 30.28 on Sunday, to 23.41 today, so the progress appears to be there

 

[Col5632]

Thats almost a whole 7 minutes Is the route fairly flat or hilly?

 

[redcard]

Thats almost a whole 7 minutes Is the route fairly flat or hilly?

It's a cycle path built over unused train lines, so probably as flat as you can get. There are a few hilly sections, but we're talking 50 yards at a time.

 

[Col5632]

It's a cycle path built over unused train lines, so probably as flat as you can get. There are a few hilly sections, but we're talking 50 yards at a time.

Still sounds like good going though

 

[redcard]

Still sounds like good going though

Yep. Think I'll stick to the same route for a few more weeks, and concentrate on getting my average speed up, as well as cutting out the odd rest stop.

 

[Herzog]

Yep. Think I'll stick to the same route for a few more weeks, and concentrate on getting my average speed up, as well as cutting out the odd rest stop.

Well done on the progress. Varying routes however is important This keeps you from getting bored and you may discover somewhere better...

 

[Aiden_23]

Where abouts is this cycle path I am getting a little fed up with the same routes excluding my commute.

 

[redcard]

Where abouts is this cycle path I am getting a little fed up with the same routes excluding my commute.

It's from Paisley Canal Station to Lochwinnoch, bout 10 miles each way. Goes on a lot further than that though.


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[Cyclist33]

Re mileage increases juss do what feels right... I went from 50, to 100 in two rides. Every ride depends on so many factors! Would never go without a pump n repair kit. Punxures are so depressing if u got no fix.

Tools for,adjustments, v handy but not vital if u dint take them.

I hate lucozade but whatever gets you from a to b is important for the individual. Eat small chunks of food often n drink before getting thirsty!

What else? Pick good weather.