Over the hill....

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Cherrypop

New Member
Location
Forest of Dean
Hi all,

I'm hoping to get some good advice, general chit-chat and possibly make some local contacts on this forum.

My cycling history is well...historic. I cycled to work most days in my 20's - had a series of cheap racers and loved being on a bike even though I didn't ride for fun, it was a merely a cheap and convenient way to get the six or so miles to work and back. Then life got in the way, I changed jobs and the cycling went out of the window. That was 25 years ago (yep, I'm real old).

Thanks to my partner of three years and the fact he provides timing services for events (I've been to countless cycling events and have felt very envious that I didn't ride) , my desire to get back on a bike was rekindled and last year I bought myself a bike. I really didn't know what sort of cycling I was going to enjoy when doing it for fun so I bought a rather nice cyclocross bike and off I went. Well, I pretty quickly realised that I'm a road cyclist at heart but I also soon realised that I couldn't get really comfortable on my new machine. After just a few months use and a winter storing it in my dining room, I decide to sell it with a view to buying a ladies frame road bike.

For one reason or another, I've only just got my new bike so it looks as if it won't get too much use until the spring but I'm going to brave the boredom of a turbo to start building up my fitness. My other half would be a keen cyclist if he had time but he's a bit of a speed-monster when he does ride and finds it hellishly tedious to ride with me. That said, he was very encouraging last year and given I hadn't riden for so long, he reckons I could do ok, with a bit of coaching, in the local club doing time trials.

Despite my advanced years, I've got a pretty good level of residual fitness considering I do nothing other than walk the dog and I'm really hoping I can finally start enjoying life on a bike. I have to admit, I'm a bit twitchy about braving the roads around here on what is a very nice bit of kit. I have visions of taking a spectacular tumble and wrecking the frame.

Here's hoping for some great outings. I'll be ok if there's no traffic and no hills..........
 

Eribiste

Careful with that axle Eugene
welcome aboard Cherrypop, I hope you enjoy your bike, and that you enjoy the forum as much as I have.:welcome:
 

Biker Joe

Über Member
Hi and a warm :welcome: to you.
Just take it steady when you go out and take your time getting used to the road conditions. You will be fine.
Have fun and enjoy.
 

Pat "5mph"

A kilogrammicaly challenged woman
Moderator
Location
Glasgow
Welcome CherryPop!
If a hypothetical tumble makes you worry about the bike instead of fearing for yourself you're already a cyclist!
Many happy miles to you and your new steed :thumbsup:
 
Welcome Cherrypop :hello:
 
OP
OP
Cherrypop

Cherrypop

New Member
Location
Forest of Dean
Thanks to all for the warm welcome. You know you've found a good forum when people are kind enough to stop and say hello. I think I'm going to like it here :thumbsup:
 

Bryony

Veteran
Location
Ramsgate, Kent
Hi :welcome: to the forum! My fiancé is the same and I sometimes feel a bit guilty that he had to pootle with me!:laugh: Good luck with your new bike (what did you get?) just get out there and enjoy it! Happy cycling:bicycle:
 
OP
OP
Cherrypop

Cherrypop

New Member
Location
Forest of Dean
Hi Bryony, I'm almost embarrassed to admit that my bike is a Specialized Ruby Elite EQ. I'd never have spent that amount on a bike but my fella works in a friend's bike shop a couple of days a week so I got it at cost. Given that I'm likely to be puffing my way down the road at 2 miles per hour, it's a bit ridiculous and I feel like I need to buy a cheapo bike until I can do Ruby justice. Still, there was no sense buying a cheaper one only to risk being bitten by the bug and then wanting to change it a few months later.

For now I'll just have to endure the 'all the gear.....' label and take it on the chin :boxing:
 

Bryony

Veteran
Location
Ramsgate, Kent
Hi Bryony, I'm almost embarrassed to admit that my bike is a Specialized Ruby Elite EQ. I'd never have spent that amount on a bike but my fella works in a friend's bike shop a couple of days a week so I got it at cost. Given that I'm likely to be puffing my way down the road at 2 miles per hour, it's a bit ridiculous and I feel like I need to buy a cheapo bike until I can do Ruby justice. Still, there was no sense buying a cheaper one only to risk being bitten by the bug and then wanting to change it a few months later.

For now I'll just have to endure the 'all the gear.....' label and take it on the chin :boxing:
Nice bike just had a little look at it :wub:
I feel the same as you I've got a forme longcliffe 4.0fe (not quite as nice as yours!:tongue:) but when I'm struggling up the hills I do feel a bit of a fraud all in Lycra and on a road bike! But I do now think stuff it I don't care what I look like I'm out on my bike in the fresh air enjoying myself (when I'm not going up hills anyway:laugh:)

Enjoy your bike and happy cycling^_^:bicycle:
 
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