Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]

[RWright]

I'd like to say I was being artsy, but the deer were being quite aggressive as they munched the grass closer towards me, so hiding probably isnt far from the truth!.

I would have been a little nervous too if I got that close to the deer and they didn't flee. I would have probably gone the other way when they started head butting.

Bummer about your bike, glad it wasn't worse

 

[bpsmith]

6 New PR's and an average above 16 mph again for me tonight.

This is getting addictive now !

By the way I know it is pathetically flat terrain around here

https://www.strava.com/activities/182987808

It's flat for everyone else on those segments too remember!

 

[Stonechat]

I'd like to say I was being artsy, but the deer were being quite aggressive as they munched the grass closer towards me, so hiding probably isnt far from the truth!





Same here with the 34/28. Must say I wouldn't mind a little extra when going up the likes of Leith Hill.

I need my 34/32 for those tougher hills

 

[Eribiste]

I've been doing a bit of commuting lately, getting the miles in as prep for the McMillan Shakespeare 100k in September. I didn't feel so chipper yesterday afternoon, so I did this morning's ride as a recovery ride at a more gentlemanly pace, 25 kph as opposed to my normal 27. The afternoon's ride felt better, so my restraint might have helped. I really must drink more water before a ride too, something I regularly neglect to do!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

It's bound to take a while to build back up again......something I'm not looking forward to either! My gearing gives me a 34/28 for climbing and it gets up most apart from the occasional really steep ramp. Thought about trying a 12-30 cassette too if the derailleur would take it.

I can easily fit a 34T inner instead of the 36T - so will prob' try that and then if I need more I can change the cassette/chain when they get knackered.

 

[Stonechat]

Just a bit more on the heavy legs bit.

Since getting back on my bike in May following 5 months off due to illness I have tried to not push it and build up slowly for the balance of 2014 - I seem to have lost about 0.6mph av' speed which is ok. Not that I am exactly a high speed bod anyway!

I am a bit concerned about hills at the momnt.

Today I did about 120m at 9.3% grade (as part of a longer ascent) according to Strava and it felt like climbing Everest - managed to keep up just a tad under 6mph in 36/28 without getting out of the saddle. But crikey I was feeling it even though it was not far to travel and whilst steep-ish it was hardly massively steep.

Not sure if it is weakness from my illness or whether I am just lousy at getting up hills.

Thinking about getting smaller gears maybe drop the small from 36 - 34 and whack a 12-30 on the back. Not sure it will make a lot of difference though looking at gear ratios - any thoughts anyone?

Maybe I should just keep on trying to get more miles in.

You're doing well, strength and more speed on hills will come with practice

 

[bpsmith]

Travel home from holiday this afternoon. The only thing I have missed is the bike!

Other than that, I would gladly stay here tbh, although the hills around here are all extreme from beach to mountain in a short distance!

 

[BrianEvesham]

Just been out with OH (boys with their Gran).
http://www.strava.com/activities/183273183
That's her 5th day on the trot out riding, she really has got the bug now, even ordered her own Garmin200 !


Now I have a confession to make, I'd like to nominate myself for a numptty award;

I was walking out the door with my bike out to start a ride yesterday when Sue started laughing hysterically calling me back in, "what what what !" Says I somewhat annoyed now.
I had my bibs on inside out With a very fetching pale blue gel pad it did look very funny.

 

[Mo1959]

Just been out with OH (boys with their Gran).
http://www.strava.com/activities/183273183
That's her 5th day on the trot out riding, she really has got the bug now, even ordered her own Garmin200 !


Now I have a confession to make, I'd like to nominate myself for a numptty award;

I was walking out the door with my bike out to start a ride yesterday when Sue started laughing hysterically calling me back in, "what what what !" Says I somewhat annoyed now.
I had my bibs on inside out With a very fetching pale blue gel pad it did look very funny.

Can't believe she didn't whip out the phone to get a snap so we could all see it!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Solid rain all day - still chucking it down out there.

Ordered 34T inner from Wiggle - will be here tomorrow,

My lowest gear is currently 36x28 and my new lowest will be 34x28 which is almost exactly the same as 36x30 so same effect as fitting a new (12-30) cassette - will save the latter until the current cassette is worn out,

 

[Deleted member 18052]

Just got back in and showered from this 24miler: http://www.strava.com/activities/183479503

24.2mi Distance
1:19:49 Moving Time
650ft Elevation (?)
70 Suffer Score


Wasn't particulary hilly just a nice hard session on the legs, was cold, which lead me to feeling the twitches of cramp from quite early on, but just pushed though it.

I need leg warmers and lights, anyone recommend?

Daz

 

[Goonerobes]

Just got back in and showered from this 24miler: http://www.strava.com/activities/183479503

24.2mi Distance
1:19:49 Moving Time
650ft Elevation (?)
70 Suffer Score


Wasn't particulary hilly just a nice hard session on the legs, was cold, which lead me to feeling the twitches of cramp from quite early on, but just pushed though it.

I need leg warmers and lights, anyone recommend?

Daz

I've got the dhb regulate light arm & leg warmers which are ideal for spring/autumn rides, although having said that it was cold enough for a base layer today on a very similar ride to yours!

http://www.strava.com/activities/183345220

 

[Stonechat]

I've got the dhb regulate light arm & leg warmers which are ideal for spring/autumn rides, although having said that it was cold enough for a base layer today on a very similar ride to yours!

http://www.strava.com/activities/183345220

On Wednesday's ride I wore a softshell jacket (being away had not got all my stuff here)

 

[huwsparky]

Picked up my bike last Friday and done 4 rides so far. This was my first ride and one that has scarred me!!! 1 mile of 8% wasn't such a good idea

Check out my 12.6 mi Ride on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/181073483

 

[RWright]

Picked up my bike last Friday and done 4 rides so far. This was my first ride and one that has scarred me!!! 1 mile of 8% wasn't such a good idea

Check out my 12.6 mi Ride on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/181073483

Nice job on that hill. Hell of a first ride. That hill would probably make me cry at the fitness level I am at right now.

@Razzle Myself and a lot of others use Cree T6 headlights. They seem to be a lot of light for the money. I also have a Cyglolite that is a little nicer setup but it cost significantly more than the T6's do. Here is a thread on the T6s http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/lights-cree-xml-xm-l-t6-u2-etc-thread.117285/ There may even be some later and greater models out there now, that I am not aware of, I haven't checked in a while. For taillights I use Cateye Omni 3's. Seem to work fine for me.

It was hard making myself go out this evening, I wasn't feeling it today but was glad I went out, even though I chose to do the easier last mile route. Just one of those days on my normal workout track.