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

[Nigelnaturist]

I weigh in at 95.2 Kg i need to lose a bit of weight according to the doctor to put me at my ideal weight at just a tad over 6 foot tall and 46 years old. I started my first ride to day, to work at 5.3 Miles took me 40 minutes most of the journey is flat and runs along an old railway line, last quarter of a mile is a bugger of a hill which i walked up today. i used runkeeper although looks like many use strava on here so may swap not sure?

Goals
To lose 12kg approx
To cycle up that bugger of a hill at end of incoming journey
To cut my going to work journey to 35 minutes.

I will add a time improvement to going home, when i see how long it takes me tonight.

, the 35 min target is the one you will proabably break first than the hill, though could be the other way round. 1 1/2 st or there abouts will take time with just cycling, the biggest factor is probably drink (thats if you drink), cut his down or out and weight will come down quite quickly. Try and increase your distance on the bike when you feel able.
I use as a rough guide 40 cal/mile you need to burn 3500 to lose a lb of body fat (as a rough guide) so thats 87 miles (not in one go) to lose 1lb. Other factors come into play like diet ect, but it will give you a starting point.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Hope you don't suffer for it.......July I did 1340 miles and seem to have been struggling ever since!
I am more worried about my tyres. How much longer can these beasts keep going. Nearly 4500 miles and still going strong!

I am hoping to get something like that from the gatorskins, which will be in the new year.
I feel fine at the moment Mo. those figures also include the week I was ill (or a least some of the days).

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Found out why I have been struggling all this week, back wheel on the hybrid has gone a funny shape!

So came to work on the road bike today and broke a few milestones:

First 50 mile commute and per my GPS at 17mph (Strava gave 16.8)
Broke 1000 miles for the month
Broke 9000 miles for the year.

This time last year I would do 5 miles each way to work in 25 - 30 minutes (10 -12 mph) so just goes to show how quickly you can improve.

http://www.strava.com/activities/76849644#

Oh and I am sat at work wearing a pair of jeans that I couldn't even get over my legs at Christmas, only problem is they are a bit big now

@Nigelnaturist a chain checker is a great investment, I would reckon at 3,000 miles you are probably due a new chain

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Found out why I have been struggling all this week, back wheel on the hybrid has gone a funny shape!

So came to work on the road bike today and broke a few milestones:

First 50 mile commute and per my GPS at 17mph (Strava gave 16.8)
Broke 1000 miles for the month
Broke 9000 miles for the year.

This time last year I would do 5 miles each way to work in 25 - 30 minutes (10 -12 mph) so just goes to show how quickly you can improve.

http://www.strava.com/activities/76849644#

Oh and I am sat at work wearing a pair of jeans that I couldn't even get over my legs at Christmas, only problem is they are a bit big now

@Nigelnaturist a chain checker is a great investment, I would reckon at 3,000 miles you are probably due a new chain

I have this problem with all my clothes, the only stuff that fits, is my cycling kit.
Well done on the milestones Chris, not surprised the miles you do. Strava either truncates or uses a different time (rwgps I think uses the same readings for time)
I can get a KMC 7/8sp for about £8, so until I get a more expensive drive chain it's probable as well to change about 3,000 miles or so, though it has been very well looked after, whilst it does rust if it's been raining it's never been allowed to apart the odd bit appearing if its dried whilst been out. It may also help with the 24th cog on the rear being new and not wanting to select very well.

 

[Mo1959]

Found out why I have been struggling all this week, back wheel on the hybrid has gone a funny shape!

So came to work on the road bike today and broke a few milestones:

First 50 mile commute and per my GPS at 17mph (Strava gave 16.8)
Broke 1000 miles for the month
Broke 9000 miles for the year.

This time last year I would do 5 miles each way to work in 25 - 30 minutes (10 -12 mph) so just goes to show how quickly you can improve.

http://www.strava.com/activities/76849644#

Oh and I am sat at work wearing a pair of jeans that I couldn't even get over my legs at Christmas, only problem is they are a bit big now

@Nigelnaturist a chain checker is a great investment, I would reckon at 3,000 miles you are probably due a new chain

I thought the wheels on the Sirrus/Vita looked pretty tough. Wonder what happened?

Really well done on these milestones. Some achievement over what is really a comparatively short time. I suppose we will need to kick you out of this newbie section now.

 

[RWright]

Hope you don't suffer for it.......July I did 1340 miles and seem to have been struggling ever since!
I am more worried about my tyres. How much longer can these beasts keep going. Nearly 4500 miles and still going strong!

What tires are you using? I might get some of them. I got another flat last night, in the dark, then promptly busted the first new tube when I inflated it. I must have missed seeing the tube pinched under the bead I guess. I rarely get a flat unless I am on the fast highways but I like them because they are so convenient after work. I don't like being on the narrower roads with no shoulder at night, even if they don't have much traffic but I may change. Even with the highway cleaned, there are still a lot of the little sharp wires around.

I am thinking about trying some Continental GP 4000s tires and just staying off the highways, but I know I will still use it some. I will be giving it up soon because within the year I think it will be opened all the way through. I see lights of the construction crews at night now, getting much closer. The good part is, I get the old road when the new one opens, it isn't too bad either. Just going to have to make me some new routes and hopefully save a little money on inner tubes.

 

[Mo1959]

What tires are you using? I might get some of them.

Schwalbe Durano Plus. Pretty heavy mind you. The wire beaded ones are around or just over 400gms each I think, so almost double the weight of the likes of the Continental GP4000S. I think the folding beaded ones are slightly dearer but a bit lighter at 340gms for the 700x23. I've felt the trade off in weight has been worth it although wouldn't mind trying something a bit ligher come next spring.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I thought the wheels on the Sirrus/Vita looked pretty tough. Wonder what happened?

Really well done on these milestones. Some achievement over what is really a comparatively short time. I suppose we will need to kick you out of this newbie section now.

I have ridden it very hard and over some very bumpy terrain, it should just be a couple of spokes being adjusted to pull it back into shape, so I don't think it is anything to worry about.

I ain't going anywhere, I love seeing how people are coming on with their riding, plus it motivates me to keep going.

Anyway anyone that completed the Rapha challenge is most definitely not a newbie so maybe we should go create our own section. "Not quiet a newbie"

 

[Mo1959]

@Supersuperleeds Don't know about being a newbie.....feeling more like an oldie. Just ordered some more Fish Oil capsules. My last lot ran out a couple of weeks ago and I am convinced I am getting more aches and pains!
Just noticed you have moved into second on the Cyclelog thingy. Another achievement. Are you trying for first place by any chance?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

@Supersuperleeds Don't know about being a newbie.....feeling more like an oldie. Just ordered some more Fish Oil capsules. My last lot ran out a couple of weeks ago and I am convinced I am getting more aches and pains!
Just noticed you have moved into second on the Cyclelog thingy. Another achievement. Are you trying for first place by any chance?

I ain't quite ready for fish oil capsules yet.

Re myccylelog, I'm only 2nd by 6 miles and only 250 miles separate 2nd to 5th, so I don't think I will be 2nd for long. As long as I hit my 10,000 miles for the year I will be happy where ever I finish in the table, though top 10 would be nice

 

[Stonechat]

I haven't got a chain checker, current chain has done just over 3,000 miles what do you reckon, time for a new one ?
Edit just realised this is my greatest monthly total so far,and if I do 22 miles today, I should have done 1,000 miles in the last 30 days, with 27 days riding.

Never changed a chain. My old rusty road bike must've done quite a lot and original chain is still on (If I want to use it , deffo would need a chain)

 

[welsh dragon]

I only bought my bike last week. I havnt been on a bike for 45 years and after giving up smoking last year wanted to get fit. Have put on about 40 pounds over the years. First bike ride lasted about 20 minutes. My bum and legs were in bits. Since then I have used my bike every day as a trainer. Once my legs and bum stop hurting, and I can feel them getting beter already, then I will go out on the road proper. I am not going to quit, no matter what. Its nice e to hear other peoples stories. It gives me confidants that I can and will succeed.

 

[stevey]

Been a bit busy of late (Got a new phone )

So had day off work today decided to push myself a bit with this ride
http://app.strava.com/activities/76895113 Happy with the PR's, Some very impressive distances of late well done all

 

[electric eel]

It's a great achievement enjoy it, and on reaching 500 miles, I know how hard it is.


Well done, how are you feeling.

knackered i was lol.

done 22 k today in 1 hour 10 mins. feeling ok so far.
bit of advice needed here i feel. now i took up the bike to keep fit. walking just didnt cut it for me any more. i cycle around a local lake 5 k in distance. few moderate hills. now i have the bike in 21 gear which is as far it goes having a 21 gear bike ! i try to get the best work out i can so changing down gears i tend to do as least as i can. am i fooling meself doing this or should i change down gear as soon as i slow down on any up ward paths ? at a lost i am ?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

knackered i was lol.

done 22 k today in 1 hour 10 mins. feeling ok so far.
bit of advice needed here i feel. now i took up the bike to keep fit. walking just didnt cut it for me any more. i cycle around a local lake 5 k in distance. few moderate hills. now i have the bike in 21 gear which is as far it goes having a 21 gear bike ! i try to get the best work out i can so changing down gears i tend to do as least as i can. am i fooling meself doing this or should i change down gear as soon as i slow down on any up ward paths ? at a lost i am ?

Riding in the top gear all the time will knacker your knees.

You should use all your gears, that is why you have them, you need to get a cadence that you are comfortable with and use the gears to maintain that cadence.

If you want to stay in one gear, get yourself a single speed bike, much easier to maintain than a geared bike