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

[Nigelnaturist]

I refitted the rear RS10 on the Carleton and the 8sp fits, so in time I should be able to upgrade both to 9sp. and I have got a base primer on most of the frame, B.B. needs changing for a modern Chainset.

 

[NorvernRob]

What a fantastic day for cycling!

We set off towards the Woodhead pass, as we planned to loop back around and ride the TdF route back through Bradfield.

We turned off the Woodhead onto Mortimer road, then we realised there was an immediate long, steep climb that kept punishing us by twisting and turning but everytime we rounded a bend it kept going up!

Then we got to the top (no stopping, my climbing is getting way better) and saw a steep descent - steep as in 25% with a sign to warn you. I was feathering the brake and still doing 30mph so had to dab the back as well going into a corner, mistake as the back slid but I managed to sort it. After that it's a steady ascent then you turn onto the most amazing cycling surface, all shiny new Tarmac ready for the tour riders and you can just pile along it at 30mph+, I actually hit just over 40mph on what was only a slight downhill slope.

Basically I loved it, the pain on the turbo is paying off and so is pushing myself every week. 32 miles this week with lots of hills and no stops, if I didn't have to get home to go out I would have done another 10-15 miles comfortably.

Done over 150 miles on my first 4 rides and 11,500ft of climbing (no choice around Sheffield!) and am loving it.

I know loads of people are planning to watch the tour on Holme Moss, but it will be totally rammed and I'm wondering if the section we rode today would be a good place to watch. I'd love to see a pro peleton tackling that hill then the 25% twisty, narrow descent.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Well my radioiodine treatment for Graves Disease (over-active thyroid) that I had early Nov' has finally kicked in.

On Friday I was declared markedly under-active on the thyroid front.

Nothing unexpected following the treatment but explains my lethargy, extreme tiredness and enormous weight gain since Xmas - not to mention some very negative thoughts in my head.

Consultant has taken me off all drugs and for first time in 4 years I have no tab's in me. Then in 4 weeks time I should begin replacement thyroxine for the rest of my days.

***

I aim to build up my cycling & hill walking slowly so am looking forward to feeling more positive about life and racking up some miles!

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

my planned 55 miler was thwarted by a bad ass hangover and getting up late, I ended up doing 48.46 miles in just under 4 hours, followed by a good sleep after getting back
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/305720246/14363741

I cant weight for this bloody wind to go away

I have not seen many cyclist on the road this winter, but today they were every where, I even rode past a Race/Event not sure what it was.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

my planned 55 miler was thwarted by a bad ass hangover and getting up late, I ended up doing 48.46 miles in just under 4 hours, followed by a good sleep after getting back
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/305720246/14363741

I cant weight for this bloody wind to go away

I have not seen many cyclist on the road this winter, but today they were every where, I even rode past a Race/Event not sure what it was.

Lesson from this..... Still a good effort if your suffering.
This winter has been mild compared with last year, many a time I have been out and not seen a sole (though to be fair I haven't been out much this year, but not generally weather related)

 

[DaveyM]

Got out yesterday for a good ride into Newcastle then along the Tyne to Wylam via a view hilly stretches, was nice but a bit slower due to the amount of cycleways
Still got 69.25 miles in. even though strava stopped working for a few miles.

Well done to those getting out and about, this time of year any miles are good miles

 

[Mr_K_Dilkington]

Got just over 65 miles in going from home to Oxford (train on the way back, I'm not that keen). Only my second time in Oxford (amazing town) and my first metric century! Woooo! Took a tumble just as I was turning off for the Park Lane climb - went round the corner at a moderate speed not noticing all the gravel on the land and the front wheel went out from underneath me. Nothing too bad, just a bit of road rash, a bit of blood and lots of scrapes. Some arse came down the lane shortly after it happened, looked at me picking myself up off the road and just drove on! What kind of arse, doesn't even stop to ask if the person is alright? Anyway, quite glad it happened in a way, I strangely enjoy (not too serious) crashes after they've happened - a few cuts maybe some small scars - all good bragging rights (or am I just a weird masochist?).

Anyway, here is the Strava info, I had to split it into two as my phone died quite close to Oxford so I had to switch to my work phone to record the rest of the ride:

London-Oxford Part 1: http://www.strava.com/activities/119096688/

London-Oxford Part 2: http://www.strava.com/activities/119121747

 

[L14M]

I climbed 4000ft... In a glider. That said got a few flights in today.
Cycled yesterday.. Weather is getting better

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

@Phoenix Lincs Oh, go on.......press buy, it makes me feel less guilty when I see others on here buying new bikes!

Guess what!!!!! We took a trip to Giant today and I came home with a new beauty!!! I am such a lucky (and spoilt) woman!!!

 

[Mo1959]

Guess what!!!!! We took a trip to Giant today and I came home with a new beauty!!! I am such a lucky (and spoilt) woman!!!

What a beauty. Hope you have many happy miles together!

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

What a beauty. Hope you have many happy miles together!

Thanks Mo. Can't wait for it to be tweaked to fit so I can hopefully log better rides and improve on hills

 

[BrianEvesham]

Guess what!!!!! We took a trip to Giant today and I came home with a new beauty!!! I am such a lucky (and spoilt) woman!!!

Very nice indeed. How many bikes were on your short list before you went with the Giant?

 

[welsh dragon]

Well I went out again today. Decided to stay on the main road today just in case i had enough. At least that way I wouldn't have far to go to get back home. My cat eye decided to stick, on 2.35 miles amd my speed wouldnt register either. I think my batteries need changing.

However disaster struck about half a mile from home. There was a clunking noise and suddenly my gears don't seem to be engaging. It's as if something is binding somewhere as there is a kinda whining noise comming from the gears. I managed to get back home so whether I walked or rode my bike, I still managed 5 miles which is 5 more than I was doing this time last week, so it's a win win situation as far as I am concerned. As I know absolutely nothing about bikes I will have to see if Mr WD will have a look at it for me.

 

[BrianEvesham]

It looks like I will be doing 4/5 nights a week until late summer so I am trying to get motivated to ride to work to keep the mileage up. I have never commuted on a bike before so this will be new for me.
This is the segment to work;
http://www.strava.com/activities/119012065/segments/2645735930
I know it's only 7.2 miles and getting there is no issue, it's coming home at 3am after a strenuous 10 shift in the dark (something else I have never done!) that's worrying me.
I have some better lights on the way.

 

[welsh dragon]

It looks like I will be doing 4/5 nights a week until late summer so I am trying to get motivated to ride to work to keep the mileage up. I have never commuted on a bike before so this will be new for me.
This is the segment to work;
http://www.strava.com/activities/119012065/segments/2645735930
I know it's only 7.2 miles and getting there is no issue, it's coming home at 3am after a strenuous 10 shift in the dark (something else I have never done!) that's worrying me.
I have some better lights on the way.

Having good lights is essential. Also another advantage is that it will lighter out and that usually means you feel better. That may be enough to get you home after long shifts.