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

[SpokeyDokey]

Well I managed a personal best today 28.85 miles in 2.55 hours average speed of 9.8 miles an hour now I know this is pitifully slow but the first and last thirds of the ride was into the wind 25-30 mile an hour with gusts up to 40 miles an hour. The first twenty miles were fine but after that it was just hell. My hands and feet were completely dead my little finger on my left hand is still numb and my lower back had gone. But wasn't willing to give in. I just hope I can get enough miles in before I have to do twice that lol

Well done to everyone else who braved the weather and well done Nigel on your accomplishment one step at a time and before you know it you've arrived.

Tracey - well done. Do not worry about your av' speed; that will improve in time. Great distance esp' in those conditions!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well I managed a personal best today 28.85 miles in 2.55 hours average speed of 9.8 miles an hour now I know this is pitifully slow but the first and last thirds of the ride was into the wind 25-30 mile an hour with gusts up to 40 miles an hour. The first twenty miles were fine but after that it was just hell. My hands and feet were completely dead my little finger on my left hand is still numb and my lower back had gone. But wasn't willing to give in. I just hope I can get enough miles in before I have to do twice that lol

Well done to everyone else who braved the weather and well done Nigel on your accomplishment one step at a time and before you know it you've arrived.

Nice one Tracey, as I said before just keep plugging away, it's the determination that gets you there, your muscles will strengthen to be able to support you better, other core exercises will help, though I never have.
Speed is all relative its nearly 10 mph more than you have achieved sat at home, and I bet no matter how much hell you went through, I bet your at home feeling really chuffed, because thats a heck of a distance for someone that hasn't been riding long, without winds so well done.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Well I managed a personal best today 28.85 miles in 2.55 hours average speed of 9.8 miles an hour now I know this is pitifully slow but the first and last thirds of the ride was into the wind 25-30 mile an hour with gusts up to 40 miles an hour. The first twenty miles were fine but after that it was just hell. My hands and feet were completely dead my little finger on my left hand is still numb and my lower back had gone. But wasn't willing to give in. I just hope I can get enough miles in before I have to do twice that lol

Well done to everyone else who braved the weather and well done Nigel on your accomplishment one step at a time and before you know it you've arrived.

You were faster than me and our lass, we did 26 miles at 8.3 mph! The little finger numbness could be a trapped ulnar nerve http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_nerve

It is very common in cyclists, if you don't already, try gel padded gloves, they have helped me no end.

 

[BrianEvesham]

Well I managed a personal best today 28.85 miles in 2.55 hours average speed of 9.8 miles an hour now I know this is pitifully slow but the first and last thirds of the ride was into the wind 25-30 mile an hour with gusts up to 40 miles an hour. The first twenty miles were fine but after that it was just hell. My hands and feet were completely dead my little finger on my left hand is still numb and my lower back had gone. But wasn't willing to give in. I just hope I can get enough miles in before I have to do twice that lol

Well done to everyone else who braved the weather and well done Nigel on your accomplishment one step at a time and before you know it you've arrived.

Excellent Tracey, nothing wrong with these times given windy conditions and your path of fitness.
Keep it up.

 

[AndyPeace]

Bit unmotivated but decided I'd just go for a ride, no idea where so I headed for roads I've yet to ride. I felt sure soon enough a sign would point me somewhere familiar...so I'm looking for place names, when I see a nice red triangle with 17% on it..yep that's the way I'm going! Chuckled as I passed the signs reading 'stay in crawler gear', as if I'd need reminding very mixed efforts today, in part from motivation but also because the early sections had long stretches of cycle path, followed by a newly surfaced road with loose stone all over it (and endless traffic) Ankerdine Hill made up for it all, as did many of the fast roads leading from Martley back towards Worcester. Only one tut at a driver (of a pick up) who passed way to close and pulled right in front of me... Glared through his window and made eye contact as I passed him at the junction with my best cross face I d'no if he twigged why I was staring, but it made me feel better. Pushed a little harder at times for fighting the wind, though I had plenty of umpff left when I got home.
http://app.strava.com/activities/62356719

 

[morrisman]

Despite the wind went out for a trawl around Richmond-Bushy Park-Kingston whilst Mrs Morrisman visited Ham House, only 13 miles but it brought up the 500 miles since restarting riding 6 weeks ago. Must be time to buy a new bike

 

[starthms]

I rode the South Wales Bike Ride this morning. The ride was 46 miles and was the most climbing I have ever done. With 6 weeks to the London 100 I needed to start challenging myself more. The climbing is similar to the Surrey hills section of the ride so it was a good test.

The 25 mph north westerly wind didn't help. I completed the ride in 3:55 moving time (4:28 total). Given the weather and the stopping at traffic lights and junctions, I was pleased with the ride.

The problem I had was cramp in my quads and hamstrings in the last 10 miles. I used 2 energy bars, 2 gels, 2 bottles of carbo energy drink then filled the bottles and added a high 5 zero tab to each. I suspect I had too many carbs and not enough salt replacement.

I had energy at the end of the ride but the cramp slowed me down and at times was very painful.

It was a great ride and has provided me with motivation for the last 6 weeks before London.

I would welcome any advice you have on how to avoid cramp in the future.

http://app.strava.com/activities/62295983

That wind was a killer today was hit by a blast and i must have moved a foot on the common


Thanks guys for your input on the 3 bikes. I am off tomorrow to see them and hopefully have a go. I couldn't find much to split them. really like the look of the cannondale but have to see how they feel. very excited feel like i am 10 on xmas eve he he

 

[philinmerthyr]

That wind was a killer today was hit by a blast and i must have moved a foot on the common


Thanks guys for your input on the 3 bikes. I am off tomorrow to see them and hopefully have a go. I couldn't find much to split them. really like the look of the cannondale but have to see how they feel. very excited feel like i am 10 on xmas eve he he

I did the 46 mile ride. After a hilly 20 miles, I was looking forward to the flat 8 mile section before the Gower hills. When I got there it was into the wind. It made for a challenging morning.

 

[SWSteve]

I did the 46 mile ride. After a hilly 20 miles, I was looking forward to the flat 8 mile section before the Gower hills. When I got there it was into the wind. It made for a challenging morning.

It sounds blooming tough. The wind this side of the severn is relentless

 

[SWSteve]

http://app.strava.com/activities/62380918

Went out as I had nothing to do. Felt v.tired and the headwind on the way home was horrible.

 

[AndyPeace]

I did the 46 mile ride. After a hilly 20 miles, I was looking forward to the flat 8 mile section before the Gower hills. When I got there it was into the wind. It made for a challenging morning.

Stunning place Gower, I've never cycled there but backpacked along the Welsh coastline back in my twenties.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Despite the wind went out for a trawl around Richmond-Bushy Park-Kingston whilst Mrs Morrisman visited Ham House, only 13 miles but it brought up the 500 miles since restarting riding 6 weeks ago. Must be time to buy a new bike

Well done on your 500 mile mark.

 

[SWSteve]

Despite the wind went out for a trawl around Richmond-Bushy Park-Kingston whilst Mrs Morrisman visited Ham House, only 13 miles but it brought up the 500 miles since restarting riding 6 weeks ago. Must be time to buy a new bike

Well done! 500 miles in 6 weeks is an amazing achievement. I would say get the bike with the most outrageous colours, but that doesn't go down too well

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I feel a bit ashamed as I did not get out.

Drizzled all day till 5pm and I was dithering and just could not motivate myself to get out there.

My only excuse is that although I did not overtly get hurt on my diesel slippage on Weds I have a mass of aches in my right arm and shoulder - I think it has aggravated my old climbing injury which kept me off bikes for a decade or so.

Congrat's to all you 'got outs'.

 

[RWright]

I feel a bit ashamed as I did not get out.

Drizzled all day till 5pm and I was dithering and just could not motivate myself to get out there.

My only excuse is that although I did not overtly get hurt on my diesel slippage on Weds I have a mass of aches in my right arm and shoulder - I think it has aggravated my old climbing injury which kept me off bikes for a decade or so.

Congrat's to all you 'got outs'.

I hope everything gets healed and you are feeling good soon. No hurry to get out there, recover first.

I am sitting through a few storms passing over so I was not able to get out earlier. I still have 3 hours to go on the hours challenge. I hope these clouds pass over quickly, which they appear to be doing. The only problem is more appear to be forming , oh well, my bike is filthy anyway, a little rain isn't going to hurt anything, I hope.