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

[Mo1959]

Headset sorted I had put the wrong spacer in on the bottom, and off to to try another set of gear ratios. 21-24-27 also shortened the chain one more link.

I've never seen anyone so bothered about their gears Nigel. Lol. Half the time I don't even know what gear I am in

I suspect I could do with taking a link out of my chain too as I think I left it a bit long when I fitted the new one.

 

[Harv]

Hope your son does get into it. Will be nice to have some company.
Strava should give your pace for your moving time. If you look at your ride you will see moving time and elapsed time which is about six minutes longer so that will be when you stopped.

Thanks Mo.

He's always on his PC playing games so this should hopefully get him out and get a bit fitter.

 

[RunDorset14]

Honestly instead of track standing just clip out. Also if you think you may stop, clip out before you stop. Font rush getting into them either feel around a bit if needs be. Try not to look down though but if you have to and it's clear to do so then do it. We have all had moments but the benefits make up for them.

Thanks for the advice - I always clip out with plenty of time to spare but it's after I stop and put my left foot down... I completely forget my right foot is still attached and I lean too far that way until there's no going back... I'll get the hang of it one day

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Thanks for the advice - I always clip out with plenty of time to spare but it's after I stop and put my left foot down... I completely forget my right foot is still attached and I lean too far that way until there's no going back... I'll get the hang of it one day

I always unclip both - I've learnt the hard way that I need to do that for my safety, and that of others around!

 

[Mo1959]

I always unclip both - I've learnt the hard way that I need to do that for my safety, and that of others around!

............and I've still not risked even trying them!

 

[moo]

Well done! It doesn't have to be a road bike, though. I've been using a touring bike for years, and it's ideal for commuting: comfortable and handles bumps, rain and dirt well. I do have a road bike also, but it's either my weekend rides bike, or the backup commuter for when I'm working on the tourer.

Thanks. I just want something much lighter and better equiped for road use. I'm finding cycling more enjoyable the faster I go If I were a few years younger I'd probably go for the lightest carbon bike in my price range. However I'm leaning more towards your advice and considering bikes like the Genesis Croix De Fer.

 

[Stonechat]

Recently has the feeling that my increase in fitness/form has plateaued (spelling?)
Speeds distances have not increased - however perhaps strava and the stats do not really capture my improvements
Sure my hill climbing is a bit stronger (even if still weakest area)
However I am good enough for the L2B.

 

[Nomadski]

Well done on the fab ride

Dave's trainer lady mentioned that a mountain bike would help his fitness (or something similar) but I said that it wouldn't if he only had one for himself! Method in my madness. It's nice to do something different, we've been out a few times together, but I'm still getting used to the gearing so I'm not great. We are going on an 'intro' course on Bank Holiday Monday, which also happens to be our wedding anniversary, and I'm looking forward to doing some fun stuff and not just serious road miles

Did you find a bike for Mrs Nomadski? And how is S getting on with hers? X

Anisah still has yet to buy a bike (lack of cash, space and time).

Suj is still waiting for the replacement bike. Is entire with courier but is taking an eternity.

She will be doing an Isle of Man trip at the weekend so hope she gets sow miles in this week. :S

Plucked up the courage get rid of the old standard pedals and try out the SPD-SL pedals again (tried them once last year and fell over immediately)....

So 35 miles and lots of personal records later, I absolutely love them (only fell over twice - luckily no one around to see and no real damage apart from a scuffed knee)!!!

Just got to get the hang of balancing so I don't hit the deck again and I'm away...!

I always unclip both - I've learnt the hard way that I need to do that for my safety, and that of others around!

Multi release cleats. £10. Never fall over again. Comes with a Nomadski Satisfaction Guarantee.

Recently has the feeling that my increase in fitness/form has plateaued (spelling?)
Speeds distances have not increased - however perhaps strava and the stats do not really capture my improvements
Sure my hill climbing is a bit stronger (even if still weakest area)
However I am good enough for the L2B.

My speed has gone backwards, but probably because I'm doing a fair amount of hills.

 

[Mo1959]

Recently has the feeling that my increase in fitness/form has plateaued (spelling?)
Speeds distances have not increased - however perhaps strava and the stats do not really capture my improvements
Sure my hill climbing is a bit stronger (even if still weakest area)
However I am good enough for the L2B.

Same here Bob. After seeing good gains last year as a new rider, I seem to have got a bit stuck and can't quite get the speed back in the legs this year. Saw a boost today but that was mainly due to putting on lighter tyres I think or maybe I just worked harder because I wanted to see the benefit of them! Lol

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Thanks Mo.

He's always on his PC playing games so this should hopefully get him out and get a bit fitter.

I saw a child and parents out today it was great to see a youngster on the road on a road bike as well.
I saw hundreds and hundreds of people today, had to wait at one junction end of this segment http://www.strava.com/activities/142529027/segments/3251670389 you can see how long I had to wait the gps kicked in thinking the sensor had stopped, it must have been some charity thing.
Converse to yesterday, I did better speed wise than I thought cad still low but i put that down to the extra climbing I am doing, HR down overall.
@Mo1959 I just like messing, anyway I wont be saying much more on it as, I will either stay with this 13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27 or the 28 still dont like the jump from 17-19 but there isn't much I can do to have a good close spread of ratios and as wide a range as I have, I might have a go with a 41th middle at some point, the FD is better to not perfect but I was thinking about whilst out and it could be the cage being designed for 7/8sp chains as the thickness of the link (thats one side of the outside links) is about the shortfall.
The upshot is everything is working pretty much how I wanted it, just now need a way to shed 3Kgs off it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Same here Bob. After seeing good gains last year as a new rider, I seem to have got a bit stuck and can't quite get the speed back in the legs this year. Saw a boost today but that was mainly due to putting on lighter tyres I think or maybe I just worked harder because I wanted to see the benefit of them! Lol

I think I agree Mo, nothing I seem to do comes close to last Sept when my avg for the month was 16.15mph with a lot more climbing too.

............and I've still not risked even trying them!

You should.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Recently has the feeling that my increase in fitness/form has plateaued (spelling?)
Speeds distances have not increased - however perhaps strava and the stats do not really capture my improvements
Sure my hill climbing is a bit stronger (even if still weakest area)
However I am good enough for the L2B.

My stats dont Bob the only thing i have improved is cadence but that is likely to be the lack of hills however with the two extra gears (so @Mo1959 ) and the better arrangement, now i am settled with the grouping I have, I hope this will improve as I get better use to it and the fact the Sora RD even though designed for 7/8sp and no more than 27th works well.

@Mo1959 one other thing and chain links having removed the extra link the chain noise on the 52th front is a lot less, but this could be better alignment.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I am saying nothing but and wait till it becomes 40+ miles like @Supersuperleeds and he only lives about 5 or 6 miles from work I think

5 miles door to door, I've done well over 4000 extra miles on the commutes so far this year, but I'm not addicted honestly

 

[Nigelnaturist]

5 miles door to door, I've done well over 4000 extra miles on the commutes so far this year, but I'm not addicted honestly

Not really

 

[Effyb4]

Lots of cyclists out today. I did 33.2 miles, so I have cracked 30 miles now. Felt quite fast on the way out, but I was tired on the way back. I don't think the heat helped.http://www.strava.com/activities/142576986