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

[Mo1959]

add day time lights on to that list as well... topic always worth avoiding. shade is very dark in these conditions and I usually cycle leafy country lanes living rurally.

Ditto. I have always felt I got safer passes when using a blinking rear light in all but the sunniest of conditions.

 

[Mark1978]

Did my first ever run (just up and down the road) in my new clipless pedals today. Found it quite tricky to get in the things (SPD-SL shimano jobbies). Felt more comfortable getting unclipped than i did getting clipped in. Once i was in though, and after relaxing into a bit (i felt a bit tense to start with), I started to see and feel the benefits of not having to concentrate on keeping my feet on the flats. My legs seemed to do less work overall, although i did feel a bit of muscle action that i wasnt used to. I think in the flats i did ride a bit pigeon toed and in the clip ins im a bit straighter. I might see how i go in this configuration and adjust as necessary.

 

[Steady]

Did my first ever run (just up and down the road) in my new clipless pedals today. Found it quite tricky to get in the things (SPD-SL shimano jobbies). Felt more comfortable getting unclipped than i did getting clipped in. Once i was in though, and after relaxing into a bit (i felt a bit tense to start with), I started to see and feel the benefits of not having to concentrate on keeping my feet on the flats. My legs seemed to do less work overall, although i did feel a bit of muscle action that i wasnt used to. I think in the flats i did ride a bit pigeon toed and in the clip ins im a bit straighter. I might see how i go in this configuration and adjust as necessary.

I think getting into clip less pedals puts me off more than getting off.

There are quiet a few steep gradients on junctions where I always forget to gear down and I think if I had clip less pedals those would be the moments I'm off!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Been called a 'fool' in a reply for saying that I thought that a helmet and a high viz garment were useful things to get when starting out riding.
Yep, I think I've been blooded I've enjoyed the forum so far, and especially wanted to say thanks to those other users who went out of their way to post replies on the 'Welcome mat' and also to my inane witterings on this thread. It has made me cycle a bit more, and a bit more confidently. Onwards and upwards.

I will guaranty that over the next few months I will see "so called proper cyclists" get caught out in the evenings as the nights start to draw in, any thing that helps to build up confidence has to be a good thing, I have a hi-viz guilt but dont often wear it these days as it's pretty lose and my other jackets have plenty of reflective stuff on them, lights well I ride with lights if the conditions warranty it at any time of day. Helmet I forget I have it on.

@Mo1959 hope your cat comes home safe.

@Mark1978 I dont clip in straight away even after a year a lot of the time, only had one moment unclipping as such but had one when as @Steady fears going up a steep hill and couldn't get rotating the pedals, but that might have happened even with clips, and a few close calls at home.

 

[GreigM]

Any sign of kitty @Mo1959 ?

 

[Arualsti]

10.5 miles today, up from barely being able to do 1 miles a couple of weeks ago. My bum is killing me and I have a few scratches from cycling too close to a bramble on a tiny cycle path, but overall I am feeling great!

 

[welsh dragon]

10.5 miles today, up from barely being able to do 1 miles a couple of weeks ago. My bum is killing me and I have a few scratches from cycling too close to a bramble on a tiny cycle path, but overall I am feeling great!

Well done. I ripped my left leg to bits not long ago on a bramble sticking outmin the road. Ouch.

short sharp ride today as it's number 1 grandchilds 18th birthday today, so lots to do.

 

[Mo1959]

Any sign of kitty @Mo1959 ?

Nope...nothing yet Lay awake on top of the bed last night with the window wide open hoping she might appear but no joy so far.

 

[moo]

The gear lever broke completely riding home from work last night. In sympathy my body decided to bonk due to lack of food and a harder than usual days work. I was still 7 miles from home at this point but soldiered on at half my normal speed. I'll be keeping some emergency cakes at work from now on

 

[BrianEvesham]

I've been busy going out cycling with Sue recently which has been fun, but I did enjoy this blast this morning on my own;

http://www.strava.com/activities/166156818

Any sighting yet @Mo1959 ?

 

[confusedcyclist]

Forgot to log my outbound journey but this was my first long distance ride, from Leeds to Skipton and back. All in all 55 miles.

http://www.strava.com/activities/165298502

Before this I was typically riding 8-16 miles a day. Now the 8 miles commute to work doesn't seem so far. Sadly I sprained my knee as it was also the first time I used SPDs so it will be a while before I can get back out there

 

[Mo1959]

I've been busy going out with Sue recently which has been fun, but I did enjoy this blast this morning on my own;

http://www.strava.com/activities/166156818

Any sighting yet @Mo1959 ?

Not yet Brian. That's over 24 hours now so getting pretty worrying. She must be starving. I thought hunger might have driven her to attempt to find home....it may yet, fingers crossed. On a more positive note, my visit to Ninewells to get my wound checked went well. It is healing nicely and got a lighter dressing on.

 

[BrianEvesham]

Well at least that's some good news Mo.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

The gear lever broke completely riding home from work last night. In sympathy my body decided to bonk due to lack of food and a harder than usual days work. I was still 7 miles from home at this point but soldiered on at half my normal speed. I'll be keeping some emergency cakes at work from now on

I have been pricing kit 105 shifters, 105 cassette and a KMC chain £175 (Tiagra £22 less) O.H. has offered to loan me some money, the FD I have should work short term till I can offered a matching 105

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Not yet Brian. That's over 24 hours now so getting pretty worrying. She must be starving. I thought hunger might have driven her to attempt to find home....it may yet, fingers crossed. On a more positive note, my visit to Ninewells to get my wound checked went well. It is healing nicely and got a lighter dressing on.

Cats are survivors Mo.