When do we stop being 'beginners'?

[sutts]

Hi fellow beginners! I have been cycling quite a bit since about March (average 190 miles per week) and I am really enjoying it. Well, I was just wondering, am I still a 'beginner'? ;-)

From 15 stone to 12 stone 7, from 10mph average to 17.5mph average (with no lycra and no cleats in sight), surely I have earned my stripes now?

I went to Majorca the other week for five days, and I hired a bike, the type with the shopping basket on the front, and I did 80, 65, 68 and 81 miles on four of the days...come on now, I deserve my stripes don't I?!!

 

[slowmotion]

You stop being a "beginner" when you stop posting in the Beginners forum. It's really simple!

Welcome, BTW.

 

[Gregcycle]

I think it's safe to say your not a beginner anymore! And congrats on the weight loss!

 

[sutts]

You stop being a "beginner" when you stop posting in the Beginners forum. It's really simple!

Welcome, BTW.

I guess so! I only read this forum though, so it's a bit hard to leave and join the 'real' cyclists as I don't feel like I belong!

 

[slowmotion]

I guess so! I only read this forum though, so it's a bit hard to leave and join the 'real' cyclists as I don't feel like I belong!

With your average speed, I can assure you that you do.

{ I have yet to become a "real cyclist" }

 

[Shaun]

To stop being a beginner you have to do 50 miles on a bike with a shopping basket on the front ...

 

[sutts]

With your average speed, I can assure you that you do.

I guess like all of us, I don't always do 17.5mph average, I only tell you the good results! Some days it's like 14.5 mph average and it's really hard to find the motivation to go out. My life has been transformed though, I have an interest for once and it's great. I like to lose myself in thought on the bike...and even though it's sometimes a real hard slog, the end result is always worth it.

I always cycle quicker and visibly stop breathing every time I see another cyclist on the other side though...is that just me, lol?

 

[sutts]

To stop being a beginner you have to do 50 miles on a bike with a shopping basket on the front ...

Haha!! Dude, I have arrived!

 

[sutts]

I bought one of those cameras for the bike. I recorded some footage from Majorca and I plan to use it as playback on the exercise bike in the winter. The ride from Can Pastilla to Palma and back is about 15 miles and it's truly magical...and it's really flat. The number of people that walk out in front of you on the cycle lane (they cross by hearing, rather than by looking) is truly, truly, truly staggering. I quite like it though, because I quite like to call them names...

My best footage is of the female driver (sorry, but she was...nothing against female drivers...well nothing much lol) who reversed her Golf straight into a steel bollard. I did feel for her because she did seem to be watching where I was going and probably forgot about the bollard!

 

[Puddles]

I guess like all of us, I don't always do 17.5mph average, I only tell you the good results! Some days it's like 14.5 mph average and it's really hard to find the motivation to go out. My life has been transformed though, I have an interest for once and it's great. I like to lose myself in thought on the bike...and even though it's sometimes a real hard slog, the end result is always worth it.

I always cycle quicker and visibly stop breathing every time I see another cyclist on the other side though...is that just me, lol?

Yes that is just you, Mr P said I only became a cyclist when I cycled faster than people walk, I managed eventually I average about 8-10 mph on a good day, I only hit the dizzy heights of the "teen" figures when coming back from the PYO Farm or Supermarket fully loaded and a gentle downhill slope all the way home and the User76 in the trailer has eaten lots that day!

 

[Saluki]

I guess like all of us, I don't always do 17.5mph average, I only tell you the good results! Some days it's like 14.5 mph average and it's really hard to find the motivation to go out. My life has been transformed though, I have an interest for once and it's great. I like to lose myself in thought on the bike...and even though it's sometimes a real hard slog, the end result is always worth it.

I always cycle quicker and visibly stop breathing every time I see another cyclist on the other side though...is that just me, lol?

No, not just you. We do that too
Your weightloss is inspiring, thanks for posting.
I will be out on my bike today, shifting those pounds, a bit later (after work), breathing in and speeding up when I see other folks out on their roadies.

 

[michaelcycle]

Do you know your power to weight ratio?

If so and you want a broad idea of where you sit you could look here:

http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/trainingpeaks-power-profiles-cyclists

I would say you stop being a beginner when you move from the untrained category (if you care about that kind of thing of course. Not that most people do

 

[sutts]

Do you know your power to weight ratio?

If so and you want a broad idea of where you sit you could look here:

http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/trainingpeaks-power-profiles-cyclists

I would say you stop being a beginner when you move from the untrained category (if you care about that kind of thing of course. Not that most people do

Thanks for that! I'm interested, but I don't understand what I have to do!

 

[michaelcycle]

Thanks for that! I'm interested, but I don't understand what I have to do!

We have the technology:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/08/power-primer-cycling-with-power-101.html

(Incidentally, if you just wanted a one off measurement to see what your current level is you don't have to buy an expensive power meter. You could rent one or go to a gym which has Wattbikes or their equivalent and do a test yourself...)

 

[sutts]

We have the technology:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/08/power-primer-cycling-with-power-101.html

(Incidentally, if you just wanted a one off measurement to see what your current level is you don't have to buy an expensive power meter. You could rent one or go to a gym which has Wattbikes or their equivalent and do a test yourself...)

Thanks again. That looks kind of complex, but interesting. I shall read more on the subject...