Proud of my accomplishments!

[rij73]

OK, so some of you know that a few weeks ago I went to the Catskills with DH and my new (first) road bike to do some riding. Well, I didn't even report back, cause I was so disappointed with myself. I wound up barely riding at all on that trip. I was just too slow and miserable going up all the hills, and with my new clipless pedals and everything, I was just a nervous wreck.

When we got back, I spent lots of time in the park, doing my fitness laps, but also doing some bike handling exercises and working on standing while going uphill now and then to just spread out the work over my body.

So, this weekend we went to Connecticut to stay with DH's family and do some rural road riding. I just have to say that I did so much better than I thought was possible. I really feel like I overcame a big hurdle. Everywhere we went, I just pushed the evil thoughts ("this is too hard", "I'm going to fall") out of my head, and just kept going.

I rode 18 miles on Saturday, and 15 on Sunday. I tackled and conquered some hills that I wouldn't have thought possible. The toughest one was 8.5% for half a mile. The hill I do daily in the park is 3.8% for .4 miles, so it was a big step up for me.

Best thing is... today when I went to the park, I believe it was the first time on my road bike I wasn't nervous. I just happily got into my gear and shoes and everything, grabbed my bike, and took off! I rode well and was much less tired on the hill.

Thanks for reading this far... I just wanted to share my joy with folks who can relate! DH is proud of me, but I know he has no idea how really big this is for me. I've never been good at something physical in my whole life. I was always the nerdy kid and never quite grew out of it. Until now! :p

[Trekhawk]

Congratulations!!!
You are right to be impressed with yourself, overcoming our fears is not an easy thing.
Look out hills here she comes.:D

[jobob]

Excellent. :cool:

Don't be too hard on yourself, getting strong & confident on a bike takes time, and there's really no way to rush or force the learning curve.

Some people who are natural athletes to begin with take to cycling quicker than those of us for whom cycling is the most atheltic thing we've done for a long time, if ever.

I was a total couch potato before I started cycling, and seriously, it took me a while to get the hang of it. I didn't start using clipless pedals for many many months, and it took me much longer than that to start tackling the big climbs around here. You might read my ride reports from the Holstein and other big rides and think I've been at this level for-ever, but really, it took me years to get here. So I can totally relate. :cool:

And if I can do it, you can do it too, just be patient and kind to yourself in the process.

I'm really glad you're enjoying your progress, it's a wonderful thing to recognize your evolution as a cyclist.

[kaybee]

Congratulations! Don't you love it when you see improvement?

KB

[cosc]

So glad your seeing improvement in your bike fitness. Keep persevering and be patient with yourself. I am not fast and could do with more of a competitive attitude, but consider any ride good when I'm turning my cranks. When riding with others try to pace yourself so you don't burn-out early. Definitely hill training is needed for tackling those hilly rides. I participated in a hilly tour in Wisconsin last year and couldn't keep up so rode on rails to trails in the area a few days and had a wonderful time. Fantastic to feel you and your bike are becoming better acquainted.

[lauraelmore1033]

That's a big leap. Way to go!

[rij73]

Thanks, everybody!

[northstar]

Good for you, Rij!

[Starfish]

Thank you so much for letting us celebrate with you!! I also sometimes think back to the grade school gym classes that I found so humiliating...there was such a long list of things I couldn't do that the other kids seemed to find so easy.

I don't pick up athletic things quickly, and just the other day I was telling someone, I wonder what might have been different about my self-image as a kid if, instead of being asked to climb a rope to the top the gym ceiling (never did get a foot off the floor), I was told to go out and just slow jog as far as I could on a whole Saturday afternoon!

Congrats for overcoming your Catskills experience and keeping going. Yay!!!

[rij73]

Yes, Starfish! That's exactly how I felt. It was hard to be an awkward, unathletic kid. Add good grades and being a classical musician and boy was I just asking to be ridiculed!

[Aquila]

I just want to chime in on the good words.

I'm sometimes amazed at how good getting up a hill makes me feel, so I totally cheer when I hear about others getting up hills, or even just giving things a go. Well done!

[annie]

That is great! I can feel your happiness in your post. Hope you have many more wonderful rides ahead of you!

Annie

[Zen]

good for you!
It makes riding so much more enjoyable when you're confident.
I know, I had that feeling on last Sunday's club ride; everything just seemed to "click".

Just a matter of more time in the saddle.

[DirtDiva]

Hey - what's this :o for? Go you!

Oh, I wish I could go ride up some hills tomorrow. (Did I really just say that? :eek: ) Being a lady of leisure was much more fun than this working thing, if less well paid. :rolleyes:

[Mr. Bloom]

We'll never climb Mt. Everest, but I'm sure we get the same feeling each time we conquer a new hill on our bike.

You've done a great thing:D

[rij73]

I'm blown over by the sweet responses! You guys are the best!

I just took another step and scheduled a coaching with a local cycling instructor who apparently teaches bike handling, group riding skills, and just general good form on the bike. Looks like my lesson will be on Monday!

[RoadRaven]

Awesome!!
GREAT to see you deciding to choose to ignore the negative "I can't" thoughts - so much of what we achieve is decided by whats in our heads - its not all about the muscles.

It is about personal achievement and having fun achieving. Such a thrill. Well done

[Livin the Dream]

Congratulations on your achievements from another cyclist who isn't a natural athlete. It is a big deal and isn't it great to have this board to share your accomplishments with others!

[Torrilin]

Yay!

I'm clumsy. I'm not graceful. I'm slow. But I was lucky and had parents who encouraged me to find things I *can* do, so soccer, biking and swimming were encouraged. The biggest thing I learned out of that is to not listen to the "I can'ts". I can't run up a hill, but I sure as heck can walk up it. And if I keep going *splat* against it, eventually I get up it on a bike.

[SouthernBelle]

Excellent. As time goes by, your scary hills will get bigger!

[jcorbiser]

As another "non-athlete" I totally feel your joy! Its amazing to set the goals, do the work, and blow past them!! WooooooooHooooooooooo:)

[rij73]

Thanks again, everyone... :)