@Velocivixen -- thanks so much! Looking forward to the day when I'll be able to say that my achievements include 20+ mile rides and 6 miles of hills :).
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@Velocivixen -- thanks so much! Looking forward to the day when I'll be able to say that my achievements include 20+ mile rides and 6 miles of hills :).
I took the old pump and bracket off my Marin and fitted new bracket, pump and bottle cage. Yippee! No more waterbottles leaking through the basket onto the bike frame and no more wondering why on earth I had a red pump and purple panniers on the same bike :)
Hummm.. I haven't posted here in awhile as I haven't done much riding as of late. Work has kept me crazy busy and we had a record tying 17 straight days with temps over 90 degrees with oppressive humidity. The city had smog warnings during that whole stretch.
During the Tour de France I stopped into the LBS to pick up some goodies DH had ordered and they were having a huge sale. I spied a 2010 older stock hybrid bike in my size (one "trim" level up from my current steed) and $150 off sticker price. I talked to the manager who knows us-- we've bought four bikes from this shop-- and asked if that price was the bottom line. He did some pondering and knocked off another $100 off the price saying in another few weeks the 2012 bikes will be out. I say to myself-- do I NEED the grocery getter "upgrade" and HOW much could I get out of my bike???
I went on vacation and when I got back the bike was still there-- so I went ahead and did it. I then posted my bike for sale-- to which I have a strong buyer lined up and were meeting in the morning for her to ride and test out the bike.
Ok. So far no real achievement here, but I had a slew of stuff on my old bike that I didn't want to sell with it. Ergo grips, fenders, saddle, tires, and recently upgraded brakes that are better then the stock ones I would rather keep.
I didn't want to pay the shop to move all of these parts to the new bike. I was confidant I could do most of it myself.. Except the brakes. The derailures and the brakes have been my nemesis. I took the brakes off one bike and used DH's bike as an example of how things were supposed to look if I got stumped.
Tires-- check x4
Grips-- check x4
Saddle-- check x2
Fenders-- nearly: hardware malfunction with the carbon fiber fork.. Original wouldn't work on front fender now
Brakes-- check x4!!! I finally got the brake calipers removed and adjusted and have working brakes-- wooooo hoooooo
Finding the right adjustments was frustrating, but once I stopped being afraid that I would 'brake' something, I realize I could do it :)
Shannon
Road trip, so what kind of bike is it? I don't know what your current steed had been. I am totally impressed that you did that stuff to your bike. Good for you. Doesn't it feel great to accomplish something like that?
My, in comparison, small success was removing the front wheel off my new bike to clean the rims and to check the brake pads. I had to deflate the tire to get it out. Mentioned it to DH and he showed me how to release the brakes. Oh. Who knew?
Trek FX 7.3, 2008... Trek FX 7.5, 2010Quote:
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
Also have the road bike, a 2009 Specialized Ruby, which I adore ;)
Thanks, it sure does!Quote:
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
Hi Ladies,
Well I am new to the forum, as well as getting back into biking. Excellent thread!
My weekly, actually today, achievement I bought a new bike, a Trek Madone 3.1 WSD. I just could not resist, it just fit me sooooo well. Got home and went for my first ride in 13 years, went for 4.5 miles and got off a bit shaky.
Love the bike, loved the ride, it felt great to get on the road again! Now I am gonna do it all again tomorrow!
~~ Roll On ~~
Melissa
Something really simple, but needed to be done was clean/lube the chain and wash my bikes. I'd never done it before, but the LBS gave me a lesson and sold me some stuff to do it.
4 hours later, I have several clean bikes. Yes. I am that slow and my bikes were far dirtier than I ever thought, especially my MTB.
It's amazing that the time spent cleaning and polishing bonds you closer to your bike. I won't be so nervous to do this now.
Completed my first century ride today - which is quite an accomplishment for me since I have only been riding for 5 months. It was actually 106 miles, with a lot of climbing - lots of small hills and a few really big ones, including Marshall Wall http://www.adventurecorps.com/when/cheeseloop.html, and I kept going the whole time - no stops on the hills, even powered up some of them past other riders, and kept my cool on descents that made me want to crap myself. It was AWESOME.
@roadtrip, so did she buy your bike? I have a 2011 Trek 7.3 FX that I am thinking of selling, so you've inspired me.
Congratulations! I don't think you are a newbie any longer :D :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by MojoGrrl
MVines: We are bike sisters! I love my Madone 3.1! So smooth. Bike on, woman.
I guess not :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
Oh MAN am I paying for it today though...:) I've never been sore in some of those muscles before...didn't know I HAD some of them...and I am still ravenously hungry!
I had my longest, farthest, fastest bike ride yet. Clipped in. No falls, and lots of fun. I had a blast! The Juliana and I are getting to know each other better, and I'm starting to figure out how to position myself properly on the new saddle and bars...
I'm also new here, and have enjoyed lurking :)
I started cycling again a few months ago. I've been able to get out once or twice a week. I bought a Giant TCR Composite (now pimped in pink) a couple weeks ago to replace an old Cannondale. I took it out yesterday for my third ride on it and managed to do 20 miles at an average 20 mph! We have a great paved flat bike path that allows you to focus on riding, not cars. I was so excited! It was such a great feeling, which only makes me want to ride more. I'm starting to feel comfortable enough on the road and in my pedals that I may look for some group rides to join.
Here's hoping for a 40 mile ride Saturday. Love, love, love the new bike!
This week I...
- rode 15 miles which is my longest ride so far
- learned how to use my cleats with my clipless pedals
- learned to ride with one hand to signal with the other
baby steps :) :) :)
That's a lot of progress in one week! Congrats :)Quote:
Originally Posted by sunsfan
Thanks, Nick!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick
I'm hoping in the next week or two I can also say that I can keep a straight line while looking over my shoulder. It's difficult for me right now.
This is awesome. I have been riding since May and can do about 27 for longest ride. Tried the clipless thing on my first week and wiped out too many times. Now use regular old pedals and have no desire to try clipless again. I still have trouble taking one hand off the handlebars. So you are way ahead of me in a very short time! Rock~n~Roll!:cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by sunsfan
I have gone with clipless pedals and cleats yesterday!!!!
Rode about 8 km in town (lots of stops, red lights, and a couple of minor hills). And today did my usual early morning 14km loop, also in town, but with no traffic in the streets. I absolutely LOVE it.
It is a very different way to pedal. And muscles who apparently had not been working for three years (this is my third season bicycling after 30 years off the bike) were a little sore last night, and again today. But no falls and really no fears I must say. I do have a new mantra (as I approach a stop/red light/or anticipating a situation calling for a stop) : unclip! unclip! unclip! LOL
I feel good about this. Just like when you get to hang with the older kids in that other schoolyard. ;-)
I have decided to go with clipless pedals as I am going for a cyclotouring trip in a month, and figure that it might do a difference then. I thought that a month would give me a good idea if I want to do my trip clipless or not. So far, I'm liking this. If the sore muscles are less and less sore as days go by, as I do my various commutes this week and the next weeks, then, it's a go!
I have no preconceived ideas about this. There isn't, in my mind, a better way to ride per se. It is each person's doing their thing, and what is good and best for each person. But I feel good having tackled something new about bicycling, and I am curious of what it will bring on. I'm not into speed, performance, etc. But I would love to gain stamina. So anything that may help me improve my pedaling, in longer rides, is welcome.
Congrats on that! Glad to hear you are having a good experience. I recently switched to clipless. They have definitely changed the "feel" of my ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fontinalis
Hi All - Have had my bike for a week now and just completed my first 10 mile ride. Rode it in 46 minutes, including 3 short breaks. Got a new saddle yesterday and it has made a world of difference. Bontrager Affinity 1 WSD = BAD, Specialized Lithia = Much Better :)
I purchased and installed a Velo-Orange polished aluminum chain ring guard on my new bike. Well, the front derailleur (which is the harder of the two derailleurs to adjust) was very slightly rubbing on the new chain ring guard. I watched some online videos about front derailleur adjustments and so I moved my front derailleur slightly higher so it wouldn't rub. I must have also inadvertantly rotated the derailleur cage, so then I had to adjust that as well as the limit screws. That, in turn, slightly affected the cogs in the back and shifting so I had to adjust that. All in all things shift well and work, but things seem just a tad more noisy than when compared to before I made these adjustments. I have my one month free tune up on my bike this week and I will definitely tell them what I did and have them "fine tune" my work. ;) So that's my achievement.
Well, poo! I signed up for an organized ride and opted for the $20 long sleeve T-shirt. As near as I can tell, the ride is composed of three loops, kinda shaped like Mickey Mouse. The loops are 50, 25, and 25 miles, and riders can do any combination. The (minor, I know) problem is that I am planning to ride 50, maybe 75 miles and the shirt proudly proclaims that it is a century ride.
I don't like wearing the shirt under false pretenses. Yes, I realize that only about 3 people will ever notice this and comment. Yes, I realize that I am married to one of them. Yes, I understand that this is trivial compared to pretty much everything else in the world.
Signed,
Century Ride Poser
Hey roo4, good job for riding any of them! You do know, don't you, that you wear the shirt After the ride (not before or during)?
65 miles today, pretty much climbing the whole damn time....and my "bad" knee did not hurt AT ALL. Not even a moment of fatigue or discomfort. This is a FIRST!!
Impressive. And hurray for no pain!Quote:
Originally Posted by MojoGrrl
That's great! I am still too afraid to do any real "mechanical work" on my bike, but it's an invaluable skill to have.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
:D Yeah, I know. I've done many running races and triathlons in the past. At this point I don't get too snooty about it though, half the time the race shirts aren't something I want to wear anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
Did 29 miles this past Sunday. The longest I've ever ridden!
Hi Ladies....
I just started riding this last spring, and can't get enough! The last few weekends my guy and I rode 60 miles, loved it! We are training for a century this fall. Every place we go, we usually take our bikes too! Don't ya love bike racks! LOL!
Well I survived my first crash today... Update in a little while... Just got back and need to shower and assess full damage.
Shannon
Update: Did a 14 mile trail ride with a friend... He's much more advanced at cycling then myself or DH. DH goats him into taking off his shoe while riding and putting it back on, which his he is able to do and rides no hands for a half mile... You get he idea.
He's riding along and chatting, I hear some banter between him and DH, so slow down to find out what's up, he says DH is freaking out because I did this... At which point he actually reaches over and grabs my bars and is screwing around with me. I feel my weight shift and I'm too close to him, only inches away, so steer away, he attempts to "keep" me upright making things worse. We both go down. I landed just to the side of the pavement in the "grass" which was really gravel incased in a little dirt and grass. I hit the deck with my right leg and shoulder, feeling the gravel as I tuck my shoulder in to protect my head, then hear the gravel as my head hits the ground. I'm stopped. Quick assessment. Nothing broken. Bike, check.. Look in one piece. Only a little scratches and dirt on the bar ends (thank god I wasn't riding my Ruby) but all else inplace and acounted for. So I turn to see if my friend is ok and give him what for. He says I over-reacted. I said no you were screwing around. His front brake is fully engaged and no right. We look at adjusting, but them but we realize his wheel is WAY out of true, like a taco. It's unridable. I do a quick safety check on my bike and ride on the five miles back to the car and he walks up to the trailhead were I tell him I'll meet him with the car. I get to the car and turn back to collet him, but on the way to the LBS to get his bike checked he says hes sorry and shoudnt have done what he did.
I have road rash on my leg and elbow with some bruising already.. Bike look to come away unscaved.. His front wheel was trashed and he had to replace.
He sounds like a moron.
DITTO! Take all the chances ya want to -all by yourself...not at another's expense.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Wow! How unnecessarily dangerous. At least (small consolation) he fessed up to the mistake. I hope you are not too stiff tomorrow. The one time I crashed, my neck was really stiff afterwards. Two 30 min massages helped!
Unanimous, he's a moron.
Yeah, what they said. Idiot. At least he recognized that that was incredibly stupid.
Ouch. Get thee a new helmet just to be safe, and hopefully you aren't too stiff and sore tomorrow.
Sounds like you need a different riding buddy. Joking around on bikes is not a joke and can really be serious. Glad it wasn't worse!
A few things:
I mostly ride on flat trails. I checked out a new one today. This one has hills. :eek: One of these is really steep, then there's a less-steep section until you get to the top. I managed to get two-thirds of the way up the steep section before I had to get off. I turned back at that point. I didn't want to have to be picked up when I only had a vague idea of where I was. (My mom also has no sense of direction.) Guess I need more hill practice!
Related to my turning-around, I managed to descend this particular hill with only minimal freaking out and didn't wipe out on the corners!
I also discovered that I can now ride hands free for about two seconds, and can grab my water bottle and even drink from it. I can't, however, put it back! This discovery resulted in another one--what that plastic loop is for. Clearly, it's for holding your water bottle between your teeth so you have your hands free to brake, allowing you to stop and put the bottle back in the cage. :D
Woo hooooo... Well for most of the H2o intake process. :)
What trail where you at btw? Curious minds wanna know!
Shannon
Lebanon Countryside.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadtrip