Newbie weekly achievement thread

Hi all, I'm new round these parts and am very glad to have found somewhere to discuss my new interest..cycling.

I used to be very into cycling but this was 16 years ago (I haven't sat on a bike since); I am now I am 33 years old and morbidly obese..5'2" and 16st 12 (236lb) :(

However I have finally gotten round to buying myself a bike and am determined to shift some of this weight, get fit and have fun. My family and I have booked a holiday to Mexico in August so this is part of my motivation!

The bike I bought is a Voodoo Marasa hybrid. I got it 2 weeks ago and have so far been out every day.

The first day I went out I was really shocked and embarrassed that I could only do a meesly 1.12 miles (in 12 minutes) - but I am now doing a quite hilly route of 3 miles in 20 minutes which comparing to you guys is nothing - but I keep telling myself it is better than doing the nothing I wasn't doing before!

So hopefully I can share the rest of my firsts here with you!

(sorry for the long post!)

hi Nats and welcome! You're not far from me. Congratulations on your new bike and getting started, there are quite a few very inspiring women on here who have lost a lot of weight through cycling, exercise is exercise. Looking forward to hearing more of your firsts!

Good job, Nats! Don't feel bad about where you are, or how you got there, because your future is now looking a whole lot better, isn't it!? You've made the big leap, and it gets easier and easier (;) or faster and harder, depending on how you look at it) from here.

I did eight miles on my new road bike today... drove over to try out a new place to ride that was supposed to be "easy", which was just fine for me and my legs that hadn't been outside much due to weather, but ended up being filled with rolling hills and much harder then I was really prepared for.

It didn't help that we forgot water before we left (after just yesterday installing not one, but TWO bottle cages on my bike-- LOL) and by the time we were done, I was pretty thirsty, so hit a convenience store on the way back to rehydrate a little.

Once we got back and unloaded bikes I realized I had been riding my bike in the large chain-ring the whole day (my second DOH moment of the day, making it harder on myself in the process), but ended up still feeling strong, tho the new Brooks about killed my bum and needs some more break-in.

Shannon

Thanks ladies, just having read through this thread has inspired me lots so am hoping this really is the beginning of a new me.

Hebe - yes Wilts isn't far. I'm in Yeovil and work in Shaftesbury (which is right on the Wiltshire borders) where are you?

Just a quick update - I have just got back from almosy an hour (59mins) in the saddle and acheived 8.69 miles. Average speed 8.8mph - Max 26.9mph. My first decent ride! :)

Congrats Nats!!! Keep up the good work!

Shannon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nats

Just a quick update - I have just got back from almosy an hour (59mins) in the saddle and acheived 8.69 miles. Average speed 8.8mph - Max 26.9mph. My first decent ride! :)

---

Congrats!!! I just got my bike this weekend and I can't wait to have a great ride =) Right now we're getting umm...acclimated lol

That's brilliant, Nats!

I'm near Chippenham.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redrhodie

Not yet. We a couple of rain days, and those boots are vegetable dyed, and can't get wet. Today is my city's very popular St. Patrick's Day parade, so again, not riding to the store. Too crazy here this weekend. I'll do it during the week.

Excellent on getting the trailer! She's going to love it, and I bet it will be a lot easier to maneuver. The days of dropping the bike with her on it are over!

---

I look forward to hearing about the first red-boot ride!

I'm so looking forward to getting the trailer. It's definitely going to be much safer for me (and her) than the bike seat, that's for sure.

What kind of boots are those, redrhodie? They're purdy.

The brand is El Naturalista. They run small, just in case you need to know. ;) Once you get the right size, they're really comfortable. I have their clogs, and they've taken over Keens as my shoe of choice.

I'm in love. I spent the last 20 minutes or so on their website, but the shoes are apparently sold at a store about a 15-20 minute ride from here. This could be dangerous!

K I'll stop hijacking the thread now :)

Thanks again :p

Glory I hope you get accustomed quickly! ;)

Oh and BTW those red boots lovely!

I do luv those red boots! I just want to say you are tough if you can manage those and clogs. That might inspire me to buy even more shoes and justify them in my already vast shoe collection:D Welcome Glory and Nats!