Boy am I slow...

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Originally Posted by Jolt

That tire article was interesting--maybe I can't blame it all on the tires after all! It's more likely that I'm just plain slow, given my 10-11 min/mile running pace and the fact that I was never a speed demon on the swim team either (however, if I go to the local Y to swim laps I blow by a lot of people even though I generally swim a 500 in about 10 minutes--there's more of a range of swimming speeds there). I will probably still give that group ride a try in the next few weeks and see how it is, but I'm starting to get the feeling that I might do better to just ride at my own pace.

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Performance in other sports doesn't reflect on cycling. I was also a serious non-contender on swim teams, but I learned a *lot* about training and technique. THere are two categories of swimmers - swim team types and the rest of the world. In the assorted triathlons I've done (the teeny tiny ones) sometimes they separate out the "slow" swimmers and I barely make the "fast" classification - basically, I'm at the back end of the people who know how to swim efficiently. It has a *whole* lot to do with my puny little arms and thunder thighs ;)

Once I got some technique and time in the saddle - but it took me three or four years (most of which weren't where I am now, so these folks think I was an overnight success), I found cycling was pretty easy and had to admit after it was proven a few zillion times that I am good at it. I didn't *really* believe it - 40 years of being a slug doesn't go away - but since for years I've taught bright students who were convinced they were stupid, I recognized the thought pattern ("they're just being nice," "she was having a bad day," "they were holding back," "it's easy for them")

It wasn't even overnight here... I got physiologically addicted and started riding 9 miles almost every morning, then adding a four mile loop to that, then another one - and I'd try to do specific intervals in those loops faster each time. SO, I was "riding my own ride," but pushing the pace... at *my* comfort level, slowling down when I felt like it. WHen I could do 8 miles and hold a 15 mph average, I went out to our "low-key but not beginner" ride and was pleasantly surprised to be more than ready to keep up (with the *back* end). I had some real Cinderella experiences that I savor to this day :)
Ride your ride... as one of our retired riders says, "There will always be somebody older and faster than you are!"

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Originally Posted by Thorn

Some day I'm going to find a jersey for my hypothetical "racing" team, Equipo Tortuga and wear it proudly whilst being passed by the hares.

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I want that jersey!

And what Thorn and others have said. If you haven't paid entry fees for a race, who cares if you are slower than someone you've never met before. Pump up your tires and enjoy your ride.

You are all right I love to pedal. Speed has just become one of my benchmarks for measuring my improvement, and keeping up with cars gives me great fun!

Jolt, you can definitely develop skill and fitness on the bike you have. It can be a great training bike, I'm sure. Just don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. There are always going to be people much faster, and if they are on a road bike, that's a definite big advantage. Just keep working hard and you'll improve! Then, one day, you'll go for a spin on a road bike, and you'll just fly!

... just getting back from my group ride which last week a couple turned back & didn't go the whole distance for; this week they hung with us but SLOW (as in <9 mph) ... and so at the halfway point I felt compelled to peek at the bike and yea, those brakes... I picked up the wheel and spun... I mean dragged the wheel around.
We managed to get 'em adjusted better (tho' they were at the end of the adjustment point) and yes, that rider feels stronger - but pretty tired!
I think what was nagging at the back of my mind was that she was *never* coasting. We were going into a 13 mph wind but still... welp, between less friction and a tailwind, the ride home was much faster.
Fill them tars up and go for a ride ;)

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Originally Posted by Geonz

... just getting back from my group ride which last week a couple turned back & didn't go the whole distance for; this week they hung with us but SLOW (as in <9 mph) ... and so at the halfway point I felt compelled to peek at the bike and yea, those brakes... I picked up the wheel and spun... I mean dragged the wheel around.

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Wow, were they embarrassed they hadn't noticed that? I bet they were relieved that the bike just had a simple maladjustment that addressing is going to help a lot!

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Originally Posted by Geonz

... just getting back from my group ride which last week a couple turned back & didn't go the whole distance for; this week they hung with us but SLOW (as in <9 mph) ... and so at the halfway point I felt compelled to peek at the bike and yea, those brakes... I picked up the wheel and spun... I mean dragged the wheel around.
We managed to get 'em adjusted better (tho' they were at the end of the adjustment point) and yes, that rider feels stronger - but pretty tired!
I think what was nagging at the back of my mind was that she was *never* coasting. We were going into a 13 mph wind but still... welp, between less friction and a tailwind, the ride home was much faster.
Fill them tars up and go for a ride ;)

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Wow, pretty bad! I know that's not my problem (if the brakes were rubbing I'd definitely hear it, and the wheels spin freely). That said, that did cross my mind that day as there's a sound that was coming from my front wheel it seemed on each revolution--thought it might be brakes but when I spun the wheel around I didn't get the sound and it spun fine. Still not sure what the sound was--any ideas? Or could it have something to do with the brakes and it only does it when I'm riding as opposed to just spinning the wheel?

They weren't rubbing enough to hear - the wheel would go around about once before stopping. Besides, she'd just brought it in to the shop (for it's "30-day free checkup" from when she bought it... except that it had been ten years!!) ... my favorite LBS, I'm embarrassed to say, but at least I can say that it had been adjusted out to the end, so my guess is it was one of their new guys who didn't know what to do when you've adjusted as far as it can go and didn't want to ask (I know, I just know my guru wouldn't have let it out of the shop knowingly ... he'd have given it new cable or whatever!)
There aren't too many things that only drag the wheel when you're riding - then it would be something in the pedal crank perhaps. I am completely unmechanical - I even suggested that smaller tires might make the brakes not rub before I looked at them and of course realized it's not the tires they hit... doh... (her hubby seemed to be leaning *hard* towards getting her a new bike, so here's hoping their trip in for gear turns into something even nicer!)

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Originally Posted by Geonz

They weren't rubbing enough to hear - the wheel would go around about once before stopping. Besides, she'd just brought it in to the shop (for it's "30-day free checkup" from when she bought it... except that it had been ten years!!) ... my favorite LBS, I'm embarrassed to say, but at least I can say that it had been adjusted out to the end, so my guess is it was one of their new guys who didn't know what to do when you've adjusted as far as it can go and didn't want to ask (I know, I just know my guru wouldn't have let it out of the shop knowingly ... he'd have given it new cable or whatever!)
There aren't too many things that only drag the wheel when you're riding - then it would be something in the pedal crank perhaps. I am completely unmechanical - I even suggested that smaller tires might make the brakes not rub before I looked at them and of course realized it's not the tires they hit... doh... (her hubby seemed to be leaning *hard* towards getting her a new bike, so here's hoping their trip in for gear turns into something even nicer!)

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Hmm...maybe the (wicked underinflated) tire was bulging and THAT was hitting the brake pad while I was riding? The sound was short (like half a second each time) but it did sound a lot like the sound the front brake makes when I stop. It happened while coasting as well as while pedaling, so that probably rules out a crank issue. I may go for a ride tomorrow if the weather clears and I can't talk my friend into going on a hike...that will be a good test of that hypothesis because I'll make sure the tires are properly inflated this time!

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Originally Posted by ace

Yup, it'll give you really strong legs! I honestly didn't expect the road bike to make THAT much of a difference, but I am shocked. These are the differences I've noticed:

1) my "I'm not thinking about riding and not putting in any effort" speed has increased by about 3-4 mph

2) I can actually ride 19 mph on a flat road and not feel like it's all that hard (though I don't know how long I could keep it up. On my hybrid I never got past 16 mph).

3) Getting up hills is, dare I say it, almost easy. On my hybrid, it was always a major struggle.

4) The bike actually feels like it's riding itself, it's the strangest thing. My pt, who's a cycling coach, said that means it really fits me (and it should, it's a custom frame).

Transitioning from the hybrid to the road bike has completely changed my outlook on riding. I keep getting the urge to go out and ride hills!

-Amy

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Hi - I found this too. I just went from a MTB to a racing bike. Gift for Mother's day from husband & our 3 boys. Went out yesterday & covered in 90mins the same distance it was taking 120+ before. The bike "rides itself" is a perfect description. And then I did some hill intervals taody. OMG that was fun. Better then skiing for a speed rush going back downhill. Looked at computer after & hit 45.3km/hr. Lucky I didn't know at time - would have scared me I think

Jolt, you might want to do a thorough visual exam before you go out, it sounds like you could be headed for a pinch flat.

Okay, someone has to weigh in with low numbers for speed.

Speed? Did I say speed? Heck, I only just graduated to being able to use second gear! And to be really racy.....I slid it into third going down a hill today.

My speed hovers at about 8 mph which is wonderful when you consider I was a former couch potato only one week ago riding a sofa at 0 mph.

I'm as happy as a clam and have fallen in love with my bicycle and I'm also pretty fond of that tired, sweaty woman staring back at me in my bicycle mirror.

It's not about destinations and speed. For me, it's about the journey.

I discovered a two mile lenght of rails to trails today with much of it near streams and summer flowers trumpeting their own journey that is not measured in mph.

I truly admire and respect those of you who race but I don't want to be you. I want to be ...... just be.

Isn't it just incredibly wonderful to be alive on a bicycle!

I have just started riding again and my current bike is a mountain bike. I assumed that because my car tyres run at 35, my bike tyres which are smaller should run at less, so regularly rode on tyres with about 30psi. Then someone told me to read what was on the tyre wall (55-65) and pump the tyre up to the max. I have been doing that for several months now and the difference to my speed and ability to keep up with the group amazed me.

The 2nd thing I discovered was that you don't have to run knobbly tyres on a mountain bike. So I just had new tyres - called city/country - put on. They still have a bit of tread for those off dirt rough patches of road, but compared to the knobbly mountain bike tyres, they are like slicks. Now I can keep up with the front of the group.

I am learning all the time with my cycling - people who have been cycling for a while assume newbies know everything. That's why this forum is so great - everyone is so keen to help.

So maybe you could have a look at getting new tyres that are less heavy and therefore less grippy on the road.

Pardes,
don't worry about your speed. It's your health and your fun that matter. :)

I'm 54, and have been biking about 2 years now. Before that I hadn't exercised a day in my life. (except for waitressing off and on). I went from doing 3 mile rides the first year to actually riding 3400 miles last year. :eek: Why? because I love riding my bike and I love how good it makes me feel.
My speed has improved slowly. The first year I averaged 9mph. Last year I averaged 10mph. This past couple of weeks I seem to be averaging 11mph.
I figure by the time I'm 85 I'll be averaging 40mph. :D

I do like to see that I am getting faster- because it tells me I am getting stronger. I don't care so much about speed, I care about the beauty of enjoying my rides. Do what makes you happy and don't worry about everyone else. :p Good for you getting off the couch!

Wow, talk about an old thread being pulled up! I have to say, not too much has changed as far as my speed (or lack thereof)--still a fairly slow utility cyclist who does the occasional longer ride. To the person who's just starting out, I like your attitude! The important thing is that you're riding rather than sitting on the couch eating Twinkies. ;)

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Originally Posted by pardes

My speed hovers at about 8 mph which is wonderful when you consider I was a former couch potato only one week ago riding a sofa at 0 mph.

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Most awesome thing I've read all day! :D


PS I'm a former couch potato and current 8-9 mph-er, too. :p

Thanks for all your lovely response to me digging up this old post about "being slow."

I'm on vacation today and I did 8.6 miles today on the bike.... bus to downtown Newark - do half the miles around U of Delaware campus and the Hall Rail to Trail - bus to the grocery store and then bus home on the next bus.

It was only 8.6 miles but it was Mt. Everest to me. Here's the scenic half.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...-HallTrail.jpg

The view was quiet and spectacular on the Hall Trail.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t.../HallTrail.jpg

At midpoint is the old Newark train station that is now home to the Newark Historical Society. That's my Trek before I loaded down the empty pannier with groceries.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...ainStation.jpg

I took another bus to the grocery store that is about 3 miles from home. This was my first grocery run with the bike and it was interesting trying to guess how much the pannier would hold.

As I strolled the aisles, I realized that on this trek to the summit, I really needed a sherpa. Then I remembered, Sherpa was patiently waiting outside strapped to a grocery cart corral.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Groceries.jpg

The load filled three plastic grocery bags but I sat down like a bag lady and found that it all fit in the back pannier. I didn't even have to put anything in the front bag. Amazing! I have the regular grocery pannier at home but the set of 2 are too heavy and cumbersone to use daily on the bike. I save the clunkers for going to the laundromat or for when I'll be going directly to the grocery store and back. This Sunlite pannier doubles as my work attache case and is always on the bike or at work with me in the lab.

Meanwhile, I managed to miss the bus home.....possibly on purpose to see if I could actually bike a very heavy load home for the remaining 3 or so miles. I stopped halfway for iced tea since I'd drained my water bottle on the Hall Trail in 90 degree weather.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...loadedTrek.jpg

The icing on the cake came only a block away from my house. I was panting and trudging up a miniscule hill when I saw a female pro biker coming in the opposite direction. She did a double take and then said, "Hey you really ARE out and about!"

She was a pro biker I met at the LBS the day I bought the bike a week ago. She does very long distance rides and regaled me with stories of biking UP and down and UP and down the Blue Ridge Parkway. She was full of encouragement and ideas about purchases for my new bike and I wondered that day if she really thought I'd take biking seriously and hibernate back to the couch.

I felt wonderful pulling into my garage. Sherpa is such a good friend, non-judgemental and always willing to lag behind with me.

I'm exhausted. Time for bed!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...e/DSCN0165.jpg

That is so awesome. :) I have grocery shopping goals, but its about 2 miles away and I need to find a non busy way to go. And there's a hill.

My little 0.6 ride to the train station is killing me, I'm so out of shape. But some of it is getting comfy on my bike - I accidentally missed a turn and went over a little curb . I was like "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH" until I realized I was on a mountain bike, for heaven's sake. It likes bumps. I was barely jolted.

I love reading your stories of your beginning rides. :)

Hey ladies, do remember that when you are doing city type riding, you are stopping and going a LOT- stopping for lights, stop signs, intersections, traffic, stores... all this combines to bring your average speed WAY down. Don't let that bother you in the least! :p Someone zooming down a highway or bike trail with no stops or intersections is going to go 5 times faster easily.

You guys are making biking a part of your everyday lifestyle and using your bikes for actual transportation instead of cars, which I think is ultimately cooler than just doing recreational rides. Wonderful!

Pardes, you are doing GREAT!!! You are an inspiration, actually...

yea, Pardes! great story. It's nice to have another wise woman on TE.

Not bike-related, but Pardes, your story about grocery shopping reminds me of one time when I went to the store on my old moped. As I was going up and down the aisles filling up my cart, I completely forgot that I wasn't in my car. It wasn't until I was checking out that I realized I had bought waaaaay to much stuff, including an 11-lb. bucket of kitty litter, a bag of charcoal, a 12-pack of Coke, etc. :eek: Somehow I managed to strap it all on my moped, and lurched home (the center of gravity was completely thrown off). :D

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c...IMG_0568-1.jpg

Thank goodness for that custom rear cargo carrier. :)

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Originally Posted by rij73

Pardes, you are doing GREAT!!! You are an inspiration, actually...

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1! You are a great storyteller and you make me want to get out and ride right this moment!

My next challenge is to figure out how to attach my camera/video in a shock-absorbing manner to my Trek and video some segments to encourage other senior pleasure riders to the scenic beauty spots hidden within our East Coast urban sprawl in northern Delaware.

Fortunately the camera store is right acorss the street from the LBS where both stores are extremely helpful and where they look forward to pleasure-riding increasingly strange questions. "I would like a button installed on my handlebar that when pushed will extend and reach into passing cars and smack the drivers who ride my rear tire."

In this area I'm able to pursue two hobbies: biking and researching the late 1600's settlements, particularly New Castle, Delaware where ladies, believe it or not, the only woman in America, Catherine Bevan, was both hanged and burned at the stake for allegedly killing her husband with the aid of her young male servant. In those days killing your husband was called "petit treason."

Packet Alley is a particular "haunting" spot.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...T0203WEB-1.jpg

A house on the cobblestone road.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...SC_0218-01.jpg

Faithful friend frozen in time.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...49-01WEB-1.jpg

Reproduction of the Kalmar Nykel at the dock. I went for a ride on it and can't believe it how small it was to cross the ocean and bring Swedish immigrants to this area.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...arNyckel-1.jpg

It's a town that makes you reflective of both your past and your future....

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...FacesWEB-2.jpg

Historic Delaware

In these historic places,
there are spirits everywhere--
those we discover looking back at us
through a mullioned window
and those we bring with us.
It's our choice
whether that will be
a haunting
or a blessing.

Pardes

Nice, Pardes!

I was just looking online at state parks in Delaware. I've never been there, but son (14) and I are heading that way in September, and we need a beach to visit while we travel. The state park I was looking at I think was Henlopen?

Delaware and Rhode Island are states we have yet to cross off our list. Any recommendations of must-sees in Delaware?

Karen

Northern Delaware

Chad's Ford in Pa into Delaware to end of Route 9 in Dover. The scenic areas where herds of bikers travel.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2153752

highlights
Brandywine Battlefield
Chad's Ford Art museum
scenic roads into Wilmington
There are some major mountain bike areas near Newark in White Clay Creek parks.
very scenic ride from New Castle to Dover on Route 9 which is beautiful
Pea Patch Island a must-see and break from biking. Take the ferry to the island and step back into the Civil War at Ft. Delaware.

Delaware beaches

US 1 from Wilmington to the beaches is a MAJOR speed highway. Avoid at all costs.

I haven't traveled the beach area yet but the Rail Trail looks great. US 1 from Rehoboth to Ocean City is very busy in summer but not a super highway and not as fast and should be fine in Sept. Lots of turnoffs to get to the beach in just yards of walking.

Junction and Breakwater Rail Trail

http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrailMa...AcctID=6015481

http://www.railstotrails.org/resourc...waterTrail.pdf

http://www.railtrails.org/newsandpub...ives/0411.html

Pardes has some great suggestions! I love Fort Delaware and Pea Patch Island! I'll just toss out a couple more of my own....

Cape Henlopen is a beautiful state park. I actually got to live there for a couple of summers (in the park!) as a lowly intern at the college down the road.

If you go, check out the remnants of the WWII-era naval installation (Fort Miles)....the bunkers, the observation towers, and the "T-Building" at Herring Point. Herring Point used to be the "secret" beach that only the fishermen and locals knew about. Not sure if that's true anymore....

Lewes itself is a beautiful little town, perfect for strolling. It's a much quieter town than Rehoboth Beach, and more to my liking. Alas, it's been about 8 years since I lived there, so I don't know any of the shops or restaurants anymore.

A word of caution: please be exceedingly careful on Route 1, especially between Lewes and Bethany Beach. It's very heavily traveled by cars and some brave cyclists, but there are several reports each summer of cyclists and pedestrians getting hurt or killed there. I don't mean to alarm you, just looking out for you. Oh, and all of the municipalities love to run speed traps on their sections of Route 1...when they say 35 mph in Dewey Beach, they really do mean it ;)

Have a great trip!

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Originally Posted by Jolt

I was riding back from the grocery store this afternoon with a very light load (the trip was mainly to get city trash bags as we were out and tomorrow is trash day), and was riding up a fairly gradual incline on this one street and all of a sudden I hear another bike coming up on my left. Somewhat unusual around here, and even more unusual was that this guy was wearing a fluorescent/reflective vest as I do. Anyway, he blew by me like I was flippin' STANDING STILL!! And it wasn't like he was even trying to go fast--he looked like just another person using his bike to get around town, not a racing type (although he was on a road bike rather than a hybrid). I'm not sure why it bothered me so much, but I felt like I wanted to go crawl in a hole! I guess I didn't realize how slow I really was until then. I'd say my average speed was about 12 mph (the majority of the return trip is uphill). Sorry for the random vent, just aggravated with myself right now!

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Sorry I'm so slow ;). I only just saw this thread. So here I go yanking us back to square 1. I just wanted to say that, by now, you're probably averaging more than those 12 mph, whereas I'm still pretty pleased to average 10 or 11. I'd ask to ride with you to get my speed up a bit, but I'd be holding you back. You go grrrl! And don't worry about others speeding by. I think the real speedsters miss some of the fun I have enjoying the scenery. Enjoy your rides! You're doin' fine! :p

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Originally Posted by pardes

"I would like a button installed on my handlebar that when pushed will extend and reach into passing cars and smack the drivers who ride my rear tire."

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Wow!!!!
I want one of those!!! :D:cool:

At least you're not on the couch! I looked back at my training log from my first ride and I averaged 8 mph--and I thought I was FLYING! My speed has increased significantly on my hybrid--my family rides a loop and the boys now have new street bikes. Our training is riding as hard as we can so they don't lap up before we get in 5 laps!

And 12 mph is good! I just started riding a hilly route for training and my husband said I was averaging 6-8 mph at the top of some of the bigger hills and that was slowing my average speed down (I was too busy to look--I was just trying to not stop or fall over!)

What SIZE tires do you have? We swapped out the 32's that came with my bike for 25's and that also increased by speed.