I put new bar tape on my Dahon the other day -- it needed to be done, and I had been putting it off forEVER . . . and this was the first time I had done this for any of my bikes!
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I put new bar tape on my Dahon the other day -- it needed to be done, and I had been putting it off forEVER . . . and this was the first time I had done this for any of my bikes!
Riding in not one but FOUR separate downpours today..when is this silly weather going to stop? :mad: SUmmer better be here soon!
My rain jacket saved me :cool:
Sure hope it's not like this for our mtb event next weekend
Thanks for all these stories, gals. It's so nice to know there are kindred spirits out there. It's hard to say these things to folks who don't know what it's like to feel that grit in your teeth an hour after you get off your bike...
This summer I completed two centuries: America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride around Lake Tahoe with Team-in-Training (Go Team!) and the Mid-Valley Covered Bridge Ride out of Albany, OR, and I'm commuting every day in September (14 miles each way) for the Portland commuter bike challenge. These have caught my imagination and given me my fire back (not to mention helped me overcome various physical challenges, not to mention aging).
It's so cool to be this lucky. Thanks for knowing this feeling.
Best,
-Kate
I conquered my nemesis hill! It's not terribly steep, but it's long, and the pavement is awful. (Ohio's philosophy on road repair is to patch it until it becomes cost-ineffective, then repave it.) On the way up, I think my lungs wanted to remove themselves from my chest cavity and whack me upside the head, but I made it. BF had gone on ahead and was waiting for me at the stop sign at the top. He grinned and said "Well done!" I gave him a quizzical look, for I was too busy guzzling half of my water bottle to talk. Then he pointed to my chain wheels. I was still in the big ring! I seemed to have had a brain fart on the way up. No wonder I wanted to not move for a bit!
Rest of the ride went well, though. :)
I'm a new ride, maybe since April or so ... I ride 2 mornings a week about 20 miles each morning and try to get a longer ride in on the weekends. I usually have one or two of the kiddos in the trailer or in a bike seat. I am working up to doing the 24 Hours of Booty the end of this month which is a 24 hour ride to raise funds for cancer awareness. Totally looking forward to this experience!
I have two! First is my longest ride to date this past Saturday (my bike was a whole week old!)- 12.5 miles, averaging about 12mph on generally flat terrain.
Second was today- new max speed of 24.3 on flat terrain!!! Yippee!
This biking thing is ridiculously addictive.
Yay! I am happy to see this thread is still going - and with so many awesome accomplishments. Way to go ladies!
My latest and greatest was a 50 mile ride on Sunday and I've finally gotten my average speed up over 13 MPH (I know, still slow to you roadies!). 50 miles, on a mountain bike and I still haven't even gotten my slicks - woo hoo! It was awesome, and I'm starting to wonder why I even want slicks, or a road bike for that matter. I feel a special kind of dorky cool riding long distances on my MTB, lol!
Amy, that is great! There is nothing wrong with mountain bikes and distance!
Well pinkbike, you made my accomplishment sound kinda sad, but either way congrats on the fork maintanence. I was so excited that I installed my aerobars and handlebar tape. I felt like a queen!!! Also, I don't know if I should get too excited about this possible accomplishment, but I have done 3, 40 mile bike rides and tomorrow I'm going to attempt to do a 64 mile ride!!! I'm a little nervous and apprehensive, but hopefully I'll find the movtivation!!!
I love reading all of your accomplishments! :D
I entered my very first cycling race! It is in two weeks. I am terrified, and very excited.
I did the 44km option of the Dwellingup 100 today..One word: HILLY but tons of fun & some sweet sweet singletrack :D
I'll post a ride report with some pics tomorrow.
This thread is incredibly motivating! My proudest moment was 3 weeks ago when I decided to dust off that road bike an ex-boyfriend built for me last year. I had only been on twice before we broke up. I was determined to figure out how this thing worked. I bought some gear, you tubed how to air up my tires and off I went! I have only been out 3 times on flat roads, average 15 mph and ride about 15-17 miles. It's a start, right? Oh, found a new boy to ride with; don't know if he will stick around, but I am committed to riding - with or without a boy! ;)
I just completed a 40 mile ride with the local cycling club 'B' group. It's the farthest I've ever ridden. Most 'A' rides have been too hard for me. We have BIG hills to climb wherever we go. This ride today was not as difficult as some, but nothing is flat. I am really sore all over.....
Anyway, I am 57 years old and have been riding for about 6 months. So, for me this is quite an accomplishment. I never thought I could do this. Alot of the other women riders are in their 60's and in great shape. It is inspiring. Instead of declining into old age, you get better. Any other older riders on the list?
I have been riding since March and have passed 1000 miles on my computer.
I finished Knox County Bicycle Challenge - the whole thing.
Two years ago I did the 78-mile loop and it just about killed me.
Last year I did the 78-mile loop and it was enough.
This year I did the full 101 and it was fine.
They say if you can do KCBC you can do Columbus Fall Challenge, which I'm signed up to do to next weekend for the first time - and which I've been terrified of. Now, maybe not quite so scared (but we'll see in the morning if I would feel like getting up and doing it all over again....)
I JUST started riding, so this seems like a goal that will be sooooo far away for me, but I want to...... i am jealous.Quote:
Originally Posted by greenbeanvw
I started road biking 6 weeks ago, so I am guessing I have no idea what I am in store for, but it will be fun either way! You can do it!Quote:
Originally Posted by mwilson84
I'm feeling pleased with myself although it's probably for odd reasons.
Today my derailer snapped off and went into my wheel.
I calmly stopped on a dime, unclipped flawlessly and didn't even break a spoke. Bike shop says that it was probably bent from last week's two lay downs in one ride. He showed me what to check next time. I told him not to worry, if I go down I'll fall left.
The only PITA part was the blister I got from walking home. I'm happy, though. It could have been a lot worse.
Now I'm just waiting to find out if they can just replace just the hanger or if more needs to be replaced.
Darilyn
P.S. - My bike shop just called and said that my bike is all fixed, turned up and ready to go for $60. I think I'm in love. :)
I just finished changing my inner tube all by myself! I knew I could do it because I took a class on bicycle maintenance at the community college, but I had never actually done it. It took a while, because I had to read the directions again, and again, but it's done, and done right!
The day I manage to change the tubes by myself, I will be overjoyed. Or will have replaced my tires. ;) (The tires, even without much air in them, take a bit of cajoling and forcing to get them through the brakes. Hence it requires two people--one to hold the wheel and the other to hold the bike.)
I got out both days this weekend! 3 miles yesterday, 5.5 today. I'm still not feeling 100% in regard to putting a whole lot of physical effort into things, since I had the flu a week or so ago. The muscles are pleasantly stretched. Maybe next week I'll increase my distance (and get up a bit earlier). I also finally figured out how to shift correctly. I don't love the shifting on this bike, but I think we've reached an understanding.
Owlie, do you release the brakes first?
Yes. That's the odd part. Even released, there's almost no clearance between the brake pads and the tires. :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kris
Wow, Ladies! You are so inspiring! I haven't been on line in awhile - started a preschool in September with 71 students and right now we are very busy! However, I am still able to fit in some riding and running, hoping to do a duathlon late next spring or early summer. I have to say that I recently bought a Kurt Kinetic trainer (which I absolutely LOVE) so that I can ride at the end of the day or early in the morning indoors since it gets dark so early here. But on Sunday it was 70 degrees and I sent out in shorts and short sleeve shirt and road a 22 mile hilly ride a mile an hour faster than ever and kept the cadence at 90 or higher the whole way! I whole heartedly believe in the indoor trainer (and coach Troy!) for increasing my cadence and strength.
I LOVE the feeling of going out and riding farther than ever and exploring new parts of the country that I haven't seen. It is hard to compare that feeling to anything else - except to maybe add a 6 mile run to the end of the bike ride!!! Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the great work. You ladies Rock!!!
While on a ride this evening, I went past a roadside sign that says how fast you are going and I got up to 27 mph. A new personal best!
I just had to post how proud I am of myself for doing the dreaded hills on the way home from running errands. There are some pretty decent hills where I live (Iowa isn't as flat as you think) and there is one I avoid all the time and I did it today and didn't die. If anything I want to go ride more instead of writing journal reviews for class.
In September I did my first sprint triathlon (500m swim, 15k bike, 5k run) at the ripe young age of 46. Notice how I said "first"?
Owlie, it helps to let some of the air out of the tire before trying to take the wheel off; are you doing that? (For the same reason, don't inflate all the way before putting the wheel back on, but have some air in the new tube when putting it into the tire.)
Signed,
Learned the Hard Way
I've had my first road bike for about 10 days and finally have had the opportunity to really play with it this weekend. Friday I did 17 easy miles with my DH and MIL and today DH and I went for 30. Originally I had planned on 26.2 in honor of some friends who ran a brutal marathon today (Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon in TN), but I felt so good that the extra few miles were a complete pleasure.
DH (who is a cycling monster, even though he looks more linebacker than cyclist) said I took to the bike like a natural, not making a lot of noobie mistakes that he said are common. He thinks I will be pretty fast with some more consistent miles under my belt. This makes me :D, since fast is not an adjective that would be applied to me when it comes to running.
It's going to be really hard to be away from my bike for this long holiday weekend. :(
Even if they're mostly flat, it's still a bit of work. I don't know why Giant thought it was a good idea to put those tires on this bike, but they did. Other than that little problem, I like them, though...Quote:
Originally Posted by owlice
I'm so excited. I spent a couple of months looking for a bike, since I knew I wanted to start riding more. I'm moving to FL next year, out of the city, and have some great places to ride.
So I've started taking my son to the local park here, we can easily get there in about 5 minutes by bike from our house.
So today we went, him on his small child bike, and me on my fancier one. After five miles and 30 minutes on the playground he says "I'm not ready to go home yet." So we kept going up the parkway, and ended up doing 9 miles in all. Keep in mind he is 6, almost 7, riding a one gear bike with a seat that hits me just about six inches above me knee.
I can't believe how well he did and how much fun we had. As long as the weather holds we should have some great times, and I can't wait til next spring!!!!
Good job everyone! I have had my bike for about a month as well, I try to ride at least 2-3 days a week with having school and with the weather. During the summer I hope to be doing a lot more. I ride with my friend who is a junior pro, and he took me on a 28 mile route. It has a lot of hills, but one in particular that I can barely get my car up...I never thought Id make it but I did, and it was the best feeling! After that my legs were shot but I just love it so much!
I have doubled my mileage! It took me a full year to ride my first 1500 miles. It has taken me just six months to ride my second 1500 miles!
So Saturday we attended the adoption course, this evening i'm starting photography classes. Next week i'm picking up school again so I can teach at a university (2 year course). Next month were starting classes to become a fosterparent.
:)
:):):):):)Quote:
Originally Posted by papaver
--------------------
I started playing cello again. Again. It's been a five years since the last time I started playing again. And 10 years since the time before that.
It's fun. Again. No pressure this time. It's just for me.
Yay Tulip! That's wonderful. I haven't quite gotten back to that point with music again... but I'm hopeful.
Two of us went down in perfect unison this afternoon in a high wind gust and a patch of newly dumped gravel. The other young male rider shouted a very loud, heartfelt curse in front of several spectators and a bunch of kids walking on a field trip.
I shouted "ta da" as someone mentioned on this forum. It lightened up a scary moment and earned me a few style points from two of the men who were walking about six feet from the crash site.
I was wearing a helmet that made a nice, loud sound as it hit the sidewalk. My crash partner wore no helmet and had a messy gash on his head.
My hand is bruised, but not scraped. My crash partner had torn up palms.
The teacher turned to her students and said, "That's why you should always wear a helmet when you ride your bike." A sweet little boy said, "I want those hand things, too."
Thanks to everyone here for the safety reminders and great posts. And thanks to whoever it was who posted about "ta da" after falls. It made me feel cool after my crash.
I think my Sirrus and I may take tomorrow off, but thanks to good safety equipment we'll be rolling again in no time.
Best regards,
Hunter
I hope you are okay and I'm really happy that you had your helmet and gloves on. It's too bad that you had a crash but it sounds like there was a positive side to it. If only one of those children remembers what the very smart teacher pointed out, then it will make a difference.
Be sure to have your helmet checked. Sometimes you need to have them replaced after they have sustained a bounce in a crash.
I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt but I'm sure you are sore today.
Thank you very much. I was glad something good came out of the crash, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bike Chick
I'm okay. I stalled getting up this morning. Assorted body parts rashed up and bruised, but nothing serious. My bike is fine, too.
I'm sending out healing vibes to the other guy. Maybe he'll think about a helmet.
Thanks again, Bike Chick.
Hunter
P.S. - My helmet does have a little divot, so I'm off to get a new helmet later. Thanks for mentioning it. I -love- my helmet this morning.
I think it is awesome whenever anyone starts to ride and they increase there kms they do. When i heard a guy said that he'd ridden 10,000kms on his bike in the 2.5yrs he had it i thought ohh my gosh that is a lot of kms to ride, but in less than 1 year since i have started i have done over 8,500kms.
My proud moment came on the weekend when i competed in my first major track cycling competition. i had to race australian champions (also place 4th at worlds) another lady that was world masters champion and world record holder another lady that competed at national level. in one of my handicap races i heard the commentator saying that the world masters chamption was coming up the outside of me and i managed to kick and hold her off to the line, so i beat the world champion and then in my next race i managed to eliminated both the world champion and the national champion to get 2nd place. i had only been racing track for about 2 and a half months. in the other races they only got away from my in the last half a lap and i only finished about 15 metres behind them. one of the ppl asked how long i had been racing and i told her and she was speechless. All these ppl were riding track bikes that were at least $5 or $6000 worth and i was riding a 20 yr old bike that i have borrowed just to see if i liked to race track. I love track and i ordered a biek but it didn't turn up in time :(
I also got to meet an olympian :)
Jodz, that's quite an accomplishment! :cool:
I rode 30 miles in the rain with really windy conditions just to prove to myself it's not that bad. And it wasn't.
Sun, that takes some determination and grit. I don't know what's worse in that situation, the rain, the wind or the argument you have with yourself while in the midst "this is stupid being out here---just stop and call someone--no, it's not much further---I can do this--"Quote:
Originally Posted by sundial
Jodz, great accomplishment! You must really be proud of yourself.
Hunter, that dent in your helmet could've been a dent in your head:eek: