Newbie weekly achievement thread

Well, for me, I think achievements are going to be measured by lessons learned, mostly the hard way. After three weeks with my Specialized Crossroads, I learned I hated it, and traded it in for a Trek FX 7.5, which a friend will buy as soon as my Gunnar Sport arrives. I've learned that the bike lane in my town suddenly disappears in the busiest section of town, leaving no safe place to be. I've learned to not breathe with my mouth open unless liking the feeling of a mass of gnats in the back of your throat. Today, I got out for about 10 miles and learned that I can go happily and easily at 18 mph, but as soon as the wind kicks in, that drops to about 10 mph and I'm back to breathing with my mouth open, hating feeling out of shape. This afternoon, I'm attending a flat tire clinic at a lbs to learn how to change a tire, trying to ward off learning that lesson that hard way. I've also learned that I love the freedom of just getting out on my bike and riding around. I'm going to start commuting two days a week, starting next week (8.5 miles each way), and am hoping to be in shape enough to really enjoy my new bike when it arrives in another month or so.

Today was my first day with clipless pedals. I got the two-sided SPDs in case I got too nervous and wimped out using them (I was very nervous). My LBS let me practice in a trainer before leaving the shop. I had to stop at traffic lights multiple times, and didn't have a single fall. Yay!

Does surviving first fall count as an achievement? :)

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Originally Posted by murielalex

Does surviving first fall count as an achievement? :)

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Most definitely! Are you and the bike both ok?

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Originally Posted by hebe

Most definitely! Are you and the bike both ok?

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Yes, thank you. My new Brooks saddle has a scuff mark on the edge, but I'm calling that "character."

It was a classic newbie move, and I hadn't even made it out of my neighborhood yet. I was coming to the edge of my street where there is a diner. I could tell some lady was going to back out without seeing me, and I slowed down, and got so obsessed with watching her, I didn't even notice I'd come to a stop and just flopped over. Of course, a couple diners came out to see if I was okay, but the lady, who did back out, didn't even notice I'd fallen behind her.

I went on to a beautiful 20-mile ride down A1A (any South Floridians here?) by the ocean. It was my first time pedaling out that way, though I live only one mile away. I was expecting to see a lot of cyclists, and I did as they were all passing me :) What surprised me, though, was how rude the joggers were and how many: they tended to jog in pairs in the bike lane against the traffic, and wouldn't split up into a singles when I was nearing them, forcing me into the traffic. Since there is only one lane going each direction, I'm just glad it was early in the morning and not too much traffic.

Tomorrow is my first commute by bike (8 miles each way). I go in early enough to not have to contend with traffic, but coming home is a different story. Although there is a bike lane on one main road I'll be on, it stops abruptly in the busiest section of town and becomes a lane for parked cars. There really isn't a safe road going East to West, and I will have to ride a sidewalk (wide, thank goodness) on the last two miles going in. Keeping fingers crossed. I've got my lights and day glo vest. Since I got my first fall out of the way, I'm thinking I'm ready!

How did your commute go? I'm glad that you weren't injured, and I'm sure that Brooks can only improve with a bit of character.

I decided that it was time to learn how to change a tube. Not a success, I couldn't get the tube and tyre back on again (though on the plus side I had no problem getting them off). I then tried to book in for a maintenance lesson at the lbs, but can't do it for a couple of months because of dh's work commitments. Sigh. I'm going to try again tomorrow. I really want to get my mileage up, and don't want to end up walking home because of not being able to fix a flat.

First commute didn't happen. I have my regular job and a private practice that I do out of my job location, but on my own time, and I ended up scheduling a 7AM session. Since I don't have the timing figured out yet, I wasn't willing to risk being late or not having time to clean up before. Friday will now be my first commute.

I'm in the same situation as you with the tire thing. I went to a flat tire clinic two weeks ago, but it was all observation. I have yet to practice fixing one, and I'm nervous to try, but know it's better to try it out now and fail rather than try it out for the first time on the road.

Good luck for Friday! It's easier to do it with less time pressure, I think.

I finished changing the tyre this morning - I watched a load of you-tube videos last night and read plenty of threads on here and it went quite smoothly. It took me two goes to get the front wheel centred so that it wasn't rubbing on the brakes. Next up is to do the rear wheel. It looks like I'll be able to book a bike maintenance session at the beginning of April, so I'm looking forward to that.

My flat change didn't work - I managed to get a pinch flat in a previously good tube. Oh well, this is why I am practising.

I did my first proper double-figure ride this morning - 12 miles on the Vita. I am stupidly proud of myself. I can't believe it took me this long, but I suppose my utility riding is much shorter distances and rides have often been limited by both ability and time. woo hoo!

Go ahead and be proud of yourself!

Last week I completed my first 12 miles on the "maiden voyage" on my new Trek Lexa. This week the achievement is going to be mastering the new Speedplay Light pedals and want to ride at least 25 miles. Yay!

woo hoo! Enjoy :)

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Originally Posted by Maye

Last week I completed my first 12 miles on the "maiden voyage" on my new Trek Lexa. This week the achievement is going to be mastering the new Speedplay Light pedals and want to ride at least 25 miles. Yay!

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Definite achievement!

This weekend was the first time I didn't ride alone, and I didn't kill anyone by plowing into them! That feels pretty good.

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Originally Posted by murielalex

Definite achievement!

This weekend was the first time I didn't ride alone, and I didn't kill anyone by plowing into them! That feels pretty good.

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This is an amazing achievement, it feels so very good to do this the very first time. It's only been two years since I could say the same thing :cool:

Great achievement! I still ride into the Mister sometimes :o

I did a roadside-repair maintenance course last night, and this evening I took the rear wheel off the Marin and put it back on again. Everything still seems to work...