Did my weekly weigh in and I've dropped the three pounds I'd gained over the Holidays. Yeaaaa me!! Oh course I've indulged movie theater popcorn and pizza today. I'll just do a few extra miles on the trainer!!
Shannon
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Did my weekly weigh in and I've dropped the three pounds I'd gained over the Holidays. Yeaaaa me!! Oh course I've indulged movie theater popcorn and pizza today. I'll just do a few extra miles on the trainer!!
Shannon
I gained 5 lbs during the hols but only have 1\2 lb left to drop!! Darn cookies and booze!!!:D
Yesterday I got to test a few new potential new bikes. DH promised a new roadie come spring so trying to get an idea of what it is I want.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=41253
Not much outside of that, at least bike-wise, just doing my trainer work when I can. It's been pretty nice weather last few days so it's killing me I can't be outside.
Starting new job this week and traveling today for training and will be gone two weeks.
Off to finish packing.
Shannon
I hope your training is going ok, Shannon.
I rode into town again today to do the errands. I guess I really can do it now, seeing as that's the second time. I still pushed the bike for a couple of short sections, and the journey home is a lot slicker due to a left turn onto a main road rather than a right turn off it (I know it's the other way around for most of you guys who drive on the right). I rode a new section of towpath too, which was satisfying and saved me a couple of hundred yards of road.
Thanks Hebe, training is going well. Just long, long days, twelve hours of training a day which leaves little time to hit the pool or exercise facilities here at the hotel. By the time I get dinner (my waistline is not going to like these two weeks), I just want to go to bed.
I long for my bike... my dh and comfy bed.. Sacrifice for the greater good.
Lunch is almost over!! Later gals (and guys)!!
Shannon
How did it go, Shannon, are you back now?
We got home today from a 4 day break at a forest holiday resort just a few miles from here. We hired mountain bikes and a trailer, and I fulfilled my ambition to ride on a bike with small girl. She absolutely loved it, and had the mother of all tantrums when her trailer was found to have rainwater in the footwell this morning. I didn't find it hard at all, though to be fair I did the downhill stretch, and Mr Hebe is now talking enthusiastically about buying a trailer as it was so sturdy and easy.
I rode at least once every day :D gradually adjusting the saddle up as their default setting was for flat foot on the floor when seated (I guess they get a lot of people who haven't ridden in years). It was great and I can't wait to go back there with my sisters in the summer!
I got back into town last night. Long two weeks. I did find time to ride the bike in the small exercise room at the hotel, but only a few times in the two weeks I was there, but I'm home now. So glad to be home and sleeping in my own bed again!!
We went over to the Trek dealer today and I rode the Lexa and a Madone 4.5 and have to be honest I am still a fan of the Specialized Ruby. The Ruby was much more comfortable "out of the box" and I just didn't have that weeeee feeling while riding either Trek.
The saddle on the Trek was pretty crappy compared to the Specialized and I know that's always something you can swap. The Madone is $2,000 and the Ruby is $1,800 (old stock, but not in my size, so if I had to order the 2011 I'd pay close to $600 more for same level of bike) as they downgraded some of the components on the entry level Ruby this year. It has SRAM Apex versus the Shimano 105
More research... more debate... LOL
Weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow and hoping to get out for a ride!!
Shannon
We finally got out today as it was nearly 60 degrees and clear skies. GREAT cycling weather. Just one thing... it was blowing 20-25 MPH... which was NOT so great. We hadn't been out for awhile (much too long) and it showed. My legs were really barking at me. The good thing is I was MUCH more at ease on the trail then I was last year on this same trail.
I think I've also made a decision on the new roadie too. My local shop is transferring a Specialized Ruby in my size from another store so I can test ride it. It's a new old stock 2009 model, so it's marked down, which would save me a good deal of money. I wanted to fall in love with the Madone 4.5 I rode, but I just didn't, plus saving $500 isn't bad either!!
Shannon
How exciting!
Congratulations on getting out to ride too. I was re-reading a cycling roadcraft book last night and thinking how much more of it makes sense now.
I tried the child-seat on the bike today. Not a huge success - cycling with it was fine but stopping was not good and I dropped the bike with small girl on it :( Luckily just on the grass, and not far as I caught the bike and she was helmetted and well strapped in so completely unhurt, but I still feel pretty bad about it. I think I will try again - was practising with a 28lb bag of potatoes this afternoon - but I think I will get a trailer for her.
Oh Hebe, so sorry to hear about your troubles with the child-seat and glad your little one was not hurt, but don't give up!!
Shannon
Hey Folks,
Can somebody give me a heads up on these bikeability lessons? Are they UK-based? I've been riding to work for 4 months now, but I'm a bit clumsy and am wondering if it would be worth giving a course ago, especially as I have terrible problems indicating right (don't laugh, well, you can if you want to :p).
Are you in the UK Ellie? It's the replacement for the old Cycling Proficiency Test. I found my instructor by asking at a local bike shop, but you can also ring your local council and ask for details of cycle training for adults. There's also a Cyclecraft book by John Franklin that I think covers everything.
I wobble on left-turn signals until I've worked up a bit of speed. But not as much as I did.
Hello and welcome!
Welcome, I am new to the community as well, but have been biking for about 10 years.
Hope to hear more from you, welcome!
Connie
Hi i'm new :)
On a ride in the park this week I learned to eat ( sorta) I grabbed a piece of a clif bar from a friend and shoved the whole thing in my mouth. I mumbled now what!!?? (I still had the wrapper in my hand) I said wait.. i can do it.. I reached back and put the wrapper in back pocket of my jacket, like it was nothing. Then I screamed " Oh my god , did you see that!!??" My friend was like what??? He was not as amazed at my feat. But I was proud of myself. I forced him to high five me :) On the way home ..I was so excited and confident I grabbed a water bottle, took a sip and magically put it back in the cage. I accomplished alot that night, doesn't sound like much but at one point I was convinced I would never be able to do it.
LOL! I was the same the first time I wiped my nose whilst riding. I haven't mastered the water bottle yet though :)
Hello and welcome!
thanks :)
I wouldn't say i've mastered the water bottle hahah... I need to learn it when i'm going faster. My friend told me to coast a little when i'm removing it, my frame is so tiny that if i'm pedaling i might hit my arm/leg/bottle/frame/crash. need more practice! or maybe a 25 oz bottle is too big.
I use a Camelbak, problem solved :) In the summer it is full of ice so it keeps my back cool and it is just a little quick movement to get the hydration I need. I do not find it overly heavy, and it fits my needs just fine.
I do have two bottles with me as well in warmer weather, but I do not try to drink from them while riding - and one of them is just for pouring over my head if I need it :) For full disclosure I must admit that I do go for long rides out in the country where there are few places to refill bottles - so it is best for me to take as much water as I can so I don't run out. Have I ever really TRIED to drink from my bottle while riding - no....
I got out on the new bike tonight and all I can say is I hurt. Hand, forearms, and bum hurts... I also feel it in my core and legs, but a good tired.
I played around just getting used to the gears and the like. DH teased me and said... is that as fast as you can go... all the while we were cruising at a "get used to the bike" speed. I said, I could go faster if I wanted to!! I geared down and increased speed until I ran out of gears on the back. I then changed down to the big gear on the front. Mistake now I know-- I moved to the hardest small gear on the inner ring to the HARDEST on the large chain ring-- I've only got a double (I'm used to my Triple.) At least my legs were feeling good and I just mashed down, which was like riding a rocket, WOW. I've never felt anything like that. DH said he was doing close to 20mph, and I was pulling away from him still, until I slowed down round the bend in the road.
I also nearly lost it when gearing down again to sprint toward the end of the ride and my foot slipped on the pedal... throwing my balance was off to one side and I swerved and thought I was going down, but was able to slow and regain control. She was just showing me to respect her and pay attention!! LOL.
Shannon
What a lovely thread!
I am new here but thought i could tell you about my cycling story so far... I am really over weight, needing to lose about 80lbs. I brought a bike about 8 months ago and have taken to it really well. Whilst i have not lost any weight as yet (that is a rant and a dissappointment at the same time), i have gone further in my cycling.
When i got the bike home i battled to stay upright. I was also so unfit i could not cycle the 300m to the end of my street.
Two weeks ago i rode 63km in a cycle event. I came stone last but my goal was to finish, not to win nor to even cross the line with everyone else. I just wanted to finish. It was the longest i had ever ridden in my life and this weekend i have another 65km event. But i am not sure how far i will go, i may stop at around 40kms and jump onto a sweep vehicle.
So it can be done, even when really fat! Problem i have now though, is to get used to the road bike i just brought today... Will update with how it goes.
Hello and welcome Zenn! Congratulations on starting cycling and on your rides so far, hopefully the weight loss will follow.
I'm a bit :( today - it's a gorgeous day, Mr Hebe is back from the States, but I have put my neck out from 2 weeks with a sad toddler missing her daddy and requiring much carrying. Pain-killers aren't really helping, so all my cycling plans have been abandonned. Tomorrow might be possible though, and I have a refresher session booked with my cycling instructor on Thursday.
Hi, I'm glad to see this thread. I've been cycling for a few years but kinda fell off the bandwagon last year, only cycling sporadically.
My last major ride was about half a year ago and even then not much, just 80kms.
So when I made a resolution to get on my bike more this year. I'm pleased to say i went for some proper cycles the last three weekends. started off with a short 30kms ride 2 weekends ago. then last weekend i rode 65kms with my old gang. they left me in the dust but at each point at least one guy stayed back to ride with me.
today i rode 80kms. it was hard and my whole body hurt. but i'm glad i did it. was left behind each time again but one guy would always try to stay with me
need to do some secret training and start getting back to speed again.
looking forward to seeing more progress from everyone!
Yesterday I did a "fitness test" which was ride up paris mountain and see how long it takes me. Its proabably only a little over 2 miles, but it averages about 6%. I did it in 20min! Which... in comparison, my bf did it in 12 and george hincapie climbs it in probably 9 minutes. Fit fast girls probably do it in 11:30.
I'm not fast, but I did it. And I didn't stop or cry or hyperventilate. I just sat there an suffered for 20 minutes. Now after training ill be able to see if I've actually improved, too.
Tried to get out for a ride yesterday, but by the time we got home from work, loaded up and ready the sun was already fading. Arrived only to find the park closed due to flooding and trail completely under water. We had loads of rain Sunday/Monday, but I didn't expect high water on Thursday, so we had to bail on the ride as no time to get to alternate riding spot.
Tonight we got home and off we go...
Ride was great... right up to the end... flooded road/trail right next to the golf course and we had to hike/carry bikes across muddy flooded field, but much preferred to the two feet of water covering the trail.
Got back on the bike after our little off-road adventure and feet promptly slipped right off pedals (wet shoes) which was fun!!
More rain coming for the next three days, so I'm expecting more flooding, but I'm going to have to find another place to ride in the short term-- when it's not raining!!
Now to go clean my new bike... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr.
Shannon
Wow Funsize, looking forward to reading more as your time improves!
Shannon, you've had such bad luck with the weather these last few months. Hopefully the rain is a sign of things warming up and it won't be long before you're out on your clean new bike much more often.
I've had a brilliant morning. It was my first session with my cycling instructor since last November, when she broke her hand. We had a recap, then she showed me another route into town which basically takes out a stretch of very busy road. I also rode in the very centre of town for the first time, couldn't quite believe I was doing it, and it was nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined. The new route into town will also give me a flattish route to dd's nursery with less traffic, and I'm still really tempted to get a trailer. Anyway, my instructor was really thrilled with how my riding has improved over the winter, and she has offered to ride with me whenever I want for no lesson fee now, which I appreciate hugely though I'll still give her something for her time.
My mountain bike is due in for its first free service, and my Marin is also due in for a free check. It will be wonderful to ride the Marin to the bike shop myself :)
I love this thread! What a great way to cheer on progress!!!
I just bought my first road bike (Cannondale 2011 CAAD10 Women's with Shimano 105) on Tuesday!!!!
My partner (a very experienced and speedy road rider) will show me how to set it up on the trainer tonight! We're talking about picking up a second trainer this weekend at the local bike show so we can train indoors together.
I am super excited to get out on the roads once it warms up here, and start adding my improvements to this thread!
I'm so happy, I finally got the okay from the Doctor to ride clipless.Its been really windy snowy so I wanted to wait to use cleats because I felt and still feel a bit apprehensive about them. Its been almost a year since I injured my achilles so its been a year since I clipped in. I just jumped in and did it ,I rode 15miles,up some hills and I didn't crash! I'm still a little shaky about using them cuz I have crashed a few times when I couldn't unclip. It felt good to be able to go faster easier. Next I plan on actually getting my butt out of the saddle on the big hills :D
Hey, I get to post in the newbie achievement thread! I just rode to the store in street clothes. I had on a dress and boots. I always ride in cycling clothes and shoes. This might be a life changing ride, where cycling becomes more spontaneous, and less planned. I felt very chic, I must say. ;)
The funny thing is, I still turned my ankle to unclip even though I wasn't clipped in. You'll see, once you get used to clipless pedals, riding without them feels really weird, especially on those tiny little SPDs. I've had this idea that I would forget how to ride without clipping in, but it was all good. Yay!
I like cycling in normal clothes, and am looking forward to buying a couple of cycling-friendly dresses when the weather warms up a bit.
YAY!!!!:D:D:D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
That's the way cycling SHOULD be: spontaneous and less planned. I need to go somewhere so I get on my bike and GO! ;)
Even tho I ride every day to work, I've only done it once in my work clothes. It DID feel nice to just get on the bike and ride. Because you posted this- I'm going to try to ride to work in my work clothes more often (well, maybe in April once it warms up to the 60's in the mornings).
I may have created a monster, because now I decided if I could ride in my engineer boots, I should be able to ride in these (with 3" heels that I totally can't walk in, and I walk a lot). If I can ride in them, I'll actually be able to wear them! I still think I won't be able to ride on clogs, yet, my shoe of choice most days. We'll see what happens by summer. Maybe by then I'll be more skilled, and will be able to master the backless shoe! A goal!
It would be great if cycling becomes even more integrated into my life. Right now, it's still a "sport", even though I do commute to work by bike. There's still the clothes changing, and bike readying. My work commute is 14 miles OW, so do need to wear a chamois and cleats, but for riding around town for errands, I should be able to ride more than I do.
Oh no, am I headed toward getting a Mixte? I really, really, really don't have room for another bike (unless I move to a bigger apartment :o). I'm signing a new lease this month. Any new bikes will have to wait at least a year.
Not a riding achievement.
But I've had a bike for 5 years and just changed my first tire. Got to the parking lot to go for a ride, pulled the bike out, and the back (oh yes, I had to start with the hard one) tire was completely flat. I suppose this was inevitably what I deserved for going to ride knowing that I had no spare tubes or air source with me.
The only bad part was inflating the tire. I have presta-to-schrader adapters on my other bike and I thought, oh, let's make this easy and use those! Only they unscrew the inner part of the valve stem on these tubes when you take them off, and then ALL of the air goes out, immediately. I found this out after I inflated the tire the first time, and it took me about 20 minutes to figure out how to make my floor pump shove air into presta valves.
All fixed. Now it's too dark to ride, but at least the bike is ready for Sunday!
Congrats on fixing your flat tire, jessmarimba! That's something I need to learn before I get out on the road!
So, did you ride in the red heels yet, red?Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
That sounds like an achievement to me! Enjoy your ride tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by jessmarimba
I've a couple of small achievements. I fitted both my Specialized and my daughter into my little car, and got both bike and girl to the bike shop without either of them coming to grief. I've ordered a child trailer too, so from next weekend I will no longer need childcare in order to go for a ride!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by hebe
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!
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?