Newbie weekly achievement thread

Hi girls,
When I have my successes, it makes me want to come on here and share them with others new or newish to cycling. I also love to read the inspirational tales of success and progress of others :) So I wonder if it wouldn't be good to have a weekly successes thread?

Yesterday I managed to ride (drum roll . . .) my first corners :D broad sweeping ones, but hey, I was turning my bike. I could hardly believe it! I also seem to have finally mastered/mistressed stopping in a nice controlled way (apart from the odd crazy moment of panic e.g. wobbling into a bush, when I forget to use the brakes!). I also noticed I was feeling more confident and riding faster (no doubt connected).

I am thrilled to bits with this weeks progress and would love to hear about the progress of others :)

I just bought a bike last week. My goal right now is to keep it upright :o
Once I feel I've mastered that, my next goal will be a graceful stop. Sad but true!!! Clipless will be later, later, later...... I keep telling myself small achievements are better than none at all. :p

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Originally Posted by MrsHulley

I just bought a bike last week. My goal right now is to keep it upright :o
Once I feel I've mastered that, my next goal will be a graceful stop. Sad but true!!! Clipless will be later, later, later...... I keep telling myself small achievements are better than none at all. :p

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Not sad at all! I sat on a bike for the first about 3 weeks ago at the age of 51. 2 weeks ago, I was where you are. I only managed sensible stopping consistently a couple of rides ago. This stuff feels soooo difficult sometimes, like it will never come together, but it does, surprisingly quickly. Hang in there MrsHulley. Tell us next week about your progress :)

I rode for about an hour, just doing loops and practicing my turns, even feeling toward the end confidant to hit the peddles a little harder and build a little speed on the straight potions of my practice area. Crazy how 7-8 MPH can feel like your ZIIIIPPPPPING along. I know I'll get used to it, but right now the feeling of speed is exciting and frightening as the same time.

I moved to a new location (my office building with a huge parking lot) that is abandoned during the weekend. I found that there is a deceptive grade to the parking lot which added some challenge. I had to enter the turn as I was picking up speed. I learned if I feathered the breaks slightly I felt much more confidant about the turn, but not too much as I turned right into the up-slope and had to built speed to feel comfy.

I almost dropped myself to the pavement and had to come to an abrupt stop, so I had a little challenge getting myself going while on a slight grade, but I did it. It was also windy and feeling the wind hit me and having to adjust was a WHOLE new feeling that I really didn't enjoy, but as the hour drew on, I was better with it.

Good luck and lets keep riding!!
Shannon

What a lovely idea for a thread, and how great to read everyone's successes. Good luck and welcome Mrs Hulley, I am a new wobbler too.

Nothing from me this week I'm afraid - dh has been doing 12hr days and then had a migraine :( so I've not been out since last week's lessons. Another lesson tomorrow, dd is booked into creche nice and early so I can get some warming up done first. There are a whole load of roadworks coming along and I really want to be able to ride the towpath into town.

Hebe - what was your success last week?

Finishing Bikeability stage 2 :) And I can do a better u-turn than my instructor. Just need to conquer the nerves now.

I think this is a great idea. I am just coming back to riding after an injury.I rode for the first time in almost four months last Monday. I was only riding about eight months before I got hurt so I am still new at this. I look forward to posting and hearing about others triumphs.:D

My husband and I got bikes about 3-4 weeks ago. I've always worked out so I am in pretty good shape, but I'm 55 and the old engine go like it used too!!! Anyway, last Friday we went to North Little Rock and parked about 1.5 miles from the Big Dam Bridge. We rode over the bridge, which crosses the Arkansas River, back over the river to the Rivermarket area, ate, then back. This was a 23 mile ride! LOVED IT!

Here is the link to the Big Dam Bridge...it is such an awesome bike path!!!

http://www.bigdambridge.com/index.htm

wow Nessa, the views from that bridge must be amazing! That sounds like a great ride.

I'm feeling very proud after my lesson, not least because I did everything in the wind and rain and got home more than a little damp. I did roundabout practice, then rode along the route that I use to take my daughter to soft play - it's up a hill and along quite a busy road on an industrial estate - lots of drives and carparks and lorries. No cycle lanes for most of it. Anyway, I was very proud of myself, as was my instructor. Then on the way back we stopped so that I could learn how to set off and stop without having my bum on the saddle. This always looked so easy but took a few goes! I need to get the hang of this or else drop the saddle, and I'd rather not drop the saddle.

Anyway. Next lesson in a fortnight to give me some time to practise. I'm going to drive to a nearby town and hire a bike and trailer for the towpath to see how I get on with dd in a trailer. My instructor is sure it would work for me so I'm going to swallow my reservations and give it a go.

How's everyone else doing?

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Originally Posted by hebe

I did roundabout practice, then rode along the route that I use to take my daughter to soft play - it's up a hill and along quite a busy road on an industrial estate - lots of drives and carparks and lorries. No cycle lanes for most of it.

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My God woman, you're a heroine :cool:

:o I think I have a good instructor, but thank you. The big test will be cycling with my daughter. Every time I have a lesson it boosts my confidence no end. Don't you have another session coming up?

I just go out practicing with my partner and I push myself a little more out of my comfort zone each time. I do Bikeability level one (apparantly all about control and riding around cones) on 28th.

This week.....I had my FIRST wreck! Don't know how, no clip-ins....just fell over and got a bloody elbow! I really feel like a cyclist now!

I went to a mountain-biking lesson last weekend and learned how to bunny-hop. I did not know how to pick up the front of the bike when we started the day. :) :) :)

Not quite a riding success, but I found our Ordnance Survey Explorer map and have identified several bridleways and byways within easy reach. I found one today and went part way along on foot as I had my toddler walking, but I can't wait to try it on my bike! There is so much more off-road/quiet riding around here than I imagined.

As I'm still scared to get out on the roads near the house, so I ventured out on my small road right here by the house without going out on the main road.

I badly wanted to ride and it was getting too dark by the time I got home from work. I practiced hill climbing on my small (but steep) hill and at the end of the road is a small convenience store with a parking lot that I used to turn around. Problem is there is a speed bump entering the parking lot. For what ever reason I was scared to go over it, thinking that hitting it would just bounce me right the way sideways and down goes Frazier... down goes Frazier.

Then I just DID it and hopped right over that bump and said.. wow.. weeeeeee.. that was FUN.

Shannon

Good job! I can understand being wary of roads you will get there. Its a good thing you aren't letting that stop you.:)

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Originally Posted by Roadtrip

Then I just DID it and hopped right over that bump and said.. wow.. weeeeeee.. that was FUN.

Shannon

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:D Brilliant!

Speed-bumps were my nemesis too, there is one that goes almost all the way across the road just outside my house. I knew I was improving when I could set off and ride between the kerb and the edge of the bump (a gap of a couple of feet) rather than wobbling straight over the bump.

I've got some big plans for this weekend... I'm doing my first trail ride, leaving my practice parking lot for the first time... going really early so I can (hopefully) be out with a few people as possible. I'm scared, but looking forward to it, I'll report back on how the ride goes.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll have a blast :D

My cycling instructor has broken her hand, so no lesson next week. If the weather is ok I'm going to have a go at the trail I found instead, can't waste two hours of nursery time!

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Originally Posted by Roadtrip

I've got some big plans for this weekend... I'm doing my first trail ride, leaving my practice parking lot for the first time... going really early so I can (hopefully) be out with a few people as possible. I'm scared, but looking forward to it, I'll report back on how the ride goes.

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Roadtrip - Way to go!

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Originally Posted by Roadtrip

I've got some big plans for this weekend... I'm doing my first trail ride, leaving my practice parking lot for the first time... going really early so I can (hopefully) be out with a few people as possible. I'm scared, but looking forward to it, I'll report back on how the ride goes.

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You go woman! I remember doing this the very first time and while it is a little scary, you will find that our imagination really tends to make things harder than they are. Keep us posted, and have fun!

So today was my off Friday and the weather was absolutely gorgeous today. Took the bike out to go for a ride, and was feeling pretty confident and great: traffic, red lights, stopping w/ one foot clipped in no longer freaking me out so much and I can really enjoy the ride. Then out of the blue a rodie flies by me on her bike and says hi and is off like lightening. Man was she fast... Must have been going 18 mph. Compared to my 12.8 mph. So, I guess I still have a long way to go :). Really need to work on the speed, but loving every minute of my slow rides. :). I was not jealous, but inspired.

6.5 Miles in a little more then 60 minutes (with a stop, see details below), top speed 17.5 mph on the straight flat part.. weeeeeeeeeeeee.

WHOOOO HOOOO.. I even passed other cyclists (OK it was two ladies with a kid), dog walkers, joggers, and a roller blader.

I only had one "moment" and it wasn't really even my fault... Two ladies were walking four dogs and had the BOTH lanes blocked. I called out on the left as I approached and they tried to get the dogs over into the right lane, but I had to slow down and ended up running off into the tall grass to the left and stop, but didn't put the bike down.

Before we got going again DH mentioned he needed to tighten his handlebars. I asked did he need to go back to the car where the tools were, he said it would be OK for now, so we set off again. About a half mile down the trail I hear a wicked commotion behind me and knew DH had gone down and started breaking so I could turn around when I heard him call out... Hold Up... I turned around to see him on the ground. I finally got back to him and his bars were totally WACKED and the seat was twisted sideways and I asked if he was OK. Yea.. I'm OK he snorts.

We walk the bikes back to the car and get the tools and tighten everything down and I ask if he wants to continue and he says yes, so we go on.

It felt REALLY great. I mean really, really great. DH has a badly skinned up knee that I helped clean up and bandage.. I've only teased a "few" times that he crashed and I didn't :D

Shannon

Woo hoo! Go RoadTrip :cool: :D

I bet you're so proud, and rightly so! I hope your dh is ok after his tumble, he must have been working really hard to catch you up! Well done on managing your 'moment' too! I think you might be nearly done with that parking lot now. I'm so pleased for you.

I'm really hoping for a dry morning tomorrow, as opposed to the forecast rain, as dh will be baking with my girl so I'll be able to get out on my bike. It's been too long.

That's brilliant Roadtrip. You should be really proud :D

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Originally Posted by Roadtrip

It felt REALLY great. I mean really, really great. :D

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Bravo! Bravo!

The excitement in your voice comes through your post, what a magnificent feeling being out "on the path", freedom, exhiliration, daring, confidence - all powerfully charged emotions that lead us back and back again to our bikes.:D

Hebe, tell us about your ride if the weather is permitting today. Goregous here and ready to roll as soon as I get changed.

I didn't ride yesterday, the weather was right on the edge and I didn't want to try an unfamiliar path in the rain :o I did walk it however, and have learned that there is about 100yds of unmade farm road then a steep but short tarmaced lane (that services the allotments) after what I'd already found. So there's a tiny bit of traffic, but the lane is single car width with passing spaces so it's slow traffic. I'm booking dd into creche tomorrow and will be cycling SOMEWHERE darnit, whatever the weather.

I lost a little more then three pounds last week!! I was up a pound from the week before when I indulged a little too much in Oktoberfest beer, brats, and fried pastry.

Great way to start off a new week!!!

Shannon

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Originally Posted by stella2

I just go out practicing with my partner and I push myself a little more out of my comfort zone each time. I do Bikeability level one (apparantly all about control and riding around cones) on 28th.

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Is it today, Stella? Good luck!

Thanks for remembering Hebe. I put it back because I didn't feel ready to get enough out of it for it to be worthwhile and I was finding pushing too quickly was taking the pleasure out of taking my bike out. I haven't ridden as much as I'd hoped over the past few weeks because I have had a problem with my hip. I seem to be entering a creaky stage in life!

Anyway, there is no rush to all of this for me. If the recent torrential rain holds off and the hip holds out, I will go for a ride after work today :)

You are very wise, the important thing is having fun and riding safely, not necessarily passing the exams.

It is miserable here too. I was going to go off-road while my daughter is in creche but it's going to be muddy and slippy after the rain so I think that's off.

Well done on losing 3lbs Roadtrip - do you train most days as well as riding outside? That's a brilliant loss in a week.

I have just Been And Done It - the bridleway that I found. I couldn't make it up a couple of the hills so had to walk them :o but oh boy did I love riding down the other side, braking all the way and a face somewhere between :D and :eek:I did some cyclepath riding the other side of the trail too and got into 3rd gear on the big wheels for the first time ever. It was also the first outing ever for my padded cycling boxers - will see tomorrow how well they worked!

yeeeeha! Can't wait to do it again :D

I'm trying to get on the bike three to four times a week (haven't been out since Saturday tho), but not feeling well Sunday so just did a small ride working on hills/climbing, tho in heinsight I perhaps should have listened... back and calves have been barking at me since.

Weatherman states my plan is to get out for a long ride tomorrow after work. Off day Thursday (Rain), another ride Friday, off day Saturday (Rain), and if I'm feeling up to it I'd like to do at least 10 miles on Sunday... I'm also walking with a group here at work to get extra steps in.

Gotta set some goals sometime :D

Shannon

I thought I'd report in.. last week I had a pretty productive week!!

9-25 : First ever experience in a trail ride; 6 miles
9-28 : Trail Ride; 4 miles
9-30 : Trail Ride; 4 miles
10-01 : Trail Ride; 4 miles
10-03 : First ever road ride, which involved riding up the monster hill next to my house to the grocery store. About a mile or so. Later in the day ventured around the neighborhood on the bike, including a DECEPTIVE slow grinding hill that killed my legs and lungs. 2-3 miles in total, but with the hills, feels like MUCH more.

"Grocery" Hill

http://www.cincylights.com/images/hill.jpg

http://www.cincylights.com/images/ouch_hill.jpg

The official weigh in for our work weight loss challenge is tomorrow, but my own weigh in at home showed lost 2-3 pounds and I'm now the lowest weight I've been in over five years!! I'm down 10 pounds since I started riding about eight weeks ago.

Shannon

Excellent! Congratulations on the first ever road road and also on your weight loss :D

I didn't get to ride today, the forecast was awful so I put dd in creche for an hour and went to the gym. Except of course the forecast rain didn't materialise so I could have saved a couple of pounds and gone for a good long ride.

Stella, how are you and your beautiful Pashley doing?

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Originally Posted by hebe

Well done on losing 3lbs Roadtrip - do you train most days as well as riding outside? That's a brilliant loss in a week.

I have just Been And Done It - the bridleway that I found. I couldn't make it up a couple of the hills so had to walk them :o but oh boy did I love riding down the other side, braking all the way and a face somewhere between :D and :eek:I did some cyclepath riding the other side of the trail too and got into 3rd gear on the big wheels for the first time ever. It was also the first outing ever for my padded cycling boxers - will see tomorrow how well they worked!

yeeeeha! Can't wait to do it again :D

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Hebe,

Don't know how I missed this post but congratulations on your ride on your newfound bridleway! Sounds like you had a ball and it has pumped you up with enthusiasm. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roadtrip

I thought I'd report in.. last week I had a pretty productive week!!

9-25 : First ever experience in a trail ride; 6 miles
9-28 : Trail Ride; 4 miles
9-30 : Trail Ride; 4 miles
10-01 : Trail Ride; 4 miles
10-03 : First ever road ride, which involved riding up the monster hill next to my house to the grocery store. About a mile or so. Later in the day ventured around the neighborhood on the bike, including a DECEPTIVE slow grinding hill that killed my legs and lungs. 2-3 miles in total, but with the hills, feels like MUCH more.

"Grocery" Hill

http://www.cincylights.com/images/hill.jpg

http://www.cincylights.com/images/ouch_hill.jpg

The official weigh in for our work weight loss challenge is tomorrow, but my own weigh in at home showed lost 2-3 pounds and I'm now the lowest weight I've been in over five years!! I'm down 10 pounds since I started riding about eight weeks ago.

Shannon

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Thanks for turning me to the site of mapmyfitness. It looks far superior to what I was using!