Breaking Free - First Road Ride!

[Catrin]

I did it I finally got to take Stella off onto a 13 mile loop of country roads! It was fantastic! Sure I had to walk up a hill or two, and I took advantage of a stop sign or two to stop for a few minutes and drink water as I am not about to try to drink and ride at the same time as of yet.

There were 17 mph winds that were always either cross- or head-winds, very rarely were they tail-winds. However my concerns about how to dress was unfounded, for of course I had no problem with being too cool One water bottle, however, was not enough. Technically it was, I ran out just as I returned to my car.

My average speed was 11.9, top speed was 22 and bottom speed was 7...remember those hills I walked

It took me 75 minutes to bike 13 miles, which doesn't seem too bad for a total novice

I suspect that speeds, and time, would have been better without that incredible headwind - however it was fun! It was fun to look around and see the blooming trees/flowers as I cycled across the countryside.

Much to my surprise, I was NOT nervous about cars once I actually got on my bike and put it in motion. I just tried to be mindful of cars and to get over where I could so they could pass.

A lot of the pavement was quite rough, and I've not felt that vibration in my bars before because of it. It will be interesting to see how my LHT rides those same roads - though he will have aluminum bars rather than steel when I see him again.

Now off to a shower and then to get some work done!

[sarahspins]

Woohoo! Great job

[Tri Girl]

Way to go, Catrin!!!
I'm glad it was a positive experience for you! Yippee!!

[Melissa71]

I'm glad it went so well! Sounds like you had a lovely 1st road ride.

[Catrin]

I'm glad it went so well! Sounds like you had a lovely 1st road ride.

Yes it was lovely, and am trying to decide what to do tomorrow I also like having the numbers to look at from my bike's computer - I AM a geek, after all, LOL. It adds to the fun, I certainly don't take the numbers seriously at this point. I think it is WAY cool that I was going 21 mph! Granted, that was downhill, but I will take what I can get

I suspect that I will only have time to go to Eagle Creek Park tomorrow, but that is a great place to ride - a lot of people do.

One of the nice things today was to see all of the OTHER people who were riding the same roads I was! People on tandems, people riding in pairs, several asked me as I was walking up a hill if I was ok (which was nice), it was just all a lot of fun.

Now if I can just figure out how to keep my downhill momentum from dissipating while trying to shift down for the uphill stage I might be able to not have to walk quite so early I only had to walk 4 times, and one of those was due to a stop sign at a busy intersection that was half-way up a steep hill.

[violetpurl]

Yay! Great job!!!

[sarahspins]

I only had to walk 4 times, and one of those was due to a stop sign at a busy intersection that was half-way up a steep hill.

Don't feel too bad.. I did 25 miles today with Aggie_Ama and somewhere around 18-19 miles I not only had to walk up part of a hill, but then I sat down at the top and had to rest for a few minutes I only got up when some other cyclists who started with us but rode a longer route passed us... I felt super lame

I'm blaming all the oak pollen out there right now.. between allergies and asthma it makes it really hard to get enough air.

[chicagogal]

Now if I can just figure out how to keep my downhill momentum from dissipating while trying to shift down for the uphill stage I might be able to not have to walk quite so early I only had to walk 4 times, and one of those was due to a stop sign at a busy intersection that was half-way up a steep hill.

Ahh, rolling hills, huh? They're my favorite (really). Cadence up as you near the end of your decent. A big gear is fine b/c as you said, the momentum will carry you up. Then as you start to slow on the uphill start gearing down.

[Chemagne]

:O) good!