Share my Excitement and Pride!

[climbergirl]

Okay, so I just got my first real road bike last December. I got out at least once every month through the winter, thanks to a milder than usual Minnesota winter. That in itself was awesome.

I've been fairly out of shape, cardio wise, spending too much time working a desk job, etc. I'm a terrible runner, but biking felt great. I took a lot of time to find the right bike. My Scott feels like an extension of my body, and it makes me HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to ride it.

I don't have a bike computer. I've been using RunKeeper on my smart phone to track routes and mileage. I typically go out for a 16 to 18 mile loop, at least once a week, a shorter 8-10 miler at speed for cardio, and I go out usually once a week with my partner (a very experienced, fit cyclist) for a 30 to 40 mile ride (okay, we've done 3 of those this spring, but heck, it's only early May...)

Anyway, RunKeeper is great for tracking distance, but at the end, it only tells you average speed, and that's counting stop lights and water breaks and whatever. So the fastest "average pace" I've come home with is about 14.5 mph.

I know I'm getting stronger because hills are coming easier. My anaerobic threshold is higher, my lactic acid threshold is higher. But despite my boyfriend reassuring me that I'm doing pretty well pace-wise, I've been frustrated that I'm not going faster.

Well, today my boyfriend finally got his bike computer working again. And then I smoked a bunch of dudes in matching jerseys (admittedly, they all looked 40s to 60s). And then we were riding along at a nice, slightly uphill, steady pace, and DH say, "So we're doing 20 mph".

And I'm like WHAT!?! I could do this all day as long as you let me draft you part of the time!!

And they we're cruising the flats, and we're doing 22, 23, and even on the longer slightly more incline (I don't know the percent, but it's not flat), we were cruising along at 17-18.

And then on the big fun downhilll, with good pavement, straight shot, clear bike lane...

Thirty-two miles per hours, ladies! 32!!! MPH!!!

Can I tell you how happy I am!?!?!?

And the downhill was so much fun. There was a headwind, but I was in my highest gear, still pedaling, head down, tucked like nobodies business, and it felt awesome!

And I just had to share it with women. After weeks and weeks of feeling like I was slogging along, and just not going all that fast. Now I feel like a rock star!



Thanks for letting me share. This forum is a great source of information and encouragement and enthusiasm!

Happy Riding!

[indysteel]

Sounds like you're making excellent progress. Congrats. I'm glad you're enjoying your road bike and riding so much.

[lph]

Woo! Sounds like a terrific ride Congratulations!

[redrhodie]

I love those days. May you have many more rides like that!

[hebe]

Go you! That's brilliant, well done!

[emily_in_nc]

That's wonderful -- it's always satisfying to hear someone with a newfound passion for cycling!

What Scott bike do you have that you like so much, climbergirl?