Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Kerry1976]

I've ridden a few miles on my new bike on the trainer. I got a mile outside as the pavement was reasonable enough that I could avoid icy spots. Didn't crash - which was great. Learning proper mount/dismount, clipping in/out and steering - which was a surprise. kept over/under correcting. Another big thing to learn - different posture. Gosh, this is like starting over!

[Kerry1976]

For the first time in my life today, I was able to successful mount and start a bike from a dead stop. I had never been able to do that before. After reading here the tips on it and watching the Sheldon Brown video (also posted somewhere on the forums - thanks to the person who did that!), I thought I could do it. I tried it yesterday but simply wasn't doing it right. So did more reading last night and decided I'd try switching legs - and today I did it...over and over again. Will be interesting to see if I can do tomorrow (or whenever I can get back outside again). Also was able to properly stop and clip out without crashing - which is also a victory. All this is new to me!

[Roadtrip]

I'd like to report I've rode a Century, lost sixty more pounds, bought and totally dominated on a road bike, and finished first place in my very first Cross race.

Ohhhhhh... I was supposed to report what I had accomplished, not what I was dreaming about. In that case... I... Ummmm... Don't have much to report. It's been snowy, frozen, and unridable for the last month. The one day it reached the 40's we got out and rode, but I've been a slug when it comes to the bike and gained two pounds as a result.

Shannon

[hebe]

Go Kerry! I'm still learning that, combined with easing my saddle up that last half an inch or so. You must feel close on unstoppable now!

Shannon, 2lbs is standard deviation, I promise. I haven't been out in a few days either, the snow just seems to keep coming.

I've just parcelled up a perfume that I sold on ebay to put towards a proper cycling jacket. I'm certainly learning the value of proper cold weather gear, even if my snuggly tights have almost put in as many miles trudging through the snow on foot as on the bike. I love my perfumes, but they don't tone my bottom, improve my asthma or get me out in the fresh air so I'm happy to let one go for a higher purpose.

[Roadtrip]

I've just parcelled up a perfume that I sold on ebay to put towards a proper cycling jacket.

We've decided to sell our first bikes and have someone coming tomorrow to look at dh's trek pure. We just can't see a reason to keep now that we have the faster and lighter bikes. If this pans out it will be nearly $400 for toward credit cards, etc. If I can sell mine double that.

Shannon

[Roadtrip]

Weather cooperated today and got out for a quick 6 mile ride, over slightly hilly road here in Tennessee where we are visiting family, but legs were really cranky due to nearly a month off the bike.

Shannon

[hebe]

Lucky you! Our house guests have just left and the weather has returned to freezing fog and/or rain. If I leave it much longer I'll forget how to ride.

[cyclinginmd]

hope no one minds me jumping in. a little info about me: my name is kim, and i'm 22. i've had my bike for about a year and half, but haven't done much riding. anyway, today i got on the trainer for 40 minutes. haven't exercised in forever, so it's a (small) start, but a start nonetheless

[Kerry1976]

hope no one minds me jumping in. a little info about me: my name is kim, and i'm 22. i've had my bike for about a year and half, but haven't done much riding. anyway, today i got on the trainer for 40 minutes. haven't exercised in forever, so it's a (small) start, but a start nonetheless

That's a GREAT start! Welcome!

[hebe]

What a great start to the new year! Well done, and welcome!

[hebe]

Well, the freezing fog didn't appear today, just the freezing bit, so dh took dd and I got out for a 6mile ride on my mountain bike! It was very muddy, it amazes me how the same ride changes with the state of the ground. Quite busy today, there were lots of recreational vehicules out which made it harder work. My asthma is pretty bad after an extended spell of feeling under the weather, so I had to walk both my nemesis hills. My top speed was just under 12mph, when I picked up speed on a shingly downhill stretch. I then hit a muddy patch wrong at the bottom and came off Lots of work to do and things to learn.

Here a few pics of where I went, one showing my muddy mud tyres, and one of my view when I looked down.

[Kerry1976]

Today I went to try my first spinervals workout on the trainer and realized my back tire was flat. I found the culprit immediately - a shard of glass I ran over when practicing clipping in and out on my 2 miler in the parking lots a few days ago.

Well, fortunately, I had a flat tire needing changed right in the comfort of my living room. I pulled out the spare tube, the tire levers, a pump and my computer (so I could follow how-to videos). I first learned how to take the back tire off. Then I changed the tire. Should note that changing the tire took FOREVER. However, I know how to do it and won't EVER forget how now.

After all that, I wasn't about to let that stop me from my workout. And so far, the tire appears to be holding air. So, I'll consider it a victory!

[Kerry1976]

Nice ride, Hebe. Fighting asthma, mud, cold and a fall - you are TOUGH!

[mudmucker]

Hebe, keep showing pictures of your rides. It's been fun watching. Love to see people's rides in places other than New England and USA.

[Bike Writer]

cyclinginmd - Welcome!

Boy there are lots of great rides continuing to go on, thanks for the photos hebe. You have the "right stuff" for cycling.

I have no accomplishment to announce. There was a small window of opportunity with a very warm day (47 around these parts in the winter is very warm) but it rained quite hard for most of that. I had a one hour rain free period in there but my bike is still in the shop. Boo.