Newbie weekly achievement thread

[hebe]

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 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!

[Roadtrip]

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

[Roadtrip]

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

[hebe]

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.

[hebe]

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.

[Roadtrip]

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

[Ellie24]

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 ).

[hebe]

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!

[isconniethere]

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

[ButIDidntFall]

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.

[hebe]

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!

[ButIDidntFall]

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.

[Catrin]

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....

[Roadtrip]

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

[Zenn]

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.