A Day of small Firsts for me

[DarcyInOregon]

Also- my bike computer can be set either way- to keep recording while I am stopped, or to stop recording data while I am stopped. The latter setting is called "automatic" and that's where I have mine set. Everything automatically stops while I've stopped drinking water, etc, then resumes as soon as I start rolling again. It shows an "AT" on the screen when set to automatic. Don't you have the pamphlet/directions for your computer?- it would detail this there.

Nope. My LBS swapped out my computer when I purchased the road bike last year because I asked for a computer with cadence (and I never look at cadence but think maybe in the future). I never got the instruction papers, so I will need to ask them.

The numbers really don't matter that much to me. I like having the temperature on there; indeed for me it is the most important number. I like having the speed, trip time, clock and odometer. I assume someday cadence might be important for me, but for now it is not.

Regarding the average, I always assumed the bike computer stopped calculating when the bike was stopped. And maybe it does. Or maybe not. I will ask the LBS.

I get low averages because I am cautious with my slow-downs, and I am attentive to doing some hills on every ride; by low average I mean an average that is much lower than the speed I cycle for most of the ride. I am happy with my speed and I have no desire to have a higher speed.

I am one of the cyclists who doesn't like to focus on numbers when I ride. I turned the beeper on my HRM off so I don't have to hear it. It is sufficient for me to know how many calories I burned on my ride when the ride is over, and what my high and average heart rate was, without knowing what the heart rate is every single second. I keep my bike computer set to trip miles and speed, and that is it. I look at trip time when the ride is over, more to compare against calories burned than for any other relevance. My goals are to have fun, burn calories, get fitter, and increase my distance so I can do some centuries this summer. I am hoping to do my first century next month.

Darcy

[Aggie_Ama]

Lisa- Congrats. Hills are hard and flats on a back tire stinks. You will really improve from those challenges! I still have a lot of trouble getting the back wheel on.

Darcy- What type of computer do you have? I have a Cateye Astrale 8 and you can download the instructions from their website. Mine has the function to stop when the wheels stop or keep going until you stop it. I have it set to stop when I stop.

[Crankin]

Hi Lisa,

Yes, it does feel like you need a third hand, but i found that if i stand sort of behind the bike, lift it by the seat and reach down to pull back the derailleur with my right hand, it works. It took a little practice and still feels awkward, but not like it first did.
If you turn your bike over, you can mess up your bars, brakes, and/or shifters. Seat, too. Plus, to me, everything is then in a different place and I can't figure out what to do!

Robyn

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I am one of the cyclists who doesn't like to focus on numbers when I ride....My goals are to have fun, burn calories, get fitter, and increase my distance so I can do some centuries this summer. I am hoping to do my first century next month.
Darcy

Yep, those are my goals too. (except for the centuries part!) My distance goal is to do several days of 60 miles each in a row this summer on a 4-5 day tour.

IFJane- I am s-l-o-w too when changing a tire! Happily, we didn't have any pressing appointments that day!

CA in NC- No new bike, just a wider Brooks saddle than the one I had. I posted about it in the "Gear & Accessories" forum under Favorite Saddles/"B68 & B68S" thread.

[annie]

Congrats on your Firsts, Lisa! (Well, not the flat, but still, now you know how to deal with it.) Going fast is FUN! Almost makes up for the slow drudge up the hills.

I turn my bikes upside down to change tires always. I've done it forever. Never had any resulting damage. I've seen people do it both ways. Whatever is easier for you.

Darcy, I think it depends on how each computer works. Mine turns itself off automatically after a couple of minutes so it doesn't factor much of the off-bike time into average speed. I just need to remember to start it up again when I get back on the bike. I'm not always so good at that.

Annie

[RolliePollie]

Good job on that flat, Lisa! I wish you could magically appear when I get my first inevitable rear flat. I've already had 3 front flats so I think I've got that down pretty well. But the rear...I'm not looking forward to that. I usually ride alone as well, so perhaps I better try taking the back wheel off here at home just so I know how to do it. Hmmm, maybe tomorrow...

Congrats on the new speed record too...that is super fast!!!

[cosc]

Super job on all your accomplishments. Hills, distance, speed and flat repair all in one day makes you one strong lady! I've never even changed a front tire by myself. I tried changing a tire at home so I'd be ready for a flat on the road, but wasn't strong enough to get the bead off the rim. I even used levers. My dh had to help me when he came home. I have a different brand tire now and need to try the flat repair session again.