how can i improve?

[batsheva]

maybe i should check out clermont sometime-- the I4 ped/cycle overpass at lake mary by the seminole/wekiva trail is the biggest 'hill' i have tackled so far... think the flats of the west orange are generally challenging enough though-- but cant get out as much as i want here in orlando cos of the horrid hotness and humidity right now despite being off work always during the day..

however, it has enabled me to lurk on ebay at home in the aircon and get some cool cycle clothing :-)

[margo49]

Glad you have posted pic and on the Getting to Know You thread, Batsheva. You look fabulous and the bike too.
You still thinking of doing that Ride in Israel. Maybe 2009?

[smilingcat]

Hi,

Its a very nice bike with triple crank. 105 group is pretty good. Nothing to sneeze and Ultegra short reach is also very nice. You got a good deal. Enjoy your ride. And don't feel less cause bike isn't worht $5,000. Think of the money saved or money wasted by the pretenders.

Smilingcat

[Torrilin]

What's helping me is just ride. I don't have a super expensive bike (under $400), but it gets me places and I can carry it up and down stairs to my building's indoor parking. For me, it's easier to be motivated if I have a place to go, so I go all sorts of useful places, like grocery shopping. The more weekly miles I get in, the better I do

[SouthernBelle]

I've been riding a year & a half now. Every once in a while I'll take a route that I haven't ridden in a while, usually because of the 'ugly' hills. It's amazing how often what was once an ugly hill now passes unnoticed.

Of course, I then find another ugly hill.

[northstar]

Hi Bat,

No advice from me, as I am a newbie too, just wanted to say welcome and enjoy your beautiful new bike! I have been riding my new bike since April and it has definitely been life changing. Congrats and good luck!

[batsheva]

Glad you have posted pic and on the Getting to Know You thread, Batsheva. You look fabulous and the bike too.
You still thinking of doing that Ride in Israel. Maybe 2009?

hey margo49--

no i'm not thinking 2009--- thinking 2008--
250 miles/5days from TA through the Negev to Eilat...

have even booked the time off work for it this week...
you should join me-- the Kiwi contingent!!

better get out training then, hadn't i?!!

batsheva

[KSH]

Hello and welcome!

Looks like you have a nice bike and you are off to a great start! You can certainly achieve your goals if you set your mind to it.

Getting better... hhhuuummm... you are still very new... and others have given good advice.

Hill training is always good. It's also nice to have a mix of rides in your schedule. Short days, long days, faster days, slower days, etc.

I think my advice to you though, would be this... get a computer with cadence on it and know how to use your cadence reading.

It wasn't until I got a computer with cadence did I really figure out how/when to change the gears. When I learned that... my speed and overall average improved.

The key is to try to maintain a 90-95 cadence. Finding a perfect balance between using your power efficiently and not giving it away. If you have too high of a cadence, then you are just giving away your power.

Now... keep in mind that when going up a hill, unless you have a granny gear (triple) you probably won't come close to that cadence, but try to get as high of a cadence that you can.

Good luck!