Total Newbie

[hebe]

Excellent work! I bet you can't wait for the next lesson

[schnitzle]

Yay!! I love reading about your progress, it's so inspirational Isn't the feeling of the wind and your bike under you fabulous? Go Shannon GO!

[Roadtrip]

Update Three/Lesson Three:

OK. Bad news out of the way first, I crashed and landed hard twisting the handlebars completely sideways. They were easily moved back into square, so might have to take the bike in to have them tightened, doesn't seem like I should be able to move them that easily by hand. Not wiggly loose while I'm riding tho still a little concerned. I was more concerned for the bike while my thigh and left knee too the brunt of the damage when I fell, mostly just feeling sore right now. It all happened quite silly, I rode too close to a tree and under some low branches (twigs really) and ducked my head and leaned slightly left and that started the whole bike in a lean left and just wasn't able to recover and down I went.

Sooooo.. for some good news.. rode the entire distance of the parking lot tonight (about 4-5x my previous "best" attempt) through the "bad" part of the parking lot that was littered with glass/gravel/ruts and even avoided a mom and kids. This along with some shorter runs has me feeling really good up in the saddle. I seem to be reasonably able to balance once I get up to speed, but struggling with the pushing off and getting myself going, so we're going to practice over the next few days on our own and meet again with the instructor on Wednesday... he mentioned maneuvering/turning practicing.

DH has promised me a massage tonight so off to collect.

Shannon

[malkin]

It sounds like you are doing great!

[hebe]

You're doing so well! I hope the massage does the trick and that your bike is ok.

I understand completely the sense of achievement at missing things, I was petrified to ride past a parked Porsche, and was as proud of not cycling into it as I was of the whole ride. I still struggle with riding past parked cars and signalling at the same time, but that will come with time and confidence. Starting off smoothly comes with time too, I wobbled all over the place three weeks back but can set off in quite a controlled way now. How brilliant that you're getting lessons twice a week, that will really help.

[Roadtrip]

The trainer I ordered came today. I unpacked and got the bike set up and did about 10 minutes just getting adjusted and used to how it feels. Felt pretty good so I changed into my workout clothes and did 30 minutes at a fast tempo. After about 15 minutes I started to feel numbness in the posterior and girly parts. I know I hadn't been on a bike for any length of time in quite some time, so is this somewhat normal until I get my butt used to being in the saddle? I pushed though to 30 minutes and when I stepped off the bike I was pretty sore for a few minutes, but it dissipated quickly.

Looking forward to my lesson tomorrow!!

Shannon

[Roadtrip]

OK. My lovely DH got a new iTouch today with HD video video capture, so he shot this little video during tonight's "training" session.

How kind of him, eh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzsqcib1Cck

Day 10.. She can RIDE.. Yipppeeee!!

It felt MUCH faster then what it looks like here on this video.

[stella2]

That's great

[hebe]

oh wow, that's a million miles from where you were 2 weeks back! Lucky you having such a big tarmacced place to practise in too. Is your dh proud of you too?