Newbie weekly achievement thread

[stella2]

I did roundabout practice, then rode along the route that I use to take my daughter to soft play - it's up a hill and along quite a busy road on an industrial estate - lots of drives and carparks and lorries. No cycle lanes for most of it.

My God woman, you're a heroine

[hebe]

I think I have a good instructor, but thank you. The big test will be cycling with my daughter. Every time I have a lesson it boosts my confidence no end. Don't you have another session coming up?

[Jaynee Beyond]

wow Nessa, the views from that bridge must be amazing! That sounds like a great ride.

I'm feeling very proud after my lesson, not least because I did everything in the wind and rain and got home more than a little damp. I did roundabout practice, then rode along the route that I use to take my daughter to soft play - it's up a hill and along quite a busy road on an industrial estate - lots of drives and carparks and lorries. No cycle lanes for most of it. Anyway, I was very proud of myself, as was my instructor. Then on the way back we stopped so that I could learn how to set off and stop without having my bum on the saddle. This always looked so easy but took a few goes! I need to get the hang of this or else drop the saddle, and I'd rather not drop the saddle.

Anyway. Next lesson in a fortnight to give me some time to practise. I'm going to drive to a nearby town and hire a bike and trailer for the towpath to see how I get on with dd in a trailer. My instructor is sure it would work for me so I'm going to swallow my reservations and give it a go.

How's everyone else doing?

What is your bike make and model number? Your photo shows a beautiful bike! I hope your having great fun!

[hebe]

Thanks Jaynee! Enjoy your new bike Will you share some pictures once you have it set up, please?

The bike in the picture is my 2012 Specialized Vita Elite. It has completely changed riding for me, so easy to ride and confidence-inspiring. Accessory-wise I swapped out the saddle for Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow, and added fenders, rack and a Detours Fremont pannier.

[cricketk]

I went to a mountain-biking lesson last weekend and learned how to bunny-hop. I did not know how to pick up the front of the bike when we started the day.

[hebe]

Not quite a riding success, but I found our Ordnance Survey Explorer map and have identified several bridleways and byways within easy reach. I found one today and went part way along on foot as I had my toddler walking, but I can't wait to try it on my bike! There is so much more off-road/quiet riding around here than I imagined.

[Roadtrip]

As I'm still scared to get out on the roads near the house, so I ventured out on my small road right here by the house without going out on the main road.

I badly wanted to ride and it was getting too dark by the time I got home from work. I practiced hill climbing on my small (but steep) hill and at the end of the road is a small convenience store with a parking lot that I used to turn around. Problem is there is a speed bump entering the parking lot. For what ever reason I was scared to go over it, thinking that hitting it would just bounce me right the way sideways and down goes Frazier... down goes Frazier.

Then I just DID it and hopped right over that bump and said.. wow.. weeeeeee.. that was FUN.

Shannon

[hebe]

Then I just DID it and hopped right over that bump and said.. wow.. weeeeeee.. that was FUN.

Shannon

Brilliant!

Speed-bumps were my nemesis too, there is one that goes almost all the way across the road just outside my house. I knew I was improving when I could set off and ride between the kerb and the edge of the bump (a gap of a couple of feet) rather than wobbling straight over the bump.

[Roadtrip]

I've got some big plans for this weekend... I'm doing my first trail ride, leaving my practice parking lot for the first time... going really early so I can (hopefully) be out with a few people as possible. I'm scared, but looking forward to it, I'll report back on how the ride goes.

[jelee1311]

Good job! I can understand being wary of roads you will get there. Its a good thing you aren't letting that stop you.

[jelee1311]

I had an amazing week,I'm sorry if this post is long winded but here goes. I'm recovering from an overuse injury to my achillies tendon that I've had since March. Typical newbie, I did 6 months of overtraining that eventally landed me off my bike and in a walking cast in May. Finally my doctor did a plasma injection in August. September 1 I started riding my bike again under strict guidelines ,no big chainring ,under 5 miles,no hills ,clipless,cadence under 80. I'm so happy I'm riding again I will do anything. I'm riding 3 to 4 days a week and loving it. I saw my doctor on Friday and the ultrasound on my tendon showed its healing perfectly. Typing that makes me smile. So on Saturday I went for a ten mile ride and my tendon feels fine. Typing that makes me smile even more.

[Roadtrip]

Had the "official" weigh-in this morning.. lost another three pounds.. down 5.7 pounds in three weeks.

Shannon

[hebe]

Congratulations Jelee and Road Trip!

[MyRubyE]

So today was my off Friday and the weather was absolutely gorgeous today. Took the bike out to go for a ride, and was feeling pretty confident and great: traffic, red lights, stopping w/ one foot clipped in no longer freaking me out so much and I can really enjoy the ride. Then out of the blue a rodie flies by me on her bike and says hi and is off like lightening. Man was she fast... Must have been going 18 mph. Compared to my 12.8 mph. So, I guess I still have a long way to go . Really need to work on the speed, but loving every minute of my slow rides. . I was not jealous, but inspired.

[Roadtrip]

6.5 Miles in a little more then 60 minutes (with a stop, see details below), top speed 17.5 mph on the straight flat part.. weeeeeeeeeeeee.

WHOOOO HOOOO.. I even passed other cyclists (OK it was two ladies with a kid), dog walkers, joggers, and a roller blader.

I only had one "moment" and it wasn't really even my fault... Two ladies were walking four dogs and had the BOTH lanes blocked. I called out on the left as I approached and they tried to get the dogs over into the right lane, but I had to slow down and ended up running off into the tall grass to the left and stop, but didn't put the bike down.

Before we got going again DH mentioned he needed to tighten his handlebars. I asked did he need to go back to the car where the tools were, he said it would be OK for now, so we set off again. About a half mile down the trail I hear a wicked commotion behind me and knew DH had gone down and started breaking so I could turn around when I heard him call out... Hold Up... I turned around to see him on the ground. I finally got back to him and his bars were totally WACKED and the seat was twisted sideways and I asked if he was OK. Yea.. I'm OK he snorts.

We walk the bikes back to the car and get the tools and tighten everything down and I ask if he wants to continue and he says yes, so we go on.

It felt REALLY great. I mean really, really great. DH has a badly skinned up knee that I helped clean up and bandage.. I've only teased a "few" times that he crashed and I didn't

Shannon