I guess I'm not a noob, anymore.

[zoom-zoom]

In the almost year since I took possession of my Cannondale Synapse (5 Féminine) I have logged over 3300 miles and expect to see 3500 miles (or very close to it) ridden for 2010.

A year ago my bike was primarily intended to be a vehicle for cross-training, since my primary sport for the past 4.5 years was running. Then in June I badly sprained my ankle during a trail relay...and continued out my legs, running nearly 10 more miles, standing around, drinking beer--NOT appropriate treatment for a sprain (adrenaline is a helluva drug).

Needless to say, I really handled that injury poorly and nearly 4.5 months later my left ankle is still not right. I can run, but anything off-road is uncomfortable and I live in fear of a resprain.

My bike helped me keep my sanity during the 5.5 weeks where I could not run at all. And it's allowed me to keep my fitness while I carefully increase my running miles as my ankle allows. And all this saddle time has showed me that I may be a mediocre (at best) runner, but I'm a fairly strong cyclist.

Now I look at running and biking as equal halves in my fitness life. I no longer see one as my "primary" thing. This past year I was able to fit in 1 duathlon and had a blast. In that race my running legs were relatively stronger than my cycling leg, compared to the rest of my age group. I ended up 5/9 in my AG on my first try...including that cycling leg in the pouring rain and high winds--my first ride ever in rain. This year I am shooting for at least 4th place in my AG, perhaps even an AG award. I think I am capable of this with more experience and speed work on the bike.

I'm also feeling now that I've "outgrown" my current ride. My bike is lovely for cruising along comfortably, but we've already flipped my stem and moved 2 of the 4 spacers and I still feel a bit too upright and cramped in the cockpit (in hindsight I should have been on a men's frame, as I have stubby legs and a relatively long torso, but I have small hands, so the short-reach Shimano shifters were a better fit for me).

We're looking to move me to a more aggressive geometry frame in the next few months, with SRAM components, since their shifters all have reach-adjustment. And I'll be going from buzzy aluminum to carbon...at least 3/4 of our roads are wretched chip-seal. Riding on the back of our steel tandem has really shown me how much smoother chip-seal can feel with the right frame. I'm already lusting over the Cdale SuperSix 4 Rival. Sometime between Christmas and my birthday in Feb. I'm hoping to make one mine.

Someday I'd also like to give cyclocross racing a try, but I need to make sure my ankle is 100%, or close to it, first. That presents a lot of the same risks that running off-road do, unfortunately.

My hubby was right all these years...biking really is awesome fun!

[emily_in_nc]

Welcome to the dark side!

[zoom-zoom]

Welcome to the dark side!

I tell my DH that I blame him...I was merrily trotting along on-foot, but he kept nudging me towards a bike. He created a monster (with help from our beloved LBS buddy).

[abejita]

I guess I am not a noob anymore either. I didn't ride quite as much as you, only about 3000 miles in 2010 so far...pretty good considering last year I had trouble making it around the 10 mile lake just once!

I also completed my first century (Hotter'n Hell) without much trouble.

Here's to all the noob graduates!!

[zoom-zoom]

My hubby (a USA Cycling certified coach) gave me the biggest compliment recently. He told me that when he first got serious about riding and bought his fancy road bike that he wasn't as fast as I already am and didn't log the sort of miles I have until he'd been riding for 2-3 years (and that it won't be long before he has to work to keep up with me, instead of the reverse). And I will have run at least 1k miles by the end of the year, too, assuming no injury.

Of course, I used this to my advantage when we recently started talking bikes. His was $3500 new and I'm looking at a $2600 bike, before 20% discount and selling my existing bike (he has never sold a single bike). He had no room to be his usual frugal, "dutchie" self.

[Kerry1976]

Even with the injury, Zoomy was a biking and running machine!

You've definitely "earned" that new bike!

[colorisnt]

Yay for you! And it's awesome that you are back searching for another bike!

I long for the day when I am no longer a noob, but I will probably always feel a bit noobish. Mainly because I always have something to learn. But maybe in a year or so, I will figure it out.

[zoom-zoom]

I long for the day when I am no longer a noob, but I will probably always feel a bit noobish. Mainly because I always have something to learn. But maybe in a year or so, I will figure it out.

Nah, if always having something new to learn = noob, then I will always be one. I don't ever want to get to the point where there is nothing new. That wouldn't be any fun.

[Catrin]

Nah, if always having something new to learn = noob, then I will always be one. I don't ever want to get to the point where there is nothing new. That wouldn't be any fun.

+1,000 on this! Before my injury I have learned a great deal on the bike this year - and one of the biggest is just how much I have yet to learn

[gnat23]

Nah, if always having something new to learn = noob, then I will always be one. I don't ever want to get to the point where there is nothing new. That wouldn't be any fun.

Try skateboarding! Yow!

-- gnat!

[zoom-zoom]

Try skateboarding! Yow!

-- gnat!

As if I haven't brutalized my left ankle enough this year, heh! My friends keep trying to get me to mountain bike...hells no. I am just too much of a klutz for that!

[GLC1968]

As if I haven't brutalized my left ankle enough this year, heh! My friends keep trying to get me to mountain bike...hells no. I am just too much of a klutz for that!

*snort* something else we have in common. It's why I will not be sucked into 'cross, actually.

Now the real question is, can you swim? Tri is a fun addiction!

And congrats on all the cycling and running accomplishments this year!

[zoom-zoom]

Thanks! Nah, I have little interest in swimming. I'd have to do most of my workouts in a pool, since Winter seems to last about 6 months in these parts. Nearest pool is almost a half hour away and $$ to use (YMCA). We have at least 3 duathlons within an hour of me, so that's what I have my sights set on next year.

Not sure why 'cross doesn't scare me. I think it's because there are fewer trees to plow into.

[Jo-n-NY]

I tell all my runner friends that get discomfort or even worse, injury from running, "many runners turn to cyclists" I know you are both but basically the cycling bug bit and it is great that you are now really enjoying both sports.

Have fun finding your new ride.

[GLC1968]

Not sure why 'cross doesn't scare me. I think it's because there are fewer trees to plow into.

That's probably true - but my fear is that I am so competitive that I'd do something to hurt myself and then ignore it in order to finish and end up very badly injured. I used to play rugby and that happend to me a lot - I'd get blinded by the finish (at least back then, I was younger and healed quickly). I could never race MTB for the same reasons! At least in tri - there isn't really anything to run into or trip over...*knock on wood*