Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Bike Writer]

I did my first proper ride on my new mountain bike today. 5 miles offroad (felt like more, as always). The bike is so much more stable and fun offroad than my comfort bike. I screwed up on a couple of hills due to stopping for walkers/dogs then being in the wrong gear to get going again, but also got a nice cadence going on a couple of other stretches. I do have a problem with the left thumb shifter, it has too much travel in it so I'll see if the shop can do anything about that. I'm not 100% sold on the pedals either, they seem to have rather less traction than the ones on my Marin, especially when wet.

Beautiful ride today though. Stunning views over rolling fields, there's still a bit of snow and ice around (I LOVE frozen puddles!) and the bike just kept making me laugh. The chain came off once, but went back on ok and I came off once after a dodgy start but was fine, just a bit muddy. 3 degrees or thereabout, but I was toasty warm.

Outstanding! this is the very best part..."and the bike just kept making me laugh..." a person could not ask for more than that! So very happy for you!

[hebe]

Thank you!

I am glowing with achievement today, despite the bike not leaving the garage. I phoned the LBS to ask about the shifter and the pedals. He talked me through how to move the shifter to get a better angle, and suggested that I try swapping the pedals between bikes if I prefer the Marin pedals. I'd wondered about that but wasn't sure about asking in case it would invalidate the warranty. He said he'd be more than happy to do it, but talked me through how to do it so that I wouldn't need to drive the bike in. So I have swapped pedals between my bikes, adjusted the shifter position and also removed the bell for good measure (calling out to people seems to work better). Next task is to learn how to change a tube. Now that I have two bikes I can do the learning things on the Marin without taking the Spesh out of use. I just have to ask Mr Hebe to check that the pedals are on as tight as possible, then I'll get out on the bike again on Friday and check my work! I'm still a little sore from yesterday's ride to take it out again today.

[Roadtrip]

Hebe - Sounds like your having too much fun and learning loads. Brilliant that the bike shop guy could guide you through making that shifter adjuster on your own. I know how to change a flat in theory, but have not actually TRIED it, to which I should. So I will endeavor to be a pro at changing a flat before the winter is out.

Oh, we need some good action shots, the more mud the better

No biking for me today either...

[hebe]

oh wow! That looks like the Gingerbread House in Hansel and Gretel. Beautiful!

I shall try to oblige with muddy action shots

[Bike Writer]

Thank you!

I am glowing with achievement today, despite the bike not leaving the garage. I phoned the LBS to ask about the shifter and the pedals. He talked me through how to move the shifter to get a better angle, and suggested that I try swapping the pedals between bikes if I prefer the Marin pedals.

Being self sufficent is incredibly empowering! Rock on sister!

[Bike Writer]

Your decorated home is picture perfect! Thanks for sharing.

[jelee1311]

Roadtrip your house is so pretty. I haven't been on much lately but I just wanted to say congrats Hebe on the new bike & finally getting to ride it I read some of your blog and I like it. I haven't been riding much, strep throat (still),tooo much rain and cold,and no time.hopefully ill get out this weekend if we don't get snow.

[chicagogal]

Thank you!

I am glowing with achievement today, despite the bike not leaving the garage. I phoned the LBS to ask about the shifter and the pedals. He talked me through how to move the shifter to get a better angle, and suggested that I try swapping the pedals between bikes if I prefer the Marin pedals. I'd wondered about that but wasn't sure about asking in case it would invalidate the warranty. He said he'd be more than happy to do it, but talked me through how to do it so that I wouldn't need to drive the bike in. So I have swapped pedals between my bikes, adjusted the shifter position and also removed the bell for good measure (calling out to people seems to work better). Next task is to learn how to change a tube. Now that I have two bikes I can do the learning things on the Marin without taking the Spesh out of use. I just have to ask Mr Hebe to check that the pedals are on as tight as possible, then I'll get out on the bike again on Friday and check my work! I'm still a little sore from yesterday's ride to take it out again today.

Congrats on making those adjustments on your own. It is so important to be able to work on your bike, and understand how it works. I can do little things, but when it comes to drive train adjustments I usually leave it to the LBS, not because I don't know how to do it (I do) but because I am SOOO PICKY that my own work is never good enough for me :-(

For your pedals, you can certainly have your husband tighten them for you if that will make you feel more comfortable. However, pedals tighten when you ride, so I don't think you actually have much to worry about.

[hebe]

Thank you! I used to do the servicing on my first car, so I would like to be able to do the basics on my bike. There's something very nice about pottering in the garage with a spanner.

I didn't know that about the pedals, thanks. Once the snow is gone (again) I shall get out there and tighten them the fun way.

[Kerry1976]

I've ridden a few miles on my new bike on the trainer. I got a mile outside as the pavement was reasonable enough that I could avoid icy spots. Didn't crash - which was great. Learning proper mount/dismount, clipping in/out and steering - which was a surprise. kept over/under correcting. Another big thing to learn - different posture. Gosh, this is like starting over!

[Kerry1976]

For the first time in my life today, I was able to successful mount and start a bike from a dead stop. I had never been able to do that before. After reading here the tips on it and watching the Sheldon Brown video (also posted somewhere on the forums - thanks to the person who did that!), I thought I could do it. I tried it yesterday but simply wasn't doing it right. So did more reading last night and decided I'd try switching legs - and today I did it...over and over again. Will be interesting to see if I can do tomorrow (or whenever I can get back outside again). Also was able to properly stop and clip out without crashing - which is also a victory. All this is new to me!

[Roadtrip]

I'd like to report I've rode a Century, lost sixty more pounds, bought and totally dominated on a road bike, and finished first place in my very first Cross race.

Ohhhhhh... I was supposed to report what I had accomplished, not what I was dreaming about. In that case... I... Ummmm... Don't have much to report. It's been snowy, frozen, and unridable for the last month. The one day it reached the 40's we got out and rode, but I've been a slug when it comes to the bike and gained two pounds as a result.

Shannon