Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Roadtrip]

I got out on the new bike tonight and all I can say is I hurt. Hand, forearms, and bum hurts... I also feel it in my core and legs, but a good tired.

I played around just getting used to the gears and the like. DH teased me and said... is that as fast as you can go... all the while we were cruising at a "get used to the bike" speed. I said, I could go faster if I wanted to!! I geared down and increased speed until I ran out of gears on the back. I then changed down to the big gear on the front. Mistake now I know-- I moved to the hardest small gear on the inner ring to the HARDEST on the large chain ring-- I've only got a double (I'm used to my Triple.) At least my legs were feeling good and I just mashed down, which was like riding a rocket, WOW. I've never felt anything like that. DH said he was doing close to 20mph, and I was pulling away from him still, until I slowed down round the bend in the road.

I also nearly lost it when gearing down again to sprint toward the end of the ride and my foot slipped on the pedal... throwing my balance was off to one side and I swerved and thought I was going down, but was able to slow and regain control. She was just showing me to respect her and pay attention!! LOL.

Shannon

[Zenn]

What a lovely thread!

I am new here but thought i could tell you about my cycling story so far... I am really over weight, needing to lose about 80lbs. I brought a bike about 8 months ago and have taken to it really well. Whilst i have not lost any weight as yet (that is a rant and a dissappointment at the same time), i have gone further in my cycling.

When i got the bike home i battled to stay upright. I was also so unfit i could not cycle the 300m to the end of my street.

Two weeks ago i rode 63km in a cycle event. I came stone last but my goal was to finish, not to win nor to even cross the line with everyone else. I just wanted to finish. It was the longest i had ever ridden in my life and this weekend i have another 65km event. But i am not sure how far i will go, i may stop at around 40kms and jump onto a sweep vehicle.

So it can be done, even when really fat! Problem i have now though, is to get used to the road bike i just brought today... Will update with how it goes.

[hebe]

Hello and welcome Zenn! Congratulations on starting cycling and on your rides so far, hopefully the weight loss will follow.

I'm a bit today - it's a gorgeous day, Mr Hebe is back from the States, but I have put my neck out from 2 weeks with a sad toddler missing her daddy and requiring much carrying. Pain-killers aren't really helping, so all my cycling plans have been abandonned. Tomorrow might be possible though, and I have a refresher session booked with my cycling instructor on Thursday.

[deeaimond]

Hi, I'm glad to see this thread. I've been cycling for a few years but kinda fell off the bandwagon last year, only cycling sporadically.

My last major ride was about half a year ago and even then not much, just 80kms.

So when I made a resolution to get on my bike more this year. I'm pleased to say i went for some proper cycles the last three weekends. started off with a short 30kms ride 2 weekends ago. then last weekend i rode 65kms with my old gang. they left me in the dust but at each point at least one guy stayed back to ride with me.

today i rode 80kms. it was hard and my whole body hurt. but i'm glad i did it. was left behind each time again but one guy would always try to stay with me

need to do some secret training and start getting back to speed again.

looking forward to seeing more progress from everyone!

[FunSize]

Yesterday I did a "fitness test" which was ride up paris mountain and see how long it takes me. Its proabably only a little over 2 miles, but it averages about 6%. I did it in 20min! Which... in comparison, my bf did it in 12 and george hincapie climbs it in probably 9 minutes. Fit fast girls probably do it in 11:30.

I'm not fast, but I did it. And I didn't stop or cry or hyperventilate. I just sat there an suffered for 20 minutes. Now after training ill be able to see if I've actually improved, too.

[Roadtrip]

Tried to get out for a ride yesterday, but by the time we got home from work, loaded up and ready the sun was already fading. Arrived only to find the park closed due to flooding and trail completely under water. We had loads of rain Sunday/Monday, but I didn't expect high water on Thursday, so we had to bail on the ride as no time to get to alternate riding spot.

Tonight we got home and off we go...

Ride was great... right up to the end... flooded road/trail right next to the golf course and we had to hike/carry bikes across muddy flooded field, but much preferred to the two feet of water covering the trail.

Got back on the bike after our little off-road adventure and feet promptly slipped right off pedals (wet shoes) which was fun!!

More rain coming for the next three days, so I'm expecting more flooding, but I'm going to have to find another place to ride in the short term-- when it's not raining!!

Now to go clean my new bike... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr.

Shannon

[hebe]

Wow Funsize, looking forward to reading more as your time improves!

Shannon, you've had such bad luck with the weather these last few months. Hopefully the rain is a sign of things warming up and it won't be long before you're out on your clean new bike much more often.

I've had a brilliant morning. It was my first session with my cycling instructor since last November, when she broke her hand. We had a recap, then she showed me another route into town which basically takes out a stretch of very busy road. I also rode in the very centre of town for the first time, couldn't quite believe I was doing it, and it was nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined. The new route into town will also give me a flattish route to dd's nursery with less traffic, and I'm still really tempted to get a trailer. Anyway, my instructor was really thrilled with how my riding has improved over the winter, and she has offered to ride with me whenever I want for no lesson fee now, which I appreciate hugely though I'll still give her something for her time.

My mountain bike is due in for its first free service, and my Marin is also due in for a free check. It will be wonderful to ride the Marin to the bike shop myself

[linzq]

I love this thread! What a great way to cheer on progress!!!

I just bought my first road bike (Cannondale 2011 CAAD10 Women's with Shimano 105) on Tuesday!!!!

My partner (a very experienced and speedy road rider) will show me how to set it up on the trainer tonight! We're talking about picking up a second trainer this weekend at the local bike show so we can train indoors together.

I am super excited to get out on the roads once it warms up here, and start adding my improvements to this thread!

[jelee1311]

I'm so happy, I finally got the okay from the Doctor to ride clipless.Its been really windy snowy so I wanted to wait to use cleats because I felt and still feel a bit apprehensive about them. Its been almost a year since I injured my achilles so its been a year since I clipped in. I just jumped in and did it ,I rode 15miles,up some hills and I didn't crash! I'm still a little shaky about using them cuz I have crashed a few times when I couldn't unclip. It felt good to be able to go faster easier. Next I plan on actually getting my butt out of the saddle on the big hills