Newbie weekly achievement thread

[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

[redrhodie]

Hey, I get to post in the newbie achievement thread! I just rode to the store in street clothes. I had on a dress and boots. I always ride in cycling clothes and shoes. This might be a life changing ride, where cycling becomes more spontaneous, and less planned. I felt very chic, I must say.

The funny thing is, I still turned my ankle to unclip even though I wasn't clipped in. You'll see, once you get used to clipless pedals, riding without them feels really weird, especially on those tiny little SPDs. I've had this idea that I would forget how to ride without clipping in, but it was all good. Yay!

[hebe]

I like cycling in normal clothes, and am looking forward to buying a couple of cycling-friendly dresses when the weather warms up a bit.

[Tri Girl]

I just rode to the store in street clothes. I had on a dress and boots. I always ride in cycling clothes and shoes. This might be a life changing ride, where cycling becomes more spontaneous, and less planned. I felt very chic, I must say.

YAY!!!!
That's the way cycling SHOULD be: spontaneous and less planned. I need to go somewhere so I get on my bike and GO!
Even tho I ride every day to work, I've only done it once in my work clothes. It DID feel nice to just get on the bike and ride. Because you posted this- I'm going to try to ride to work in my work clothes more often (well, maybe in April once it warms up to the 60's in the mornings).