Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Glory]

Got out early this morning and drove 15 miles to an 'easy' bike trail. It was so worth the drive! Rode 7 miles, my longest solo ride. Of course I've only owned my bike for 6 days =) I almost felt comfortable today, its been a decade since I've been on 2 wheels and I had the LBS try something different with my right brake(I have a minor handicap) and braking was a little easier today. Although I'm thinking this stock saddle has got to go. I thought it would be ok since I wasn't riding very far but maybe not..

But I hafta say my sleep-deprived, menstrual cramping self is freakin' wiped out now. I hope that gets better with time!

[hebe]

Go Glory! I'm glad you're enjoying your new bike so much. Which saddle did it come with?

I am collecting my Specialised tomorrow after its service, and also our new trailer I may need to make two trips as it's not a local bike shop. This evening I have put my saddle onto a new seatpost and put the old saddle (which the Mister loves) back onto the old suspension seatpost.

[Roadtrip]

Looking at my mileage chart, I've logged 142 miles so far in 2011...

Not bad for not being able to get outdoors for two months!!

Shannon

[Glory]

Go Glory! I'm glad you're enjoying your new bike so much. Which saddle did it come with?

I am collecting my Specialised tomorrow after its service, and also our new trailer I may need to make two trips as it's not a local bike shop. This evening I have put my saddle onto a new seatpost and put the old saddle (which the Mister loves) back onto the old suspension seatpost.

It came with a Bontrager H1, now that I have bike shorts its not quite as bad but still kind of ouchy.

How exciting! I hope its a beautiful weekend over there

[Kerry1976]

After a less than fun first ride on Rosey the Road Bike last Sunday, I was pretty low. Had vaca this week and took advantage of good weather (a little windy, but doable) and light traffic to try again today and had a much better experience. Went on the highway twice, went in traffic, road on hills, crossed two sets of train tracks (one smooth/one rough - buzzed by a Jeep on the rough one), clipped in/out and stopped/started and didn't kill myself. Ended up with 12 miles. Good stuff!

[redrhodie]

I finally rode in the red boots, and while it was fine, I decided I felt like a poseur for the fashion attempt . I think I'm just a bike shoe kind of girl.

[jelee1311]

Redrhodie I bet you rocked them,besides you aren't in NYC and they aren't kitten heels so wear whatever you want.

[CynMac]

New to TE & cycling after many years and a serious illness about 11 years ago. This past weekend I rode on an old railroad trial with friends. Was a bit nervous about keeping up but I did it! I rode about 12 miles and loved every minute of it! Was hoping to get back out again this coming weekend but don't think the weather will cooperate. Was so excited to finally be able to use the new bike that has been in my basement since the end of January! Woo hoo bring on spring!

[PamNY]

I finally rode in the red boots, and while it was fine, I decided I felt like a poseur for the fashion attempt . I think I'm just a bike shoe kind of girl.

Good for you! I agree -as long as they aren't kitten heels, you are okay. I want some red boots.

[jelee1311]

Today was finally over 60 degrees,the first time this year and I got a 35 mile ride in.I realized just how little I've been riding since I've been sick this month. I did a 1 mile hill and had to stop cuz I was coughing(pathetic) I did a few more big hills then came home.I'm still having some confidence issues being clipped in but I think its slowly getting better. I came home and celebrated the great day with pizza and italian margaritas

[Nightowl]

Greetings. I loved reading all the posts of victory. Congratulations to everyone. My achievement this week is getting back to the saddle after 18 months.

I was getting ready to ride my first Century in October 2009 when I got H1N1. Hit me hard. Although I was lucky to recover, I was on steroids and inhalers for a long time. I then moved to Denver in February 2010 and the altitude hit my now less than perfect lungs like a truck. I tried to get back on the bike during the summer of 2010, but I was anxious and every time I tried a ride I felt like a huge failure and needed to stop and use my inhaler a lot.

But, I am back! So, I think I qualify as a newbie again. I have acclimated to the altitude and I have found a few routes with just a few hills to get my lungs back. I rode 30 miles last weekend and 10 miles every day after work this week. I didn't need the inhaler once, but I will still keep it in my pack just in case.

So, my message to anyone who gets hit with an injury or illness is to keep trying to get back in the saddle if you want to. Hopefully your ending will be as happy as mine.

[Bike Writer]

Greetings. I loved reading all the posts of victory. Congratulations to everyone. My achievement this week is getting back to the saddle after 18 months.

I was getting ready to ride my first Century in October 2009 when I got H1N1. Hit me hard. Although I was lucky to recover, I was on steroids and inhalers for a long time. I then moved to Denver in February 2010 and the altitude hit my now less than perfect lungs like a truck. I tried to get back on the bike during the summer of 2010, but I was anxious and every time I tried a ride I felt like a huge failure and needed to stop and use my inhaler a lot.

But, I am back! So, I think I qualify as a newbie again. I have acclimated to the altitude and I have found a few routes with just a few hills to get my lungs back. I rode 30 miles last weekend and 10 miles every day after work this week. I didn't need the inhaler once, but I will still keep it in my pack just in case.

So, my message to anyone who gets hit with an injury or illness is to keep trying to get back in the saddle if you want to. Hopefully your ending will be as happy as mine.

Wow, what a story of accomplishment and perservance! Congratulations to you and happy riding.

Actually there are a lot of good stories of accomplishment and victories and all the TE'ers reveling in a new spring riding season.

I am feeling a wee bit like I got grounded and am watching all my friends outside playing and having fun...insert sad face here with lower lip jutted out and quivering...I wanna come out and play too...

Actually I am very happy for all of you who are getting spring miles under your belt and are able to be out enjoying the outdoors...I'll be there with you as soon as we shoo out these cold temps!

[ZenBiker]

Hang in there, Bike Writer! I'm from Wisconsin originally and remember how spring weather can be in the lake states.

My newbie milestone: a 33 mile ride today, my longest to date. I did a few 20-25 mile rides late last season, but this is the first over 30. I'm prepping for a half century in early June so need to pile up some miles. Most of my biking friends are either way out of my league (riding 50+ miles with hills) or more in the 5-10 mile coffee shop trip category (fun, but won't get me thru the half century ride) so I'm a solo rider making it up as I go.

[Catrin]

....I'm a solo rider making it up as I go.

I have been doing this from the beginning, it is fun It can get interesting, but lots of fun!

[hebe]

I rode there and back to nursery twice this morning, with trailer and child. Just under 8 miles in total. I'm going for little and often this year.

I hope spring rolls in for soon for everyone. This is my first spring with a bike, I love it!