Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Velocivixen]

Hi NickiSue! Nice to "see" another Willamette Valley lady here. I'm doing PetalPedal next month. How about you?

So my accomplishment are a few:
-rode 25 miles on Sunday on Sauvie Island.
-rode 21.95 yesterday around town
-rode down some hills without my breaks on
-actually put it into a harder gear and pedaled down some gentle hills
My friend, who has cycled a lot with a club, suggested I pedal in a harder gear while going down hill so I would feel more control on the bike. Normally I coast down with brakes on while holding on for dear life! lol.

[NickiSue]

Greetings Velocivixen, Sounds like you have been getting some good rides in. I will not be in the pdx ride... i live in the west mid-valley. Our next big ride will be back roads of Independance/Buena Vista and Ankeny wildlife refuge. We also want to try the rail trail from Banks to Vernonia, or at least a section. I am just starting to do research on bike events for our region. There is a ride that looks interesting on the Umpqua. 20,46 or 66 miles! http://purplefootgang.com/ride-routes/ You are lucky to have a friend guide you in the do's and don't. there was one hill on the monster cookie ride where the down hill scared me to death! lol.

Keep riding and enjoy.

[Velocivixen]

@NickiSue, PetalPedal is actually in Silverton, OR and supports the Oregon Gardens there.

The Banks-Vernonia trail is alright, but I thought it boring. Oh well, that's just me. Have fun exploring and riding.

[Roseisarose]

Hi I'm Rose, and I'm new. A new cyclist (well, I used to cycle when I was a teenager) with a newish bike (a 2009 Jamis Coda Femme in Celery, named Celray) that I bought last October but didn't get on until this last two weeks.

My big achievements this week are

1) I managed to get my bike both ON and OFF a city bus bike rack
2) I managed to hang my bike on and off a HOOK at work (we have a bike room)
3) I commuted back and forth 2 x this week for a total of 31 miles.

I'm hoping to commute every day. I love my pretty bike. However, I'm 47 and 40 pounds overweight, so 14 mile rt bike ride isn't going to be possible every day to start I don't think. I'm still getting used to traffic and biking over bridges.

Anyway, it is good to meet you all. I've already learned a lot just lurking.

I'm also a Willamette Valleyer

Rose (isarose)

[MojoGrrl]

I didn't get around to posting - this week (well, Sunday) I rode 33 miles and I beat my previous time on a segment of the local bike club's race ride (22:32 for 5.8 miles). My bike is in the shop for a tune up so I haven't been able to ride it since although my other half and I took the tandem out this week, which was nice.

I'm also cross-training and I had a kick-*** run last night, so that should translate into more and better cycling when I do get my bike back

[RadicalEdward]

Hey
another newbie to cycling - Bought myself a second-hand Felt ZW25 3 weeks ago and have been riding it for my daily commute (45-50 minutes each way)

You guys are all so inspiring!
Looking forward to challenging myself more as time goes on

Similar to alot of people I grabbed the bike due to being overweight, I've been exercising regularly since November
But I've been doing it solo, which has made it hard to stay motivated -so adding the bike to my regime has added 'purpose' to my workout (get to work on time -haha)

So far its been amazing
Bought my first real pair of riding pants today

Looking forward to getting to know some of you ladies*

*pick your brains/have a laugh/share the pain

[Bike Writer]

Welcome Edward and congratulations on starting a fitness program and cycling. Good group over here, I am certain you will recieve a warm welcome and loads of information about biking.

[Velocivixen]

@Roseisarose-good job! I have taken my bike on the MAX a few times and one on the WES train in Beaverton. Have NOT done it on a bus though, so you are brave in my book. I looked at the Jamis Quest yesterday. Do you like your Jamis?

So my accomplishment was that I did a test ride (inside the store) of two different road bikes! I haven't ridden drop handlebars with skinny tires in about 25 years! I was wobbly because there were customers in the store and merchandise! He offered to have me go outside, but I was unstable and it was in close in SE Portland (think cars), so I just said, "Thanks".