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".

[Roseisarose]

I looked at the Jamis Quest yesterday. Do you like your Jamis?

Hi! I LOVE MY JAMIS. It is fast AND quiet.

SE Portland is a trip to ride in--I ride from south of Woodstock through the Clinton area up through Ladd's Addition to get to work! Many many cars and other cyclists.

Rose

[Savra]

This is more a newbie weekly achievement for my mother. My mom has rheumatoid arthritis and doesn't do much exercising. I got her a bike a few years ago to see if she could ride a little. Well, I FINALLY got her out for mother's day and convinced her she could ride at least 4 miles. I drove to within 2 miles of Niagara on the Lake and stopped at one of the lots along the way. She was rather skeptical she could do it but once she got on the bike and we rolled along the bike path she was so excited it was so easy!! We biked the 2 miles into Niagara on the Lake, walked around, had lunch and then biked back. So, not 4 miles straight but 4 miles at all in one day for my mom was a great achievement.

[hebe]

Savra, that's wonderful! Well done to your mum

[Roseisarose]

Sarah that is terrific....I have some inflammatory immune problems and I find getting on the bike helps so much. Congrats to you and your mom

[Roadtrip]

Not entirely bike related...

Went to the gym with a friend who recently joined a local facility and invited me as his guest free of charge to check out the place.

Did a good cardio workout on the spin bike (6 miles in 15 minutes to get warmed up) and then hit the weights for about an hour, which kicked my butt, my arms are so sore today!!

Shannon

[Glory]

I did my first 10 mile ride today =) Longest ride so far. I'll admit it took me forever lol I rode across some bridges that normally scare me into walking them. And I rode down the scary hill lol, I've been walking up it and then walking down it. Its pretty short but pretty steep as well. Not feeling like such a big chicken on this bike anymore

[Velocivixen]

@Rose, your ride sounds nice. Did you know that River City Bicycles has "beginner, recreational" group rides at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday? This one coming up is #3 and I haven't made it to one yet. I think I'm a chicken.

If you ever want to meet there and go on one I'd meet you. Just private message me.

So my "accomplishment" is that I watched/learned/helped my DH change his rear derailleur cable a few days ago (I posted it's own thread on this). I didn't realize it would be so easy!