Newbie weekly achievement thread

**muddysmudge** · 05-18-2011, 11:36 AM

I love being on my bike, it's the best therapy in the world

Just over a year a go, I had major surgery. After 8 weeks of complete rest (sunning myself in the garden!) I decided enough was enough and dragged the bike out of the garage and gave it a wash.

That afternoon I cycled to my local park and had to have a rest on a bench when I got there. (I was enjoying the view!!) But boy, I was so pleased I'd cycled all that way and not stopped, a whole 1.5 miles.

Bit by bit, day by day, I cycled just a little bit further. A week later, I cycled all around the park once I got there, twice! A mile round, each time. A week after that, I cycled there, twice round, and then home again. A large glass of wine was my personal present that evening! And my thighs hurt like hell....but I didn't care, I was grinning from ear to ear!

A year on and I do a 26 mile round trip commute four days a week into London and back home on my (new) road bike. I go mountain biking at the weekends with 'the boys' on my full-sus mtb, and road biking with the girls as well. I go cycling with my kids, I go cycling with close friends. And I even (occasionally) like hills! With a good friend I've entered a 100 mile sportive in Brighton in September, the challenge is on!!

And yeah, sometimes my thighs still hurt like hell, but I just love it

The great thing about cycling is it really doesn't matter how far you go, it's always great fun. But if you keep at it, your fitness will improve very quickly, much more so I think than other sports.

As we sometimes say over here, "slowly, slowly, catchey monkey". In other words, bit by bit, keep the patience and you will win the game

Oh, and by the way, I'm the wrong side of 40, so if I can do it, anyone can

**hebe** · 05-19-2011, 07:01 AM

That's brilliant, Muddysmudge!

I took my Spesh out today for a little off-road riding whilst Small Girl was in nursery. It's been a while as I've been running errands on the other bike this year rather than riding for the fun of it. I had a great time, did 7.5miles which I'm quite pleased with as my normal off-road circuit is 5miles. My target is to get up to 10 off-road miles, which I think should be do-able especially as I explore more byways and bridleways.

**Roadtrip** · 05-19-2011, 09:57 AM

Looking at my ride log, managed only a paltry 20 miles outdoors the last month and a half, no wonder my legs and back are cranky.

March was cold and icy (I also had a nasty cold that lingered into April.) April here was soooooo wet the few nice days were also days i too busy at work and get home late. I've also been futzing with my fit and having some troubles dialing it in... So the last few rides were cut short due to pain and comfort making it difficult to log more then 6-8 mile as a time.

Here's hoping the rain stays away this weekend like they say it should!

Shannon

**Kerry1976** · 05-19-2011, 09:59 AM

I have commuted to work every day this week.

Yes, I know it is Bike to Work Week, but my reason for starting now is our university commencements were last weekend and the students have gone home so the town is super quiet.

Tomorrow I plan to drive. It is supposed to storm, and I need to run errands to get groceries and other items.

But I commuted 4/5 days!

**muddysmudge** · 05-19-2011, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by hebe

That's brilliant, Muddysmudge!

I took my Spesh out today for a little off-road riding whilst Small Girl was in nursery. It's been a while as I've been running errands on the other bike this year rather than riding for the fun of it. I had a great time, did 7.5miles which I'm quite pleased with as my normal off-road circuit is 5miles. My target is to get up to 10 off-road miles, which I think should be do-able especially as I explore more byways and bridleways.

Well done you! It's great fun exploring bridleways, and 7.5 miles off-road is as good as 10 miles on-road. You see so much more on a bike than you would by car!

I went for a little pedal along the Thames today with a mate of mine. We started at the Thames barrier and followed the Thames Cycle Path past the Millennium Dome and all the way into Greenwich, had a posh coffee and slice of cake overlooking the river and then pedalled back again, just in time for the afternoon school run....

Happy days...

**Ruby** · 05-21-2011, 02:10 AM

First week commuting to and from work. I rode all five days and it was fantastic!
Also did my first 70km road ride today on local country roads- legs are so sore, but it was the best day. Bring on my first 100km ride!

**MojoGrrl** · 05-21-2011, 01:03 PM

I just did 46.5 miles in 3'11" with an average speed of 14.6 mph, climbed a big hill (at least, for someone with hardly any climbing experience) with an elevation of 268 feet and was able to keep moving the WHOLE WAY UP - did not drop below 6.5 mph - and I am exhausted but satisfied that I will do fine on my 100k (flat) next weekend

**MojoGrrl** · 05-21-2011, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Ruby

Also did my first 70km road ride today on local country roads- legs are so sore, but it was the best day. Bring on my first 100km ride!

Hey, me too

Kudos to both of us!!

**rubysoho** · 05-23-2011, 03:23 AM

Not a huge achievement to some but I rode 8 miles yesterday with barely a stop. Even the traffic lights that give me some slight relief (lol) were all green so I had to keep pushing on! I almost didn't go out yesterday but now I am so glad that I did.

I also had my first motorist give me the bird bc I was in the left lane (approaching a left turn I needed to make). I crossed early bc there were no cars but I am thinking I need to figure out a different route to make that necessary left a right. Or...just tell the motorist to buzz off. I dunno.

**ClockworkOrange** · 05-23-2011, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by rubysoho

Not a huge achievement to some but I rode 8 miles yesterday with barely a stop. Even the traffic lights that give me some slight relief (lol) were all green so I had to keep pushing on! I almost didn't go out yesterday but now I am so glad that I did.

I also had my first motorist give me the bird bc I was in the left lane (approaching a left turn I needed to make). I crossed early bc there were no cars but I am thinking I need to figure out a different route to make that necessary left a right. Or...just tell the motorist to buzz off. I dunno.

Yes, it is a huge achievement and what a great feeling it must have been, most of us have been there, in fact once again that's just what I am doing, so I really understand.

Hahaha, hope you gave him the bird back.

**Orange utopia** · 05-23-2011, 03:59 AM

I did a very hilly 13 Miles yesterday. The group started off planning 16-22 but some of us ended up taking a wrong turn and made it back to the cars quicker. I did it on my hybrid and was longing for my light and quick road bike. Of course, had I taken my road bike I would Have been wishing for my my more upright hybrid on 40+mph descent and when the big trucks were speeding by. I do feel more in control on my hybrid even though it is a heavy beast.

Thread: Newbie weekly achievement thread

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