Newbie weekly achievement thread

[itsalldownhill]

Okay, the achievement for this week actually belongs to my family. My two youngest kids (ages 9 and 11) and my husband and I went on a 22 mile ride, and they made it at an average of 8.9 mph! My hubbie was on a fixed gear (not intentionally, his Trek's gears were broken), and the two kids were on their old beat up BMX bikes, and it was 93 degrees out and muggy...they did so well that we got the eldest a cheapo mountain bike (he really wants a new racing bmx, but we're going to do more bike tours so thought a geared bike would be appropo) and the youngest got a Specialized Hotrock because he wants to learn to ride like Mom

They are having so much fun on these rides that as we're planning our vacation (in two weeks!) they want to incorporate a lot of biking! Yay!

As far as my achievements go, my mileage for last week was 88.9 miles - 10 miles better than the previous week. I also got my bike fitted today, which should make a huge difference in my riding ability. My seat was, as I suspected, too narrow for my sitbones (155, in case anyone is wondering), and he moved it back (which will alleviate my knee pain) and up...then he changed my handlebar stem to a shorter one to make the reach better.

I was so proud, after we were all done the fitter said "you've got a sweet little ride there" - I'm proud of my little girl (Jamis Satellite Sport mens). It's not a common bike around here since no one carries them, but it's a good solid steel bike, and seems to be very versatile.

So very happy for a good biking week and an excited family!

[itsalldownhill]

hansbrea - forgot to ask - how did your race go?

[rubysoho]

hansbrea - forgot to ask - how did your race go?

Yes! I want to know too. Hope it went well!

[hansbrea]

Umm, it went, how's that for an answer? Haha. I was the fattest lady there and the majority of others were on rode bikes, had snazzy riding gear and obviously rode more. I placed somewhere in the 20's, not exactly sure where as the guy wouldn't give me an exact number. I also don't know for sure how many riders there were but do know there weren't much more than that. Three riders came in behind me but I know one of them should have been in front of me (he looked about 12) as he passed me and then turned around to ride with his family.

I did manage to finish the ride without stopping once and averaged 12.6 mph. I was hoping to do a little better than that but oh well. My time was 1:16 for 16 miles. You should have seen everyone peel off and pass me at the beginning. It was REALLY embarrassing. I'm not at all happy.

My only consolation is that this year there was only once bike race instead of a 10 and 24 mile. If I'd raced against other newbies and done the 10 mile I know I would have placed a lot better. Sigh, maybe I'll do better next time.

[rubysoho]

I think it is great that you are out there doing it! I haven't had the confidence to enter anything yet.

[itsalldownhill]

hansbrea, you DID it...that's what matters! 12.6 mph over 16 miles isn't embarrassing - it's a good newbie pace. Now you have a benchmark for your next races I haven't raced yet because we're concentrating on distance first...but next year I probably will!

You did a great job! Go you!!!

[hebe]

well done for entering the race and congratulations on finishing it, hansbrea! I don't think you have anything to be embarassed about.