Newbie weekly achievement thread

[MVines]

Hi Ladies,

Well I am new to the forum, as well as getting back into biking. Excellent thread!

My weekly, actually today, achievement I bought a new bike, a Trek Madone 3.1 WSD. I just could not resist, it just fit me sooooo well. Got home and went for my first ride in 13 years, went for 4.5 miles and got off a bit shaky.

Love the bike, loved the ride, it felt great to get on the road again! Now I am gonna do it all again tomorrow!

~~ Roll On ~~

Melissa

[Bethany1]

Something really simple, but needed to be done was clean/lube the chain and wash my bikes. I'd never done it before, but the LBS gave me a lesson and sold me some stuff to do it.

4 hours later, I have several clean bikes. Yes. I am that slow and my bikes were far dirtier than I ever thought, especially my MTB.

It's amazing that the time spent cleaning and polishing bonds you closer to your bike. I won't be so nervous to do this now.

[MojoGrrl]

Completed my first century ride today - which is quite an accomplishment for me since I have only been riding for 5 months. It was actually 106 miles, with a lot of climbing - lots of small hills and a few really big ones, including Marshall Wall http://www.adventurecorps.com/when/cheeseloop.html, and I kept going the whole time - no stops on the hills, even powered up some of them past other riders, and kept my cool on descents that made me want to crap myself. It was AWESOME.

[Velocivixen]

@roadtrip, so did she buy your bike? I have a 2011 Trek 7.3 FX that I am thinking of selling, so you've inspired me.

[Catrin]

Completed my first century ride today - which is quite an accomplishment for me since I have only been riding for 5 months. It was actually 106 miles, with a lot of climbing - lots of small hills and a few really big ones, including Marshall Wall http://www.adventurecorps.com/when/cheeseloop.html, and I kept going the whole time - no stops on the hills, even powered up some of them past other riders, and kept my cool on descents that made me want to crap myself. It was AWESOME.

Congratulations! I don't think you are a newbie any longer

[roo4]

MVines: We are bike sisters! I love my Madone 3.1! So smooth. Bike on, woman.

[MojoGrrl]

Congratulations! I don't think you are a newbie any longer

I guess not

Oh MAN am I paying for it today though... I've never been sore in some of those muscles before...didn't know I HAD some of them...and I am still ravenously hungry!

[Nick]

I had my longest, farthest, fastest bike ride yet. Clipped in. No falls, and lots of fun. I had a blast! The Juliana and I are getting to know each other better, and I'm starting to figure out how to position myself properly on the new saddle and bars...

[molliewog]

I'm also new here, and have enjoyed lurking

I started cycling again a few months ago. I've been able to get out once or twice a week. I bought a Giant TCR Composite (now pimped in pink) a couple weeks ago to replace an old Cannondale. I took it out yesterday for my third ride on it and managed to do 20 miles at an average 20 mph! We have a great paved flat bike path that allows you to focus on riding, not cars. I was so excited! It was such a great feeling, which only makes me want to ride more. I'm starting to feel comfortable enough on the road and in my pedals that I may look for some group rides to join.

Here's hoping for a 40 mile ride Saturday. Love, love, love the new bike!

[sunsfan]

This week I...
- rode 15 miles which is my longest ride so far
- learned how to use my cleats with my clipless pedals
- learned to ride with one hand to signal with the other

baby steps

[Nick]

This week I...
- rode 15 miles which is my longest ride so far
- learned how to use my cleats with my clipless pedals
- learned to ride with one hand to signal with the other

baby steps

That's a lot of progress in one week! Congrats

[sunsfan]

That's a lot of progress in one week! Congrats

Thanks, Nick!
I'm hoping in the next week or two I can also say that I can keep a straight line while looking over my shoulder. It's difficult for me right now.

[KatzPajamas]

This week I...
- rode 15 miles which is my longest ride so far
- learned how to use my cleats with my clipless pedals
- learned to ride with one hand to signal with the other

baby steps

This is awesome. I have been riding since May and can do about 27 for longest ride. Tried the clipless thing on my first week and wiped out too many times. Now use regular old pedals and have no desire to try clipless again. I still have trouble taking one hand off the handlebars. So you are way ahead of me in a very short time! Rock~n~Roll!

[Fontinalis]

I have gone with clipless pedals and cleats yesterday!!!!
Rode about 8 km in town (lots of stops, red lights, and a couple of minor hills). And today did my usual early morning 14km loop, also in town, but with no traffic in the streets. I absolutely LOVE it.
It is a very different way to pedal. And muscles who apparently had not been working for three years (this is my third season bicycling after 30 years off the bike) were a little sore last night, and again today. But no falls and really no fears I must say. I do have a new mantra (as I approach a stop/red light/or anticipating a situation calling for a stop) : unclip! unclip! unclip! LOL
I feel good about this. Just like when you get to hang with the older kids in that other schoolyard. ;-)
I have decided to go with clipless pedals as I am going for a cyclotouring trip in a month, and figure that it might do a difference then. I thought that a month would give me a good idea if I want to do my trip clipless or not. So far, I'm liking this. If the sore muscles are less and less sore as days go by, as I do my various commutes this week and the next weeks, then, it's a go!

I have no preconceived ideas about this. There isn't, in my mind, a better way to ride per se. It is each person's doing their thing, and what is good and best for each person. But I feel good having tackled something new about bicycling, and I am curious of what it will bring on. I'm not into speed, performance, etc. But I would love to gain stamina. So anything that may help me improve my pedaling, in longer rides, is welcome.

[Nick]

I have gone with clipless pedals and cleats yesterday!!!!

Congrats on that! Glad to hear you are having a good experience. I recently switched to clipless. They have definitely changed the "feel" of my ride.