Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Titania]

Saidieme.. I think you're in this thread... if not, hi to all. I had a great day today. today was the day I got my new Bike and it's sharp. Better then what the pictures make it out to be. My husband said I did well in picking it out.

We went to the Canal on the Cape and road for about an hour. It was pretty windy and that was not enjoyable but the ride back was great. It's hard pushing against wind.

The purpose out today was to get used to the gears, shifting, get a feel for it again. I was fitted excellently with my Bike shop owner. She went over shifting, getting on, getting off, when to see if I will need a seat adjustment. They even installed my cateye . I don't know how to read it yet, but I will check into it more when it's important. I guess I think we rode about 3 miles. I got off twice. Once I walked it and then to rest my ishium. Hands and shoulders are all good.

I'm taking an epsom salt bath, just incase those parts what to try to cry to me tomorrow.

I do love it. I do hate that I'm out of shape.

Yay! Sounds like a good first ride on a new bike! Would you mind sharing where you purchased your new bike? I'm looking at getting a road bike, and all of the LBS seem, except for Harris, to have pretty mixed reviews.

DH and I are planning on doing some riding on the cape in October. Haven't ridden any of the paths there before, so it should be interesting...and likely cold.

[Titania]

Had another really great ride today and tackled my own personal great white whale.

There's a really steep hill fairly near my house that I tried to ride up a few years ago. I made it only a small part of the way up before having an exercise-induced asthma attack. It was the first time I'd ridden with DH...I was mortified by the whole thing.

Today, many pounds lighter and in much better shape, I decided to try the hill again. I fully expected to have to walk part of it, but I did good. I got to the top without even beging in my absolute lowest granny gear. I had to let out a little whoop when I made it. That hill has been so HUGE in my head for the longest time...now it's DONE! And, having done it once, I can easily do it many more times. It was a pretty big moment for me.

[tytbody]

Had another really great ride today and tackled my own personal great white whale.

There's a really steep hill fairly near my house that I tried to ride up a few years ago. I made it only a small part of the way up before having an exercise-induced asthma attack. It was the first time I'd ridden with DH...I was mortified by the whole thing.

Today, many pounds lighter and in much better shape, I decided to try the hill again. I fully expected to have to walk part of it, but I did good. I got to the top without even beging in my absolute lowest granny gear. I had to let out a little whoop when I made it. That hill has been so HUGE in my head for the longest time...now it's DONE! And, having done it once, I can easily do it many more times. It was a pretty big moment for me.

You know, that sounds great. I can't wait to achieve my first hill. That is so great. I would give you a hug if I could cause that's really good. !@!!!!!!!

[StPeteNewbie]

I am just getting used to the new bike and back into biking (I havent biked in 25 years) and went out for a spin today. Had some headwind, crosswind and rain. (beginning to feel like a "real" biker) The goal was to finish the last part of the bike path and I just had to touch the sign to "make it official" and I went down. I had one foot free but I forgot about the other foot still being attached to the petal. Im fine and actually I am glad that it happened. Now I know that I can survive: I only spilled a little blood and the bike is ok. Now its time for the next adventure...

[tytbody]

For me, I guess being this is my second ride, I did 10.24 miles. I don't now if the cadence thing is the single digets, (I have to read the instructions) but I seem to have kept it around 7. it would go 5,6,7 8. I noticed the numbers on that ting as high as 18. That was going down hill so I know it has something to do with pedaling or wheel rotation.

[sadieme]

I guess my 'newbie accomplishment* is getting hubby to go for a short ride with me today. He borrowed a bike from a friend. It was an antique, single speed bike. We rode a bit over 4 miles total before he was worn out! We traded bikes for the last mile so he could see that it doesnt have to be that hard! Not sure if he will be willing to do it again, but I tried to get him out there with me!

[tytbody]

you neve know. He may try your's out again and say, I think I'll get one. I saw my neighbor, out today on HER new bike. So it can be contagious. She has not ridden in a while same as me but she looked good. I was on my way out so we didn't chat much. I said, anytime, just ring my door bell or text me. I had my little girl in the car with me so we are always ready. (the little girl is my bike) I've not named her yet.

[maggieriley]

I am just getting used to the new bike and back into biking (I havent biked in 25 years) and went out for a spin today. Had some headwind, crosswind and rain. (beginning to feel like a "real" biker) The goal was to finish the last part of the bike path and I just had to touch the sign to "make it official" and I went down. I had one foot free but I forgot about the other foot still being attached to the petal. Im fine and actually I am glad that it happened. Now I know that I can survive: I only spilled a little blood and the bike is ok. Now its time for the next adventure...

Oh dear - falling is one milestone I haven't crossed yet! I'm afraid of it, of course... I am worried about getting toe clips/clipless pedals - though I know it would improve my riding efficiency... I'm still riding my mountain bike with handlebar extender and gel seat and no clips of any kind on the pedals - I sit upright... and the bike doesn't even fit me well - it's too small for me. But I haven't fallen yet! haha. I think it would be good to get it over with, so I could be like you and know I'll survive... but I hope it doesn't happen when I'm riding down a steep hill at full speed!!!

[Velocivixen]

I've just read the last several posts and there have been some inspirational happenings. So, let's see. I think my new achievements involve gaining confidence in traffic. I am more brave "taking the lane" when appropriate. Won't go into all the specifics, but I try mostly to ride on either low volume streets or streets with dedicated bike lanes. The other day, for example, there was a city truck in the bike lane and part of one of the car lanes repairing a street light. There were flaggers there holding "slow" signs. I saw that there was a car about half a block behind me, so I signaled that I would be moving left into the car lane, I confidently took the lane, and once I passed the truck, I signaled that I was returning to the right lane (bike lane had ended by then). Anyway, all went well and I wasn't too nervous. I have a rear view mirror on my helmet that helps. There are other times when bike lanes end and I am suddenly sharing a lane with a car. I stay to the right, but never put myself so close to parked cars that I could be "doored", which could be very dangerous.
Alright ladies, keep up what you're doing. Keep sharing and encouraging.

[maggieriley]

Traffic scares me! I have no desire to ride in traffic, but getting good at it would certainly help. Fortunately, I live in an area without a lot of traffic... but we do have a highway running through town that I try to avoid. Anyway, good for you!! A rear-view mirror seems like an awfully good idea - I need to get one - for riding along our rural country roads and forgetting about cars, until one whizzes by and startles me.

I did use the left turn lane on our highway coming home the other night, but the light didn't change for me!! I think it's got one of those things that cars trigger... at least there wasn't much traffic and when the light turned green, I just ran the red arrow since no one was coming (after it had already gone a cycle without changing). I guess I'll become a temporary pedestrian in the future at that intersection - ha.

Good luck with the traffic - you are brave!!!

[maggieriley]

Had another really great ride today and tackled my own personal great white whale.

There's a really steep hill fairly near my house that I tried to ride up a few years ago. I made it only a small part of the way up before having an exercise-induced asthma attack. It was the first time I'd ridden with DH...I was mortified by the whole thing.

Today, many pounds lighter and in much better shape, I decided to try the hill again. I fully expected to have to walk part of it, but I did good. I got to the top without even beging in my absolute lowest granny gear. I had to let out a little whoop when I made it. That hill has been so HUGE in my head for the longest time...now it's DONE! And, having done it once, I can easily do it many more times. It was a pretty big moment for me.

That is so great!!! The first hill I did that with is near our house - I remember it seemed really hard the first time I did it, and I was so out of breath, but now it is no big deal - I LOVE that. And I love no longer being afraid of hills!! Conquering those goals feels so amazing - I've never been athletic, but I'm starting to feel like biking is changing that - hooray!!

[hebe]

Welcome Maggie and StPetenewbie!

I love reading all the successes here.

[tytbody]

Yay! Sounds like a good first ride on a new bike! Would you mind sharing where you purchased your new bike? I'm looking at getting a road bike, and all of the LBS seem, except for Harris, to have pretty mixed reviews.

DH and I are planning on doing some riding on the cape in October. Haven't ridden any of the paths there before, so it should be interesting...and likely cold.

You should come down. I'm sure they would make it worth your while. I recommend Cycle Lodge.
Excellent shop. My husband was impressed with the service. Both husband and wife very knowledgeable of bikes. Fit, gave me first hand instruction. She said, I want to make sure Cheryl knows how to work the gears before leaving. I tell you, don't go to REI or any other chain. They got it or if not, they will get it.

My bike does not have that tube in the middle because it's a step through. it's so close to my body that I can't fit if they put a bottl on that shaft. I had to have them take it off. Now She, the owner could step through. I said, this baby got more back then you sista.