Newbie weekly achievement thread

[hebe]

Does surviving first fall count as an achievement?

Most definitely! Are you and the bike both ok?

[murielalex]

Most definitely! Are you and the bike both ok?

Yes, thank you. My new Brooks saddle has a scuff mark on the edge, but I'm calling that "character."

It was a classic newbie move, and I hadn't even made it out of my neighborhood yet. I was coming to the edge of my street where there is a diner. I could tell some lady was going to back out without seeing me, and I slowed down, and got so obsessed with watching her, I didn't even notice I'd come to a stop and just flopped over. Of course, a couple diners came out to see if I was okay, but the lady, who did back out, didn't even notice I'd fallen behind her.

I went on to a beautiful 20-mile ride down A1A (any South Floridians here?) by the ocean. It was my first time pedaling out that way, though I live only one mile away. I was expecting to see a lot of cyclists, and I did as they were all passing me What surprised me, though, was how rude the joggers were and how many: they tended to jog in pairs in the bike lane against the traffic, and wouldn't split up into a singles when I was nearing them, forcing me into the traffic. Since there is only one lane going each direction, I'm just glad it was early in the morning and not too much traffic.

Tomorrow is my first commute by bike (8 miles each way). I go in early enough to not have to contend with traffic, but coming home is a different story. Although there is a bike lane on one main road I'll be on, it stops abruptly in the busiest section of town and becomes a lane for parked cars. There really isn't a safe road going East to West, and I will have to ride a sidewalk (wide, thank goodness) on the last two miles going in. Keeping fingers crossed. I've got my lights and day glo vest. Since I got my first fall out of the way, I'm thinking I'm ready!

[hebe]

How did your commute go? I'm glad that you weren't injured, and I'm sure that Brooks can only improve with a bit of character.

I decided that it was time to learn how to change a tube. Not a success, I couldn't get the tube and tyre back on again (though on the plus side I had no problem getting them off). I then tried to book in for a maintenance lesson at the lbs, but can't do it for a couple of months because of dh's work commitments. Sigh. I'm going to try again tomorrow. I really want to get my mileage up, and don't want to end up walking home because of not being able to fix a flat.

[murielalex]

First commute didn't happen. I have my regular job and a private practice that I do out of my job location, but on my own time, and I ended up scheduling a 7AM session. Since I don't have the timing figured out yet, I wasn't willing to risk being late or not having time to clean up before. Friday will now be my first commute.

I'm in the same situation as you with the tire thing. I went to a flat tire clinic two weeks ago, but it was all observation. I have yet to practice fixing one, and I'm nervous to try, but know it's better to try it out now and fail rather than try it out for the first time on the road.

[hebe]

Good luck for Friday! It's easier to do it with less time pressure, I think.

I finished changing the tyre this morning - I watched a load of you-tube videos last night and read plenty of threads on here and it went quite smoothly. It took me two goes to get the front wheel centred so that it wasn't rubbing on the brakes. Next up is to do the rear wheel. It looks like I'll be able to book a bike maintenance session at the beginning of April, so I'm looking forward to that.

[hebe]

My flat change didn't work - I managed to get a pinch flat in a previously good tube. Oh well, this is why I am practising.

I did my first proper double-figure ride this morning - 12 miles on the Vita. I am stupidly proud of myself. I can't believe it took me this long, but I suppose my utility riding is much shorter distances and rides have often been limited by both ability and time. woo hoo!

[murielalex]

Go ahead and be proud of yourself!