Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Roadtrip]

After quite a while off the bike I finally got out today... I hate to admit it, but the last outdoors ride I did was last fall just before Thankgiving. The crash/shouder Injury last Spring really ruined my season. I was feeling strong before and after three months off the bike all the hardwork I'd done over the winter was down the drain. I struggled to complete five miles when I had been riding 20-ish mile rides before the crash.

I had hoped to train over the winter and really kick butt come spring, but I have to be honest I just was depressed and found it hard to get enthused about biking. All my rides last year after the crash were a real struggle and no fun what so ever. I ended up sitting beside the path in tears after having just chucked my bike away in the tall grass. After wiping away my tears I collected my bike and limped back to the car... That was my last ride.

My knee has been hurting but I still wanted to feel the sunshine and wind in my hair... I just didn't expect 13mph with gusts closer to 20. Just as soon as I started riding into the headwind the knee started talking at me, so I cut the ride off and not risk a further injury, but it was good to feel the bike again!

Shannon

[Catrin]

Roadtrip - glad to hear that you were able to enjoy getting out there - and equally glad that you listened to your knee I am jealous because I really wanted to ride one of my bikes today but my quads are toast. Too much to even go for a hike. So you did better than I today.

[Hartmame]

Finished my bike build with a velo 5 computer. Now I can keep better track of my miles. Last week I did 25 on Monday and 16 on Wednesday. The week before I rode about 30 on Wednesday. I going to try to do two rides a week through the spring. I've been riding bike paths but I want to build enough strength to ride on the road.

[hebe]

Roadtrip, well done on getting out on the bike again. I wish you a happy and healthy season of riding and hope your knee's ok. I'm in Cornwall this week and my bikes have gone in for servicing whilst I'm away, but I can't wait to ride again when I get back.

[murielalex]

Two achievements today: went further than I've done before, just shy of 40 miles, and I successfully reached for and drank from my water bottle while riding. Towards the end, my left foot was bothering me a bit on the outside (achey), and I just wasn't liking being clipped in anymore. I really really really wanted to free the foot! I don't know if any of you have experienced this before. I think it was more psychological than anything, but it turned me into a nutty person. Also, my neck and shoulders starting feeling it around mile thirty. I don't know if I'm still getting used to a road bike or if I need to return to my fitter for some tweaks. We'll see. I feel fine right now. My butt's a bit sore, but not bad at all, and I didn't use chamois cream. I now have about 200 miles on the Brooks B17. I need to get a couple longer rides in to be sure, but I do think it's working out.

[hebe]

Hurrah on both of those! I haven't tried either yet.

I adjusted the brake pads on my Marin today, no rubbing any more

[Owlie]

Two achievements today: went further than I've done before, just shy of 40 miles, and I successfully reached for and drank from my water bottle while riding. Towards the end, my left foot was bothering me a bit on the outside (achey), and I just wasn't liking being clipped in anymore. I really really really wanted to free the foot! I don't know if any of you have experienced this before. I think it was more psychological than anything, but it turned me into a nutty person. Also, my neck and shoulders starting feeling it around mile thirty. I don't know if I'm still getting used to a road bike or if I need to return to my fitter for some tweaks. We'll see. I feel fine right now. My butt's a bit sore, but not bad at all, and I didn't use chamois cream. I now have about 200 miles on the Brooks B17. I need to get a couple longer rides in to be sure, but I do think it's working out.

I had an issue like that for a while two years ago. I guess I stopped badly, injured my foot (without knowing it), and it was NOT HAPPY for a few months. I don't think this is your problem, though. Are you clenching your toes or anything while you pedal?

[never2late]

Well, I am venturing forward to say I road my longest milage to date yesterday, a 34 miler. I added 10% from last week and plan to do that for the next month or so getting ready for my first sponsored ride in June. It was a lovely sunny (and that is the optimal word for the Pacific Northwest) Sunday.

I am 'schlepping' my 43 pound Schwinn until I settle on a road bike.

[Catrin]

Well, I am venturing forward to say I road my longest milage to date yesterday, a 34 miler. I added 10% from last week and plan to do that for the next month or so getting ready for my first sponsored ride in June. It was a lovely sunny (and that is the optimal word for the Pacific Northwest) Sunday.

I am 'schlepping' my 43 pound Schwinn until I settle on a road bike.

Wooohoooo, glad to hear it! Those milestones are so sweet, and they never stop being that way

[hebe]

Brilliant - well done!

I haven't ridden in a week My husband is Stateside for two weeks, and it only seems to stop raining after my 4 year-old goes to bed. I've been trying to practise swapping tubes and doing other minor fixings instead.

[never2late]

I don't wanna be the only newbie posting my numbers, but we had another great 'liquid sunshine' free days over the weekend and I just had to roll.

Saturday I used my 'old green' as my new riding friend calls her, to go grocery shopping and quickly clocked over11 miles on the trip. Later in the afternoon, I headed out just for the thrill of it, put in 13 miles and at one point, looked down and was going 15.3 mph!

Sunday was a wonderful afternoon ride of 33 miles with my friend. We are getting prepared to participate in a 53 mile ride next month.

Total milage for the week was 58. And for the month, 202 miles. lovin' my 'old green' till the road bike of my dreams appears.

Thanks for your encouragement.

[Maye]

Yay!! Rode a total of a 100 miles during the month of April!! The goal for May is a 150 miles or more .

[hebe]

oh wow, never2late and Maye! Brillliant

We had the wettest April since records began over here I clocked 27miles for the month, and was quite impressed. Even my "easy win" 2 mile nursery run was flooded. Today was dry, at least, I did twelve miles through many muddy puddles.

[Maye]

Hi ladies,
I hope that you all are having a great weekend!! For the first time in my life I rode 20 miles today!! Yay!! Keep the miles coming

Mariela

[murielalex]

After two weekends of pouring rain, was able to get out today. I had a basic bike handling coaching session, which was really helpful, mostly concentrating on cornering safely (I was afraid to lean) and working up to faster cornering, and also working on shifting more (I had been staying in basically one of the higher gears, which I thought was fine, but now know is inefficient). I'm signed up for a series of three private sessions, all working on safe handling. The place I'm doing this through has a women's group ride on Monday evenings, a social ride with no drops. I've yet to ride in a group, and I'm hoping this will be a good introduction. Tomorrow morning, I'm doing a friendly ride with a buddy. It's nice to have sunshine again!