3 is the new 2, 20 is the new 10

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I am really pleased with how my riding strength has improved this past couple of weeks. I've only been biking for 3 1/2 months.

Up until now, I must confess that I almost never went into my 3rd (high) gear up front, because every time I did, it seemed like way too much pedaling resistance to me, even on flat ground. So, I've stayed mostly in the 1 & 2 (low and med) gear rings up front. A couple of days ago, on my usual ride, I started feeling like I was spinning my legs too much on the level parts. As a test, I went into 3rd gear and suddenly it seemed so easy! Well, since then I've been using the 3rd gear as much as I used to use the 2nd gear. I even have been able to go up some of the small inclines without getting out of 3rd. It amazes me. I am definitely upping my overall speed now by using 3rd a great deal. I can't believe it used to be so hard to pedal in 3rd! 3 is the new 2.

The other improvement I can clearly see is my ride distance. My "maintenance" route used to be a lovely 11 mile ride I tried to do 4 or 5 times a week. There is another nice route of about 10 miles that I would sometimes take instead for variety. They happen to meet up at one point that makes them form a sort of figure eight if you put them together.
My first route of 11 miles has lately begun to seem way too short, so I've recently started doing the whole figure eight, which has made my "usual" ride now 21 miles instead of 11. Now the 21 route feels more like the 11 mile route USED to feel. 20 is the new 10.

I remember the first time I did a 40 mile ride about 6 weeks ago, it really was hard. We did another 40 mile ride about 2 weeks ago (with actually more hills than the first one) and it didn't tire me out nearly as much!

I keeps amazing me how biking gets me into better shape when it seems more like I'm just simply having fun.
I want to ride as much as I can before the snow and ice take over!

[KnottedYet]

I've found the same thing with my new bike (double up front, 38 and 48). Pretty sure a huge part of it is that my new bike is so much faster than my commutermobile.

(but I don't care, I'll pretend I'm a better biker!)

[Squeaky]

Very cool Lisa! Ain't it great to see progress .

[mimitabby]

This is great! keep up the good work. Will you be able to ride through the winter?

[Cassandra_Cain]

Muy bien hecho Lisa

Stick with it and you'll just keep getting better and better.

Just a thought, but you can ride through the entire winter, the dark, the snow, the ice, high winds, and all the rest in your living room like me

[Bikingmomof3]

Awesome Lisa! Look how far you have come in a short amount of time. Just wait until next year!

[short cut sally]

Lisa, it really is great to be able to see and feel the improvements that you've made isn't it? ANd in such a small amount of time. Woo Hoo for you..

[spokewench]

Isn't it great to get better like that! It really keeps you jazzed about cycling

Keep up the riding and just wanted you to know that I always appreciate your posts. You have a good way of looking at things!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thank you all, friends!
It's so good to get such positive energy from all of you on the forum every day!!

And Cassandra- your bike computer is working great!!

Mimi- I will probably start walking 2-3 miles a day again when the snow and ice hits the roads here for a few months. When the road shoulders are buried under snow banks and the rest of the road is covered in slush and ice and cars are skidding about... no way, I'm not anxious to KILL myself just yet! I won't let just the cold alone stop me, though. I've got plenty of good clothing layers here just waiting...