Today was a bunch of firsts....

[kimba]

Well- finally took Ted (that's my new bike's new name)for his inaugaral ride today.And my first big ride of the season...

Went out for almost 3 hours...

It was the first time I rode Ted...
It took me a while to get used to the front suspension shock. But the 27 speeds sure helped on the hills! I rode the granny gear a little more than I'd like- but I didn't conk out on any hill so all is good. My legs were fairly strong- but I couldn't do any standing hills- I'm not sure if it was more to do with the gear I was in- or my legs just aren't strong enough.Or the suspension fork was too bouncy...

I tried riding in mountain bike baggy shorts with the insert for the first time today too- the jury is still out on that one! Course - it could be that they are really men's shorts- and I'm used to riding in ladies specific lycra shorts.
Bag balm, anyone??

Of course the seat was new too- it was good until about the last 20 minutes- as I wasn't standing as much as I usually do- my heiny was screaming the last few miles home...

I was also trying one of those new mountain bike jerseys that look like a teeshirt- but it's more of a combo with cotton and poyester, with flat seams. Love it! I'm buying more!

And - went out with a hydration pack for the first time too! Took me a while to figure out how to use the bite tube. It kept locking up on me too- by the end of the ride I got the hang of it though...

I'm not too used to riding a low pro bike yet either- I keep expecting to be able to touch the ground when I sit on the seat and come to a stop...It'll take a bit o' getting used to I think- to consciously get off the seat and step down when stopping.

Whoa! Those knobby tires sure HUM on the pavement, don't they?
I checked out some slicks at the LBS on the way home.(For the charity bike ride I want to do...75k on pavement.)

And- I'm still not sure that my frame is small enough for singletrack! I went from a 20 inch hybrid frame to a 16 inch mountain bike frame...
poor Ted! Will I have to replace him so soon?
My commuting bike is 15 inch- I'll see how it goes. It'll be roadworthy this weekend!
I'm 5'4" - but I just feel like a 13.5 inch frame has GOT to be too small!

Otherwise- it was great to get out and be in the sunshine and fresh air!

Except for the BillyBobBubbaRedneck who waited till he was just off my hindquarter to hoot and holler and try and make me crash. Fortunately I just wobbled a bit.
And- I ordered a pair of cycling knockers today- ones with a chamois... my knees started to cool down about 3/4s of the way into my ride. I want to try and keep them warm.
But- I came home, did some some yoga stretches...and some sumo squats...ate a banana and yogurt..
and no real pain has developed.
I really feel great! I think if I get out on the bike on a regular basis- make sure I stretch before and after and eat right...
I'll lose even more weight- and I might even finish that 75 k coming up in 6 weeks...!!!

I'll post the new pics on my website so you can all see Ted!

[Irulan]

gdod going!!!

lesee you'll get use to the frame size, you want to have a lot of room to move your body around. I ride a 15" myself, I"m 5-3 and it's perfect for me

You may need to have your fork "tuned' if you are bouncing all over the place... it could also be a factor of learning to find your balance point on hills. typically in mountain biking you save standing hills for a technical uphill move, or for some extra momentum at the crest of a rise, passing someone, but not as a regular thing.

[kimba]

I think the problem was that I was in a lower gear and I didn't have the tension against my legs that I normally have, when riding up a hill.
Did that make sense?

Also- I notice that- with my old cromoly frame- I would use the bike handlebars as leverage when I was powering up a hill- to give myself that added resistance. Of course that has changed now- I also find that I have to rely on my abs a lot more now to balance me as I stand up- not my arms.It has definitely affected my balance- but in a good way!

My gosh- but I've got lots to learn!
Pics are coming...but for some reason my stupid computer is not seeing my "D" drive- where my website files are lurking...
but...
hey- I can just pull it down off my website!

Ziiiiiiiiiiiip!
back in a flash!

Kimba

[pedalfaster]

Nice ride report.

I'm 5"2 and ride a 14" mtb. You are probably in the correct range with the 16".

Glad to hear you ordered knickers. I *love* knickers and knee-warmers. I'm a big fan of keeping the knees warm!

Yes knobbies make an interesting "brrrrrzzz" sound on pavement. If you are also going to dash onto trail along the way (or commute on pavement to get to the trails) you might consider semi-slicks. They are really meant for racing on hardpack, but they have less annoying knobby "brrrrrrzzz" on pavement, with knobs on the edges for cornering on dirt.

Happy riding

[Irulan]

I think the problem was that I was in a lower gear and I didn't have the tension against my legs that I normally have, when riding up a hill.

uh, spinning out, too low of gear?

penny

[kimba]

Yes! That's it!!

Kimba

[Irulan]

you'll find your groove for climbing. I find it's kind of a meditation at times.

penny

[fultzie]

meditation... i like that way of looking at it! i'll have to remember that one tomorrow....

[Irulan]

here's some more on meditations while climbing...

http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/pen...ng/paladin.txt

[missliz]

I'm 5'5" and ride a 16; it's perfect. All new bikes take getting used too, especially if it's a higher end bike than you were riding. They're quicker. You'll pick it up.

Lizzy

[Kpicha]

ROFL! Heiny!! I thought I was the only one who said that!

Anyway, sounds like you and Ted had a great date. I'm sure you'll enjoy a beautiful relationship together.

Speaking of sizes, I'm 5'4" and ride a 15" frame. I hope you can find a comfortable fit.

[doctorfrau]

I definitely need the meditation for hills!!

I was out today trying to train some hills, and boy am I missing the waay low gears that I had on my MTB. I love the roadbike, but its Granny isn't granny-enough right now

I definitely need to work on the L&L ( Legs & Lungs), but maybe the Zen will help. I have a tendency to look up at how much is left, and get discouraged, where if I try the "four more feet" thing maybe I won't psych myself out so much.

Thanks Irulan!