Newbie weekly achievement thread

[stella2]

Hi girls,
When I have my successes, it makes me want to come on here and share them with others new or newish to cycling. I also love to read the inspirational tales of success and progress of others So I wonder if it wouldn't be good to have a weekly successes thread?

Yesterday I managed to ride (drum roll . . .) my first corners broad sweeping ones, but hey, I was turning my bike. I could hardly believe it! I also seem to have finally mastered/mistressed stopping in a nice controlled way (apart from the odd crazy moment of panic e.g. wobbling into a bush, when I forget to use the brakes!). I also noticed I was feeling more confident and riding faster (no doubt connected).

I am thrilled to bits with this weeks progress and would love to hear about the progress of others

[MrsHulley]

I just bought a bike last week. My goal right now is to keep it upright
Once I feel I've mastered that, my next goal will be a graceful stop. Sad but true!!! Clipless will be later, later, later...... I keep telling myself small achievements are better than none at all.

[stella2]

I just bought a bike last week. My goal right now is to keep it upright
Once I feel I've mastered that, my next goal will be a graceful stop. Sad but true!!! Clipless will be later, later, later...... I keep telling myself small achievements are better than none at all.

Not sad at all! I sat on a bike for the first about 3 weeks ago at the age of 51. 2 weeks ago, I was where you are. I only managed sensible stopping consistently a couple of rides ago. This stuff feels soooo difficult sometimes, like it will never come together, but it does, surprisingly quickly. Hang in there MrsHulley. Tell us next week about your progress

[Roadtrip]

I rode for about an hour, just doing loops and practicing my turns, even feeling toward the end confidant to hit the peddles a little harder and build a little speed on the straight potions of my practice area. Crazy how 7-8 MPH can feel like your ZIIIIPPPPPING along. I know I'll get used to it, but right now the feeling of speed is exciting and frightening as the same time.

I moved to a new location (my office building with a huge parking lot) that is abandoned during the weekend. I found that there is a deceptive grade to the parking lot which added some challenge. I had to enter the turn as I was picking up speed. I learned if I feathered the breaks slightly I felt much more confidant about the turn, but not too much as I turned right into the up-slope and had to built speed to feel comfy.

I almost dropped myself to the pavement and had to come to an abrupt stop, so I had a little challenge getting myself going while on a slight grade, but I did it. It was also windy and feeling the wind hit me and having to adjust was a WHOLE new feeling that I really didn't enjoy, but as the hour drew on, I was better with it.

Good luck and lets keep riding!!
Shannon

[hebe]

What a lovely idea for a thread, and how great to read everyone's successes. Good luck and welcome Mrs Hulley, I am a new wobbler too.

Nothing from me this week I'm afraid - dh has been doing 12hr days and then had a migraine so I've not been out since last week's lessons. Another lesson tomorrow, dd is booked into creche nice and early so I can get some warming up done first. There are a whole load of roadworks coming along and I really want to be able to ride the towpath into town.

[stella2]

Hebe - what was your success last week?

[tomaskova]

I share the same goal as in keeping my bike upright - I also have clipless pedals waiting for me too, and shiny new shoes...maybe later this summer Good luck to you!

[bikegrrl]

I hear you. I learned to really ride last spring. Had a bad crash and got great suggestions here on recovery stuff in last fall. Finally did my first 4 miles of the summer. I know its not much but I was so happy to be back riding! I am starting wobbly right now, esp as I am on a new bike for me -- a Trek 7.3FX. Used to be hubby's -but we got a better fitting and realized we both were riding bikes too small. I have his now -- and he's got a new one. My new goal is to get my starts off smooth again.

[VeganBikeChick]

Getting up the hills to work is easier! Made it to work today in 23 minutes, as compared with 28 last week. I only had to walk my bike up one hill, instead of the 3 I usually do. It really has given me renewed motivation that I can do it.

[jamijo]

I mentioned it in the Memorial Day Weekend Rides thread on the open board, but I had my longest and fastest trip so far today! Did 10 miles on a rail-trail, averaging about 10 mph (normally I'm around 8). I probably could have made it faster if I had gone the opposite direction, I did a real good job of riding down the gentle grade with a tail wind in the first 20 minutes, and then taking 40 minutes to haul back to the start point. But it was still a blast!

[Velocivixen]

@Veganbikechick, great job on the hills. I hope commuting to work is going well with you. It's nice to hear about success stories.

I am doing gardening things today and have a surprise bike adventure planned for myself & DH tomorrow. He's so great in that he is willing to just "go along" with whatever ideas I have. Honestly, if it weren't for his willingness to go with me I doubt I'd be doing as many bikey things as I am. Most of the bike "groups" around seem to have "beginner" rides which are either faster or longer distances than I'm used to riding, so I just ride alone.

Hope everyone has a safe and fun filled holiday weekend.

[tealtreak]

I just bought a bike last week. My goal right now is to keep it upright
Once I feel I've mastered that, my next goal will be a graceful stop. Sad but true!!! Clipless will be later, later, later...... I keep telling myself small achievements are better than none at all.

you are right!!!!!!!!! Hang in there- post if you need encouragement (:

[jelee1311]

I think this is a great idea. I am just coming back to riding after an injury.I rode for the first time in almost four months last Monday. I was only riding about eight months before I got hurt so I am still new at this. I look forward to posting and hearing about others triumphs.

[Nessa]

My husband and I got bikes about 3-4 weeks ago. I've always worked out so I am in pretty good shape, but I'm 55 and the old engine go like it used too!!! Anyway, last Friday we went to North Little Rock and parked about 1.5 miles from the Big Dam Bridge. We rode over the bridge, which crosses the Arkansas River, back over the river to the Rivermarket area, ate, then back. This was a 23 mile ride! LOVED IT!

Here is the link to the Big Dam Bridge...it is such an awesome bike path!!!

http://www.bigdambridge.com/index.htm

[hebe]

wow Nessa, the views from that bridge must be amazing! That sounds like a great ride.

I'm feeling very proud after my lesson, not least because I did everything in the wind and rain and got home more than a little damp. I did roundabout practice, then rode along the route that I use to take my daughter to soft play - it's up a hill and along quite a busy road on an industrial estate - lots of drives and carparks and lorries. No cycle lanes for most of it. Anyway, I was very proud of myself, as was my instructor. Then on the way back we stopped so that I could learn how to set off and stop without having my bum on the saddle. This always looked so easy but took a few goes! I need to get the hang of this or else drop the saddle, and I'd rather not drop the saddle.

Anyway. Next lesson in a fortnight to give me some time to practise. I'm going to drive to a nearby town and hire a bike and trailer for the towpath to see how I get on with dd in a trailer. My instructor is sure it would work for me so I'm going to swallow my reservations and give it a go.

How's everyone else doing?