My (un)triumphant return to cycling!
Discussion
Well, then was an experiance and ruined a few memories! Today as part of my get fit or really die trying I got out on the bike and completed the first 5.22 miles of road cycling. Its a nice little loop through the Beds / Cambs borders thats perfect for breaking in a newbie like me that hasn't ridden a road bike since he was about 5! A few hillocks that feel like the Alps and a road surface that feels like sandpaper. Not to mention the f
g potholes! or should I say sink holes? Which ever way, if I ws a kid on a bmx I swear a wheel would have gone missing!
Unfortunaly its ruined my memories for me and forced me to accept the fact I'm old(er) bs! When I bought the bike last week, blissfull memories returned of me doing speedwayesque turns on the loose stuff on sweeping handers.... Now its more of a snail afriad that going in anything other than a straight line will bring about the end of the world!
On the upside I did lean a few things...
- My trip computer on my car lies, I did the very same circuit last week and clocked 8 miles, some 3 miles different between the car and a gps
- I didn't fall off and the pe fairy didn't visit 
- I'm still here! The cars gave me plenty of room and a couple in the speed bump area of Gamlingay high St even waited for me pass! Only the bus cut me up.
- I did better than I expected, I completed the 5.22m in 25 mins with an average of 12.3 mph (gps'd), I was expecting a figure of 8mpg avg.
- My cateye seriously needs calibration. It recorded 3.8 miles v 5.22 of my gps. As well as a lower max speed and avg speed.
- I really don't like the weather at the momment. I left in glorious sunshine, then hit the headwind, then driven snow! Never did I get the tail wind I was expecting and had planned the route around! I came back looking like a snowman! Thankfully having left in sunshine meant I was wearing my faithfull Oakleys.
- Proper cycling shorts make you feel like your a baby again and feel like your wearing a nappy.
Tomorrow I'll do the route in reverse and see how that feels on the old lungs and legs, which currently feel like jelly.
g potholes! or should I say sink holes? Which ever way, if I ws a kid on a bmx I swear a wheel would have gone missing!Unfortunaly its ruined my memories for me and forced me to accept the fact I'm old(er) b
s! When I bought the bike last week, blissfull memories returned of me doing speedwayesque turns on the loose stuff on sweeping handers.... Now its more of a snail afriad that going in anything other than a straight line will bring about the end of the world!On the upside I did lean a few things...
- My trip computer on my car lies, I did the very same circuit last week and clocked 8 miles, some 3 miles different between the car and a gps
- I didn't fall off and the p
e fairy didn't visit - I'm still here! The cars gave me plenty of room and a couple in the speed bump area of Gamlingay high St even waited for me pass! Only the bus cut me up.
- I did better than I expected, I completed the 5.22m in 25 mins with an average of 12.3 mph (gps'd), I was expecting a figure of 8mpg avg.
- My cateye seriously needs calibration. It recorded 3.8 miles v 5.22 of my gps. As well as a lower max speed and avg speed.
- I really don't like the weather at the momment. I left in glorious sunshine, then hit the headwind, then driven snow! Never did I get the tail wind I was expecting and had planned the route around! I came back looking like a snowman! Thankfully having left in sunshine meant I was wearing my faithfull Oakleys.
- Proper cycling shorts make you feel like your a baby again and feel like your wearing a nappy.
Tomorrow I'll do the route in reverse and see how that feels on the old lungs and legs, which currently feel like jelly.
The hardest step is the first one! New to road cycling myself and have built up to my 15 mile commute steadily over the last couple of months. I dont think we could pick a worse time of year to start. But the summer will be bliss!
Are you on strava? I find it keeps me interested and motivated
Dont get me started on pot holes :/
Are you on strava? I find it keeps me interested and motivated
Dont get me started on pot holes :/
Fair play for getting stuck in - as said the first few rides will be the worst. Plus, in this weather, it's simply not much fun. Keep going and as you get a bit fitter and the sun starts to make an appearance, you'll enjoy it more and be glad you got yourself through the first few weeks.
I want to go out again tomorrow, but head says cycle, heart says go fishing as I'm out of trout! So I'll see how the knee is tomorrow morning. If I get up at 7am then I can still be fishing by 9:30 
It did have the effect of making me not want to smoke afterwards so thats a good sign.
As for strava, I can be if theres a need. I use a Forerunner 305 which it says is a compatible device. So far I'll just be happy getting that 25 mins down to 18ish.
It did have the effect of making me not want to smoke afterwards so thats a good sign.
As for strava, I can be if theres a need. I use a Forerunner 305 which it says is a compatible device. So far I'll just be happy getting that 25 mins down to 18ish.
gazza285 said:
Mate of mine bought a new bike and joined me today for a play out. His first comment was how aluminium frames didn't soak the bumps as well as an old steel frames we used to ride, are you suffering from the same memories?
Hell yes! I used to have a GT mtb, and that was harder than virgin in a brothel! I have come to the conclusion that to make a ali frame withtand the punishment, they have ruined what a good frame should do. My old steel frames were great at teh small bumps.The Carrera I have at the mo isn't too bad as its only road bumps its having to absorb, but its not helped by having high pressure tyres (road bike), or atleast first impressions are that way.
Really starting to wish spring would hurry up and get here! Woke up this morning with a stinking cold and the inability to breathe, so postponed todays ride until later if I can shift it.
The wind doesn't bother me that much but that temp, jees! So I'm sat here with an OS map, planning loops of various lengths
The wind doesn't bother me that much but that temp, jees! So I'm sat here with an OS map, planning loops of various lengths
Well that was damned unpleasant! Headwind and fingers so cold they could barely squeeze the brake levers. Still a proper door to door route and because of the headwind 3 mins slower than Sat On the plus side, doing the route this way was certainly more pleasant on the legs, even if it does end with 2 climbs.
Notes from toay:
Invest in some clear lenses for the flakjackets to stop the eyes watering.
Get a bottle carrier on the bike.
And if anyones interested, the strava link
www.strava.com/athletes/simon_dragon
On the plus side, doing the route this way was certainly more pleasant on the legs, even if it does end with 2 climbs.Notes from toay:
Invest in some clear lenses for the flakjackets to stop the eyes watering.
Get a bottle carrier on the bike.
And if anyones interested, the strava link
www.strava.com/athletes/simon_dragon
Edited by Celtic Dragon on Monday 1st April 14:03
Edited by Celtic Dragon on Monday 1st April 19:30
Ref the potholes, they can be reported at http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/
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