Newbie Cycling Achievements

mel.b · 05-04-2012 9:06pm #1

I'm on a bit of a cycling high at the moment and thought it would be a great idea to have a thread for newbies to post their cycling acheivements, whether it be their first spin, longest spin, fastest spin, making it up a hill they hadn't managed before, first ride with clipless pedals, learning to ride while drinking from a drink bottle...the list could go on and on.

So my newbie acheivement is that I made it up Corkscrew hill in the Burren this evening!:D I stopped at the near the hotel to take a photo of the sign and then was able to make it to the first lookout. Stopped at the lookout for a few minutes to take a few photos, have a drink (& get my breath back:o) and then hopped back on the bike and continued onto Lisdoonvarna, then down to Fenore and back to Ballyvaughan. I didn't need the stop at the sign at the time, but without it I don't know if I would have made it to the first lookout. Am so delighted and will be back in the area next Fri so planning on giving it another crack!

So what other newbie acheivements are there?

Captain Havoc · 05-04-2012 9:09pm

I think it's a great idea for a thread.

Zebrano · 05-04-2012 9:56pm

Got shoes and pedals with my new bike last week and have been using them since they are amazing no going back now

loinnsigh · 05-04-2012 10:12pm

Good thread idea!
I did a 35k round trip (ie 70k) to work last week in heavy traffic and didn't die :pac:

Hmmzis · 05-04-2012 10:31pm

If less than a year in the saddle still counts as being a newbie then I'm sort of proud of the below

Last Sunday me and a mate of mine did our first 100k+ (106KM to be precise) in the Wicklow mountains on our MTBs. The route went from Rathfarnham up to Cruah, then up the Sally Gap (Luggala descent is mad), down to Laragh and Glendalough. From there we went back to Sally Gap (the crossroads that is) taking some pictures at Glenmacnas waterfall and a second time down Luggala, then through Ballinastoe to Enniskerry and back to Rathfranham.

Was quite happy to average a bit over 25km/h and having climbed 1735m in total

The initial plan was to do also the Devil's Elbow after Enniskerry but that quickly changed after the second visit to the Sally Gap crossroads

ednwireland · 05-04-2012 10:33pm

riding up col de la biche and col de la grand tourmalet in 2010 (watch the tour this year), shame my backs fooo................ed

Fatbiker · 05-04-2012 11:19pm

I started last July after a 34 year gap from cycling. Bought a hybrid and started doing a route near my home. I am a creature of habit and I stick to this route. It is uphill mostly on the way out and, obviously, downhill mostly on way back. I set my milestones at 10k, 16k and 23k. I have stretched out to 29k. All roundtrip distances. I have completed over 1000km in 4-5 months of fair weather cycling. Biggest problem is the sore arse. I am wearing two pairs padded leggings/shorts on a gel cover on a Lidl soft saddle. Still max out at about 90minutes. Not getting slimmer but probably healthier.

mel.b · 05-04-2012 11:30pm

Fatbiker wrote: »

I started last July after a 34 year gap from cycling. Bought a hybrid and started doing a route near my home. I am a creature of habit and I stick to this route. It is uphill mostly on the way out and, obviously, downhill mostly on way back. I set my milestones at 10k, 16k and 23k. I have stretched out to 29k. All roundtrip distances. I have completed over 1000km in 4-5 months of fair weather cycling. Biggest problem is the sore arse. I am wearing two pairs padded leggings/shorts on a gel cover on a Lidl soft saddle. Still max out at about 90minutes. Not getting slimmer but probably healthier.

If you've been cycling for a while now and the saddle is still giving you grief, maybe look at trying some different saddles or look at getting a bike fit done. I have just had my bike fit done and it has already made a huge difference to my comfort level.

Darkglasses · 05-04-2012 11:35pm

Love this thread! Have already broken 50km, so will post here when I make 60 or fully complete a cycle from Harold's X to the top of Howth and back. Clipless pedals should be on my bike in the next few weeks...

nilhg · 05-04-2012 11:48pm

Definitely a noob here still, only started back seriously at the end of Jan so was delighted to be able to complete an 85KM tour around Connemara last weekend.

http://app.strava.com/rides/5980153

When I was planning the route I forgot to include the last 5KM out to where we were staying on the Sky Road, thank God for the granny gear:o

Roger Hassenforder · 06-04-2012 12:49am

have successfully convinced the wife I really do need to upgrade the bike

Esroh · 06-04-2012 1:14am

nilhg wrote: »

Definitely a noob here still, only started back seriously at the end of Jan so was delighted to be able to complete an 85KM tour around Connemara last weekend.

http://app.strava.com/rides/5980153

When I was planning the route I forgot to include the last 5KM out to where we were staying on the Sky Road, thank God for the granny gear:o

Read your Tr log today and after this solo spin you will be ready for any event you want later in the year.
Know the roads well and if you stepping up to further in an event where you can get into a group you will be fine.

jumpgun · 06-04-2012 1:19am

Started cycling in September. I have lost 11kg, joined a club Leisurecycling.ie
and cycled the lap of laoise a few week ago 100km. Now for a new bike:D

jjcahill78 · 06-04-2012 1:49am

Just started cycling 3 weeks ago. Im about 21 stone, so Im just getting over the self concious stuff at the minute. I have done 15k twice this week all ready and Im hoping to try 22k next week. My bike is crap, gears keep slipping, terrible brakes and big chunky tyres but I am enjoying it so far. Would love a decent road bike. Im aiming for the Sean Kelly 50k in August, hopefully a bargain will have dropped on my lap by then.

j@utis · 06-04-2012 5:37am

started last september on hybrid. switched to road bike in mid december. my 'records' so far are: total of 500km in one month (last month) and 26avg speed over 30km route (I'm old female rider lol). can't wait for weather to improve to set some new records

del88 · 06-04-2012 9:51am

Started cycling last summer for an hour in the evening on a 100 euro mountain bike....weighted 18stone.....now commute 38km round trip 3/4 times a week on a hybrid and weight 14 stone 7lb...and have booked a 3 week cycle touring trip from Bordeaux to Barcelona in august....also bought a surly long haul trucker yesterday...:D:D

WAPAIC · 06-04-2012 12:42pm

I got a cheque from a the driver who knocked me down, squashed my bike and drove off! Will cover the cost of the damage done to my bike but not the cost of the two gardai required to obtain it. Nonetheless I was well pleased when I opened the letter this morning:)

WAPAIC · 06-04-2012 12:43pm

del88 wrote: »

a surly long haul trucker yesterday...:D:D

Lovely bike, I have one on the list, enjoy!

WAPAIC · 06-04-2012 12:46pm

jjcahill78 wrote: »

Just started cycling 3 weeks ago. Im about 21 stone, so Im just getting over the self concious stuff at the minute. I have done 15k twice this week all ready and Im hoping to try 22k next week. My bike is crap, gears keep slipping, terrible brakes and big chunky tyres but I am enjoying it so far. Would love a decent road bike. Im aiming for the Sean Kelly 50k in August, hopefully a bargain will have dropped on my lap by then.

Sounds like it needs a quick service to fix the gears and brakes? If you don't know how to do it yourself, there's loads of videos on youtube or a good bike shop won't charge a whole lot to do it. Where are you based?

jjcahill78 · 06-04-2012 2:18pm

WAPAIC wrote: »

Sounds like it needs a quick service to fix the gears and brakes? If you don't know how to do it yourself, there's loads of videos on youtube or a good bike shop won't charge a whole lot to do it. Where are you based?

Just fixed the brakes this morning, wasnt a big job but the gears keep slipping on certain cogs. I think they need replacing. I dont want to spend money on it as Im saving for a road bike but will probably have to get someone to look at it. Thanks for the advice, I will check out youtube this evening.

Junior Jacon Jeese Jurger · 06-04-2012 2:25pm

del88 wrote: »

Started cycling last summer for an hour in the evening on a 100 euro mountain bike....weighted 18stone.....now commute 38km round trip 3/4 times a week on a hybrid and weight 14 stone 7lb...and have booked a 3 week cycle touring trip from Bordeaux to Barcelona in august....also bought a surly long haul trucker yesterday...:D:D

Did you buy it new? If so, where?

WAPAIC · 06-04-2012 2:43pm

jjcahill78 wrote: »

Just fixed the brakes this morning, wasnt a big job but the gears keep slipping on certain cogs. I think they need replacing. I dont want to spend money on it as Im saving for a road bike but will probably have to get someone to look at it. Thanks for the advice, I will check out youtube this evening.

If it's new, bring it back to where ever you got it:)

If it's old and had a bit of use you can service it yourself easy enough. Its likely that the chain is slipping on the rear set of cogs. Start by giving it a good clean and checking that each link in the chain can move freely. Have a look at the derrailleur and make sure all the bits that are supposed to move can do so freely - each jockey wheel should rotate freely and it should be easy enough to straighten the whole unit out slightly. It shouldn't move relative to the frame, just the lower bits of should be able to move. Make sure nothing is stuck in rear derrailleur or the cogs. If that doesn't fix it then have a look at some of the videos on youtube or have a read of some of the more detailed information on park tools before having a go at adjusting the cable. You can't really break it, you might make it a tad worse before you get it right but a bit of patience and you'll have it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1gSwhsVN8

If it's old and it's gotten a bit of use, then maybe the back cog and chain need replacing, as you say. You should replace both together and it's not hard but you might need to buy a special tool to get the cogs off and another to join the chain together.

Fatbiker · 06-04-2012 10:07pm

del88 wrote: »

Started cycling last summer for an hour in the evening on a 100 euro mountain bike....weighted 18stone.....now commute 38km round trip 3/4 times a week on a hybrid and weight 14 stone 7lb...and have booked a 3 week cycle touring trip from Bordeaux to Barcelona in august....also bought a surly long haul trucker yesterday...:D:D

Damn you! You're living my fantasy life:D

Seriously, well done! I'm trying to pluck up the courage to tackle a long cycle. Fancy a touring bike like the Surly.

Surinam · 07-04-2012 4:00pm

Completed my first 50k cycle today.:) Been at this for about a month now, doing 30-40k cycles each saturday and sunday - finally getting fit!

Does anyone else get lower back pain when going up steep hills? I'm doing something wrong but changing position doesn't seem to help.

Definitely need a road bike tho, cycling a Rockhopper with tyres like tractors :eek:

Briain O Loinsigh · 07-04-2012 4:11pm

Hello , I'm a new road bike user and am currently cycling around howth head three or four times a week ,round 40k trip from home.
I'm so unfit that I'm completely out of breath doing it ,but never thought I could a few months ago.

j@utis · 07-04-2012 4:22pm

Surinam wrote: »

Does anyone else get lower back pain when going up steep hills? I'm doing something wrong but changing position doesn't seem to help.
...

I get back pain when I'm trying too hard

Going gear or two down usually helps. I ignored it today though when trying to set my new top speed. I was flying at 59.8km/h, tried hard but failed to find that xtra 0.2 to make it 60

:rolleyes:

del88 · 07-04-2012 5:52pm

Junior Jacon Jeese Jurger wrote: »

Did you buy it new? If so, where?

Hollingsworth cycles in templeouge can get them in....they have 1in stock....looking forward to getting it...:-)

Surinam · 07-04-2012 6:14pm

j@utis wrote: »

I get back pain when I'm trying too hard Going gear or two down usually helps. I ignored it today though when trying to set my new top speed. I was flying at 59.8km/h, tried hard but failed to find that xtra 0.2 to make it 60 :rolleyes:

I'll try going lower gear in future. Congrats on getting to that speed even if you didn't make it to 60

Donelson · 07-04-2012 7:35pm

Just about 12 months on the bike. I'm going on my first ever tour next week, it will be in ireland but, if it goes well I've big plans for the summer! I reckon it'll be about 500km over 5 to 6 days. I am really looking forward to it

mel.b · 07-04-2012 7:44pm

Donelson wrote: »

Just about 12 months on the bike. I'm going on my first ever tour next week, it will be in ireland but, if it goes well I've big plans for the summer! I reckon it'll be about 500km over 5 to 6 days. I am really looking forward to it

Sounds fantastic - what places are you visiting?

Donelson · 07-04-2012 11:05pm

Heading from new ross to longford, galway, limerick, waterford new ross, I've nothing booked, so it's no biggy if I have to change my plans, I'm just going to escape on the bike for a couple of days.

smacl · 08-04-2012 3:25pm

mel.b wrote: »

So my newbie acheivement is that I made it up Corkscrew hill in the Burren this evening!:D I stopped at the near the hotel to take a photo of the sign and then was able to make it to the first lookout. Stopped at the lookout for a few minutes to take a few photos, have a drink (& get my breath back:o) and then hopped back on the bike and continued onto Lisdoonvarna, then down to Fenore and back to Ballyvaughan.

Fair play, that's a decent old climb. I did a similar spin on the Thursday with my sister, starting and finishing in Doolin. Beautiful day for it, and one of my favourite routes. If you're going back on Friday, the spin over the cliffs of Moher to Lahinch is also great craic, though probably a bit easier. The pints in PJs in Fanore and McGanns in Doolin are also pretty decent post spin;) Loving the way the local cycle clubs have outlined the dodgy pot holes too, really helps the descents.

Zebrano · 08-04-2012 3:48pm

Got my longest spin in so far today 120km
and got a new top speed of 78.8kph

walaw · 09-04-2012 7:02pm

Managed my fastest ever average speed today, 28.3 km/h over 50 km in the wind and rain.
I started cycling at a higher cadence in the last week and there has been a big improvement. I am going faster and not as tired when I come off the bike.

Annunakicoming · 09-04-2012 7:13pm

Hi all
Just started ..have a mountain bike I bought ages ago..it's still brand new practically......doing 20 km spins ...very unfit...and haven't the right gear..any tips....places to buy...also would love some advice re whether bike is fitted with proper tyres ...etc etc.....plan on pursuing this to increase fitness levels and see more of north Dublin coastline etc etc...feedback anyone???

mel.b · 09-04-2012 7:20pm

walaw wrote: »

Managed my fastest ever average speed today, 28.3 km/h over 50 km in the wind and rain.

Fair play on getting out in that weather today...that's a newbie acheivement I haven't yet acheived

thesimpsons · 09-04-2012 7:32pm

another newbie. started mid Feb at 20km after a winter spent walking to build up fitness and did a 50km yesterday. first 25k was straight into the wind :eek: but the return journey with the wind at my back was great. training for a 150km over 2 day charity cycle later in summer.

Annunakicoming · 09-04-2012 7:38pm

Got soaked...hence the request for advice re gear....I'm determined to do it once a day ,,,hail rain or shine ohh and gales

Fatbiker · 09-04-2012 7:52pm

walaw wrote: »

Managed my fastest ever average speed today, 28.3 km/h over 50 km in the wind and rain.
I started cycling at a higher cadence in the last week and there has been a big improvement. I am going faster and not as tired when I come off the bike.

Can you explain what "cycling at a higher cadence" means and how I can do it?

Annunakicoming · 09-04-2012 7:54pm

What's cadence

Peadarmac1 · 09-04-2012 8:01pm

Hi, for a definition of cadence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadence_(cycling)

Better than I could put it:)

Annunakicoming · 09-04-2012 8:13pm

Nice one

walaw · 09-04-2012 8:14pm

The rate at which the crank rotates
I don't know what the actual cadence is that I am doing (don't have a cadence monitor on my bike computer) but I am selecting lower gears than before and pedalling faster.
As a result my average speed on the same route has gone from 25/26 km/h to 28.3 km/h today in just over a week.
I think I was definately cycling at too high a gear. My legs were getting tired quicker
Another thing I've noticed is I don't have to get out of the saddle as much for the climbs. I try and maintain the same cadence, select an easier gear as required and stay in the saddle

paulgalway · 09-04-2012 9:13pm

Well. there's the second hand on your watch. Pick one of your feet,
and count how many times it goes down in 15 seconds - it's usually
easier to count for only fifteen seconds than to count for a whole
minute. If you only count for fifteen seconds, remember to multiply
by four to get your revolutions per minute.

Annunakicoming · 09-04-2012 9:17pm

Fatbiker wrote: »

Can you explain what "cycling at a higher cadence" means and how I can do it?

Peadarmac1 wrote: »

Hi, for a definition of cadence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadence_(cycling)

Better than I could put it:)

paulgalway wrote: »

Well. there's the second hand on your watch. Pick one of your feet,
and count how many times it goes down in 15 seconds - it's usually
easier to count for only fifteen seconds than to count for a whole
minute. If you only count for fifteen seconds, remember to multiply
by four to get your revolutions per minute.

Cool

midlands1 · 09-04-2012 10:05pm

mel.b wrote: »

I'm on a bit of a cycling high at the moment and thought it would be a great idea to have a thread for newbies to post their cycling acheivements, whether it be their first spin, longest spin, fastest spin, making it up a hill they hadn't managed before, first ride with clipless pedals, learning to ride while drinking from a drink bottle...the list could go on and on.

So my newbie acheivement is that I made it up Corkscrew hill in the Burren this evening!:D I stopped at the near the hotel to take a photo of the sign and then was able to make it to the first lookout. Stopped at the lookout for a few minutes to take a few photos, have a drink (& get my breath back:o) and then hopped back on the bike and continued onto Lisdoonvarna, then down to Fenore and back to Ballyvaughan. I didn't need the stop at the sign at the time, but without it I don't know if I would have made it to the first lookout. Am so delighted and will be back in the area next Fri so planning on giving it another crack!

So what other newbie acheivements are there?

An issue I have with so-called leisure cycles is the speed . For new cyclists its not much fun having to go flat out just to keep the front group in your sights. Think experienced cyclists should be allowed to dictate the pace on leisure cycles. Put them in their own group and give the rest of us a chance .

cdaly_ · 09-04-2012 10:28pm

midlands1 wrote: »

An issue I have with so-called leisure cycles is the speed . For new cyclists its not much fun having to go flat out just to keep the front group in your sights. Think experienced cyclists should be allowed to dictate the pace on leisure cycles. Put them in their own group and give the rest of us a chance .

On sportives there is usually a fair mix of abilities. A classic mistake is to try to keep up with a group that is too strong for you. It's generally better to take it a bit easy to start with and find your legs. At that point you're likely to fall in with similarly paced riders as the fast ones will all have gone on ahead.

nilhg · 09-04-2012 10:32pm

Annunakicoming wrote: »

Hi all
Just started ..have a mountain bike I bought ages ago..it's still brand new practically......doing 20 km spins ...very unfit...and haven't the right gear..any tips....places to buy...also would love some advice re whether bike is fitted with proper tyres ...etc etc.....plan on pursuing this to increase fitness levels and see more of north Dublin coastline etc etc...feedback anyone???

Good stuff, keep it up it's hard at first but when the improvement comes (and it will) it's a great feeling.

As for gear, I got some nice stuff at a reasonable price from Tenn Outdoors, they are on ebay and amazon too, proper cycling gear makes a difference even if you aren't doing huge distances. The dhb stuff on wiggle.co.uk seems good value too.

As for your tyre you'll need to tell us what's on it already for any constructive advice.

Fatbiker · 10-04-2012 6:13pm

Annunakicoming wrote: »

Cool

sorry. Meant to quote Peadarmac an Walaw too.
Thanks all for the explanations. In many ways that is how I cycle. I do not feel strong enough or safe enough to stand in the pedals so I use all the gears to stay seated and pedal at a rate I am comfortable with.

BrianBoru00 · 11-04-2012 12:09am

Excellent idea for a thread. May keep me motivated!!
Started 2 weeks ago on a new Trek 1.5 (on the BTWS). v overweight 295lbs So weight loss is the initial goal need to lose realistically70lbs+...

Starting out, A few 8k spins had me knackered but i felt great after a shower an hour later.
Did one 16k trip with a return that evening - again tired but not sore.
Now up to 14k spins. averaging 24.5k at the moment.

Targetting the tour of Sligo Sportive 60k on 6th May. ( Anyone think this is too optimistic???)
I intend to increase my distance to 18/20/25 over the next week, then increase to 35k and 45k....

Crow92 · 11-04-2012 1:23am

I've read recently that you need to do low intensity cycling to burn off fat to lose weight as fat takes longer to convert into energy as apposed to medium intensity where your body uses carbohydrates aerobically and high intensity your body uses up the muscles glycogen stores anaerobically.

Just a thought if you hope to lose weight not to push really hard as it doesn't burn fat.

Newbie Cycling Achievements

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