[mel.b]

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! 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) 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]

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

[Zebrano]

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

[loinnsigh]

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

[Hmmzis]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Fatbiker

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]

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]

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

[Roger Hassenforder]

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

[Esroh]

Originally Posted by nilhg

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

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]

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

[jjcahill78]

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]

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