My First Real Test to much to Soon?

Irish Gunner

Ok got on the bike and did a run

My god I forgot how the Wind can be a bit of a challenge

Went from Balgriffin Cemetery out to Portmarnock and then through Malahide and then back to Balgriffin. Few small hills nothing major but bit of a struggle near the end not to much.

Had an old Arsenal Jersey on me along with rain jacket and the sweat was pumping out of me. Still cannot get use to the saddle bloody sore

Anywho used the My Tracks app and seemed to work may try another next time to see which I prefer

Below are my stats for a first timer on a Hybrid Giant Rapid 4 they ok?

J Madone

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Ok got on the bike and did a run

My god I forgot how the Wind can be a bit of a challenge

Went from Balgriffin Cemetery out to Portmarnock and then through Malahide and then back to Balgriffin. Few small hills nothing major but bit of a struggle near the end not to much.

Had an old Arsenal Jersey on me along with rain jacket and the sweat was pumping out of me. Still cannot get use to the saddle bloody sore

Anywho used the My Tracks app and seemed to work may try another next time to see which I prefer

Below are my stats for a first timer on a Hybrid Giant Rapid 4 they ok?

Where's the run portion?

rich.d.berry

I have various training routes that account for the prevailing winds. My policy is to cycle into the wind to start and then have the luxury of a tailwind to get me home.

In the early days I headed out with a tail wind and thought I was going to die before I got home. I find headwinds more work than the hills.

lochdara

My first one 2 week ago. I attempted to climb a 12.3% gradient hill. I didnt know it was 12.3%. I gave up 500 metres into it. I drove the route since and i was half way up at that stage.. I turned around and look a leisurely spin home

http://www.strava.com/runs/16847199

Irish Gunner

Had the app set to walking when it should be cycling so not sure if that distorted anything....:rolleyes:

The fingerless gloves make it easier on the hands but the helmet does make your head sweat and I have already mentioned the saddle

Was unsure what way the wind was going so just decided to go to Portmarnock first then Malahide and home and just go in door and the heavens opened....

My goal is to get to Rush & back and that's nearly 20-24 km each way but bro lives out there so can take a rest in between

Pity cannot go up motorway so its up to Swords and onwards and upwards

Lumen

Wear fewer clothes, it'll be more fun.

This strategy applies to most things in life.

Beasty

I see the problem...

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Had an old Arsenal Jersey on me

... and the solution

Lumen wrote: »

Wear fewer clothes,

RVP FTW;)

Irish Gunner

Beasty wrote: »

I see the problem...

... and the solution


RVP FTW;)

Har de har

No man bigger than club but that discussion is for another forum..

Will wear little next time plenty of jerseys left maybe get padded shorts as time goes on..

mossym

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Har de har

No man bigger than club but that discussion is for another forum..

Will wear little next time plenty of jerseys left maybe get padded shorts as time goes on..

decent pair of bib shorts would make a huge difference to the comfort on the bike, if you're not a fan of being seen in lycra a set of mtb shorts which are normal shorts over a pair of lycra padded shorts would work as well

Beasty

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Har de har

No man bigger than club but that discussion is for another forum..

Will wear little next time plenty of jerseys left maybe get padded shorts as time goes on..

Sorry, couldn't resist...

Soccer jerseys are too loose for cycling though - you will have a lot less flapping in the wind if you wear specific cycling jerseys/jackets (and lycra shorts) - it does make a significant difference

lochdara

yeah im using the mtb style with padded shorts on the inside ones from aldi (all 1 set)... and i use my Nike dri-fit tshirts. there tight and breathable. Not to bad. I have a zipped hi vis i tie around my waste if im not wearing it. At least i stay visible on the roads.

Seaswimmer

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Ok got on the bike and did a run

My god I forgot how the Wind can be a bit of a challenge

Went from Balgriffin Cemetery out to Portmarnock and then through Malahide and then back to Balgriffin. Few small hills nothing major but bit of a struggle near the end not to much.

Had an old Arsenal Jersey on me along with rain jacket and the sweat was pumping out of me. Still cannot get use to the saddle bloody sore

Anywho used the My Tracks app and seemed to work may try another next time to see which I prefer

Below are my stats for a first timer on a Hybrid Giant Rapid 4 they ok?

If I was you i would forget about stats when you are starting off. Pick a destination or a route you know you can cycle and do it a few times. Use the bike as much as you can, even up and down to the shops or pub. Wear as much or as little as feels right on certain days. Its very easy to beat yourself up when you see a low average speed. When you have a few miles under your belt and you feel comfortable cycling then i would start looking at your stats. Remember cycling is supposed to be relaxing, functional and enjoyable and not some semi-permanent race against the clock

Irish Gunner

Seaswimmer wrote: »

If I was you i would forget about stats when you are starting off. Pick a destination or a route you know you can cycle and do it a few times. Use the bike as much as you can, even up and down to the shops or pub. Wear as much or as little as feels right on certain days. Its very easy to beat yourself up when you see a low average speed. When you have a few miles under your belt and you feel comfortable cycling then i would start looking at your stats. Remember cycling is supposed to be relaxing, functional and enjoyable and not some semi-permanent race against the clock

Very good point maybe I did it out of curiosity

Will aim to enjoy the bike and do it at my own pace and don't worry about it and then see how it goes

ford2600

Get a good pair of shorts, forget abour gizmos, mapmyride, strava etc. Just cycle, go a little too fast down hills, pretend your 12 again..
Enjoy...
RVP was overrated anyhow:D

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Very good point maybe I did it out of curiosity

Will aim to enjoy the bike and do it at my own pace and don't worry about it and then see how it goes

NeedMoreGears

I used to do that exact same route but starting in malahide. They way you went you left the hills to the end - at least I had a bit of a flat finish. You could also head over to Howth village which is about the same distance to give a bit of variety.