Mel and the 180km Ring of Kerry

mel.b · 07-06-2011 9:06pm #1

Ok, I'll admit I'm a complete couch potato and massively overweight:eek::( I purchased a bike about 6 weeks ago through the ride to work scheme with the idea to get fit and loose some weight along the way, but since getting the bike it hadn't ventured much futher than the kitchen. I decided if I didn't start riding it soon, I never would and so headed out for my first proper ride on Sunday which i actually enjoyed more than i expected.

I find I work better when i set myself a goal and when I let everyone know about this goal so then there's no backing out! So I'm going to ride in the 50km Kelly Classic at the end of August. I realise for just about everyone here that that would be considered a walk in the park but for me it will be a big deal to acheive

My bike is a ladies Viking hybrid 'versailles'. I've no idea if it's a decent bike or not, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on a bike, not knowing how much i would use it.

So...ride 1: 07/06/11
Honestly, if I hadn't commited to doing this ride in August, I wouldn't have gone for a ride tonight. It was really windy and I would have used that as an excuse:o, but i need to practice riding in the wind as if it's windy on the day of the 50km I still have to do it. So I'm proud to say I got out and did:
12.06km in 56min. Avg speed 12. 95km

Yes I'm a real slow poke but we all need to start somewhere. It was mostly pretty flat but with a few small hills and one got the better of me that came straight after another hill and I only made it half way up. However that's now just another small goal to conquer and I'm sure in a few weeks I won't even notice that hill!

Beasty · 07-06-2011 9:21pm

Go for it. Having a realistic goal like this will help

You'll probably be surprised at how quickly you can increase the distance you do, and speed at which you do it. Just make sure you get out regularly - maybe a couple of times a week to start off with, and build from there

Dermot Illogical · 07-06-2011 9:27pm

Keep it up! Looking forward to reading your 50k report

TheBlaaMan · 07-06-2011 9:55pm

The Kelly 50 is really fairly flat, with one moderate hill, so you should have plenty of time over the next 10-12 weeks to train for it and build up endurance - its good goal in itself. If you get up to 35-40k in a single spin, you'll manage the 50k on the day.

I admire you for getting out and cycling in that wind - when you are new to it and will undoubtedly have plenty of reasons not to do so, getting out on the bike on your own was a triumph !

DO set goals - a little at a time. Give yourself every chance to accomplish them by ensuring that the goal in realistic for your fitness level, and build slowly.
DO allow yourself to have an 'off' day - you don't need to add guilt to your workload
DONT have too high an expectation of how much weight cycling is likely to shed. You will need to be more careful about diet and what to eat before/during/after a spin and that will contribute to a 'better' diet but cycling wont shed 1000s of calories per ride at the level you are likely to be at.

Well done on a good start!

Inquitus · 07-06-2011 10:36pm

All the best mel.b, I started in a similar position as yourself around this time last year. As Beasty says above, if you stick with it 2-3 times a week you will see an improvement almost everytime you go out. Good luck!

Saint_Mel · 07-06-2011 10:51pm

Sorry dont want to hijack the thread but just wondering how are people managed for the 50km. Is it a free for all at the start line or do people set off in groups?

Sorry if its a stupid question, new enough to cycle for exercise and very much at an entry level standard so never went on a group before. Just saw the link on the other thread and it looked like something I could try for. Currently averaging about 30km in about 1hr 30mins on a few solo spins so hoping to build on that.

mel.b · 09-06-2011 9:27pm

Thanks for the encouragment everyone

Inquitus, I have just read your thread and you are amazing. If i manage to even acheive half of that (cycling and weight wise) in the next 12months I will be rapt.

I've read a couple of threads tht mention cycling isn't the best for weight loss which surprised me. Is it because it isn't a high impact activity like running would be?

So I officially signed up the SK 50km today and then emailed all my workmates to let them know and to bug them so they can sponser me. I figure if I'm taking their money (well, donating it to Down Syndrome Ireland) then there really is no way I can back out:P

I managed another ride tonight and the weather was just great for it - not too windy and not too hot. A couple of longer hills but more of a gradual incline compared to Tues night. If I put my head down and don't look at what's coming then I'm ok!
Ride 2:
16.33km in 1hour 10min.

I was really aiming for 15km and watching the computer on my bike that is what I did. However mapmyride on my phone says 16.33 so I'm taking it!! If I'd known though I was over the 15km mark I wouldnt have written down all the cul-de-sacs in my estate to ensure that I made the 15km mark before reaching home:rolleyes:

My bum is a bit numb so I'm off to buy some cycling shorts.

Cookie_Monster · 10-06-2011 8:02pm

mel.b wrote: »

I've read a couple of threads tht mention cycling isn't the best for weight loss which surprised me. Is it because it isn't a high impact activity like running would be?

It's not bad though either, I've lost 4kg or so since the start of the year and I still drink and eat as much crisps as I want

aquanaut · 11-06-2011 10:44am

Well done Mel B - your doing great. The 50km will be no bother to ya! Did ye ever come out with us at Sportif Waterford? You'd find that cycling in a group makes the km fly by and brings up your speed. I do solo and group - being in a group is great for the days when you don't feel like going!

mel.b · 14-06-2011 8:22pm

aquanaut wrote: »

Well done Mel B - your doing great. The 50km will be no bother to ya! Did ye ever come out with us at Sportif Waterford? You'd find that cycling in a group makes the km fly by and brings up your speed. I do solo and group - being in a group is great for the days when you don't feel like going!

That wasn't me at Waterford - must be another Mel.b floating around...scary thought:eek:

I was up early on Sat morning for a very quick ride - just 6km. Was going to do further but it started to rain and I had a wedding later that day so decided to call it quits. Sunday was spent recovering from the wedding and yesterday I had a trip to the dentist so no riding for me.

Last week I let ll my workmates know about my plan to do the ride and they have all be so supportive and it was their encouragement yesterday and today that got me out for a ride tonight after work. 12.7km in 57min. It was mostly flat with one small hill towards the start which I managed in the granny gears. Towards the end I thought i was going along pretty well (for me anyway) and then I was overtaken by a guy going for a run:o I'll try and console myself by thinking that he saw me as a challenge and had to sprint to past me!

I've also motivated another of the girls I work with to also do the SK 50km so that is great. We are going to get together and do some rides together which should be fun.

I've been really inspired by all the reports from the people who did the WW100/200 on Sunday in that absolutely miserable weather - thinking of the suffering it sounds like you all went through got me up my little hill tonight without having to push:D

carrielou · 18-06-2011 3:25pm

Hi Mel B, well done on the hardest part, getting up and going!.... I am 3 stone over weight and gave up fags in January. have 5 kids and i am really beginning to love escaping on the bike............... I feel I could cycle all day on the flat and the hills are hard but I am getting up them, (not hills really only inclines but they are hills to me haha) Still struggling with diet part of all this so havent lost any weight yet but I am pretty certain my heart and lungs are working better:). I will keep going and I will do the SK 90km............determination is a great weapon! Keep it up and hope to meet up with you in Dungarvan;)

mel.b · 19-06-2011 4:52pm

Managed to clock up 58.2km this week and also managed my first 20km cycle

Saturdays ride was around the back roads, 21.7km in about 2hours. The last 3km was terrible - back onto a main road into a strong head wind. While the road was pretty flat, the wind was so strong I had to have my bike in the lowest gear just to make sure I was getting somewhere. Today was a quick ride around town - 10.85km in 48min.

I seriously need to get a bit faster though...based on yesterdays ride, the 50km is going to take me close to 5hrs:eek: I assume I will pick up a bit of speed as I get fitter and continue to cycle regularly? Obviously loosing weight will help as well

Beasty · 20-06-2011 9:08am

mel.b wrote: »

I assume I will pick up a bit of speed as I get fitter and continue to cycle regularly? Obviously loosing weight will help as well

Yes and Yes

mel.b · 26-06-2011 5:32pm

Another week done and 65km clocked in total including my longest ride so far of 25km in 1hr 45min. I did this with a friend who is also going to do the SK 50km with me. It really does make a difference when you have someone there with you, just to chat to and we are also a similiar speed (aka slow:p).

I'm so glad I started this log and also a fb group (mel's on the road to 50km if anyones interested) as it was the motivation and support that I had gotten so far from everyone there and at work also that got me out on a ride earlier in the week. If I'd hadn't I would have probably given up already:o

I can feel I'm already getting fitter and it is getting easier which is great. The padded shorts help as well:D

carrielou · 26-06-2011 5:37pm

Hey, well done u! have asked to join FB group. just to let you know that I am now at the stage where 36km seems like nothing.................... done it this morning and its not long enough of a spin anymore. will head out in a while for same again or maybe longer. keep it going, in no time you will be doing 35km and thinking, jeez I need to do more............ well done again, keep it goint:)

mel.b · 03-07-2011 6:07pm

I had a really good week on the bike this week

I can feel now that I'm getting better and I defeated my 'nemesis' hill as well (when I've done it before I've had to get off and push) :cool: I had great motivation to go out for all my rides this week and was planning the routes each night. I did get slightly lost on one ride but I didn't actually realise it until I ended up somewhere completely unexpected:o Three rides of 20km + plus a shorter ride so am delighted and did 78km for the week.

I've been reading the thread about the Ring of Kerry and I think I've got a goal to aim for for next year now:D

mel.b · 09-07-2011 7:00pm

An interesting week on the bike this week. Inquitus sent me some of his HTFU pills on Tues night when i was being a complete wimp and unmotivated. Those pills did the trick though:p and I got out for a 26km ride, the highlight of which was scaring a herd of sheep that a family were moving down a country. The sheep took one look at me on the bike and bolted into the nearby trees and paddock...I felt kinda bad for the family and I don't want to think about how long it took them to round up their sheep again!

I then normally get a ride in on Thursday night but I didn't this week. No number of pills or kicks up the bum was going to get me out in the rain on Thursday.

Making up for my lack of a ride on Thursday I headed out on Friday for my longest ride to date of 34km in 2hr 39min. I was really concentrating on just getting the distanced covered, rather than trying to do it at a decent (for me!) speed. Even though I'm still a real slow poke on the bike (less than 15km/h) I can feel myself getting better with every ride.

Today then I headed out to a friend's place who is going to do the SK 50km with me. We got caught in a downpour which was not fun and when added to all the hills that are around her place, I found it a challenging ride, even though it was short - 17.9km, 1hr 34min...It took so long 'cos I was like a tortoise on the hills and even had to get off and push up a particulary steep hill

. Coming off the long ride the day before though I was still happy enough with it.

Total for the week: 79km

mel.b · 24-07-2011 7:44pm

A great week on the bike this week and I cracked 100km for the week for the first time:D (105.8km actually)

Monday was a 35km ride along some pretty bumpy, dodgy roads in Clare but was a mostly flat ride, except for one hill, where with the perfect timing of all salesmen I got a call from Vodafone. It ws the perfect excuse to get off an push for a while;)

Tuesday was a quick spin - just 11km around Ennis. Thursday was a longer ride with a small group of other people, starting in Kilnaboy, going through the Burren and Corofin - it was a lovely ride and such a great night for it - 23km and again no great hills.

Saturday I was at a hen's do and as part of that we road along the green trail from Newport to Mulranny and then I rode back again equally 36km all up. That is a great ride; it's so scenic and peaceful and I highly recommend it. One part of the path appears to have been washed away somewhat and is very rough - I think they will need to asphalt this section as I can see it happening every winter. Apparently the trail is open all the way from Westport to Achill now so I'm really keen to do that one weekend now - start in Westport, spend the night in Achill and then back again the next day. We meet a family on the trail who were doing exactly that. They had a little boy with them - he must have been about 6 on a little bmx bike...his legs were going round and round. Fair play to him though:) Funniest sight though was a family towing a baby buggy - riding past looking into the buggy we didn't see a baby but a beautiful golden retreiver along for the ride - that must be the most spoilt lazy golden retreiver in all of Ireland!

To top of all the cycling I then had my first attempt at Croagh Patrick today. With everyone recovering from the hen do the night before it was a (very) late start and as a result we only went as far as the saddle and to be honest that was far enough for me! However I can feel the effect that the cycling is having on my general fitness levels - I had planned to do Croagh Patrick in May (before I started riding) and now I realise there is no way that I would have been to make it even half the way to the saddle.

I'm looking forward to this week and trying to increase my distance a little again - only just over 4 weeks now till the Sean Kelly!

mel.b · 31-07-2011 5:47pm

I'm really starting to enjoy this cycling gig now

I got out for four rides this week and managed 117.25km for the week including my longest ride of 44.29 km so I'm feeling confident about the Sean Kelly 50km which is in 28 days.

My monthly summary...
1) Longest ride: 44.29km
2) Distance for the month: 421.49km
3) Most distance in a week: 117.25km
4) Fastest average speed: 17.11km / hr

I'm still very slow but I'm happy that on my last two rides which have been long rides for me (32km and 44km) I have been able to average almost 17km / hr so I am getting faster as I was around 12 km / hr 7 weeks ago with shorter rides.

I've also lost 5kg which is great:D I haven't made too many changes to my diet so far. The biggest change has been reducing my soft drink intake by about 90% and now when i do have a soft drink it is diet. I also used to have a chocolate bar at lunch time and have reduced that to something like a milky way bar instead. Next step is to cut that out completely.

mel.b · 14-08-2011 1:19pm

Well I had a really slack week just after my last entry and only did 37km, but I got back on the bike this week just gone and managed a total of 131km for the week including my longest spin of 54km. My average speed is still slooooow (around 17km / hour is good for me!) but this is going to be case while I am still unfit, ****e at hills, overweight and have a slow heavy bike. As long as I can make it around though I'm happy.

I'm also looking at doing a cycling holiday to Morocco for Christmas. I figured that with the Sean Kelly nearly here, I needed a new goal to keep me motivated in the short term, especially when the days start to get shorter and colder, so a cycling holiday in the sun sounds like it will do the trick:D

cdaly_ · 14-08-2011 5:59pm

mel.b wrote: »

I've also lost 5kg which is great:D I haven't made too many changes to my diet so far. The biggest change has been reducing my soft drink intake by about 90% and now when i do have a soft drink it is diet. I also used to have a chocolate bar at lunch time and have reduced that to something like a milky way bar instead. Next step is to cut that out completely.

Good on ya, nice going. Two comments:

1. Choose a lower gear than you would normally and pedal faster. Higher cadence (pedalling speed) means less effort per stroke and generally allows you to go faster. It also means you'll find the hills easier.

2. Drink plenty of water when you're out on a spin and try substituting fizzy water for your soft drinks in general. Much better for you than diet drinks and probably even more refreshing...

mel.b · 14-08-2011 6:44pm

Thanks cdaly

I'll give it a go with the lower gears on my next spin. Won't be much help going up the hills though cos most of the time I'm still grinding away in the granny gear. As horrible as they are I know the only way to get better at hills is to do more more hills:(

Im really not drinking much diet soft drink now either - leaves a horrible after taste in my mouth. Am instead drinking fruit dilute which is much nicer.

mel.b · 27-08-2011 6:56pm

Went and registered today - really looking foward to tomorrow and am hoping the weather gods will shine down on us.

When i started this log, i really didn't think i would be able to acheive this goal. Since i started in June i have ridden 972km and lost 7kg:D I'm slowly getting faster too - came so close to breaking 20km/hr on a cycle this week (and it was a 40km cycle, not a short one either!)

Good luck to everyone who is participating tomorrow.

Mel.b

Inquitus · 27-08-2011 7:19pm

mel.b wrote: »

Went and registered today - really looking foward to tomorrow and am hoping the weather gods will shine down on us.

When i started this log, i really didn't think i would be able to acheive this goal. Since i started in June i have ridden 972km and lost 7kg:D I'm slowly getting faster too - came so close to breaking 20km/hr on a cycle this week (and it was a 40km cycle, not a short one either!)

Good luck to everyone who is participating tomorrow.

Mel.b

Well done in all your achievements so far, and best of luck tomorrow Mel.

insinkerator · 28-08-2011 1:54pm

Best of luck today

mel.b · 28-08-2011 10:01pm

WooHoo...what a fantastic day:D The weather was perfect (maybe a touch windy), the volunteers were fantastic and the cycle was just great fun. When I set out on this journey in early June I had no idea what to expect or what I could acheive. In the past few weeks I was hoping I would come home in under 3hrs and I did it today in 2hrs and 37min:cool:

I'm not sure what my next goal will be. I won't be getting much cycling in over the next month as I've got family visiting and we are travelling around Europe. However we are visiting Annecy in France and there is a 40km circuit around the lake there which I believe was used for a time trial there in the Tour de France a few years ago. I plan on putting mum onto a boat for a tour of the lake while I go and cycle it:) The Christmas trip to Morocco I wanted to do has been cancelled by the company:( so I'll have to find something else. In the new year I'll look at upgrading to a road bike and we were making jokes today about tackling the 160km next year:eek:

Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement - it really helped motivate and keep me going.

Cheer,
mel.b

Dermot Illogical · 28-08-2011 10:24pm

mel.b wrote: »

In the new year I'll look at upgrading to a road bike and we were making jokes today about tackling the 160km next year:eek:

That's not a joke! It's a goal!

Well done!

lynnyloo · 29-08-2011 7:10am

Well done Mel B, Ive been following your thread and was in the same boat as you.( I couldnt even be bothered walking around the Park, never mind cycling 50km. I was also on my first spin yesterday and every now and again I was wondering how you were getting on. I changed from a mountain bike to a road bike this year. Its a massive difference but in a good way.We were chatting to one of the girls involved with Women on Wheels after the spin, we discussed getting a group together early next year to start training for the 90km. Ill keep you posted if I hear anything further. Congrats on your achievement. It defo feels great to come over that finish line.

mel.b · 12-10-2011 9:04pm

I went for my first spin tonight since the SK 50km:) I had such a big break because my mum arrived from Australia 2 days after the SK and we were travelling around Ireland and then Europe so I really had no chance to get out and do any cycling.

While I haven't done any cycling in the past 6 weeks or so, I tried to make sure while I was on holidays to at least get a bit of exercise in - I tried to always take the stairs in the hotel, went for a couple of hikes etc. It must have paid off because I lost another 2kg while on holidays, making it 9kg in all now:D For the first time since starting cycling it was on holidays that I really noticed the improvement in my fitness - dragging heavy suitcases through the streets was no bother, I was able to climb the 482 steps to the Duomo in Florence etc without feeling like I was going to die. Seeing those improvements and changes is enough motivation to keep up with the cycling.

Tonights cycle was just as easy 14km - was a bit dissapointed as I thought the route that I was doing was 20km, but anyway. I managed it in 52min, average speed was 16.07km so not too much slower than what I was doing just before the SK. I also got a turbo trainer tonight, so I'll see how that goes on those wet and windy nights.

mel.b · 17-10-2011 9:16pm

I managed to get out for 2 30km rides over the weekend, so was happy with that. I also got my turbo trainer set up tonight and did a 45min spin while watching an episode of the Amazing Race that I downloaded to my ipad. I had planned to do longer and had another show lined up to watch, however the volume on that show wasn't really loud enough to hear over the whirring of the turbo. I think the turbo will work out well to use over the winter when the weather is too miserable to get out for a ride.

mel.b · 14-01-2012 7:55pm

I've been sitting looking at my bike for the past couple of weeks, thinking I really need to start riding it again. For various reasons (holidays, injury and then laziness being the main ones!) I haven't really ridden much at all since the Sean Kelly at the end of August.

There are a number of sportives I'd really like to do this year, but I have decided to make my main goal the Ring of Kerry cycle. It's long, but from what I have read it is not as hard as some of the other sportives and it's in a beautiful part of the country so hopefully the scenery will distract me when the pain kicks in!

I've once again got my facebook group going, so feel free to follow me therehttp://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/groups/207464475957007/, however I will also continue to update here, but not as often as I will the fb group.

Hopefully I'll also be buying a new bike sometime in the next couple of months. I've seen a Fuji and a Cannondale that I like the look of...but thats purely because they are 'pretty' bikes - I've got no idea if the specs of them are any good!!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/finest-10-2011-womens-road-bike-ec024656

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-7-sora-triple-2012-womens-road-bike-ec031482

I really love the look of the BMC Sparkle (what a name for a bike!) 2010 model, but it's not available any more...http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/sparkle-sp01-2010-womens-road-bike-ec021968

and the 2011 model isn't as pretty (plus it's more than I want to spend:()

So wish me luck once again!

phonejacker · 18-01-2012 2:41pm

I was thinking of doing the Tour de Conamara on 27th May http://www.trisport.ie/en/tour-de-conamara.html but I'm not sure if I would be able for it. It's 140km (there is a 80km race as well). I purchased my race bike in April 2011 and my usual route last year was 25-30km 3/4 days a week with an average speed of 22-25km. The most that I did last year was 60km. I didnt do anything in november or december. But I want to start now again and have a goal (which i didnt last year cause i didnt enter any races), which is to finish thwe140km race. So I have till end of May. But in your opinion is my goal to big?

silentfox · 18-01-2012 5:23pm

mel.b you are an inspiration to me. The improvements you have made are very positive and I hope I will be able to be as successful with my goals as you were with yours. Good luck in the future!

P.S. Your facebook link isn't working:(

mel.b · 18-01-2012 6:46pm

Thanks silentfox

Try this link... http://www.facebook.com/groups/207464475957007/

Phonejacker, i'm probably the last person to ask! I would say go for it though...you won't know unless you try. Certainly your average speed is faster than mine (i haven't yet been able to crack 20km/hr...is going to make the Ring of Kerry a loooong day if i don't get a bit faster!) and you have a good start with doing 25-30km every couple of days (even if you haven't done anything for the past two months). I don't know how tough the tour de connemara is - are there lots of big climbs? I would go for it anyway and start getting on the bike now and increasing the mileage. I found last year that setting up a sponsorship page early also made a difference...it was like people were 'paying' me to go for a ride and that gave me extra motivation to go out, because i couldn't let them down.

Good luck & keep us updated....maybe start a blog here as well?

carrielou · 25-01-2012 10:40am

Well done Mel, good to see you back, got lazy myself over the december, early jan part but back on track now TG.

Went with club on jan 15 and ended up doing an 85km route, done it but very slow from 60k on. it was too much after a break of 6 weeks

Am in training for https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003018440858 now so really need to get in shape.

lost a stone since christmas and have upped my training some bit, wind wont let me out today as it is too bad. what a difference 2 weeks have made tho.

done a 40km on 17th with lots of climbing, 60km on Sunday last, 40km lots of climbing monday and done 60km yesterday.

Feel better and stronger every day that i am out.

I am aiming for Ring of Kerry also this year so hope to meet you down there.

Keep it up Mel, you done great things last year and it can only get easier, I hope

mel.b · 29-01-2012 3:45pm

Way to go with the weight loss Carmel

I have started focusing on my diet again, so hopefully combined with the cycling starting again I will see some results again. Have managed to cut out the soft drink again, although I wasn't drinking as much of it as I was before I started all of this back in May last year. If only I could give up my crisp habit...:(

Had a mixed past two weeks. The first week was great and I did 5 sessions on my turbo trainer, however i then discovered the reat wheel was flat and it took me until Wed to get it fixed. Went to put the bike back on the trainer on Sat and couldn't get it on - a mystery nut has appeared so i'm not sure what is going on there. Hopefully I can get it sorted though as it's still good to be doing something when the weather is just too crap to get out (although i have now ordered a wind/rain jacket so that will help with the weather).

Went for my first spin outdoors today since the end of day light savings last Oct...was great - the weather was perfect. I wasn't sure what to wear so I wore a thermal base, my jersey and then a polar fleece jumper on top and on the bottom I had my tights (just normal ones) and a pair of tracksuit pants bottoms as well as my gloves. I was roasting!! The gloves came off after about 5min, then the sleeves of the jumper got pushed up and finally the sleeves of the thermal were pushed up as well. At least it gives me an idea of what I need to wear outside now, although it wasn't actually that cold (about 10C according to the radar at SNN airport). I think if i can get a sleeveless gillet that would be perfect rather than the fleece jumper.

Did 24.85km in 1hr 44 - avg speed about 14km/hr so terribly slow, but I really haven't done anything except the few turbo sessions since Oct and I know I'll get faster so that's ok. Happier that I coped with the distance as I wasn't sure when I was setting off.

I have also ordered my new bike and fingers crossed should have it later this week. I ended up getting the Scott Contessa Speedster 25...

Can't wait to ride it properly and see what it is like:D

carrielou · 29-01-2012 6:07pm

very nice

AstraMonti · 29-01-2012 8:28pm

mel.b wrote: »

Have managed to cut out the soft drink again, although I wasn't drinking as much of it as I was before I started all of this back in May last year. If only I could give up my crisp habit...:(

Each time you are thinking of opening a can of coke remember that it has at least 9 spoons of sugar inside it. 9 SPOONS! There is also almost zero nutritional value in a soft drink. As for the crisp habit, you just have to work a bit on preparing snacks beforehand and.. really stop buying them. If they are not in the house you can't eat them. If you need a snack and you have nothing around grab a carrot or toast a slice of brown bread, pour half a tablespoon of virgin olive oil on it and a pinch of salt and you have a lovely easy snack (just don't overdo it with the bread, and avoid white bread). And don't be too hard on yourself otherwise you 'll hate the diet and you 'll end up worse. Give yourself at least a cheat-meal (not junk food) every 10days as a reward of being in control of your diet.

My eating habits were awful, chips, crisps, mars bars, candies, soft drinks etc etc. I was lucky enough to have great metabolism and I was always skinny (not anymore though, i am normal now

) but I did manage to destroy lots of my teeth because of all the sh!t I was eating, my dentist loves me. Now my diet is much better, not ideal by far but significantly better. When you are cycling the only fuel you have is your nutrition, if you 've spend last week eating only crap, then on the spin you are going to feel crap and out of energy.

You have a lovely bike now, only by seeing it you ll want to get out, take every opportunity, control the diet and you ll be flying by the time Ring of Kerry arrives. Good luck

j@utis · 29-01-2012 10:09pm

congratulations with your new purchase! gorgeous looking bike. now you need new clothing/helmet/shoes and accessories to match the color scheme

I was euphoric when I got onto my first road bike over a month ago. It felt so different to the stupid hybrid I was riding before... all nice tight sturdy and sharp. Unfortunately it didn't make me faster... ok, maybe a little bit faster, some like a split second faster. but instead I gained instant respect from other cyclist on the road, now they're waving at me the from miles away.

many thanks and keep up your good work writing this log. Being a woman myself I prefer reading about other ladies cycling adventures and compare them to my mishaps on the road. Guys' logs are interesting sometimes too but reading them I feel small and weak. 30km/h average speeds? do they have rockets shoved up their ar$ses or what?

mel.b · 29-01-2012 10:22pm

j@utis wrote: »

congratulations with your new purchase! gorgeous looking bike. now you need new clothing/helmet/shoes and accessories to match the color scheme

Thanks...it was the colour scheme I fell in love with first. No boring black bikes for me

Can't wait until I get it - that's probably the one good thing about having to fork over the cash myself rather than go through the Bike to Work scheme...no waiting around weeks for work to process it. I think my helmet should already be a good match and I was eyeing off some jerserys and bike pants today online

j@utis wrote: »

many thanks and keep up your good work writing this log. Being a women myself I prefer reading about other ladies cycling adventures and compare them to my mishaps on the road. Guys' logs are interesting sometimes too but reading them I feel small and weak. 30km/h average speeds? do they have rockets shoved up their ar$ses or what?

LMOA:p

j@utis wrote: »

I was euphoric when I got onto my first road bike over a month ago. It felt so different to the stupid hybrid I was riding before... all nice tight sturdy and sharp. Unfortunately it didn't make me faster... ok, maybe a little bit faster, some like a split second faster. but instead I gained instant respect from other cyclist on the road, now they're waving at me the from miles away.

Bummer...would be nice to get a bit faster. Maybe we need some of those rockets

mel.b · 12-02-2012 4:38pm

I've had the new bike for a bike over a week now and i'm loving it:D i have done 5 rides so far with the longest one today of 50km (total 110km) When i think how long it took me last year to work up to doing a 50km ride and this year with very little riding since Oct last year i was able to manage it (although i'll probably pay for it tomorrow!). On top of that the bike has made a difference to my speed and i can now manage a 20km/hr cycle...and maintained that for the 50km today. I know it's still really slow but last year that was just a dream and if i kept riding and keep watching the diet i will continue to get faster. Also thanks to Marq-Dublin i have acquired a bike bag and will be taking my bike to Oz when i go later this month for a holiday. I should be able to get a few spins in the sunshine in and as a bonus my parents live in a really hilly area. I just have to be brave enough to take the bike apart to get it into the bag:eek:

Next up is some clipless pedals / shoes and then a bike fit when i'm back from holidays.

j@utis · 10-03-2012 2:02am

110km in one day? wow, that's something. I takes me a week to cycle 100km (5x20km cycles).
I'm wondering how's your cycling going "down under"?

Morrisseeee · 10-03-2012 10:09am

Well done on your progress so far

To improve your overall average, try this: go harder on the descents and on the flat, ie. take it easy on the hills, but go that little bit harder when the road isn't going UP. You can waste alot of energy & strength by tackling the hills and then you end up just free-wheeling down the hills or taking it easy on the flat. You'd be surprised how your average will creep up with this technique

Or try this: do the same route twice, route 1: tackle the hills, take it easy on the descents/flat. Route 2: tackle the descents/flat, take it easy on the hills. You should notice a difference in both averages.

mel.b · 10-03-2012 9:09pm

j@utis wrote: »

110km in one day? wow, that's something. I takes me a week to cycle 100km (5x20km cycles).
I'm wondering how's your cycling going "down under"?

Not 110km in one day...the furthest i have done so far is 54km, but i am hoping to start to increase this now.

Cycling down under was good. I'm just off the plane about 3 hours ago! I only got 3 spins in but i don't regret taking the bike. I arrived on a fri night and then the sat & sun had temps over 35c:eek: by 10am. I managed to get out on the Sunday at 7am for a spin. The next two days we had torrential rain and then the followong two days blew a gale. Seriously, i'm sure you guys had better weather in Ireland! Got out for a spin on the Friday then was in Sydney and CHC for the second week which gave me time for just one more spin before flying back late Fri night. My parents live in a very hilly area so it was challenging for me, but the roads are so smooth even out on the back country roads.

Morrisseeee wrote: »

Well done on your progress so far

To improve your overall average, try this: go harder on the descents and on the flat, ie. take it easy on the hills, but go that little bit harder when the road isn't going UP. You can waste alot of energy & strength by tackling the hills and then you end up just free-wheeling down the hills or taking it easy on the flat. You'd be surprised how your average will creep up with this technique

Or try this: do the same route twice, route 1: tackle the hills, take it easy on the descents/flat. Route 2: tackle the descents/flat, take it easy on the hills. You should notice a difference in both averages.

Thanks Morrisseeee...i'll give those ideas a go:)

j@utis · 11-03-2012 7:09pm

lol I misread it. I thought you did 50km one-way.
and yeah, I push down hill instead uphill as Morrisseeee recommended. and also it helps trying to stick to somebody faster than you. Today I was overtaken by two lads and I went chasing them. I was hitting 55km/h downhill at one point

I was trying so hard not to loose them out of sight and it was going well (25km/h+) but after 5km or so they decided to stop for a snack and my riding speed went down to usual 22km/h...

mel.b · 18-03-2012 8:29pm

What a great day for a spin it was today

Have had a great week on the bike with my highest weekly distance to date: 171km:D Am absolutely delighted with that. Monday's ride was the longest at 70km (longest ride to date also) and I found it hard work for a number of reasons but now I'm so proud of myself for getting around it and finishing it...even if the only reason I finished it was because no one was home to pick me up when I rang looking for a lift home:o

I want to now keep increasing the distance and also start to do some 30 - 50km rides on consecutive days which I'm not doing at the moment.

I've signed up to do a charity ride for Ronald McDonald House in April in Wicklow, so that will be my first experience of Wicklow:eek: Fortunately it's only 50km, although there is an 80km option but I don't know the route. I've also signed up for the Tour de Conemara 80km and the Tour of Sligo 100km so some busy times ahead before the Ring of Kerry in July:)

j@utis · 20-03-2012 10:25pm

don't worry about wicklow

I ride in wicklow everyday (well almost everyday). I have push my bike up the hill sometimes but then I can enjoy 40km/h+ descents for miles and miles... ok, I'm just joking. I usually stick to coastal roads that are relatively flat (lazy me).

70km ride? wow that's impressive! well done girl!

Esroh · 20-03-2012 11:25pm

Mel

I see the Ronald Mac cycle route is around Blessington Lakes. This will set you up nicely for Sligo and Connemara as its short hills are very similar to what you will meet over here .
Sligo has 1 stiff climb(which comes early enough) the rest is whats best described as rolling.
Connemara 80m is again rolling rather than having big climbs.
Pray for good weather in the west as the wind is the unknown that can really effect your day out.

Your will be well on the way distance wise after your 3 events in 8 weeks, ROK will be well within your grasp.

Keep it up.

mel.b · 25-03-2012 5:40pm

Big acheivements for me this week on the bike.

First was yesterday with the Pakie Ryan memorial ride which was 50km (although more like 55km). I did it in 2hr 31min with an average speed of 21.49km/hr. I was almost the last one back, but I was delighted with that speed as it was the first time I had managed over 20km/hr. I get overtaken badly on the hills but manage to catch up on the flat.

Then I went down to TriBikes in limerick and picked up a pair of road shoes and Look Keo Easy pedals & cleats.

So this morning I worked up the courage to give them a go. Had been reading suggestions to use a door frame for balance...that was a mistake! I only have tiled and wood floors and the shoes are like ice skates on that surface and I just about fell over trying to just put my leg over the bike:o So the bike was quickly put outside where I was relieved to discover it was much easier to walk on concrete. After practicing clipping in and out about 10 times on each leg while just standing over the top tube I then had a go a couple of times while sitting on the seat. I found it harder to clip in than out, as I was never sure where to put the shoe and I was trying to do it while not looking down.

Working up more courage after lunch I decided to just give it a go and tried riding around the estate which went well and I had no problems. I find it easier to clip out with my leg in the 12 o'clock position rather than 6 o'clock. Where do other people have their leg when clipping out? Practiced both left and right in/out, in/out, in/out until I was feeling more confident and getting my shoe in faster. I then headed out for an easy spin - flat and not too many intersections or roundabouts to navigate. First roundabout - no traffic -easy, second roundabout - am slowing down, there's a car coming on my right - he's in the middle of the two lanes - no indicator...which way is he going to go? He decides to go straight through - twist left foot, leg down & stop...perfect! Was rather pleased with myself:)

I did notice that I was getting some pins & needles / numbness in both feet by about 12-13km and real pain in my right foot at the very end of the ride which was 28km. Not sure if I had the shoes done up too tight or the cleats need a slight adjustment?

Did a total of 151km for the week and one swim session. Got in 4 rides - Wed/Thurs and Sat/Sun so happy to get in the back to back rides and also was pleased to note that my legs weren't sore at all on today's ride after yesterdays effort. With the continued good weather forecast for the next week my goal is to take on a ride with hills that I last did in August last year where I had to push the bike up some of the hills & see if I can make it without having to push this time!

nilhg · 25-03-2012 9:28pm

mel.b wrote: »

I did notice that I was getting some pins & needles / numbness in both feet by about 12-13km and real pain in my right foot at the very end of the ride which was 28km. Not sure if I had the shoes done up too tight or the cleats need a slight adjustment?

New shoes and cleats for me too this week, SPD in my case, I found the clipping in and out OK TBH, no real dramas at all.

I did have the same problem with my feet though, round about the same distances as you, I'm fairly sure it's from having the shoes too tight, especially the lower straps, it'll be a case of trial and error to get the balance right.

Sounds as if you're going well, the training trip down under must be paying off;)

mel.b · 25-03-2012 11:08pm

Even though i only got a few spins in while in Oz, i actually do think it paid off. The hills were steeper and more frequent then where i ride in Clare so i notcied coming back that it all fet easier. I need to push myself more now and start taking on some other hills.

I'm hoping that the foot pain is just because i had the shoe done up too tight. Will try loosening them for my next spin. Otherwise i can't see myself managing longer cycles until it is sorted. No use me trying to get them in the right position as i'll probaboy just make it worse. I'm in the process of sorting a bike fit so if need be, it can be looked at then.

Mel and the 180km Ring of Kerry

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