n00bie milestones

[foo on patrol]

You got it out of the way now Bj.

Foo

[DavidTomic]

I bought my first "+1" bike this afternoon ... so that's a milestone that I'm glad to have finally achieved!

[shann]

I got up before 5AM to ride today - first time!

Nearly had my first clip stack, in the driveway when I got home. Unclipped left, leaned right, but managed to save it and get the left foot down.

[stinhambo]

Did my first group ride today! Also had my first energy gel and rode twice as far as I've ever ridden. I hurt like hell now.

[shann]

An evening of firsts:

First ride from the new house. Nearly had a clip stack in the driveway, as there is waaay more traffic here (and it's 'surprise' traffic that comes around a bend just as I'm about to leave).

First time I've used my Camelbak, not because I needed it, but because I wanted to have a 'practice run'.

First time I've hit a rut in the road and had my front tyre go 'thud'.

First time I've had a flat - rear tyre, boo hiss. Luckily it was close to home, but after attempting to pump it up I learned that my pump is terrible. It's hard to change it from the MTB tyre end to the RB tyre end, and once I did change it (at home, was bailed out by a fellow cyclist on the road), it still didn't work. Will be buying a new pump ASAP.

First time I've ever changed a bike tyre! Three different You Tube videos and an hour later, it's on and inflated and hopefully not pinched. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

[argon_18]

Seeing heaps of improvement on my commute... Specifically the climbs.

3 hills on the homeward commute that are/have been reasonably tough for me;
- First one I've turned from almost having to get off and push to a jump out of the saddle and blast up. First few rides were around 16km/h. Now charge up at 30+ and often overtake other riders,
- Second is a medium length reasonably steep and constant 500-600m. First few around 13-15km/h. Just today went up at 26km/h,
- Third is a longer climb that still is reasonably tough. But was able to get up there tonight at +20km/h and was blowing pretty hard at the top.

At over 100kg on a big alloy bike, improving my climbing has been a real positive.

[stinhambo]

Seeing heaps of improvement on my commute... Specifically the climbs.

3 hills on the homeward commute that are/have been reasonably tough for me;
- First one I've turned from almost having to get off and push to a jump out of the saddle and blast up. First few rides were around 16km/h. Now charge up at 30+ and often overtake other riders,
- Second is a medium length reasonably steep and constant 500-600m. First few around 13-15km/h. Just today went up at 26km/h,
- Third is a longer climb that still is reasonably tough. But was able to get up there tonight at +20km/h and was blowing pretty hard at the top.

At over 100kg on a big alloy bike, improving my climbing has been a real positive.

Good on ya! I've found that standing and peddling helps but there's nothing like riding hard and carrying as much momentus up the hill as you can. Gravity will eventually win and then it's good old graft to get to the top!

I've a long way to go but amazing I *want* to keep climbing the same hills that I find difficult. Is there something wrong with me?

[marinmomma]

I've a long way to go but amazing I *want* to keep climbing the same hills that I find difficult. Is there something wrong with me?

No there's nothing wrong with you....you've just been bitten by the cycling bug and it's cousin the climbing bug.....next you'll be going in search of bigger hills to conquer

[stinhambo]

I've a long way to go but amazing I *want* to keep climbing the same hills that I find difficult. Is there something wrong with me?

No there's nothing wrong with you....you've just been bitten by the cycling bug and it's cousin the climbing bug.....next you'll be going in search of bigger hills to conquer

Yay!

I went up the same hill I struggled with on Sunday (15% gradient!) and guess what.... I struggled again BUT I didn't put my feet on the ground this time! I even resisted temptation to turn around and head back down the hill and went up another hill. Got to make this training count

So far I've lost 3kg and hope to lose another 4kg in the next month and a half. At least it will make those hill climbs a little easier...

[marinmomma]

Ha, you've been bitten hard by the sounds of that comment...enjoy your climbing adventures!

[stinhambo]

I did my first 100km cycle today! 35km solo and the rest in a group.

Not sure if you like numbers but my stats were -

100.1km
4h 7m moving
526m elevation gain
24.3km average speed

Only downside is that I can't feel my legs today...

PS. Is a century ride measured in miles?

[AndrewBurns]

I did my first 100km cycle today! 35km solo and the rest in a group.

Not sure if you like numbers but my stats were -

100.1km
4h 7m moving
526m elevation gain
24.3km average speed

Only downside is that I can't feel my legs today...

PS. Is a century ride measured in miles?

There are metric and imperial centuries, a metric century is easier

[waramatt]

Stinhambo - great effort! Many cyclists have fond memories of their first 100km ride, and most probably hurt for a while after! I know I did

I'd agree with Andrew. Most cyclists would consider a "Century" ride to be the 100 miler (just under 161 km). Keep working, you're going great guns!

[stinhambo]

Thanks all! I did mine on a muesli bar and a bowl of Weetbix but I doubt I could do an Imperial ton on that..

The other positive is in one month I've lost 4.5kg! I'm was aiming for 90kg but I think 85kg is realistic now.

[GolferGoneMad]

Completed my first 100km today, feeling worse for wear now, however; im stoked that I finally got that one done. Only been riding a road bike since April, so im happy with my first gloat.....
Hopefully there will be more to come.

[stinhambo]

Completed my first 100km today, feeling worse for wear now, however; im stoked that I finally got that one done. Only been riding a road bike since April, so im happy with my first gloat.....
Hopefully there will be more to come.

Well done mate! Having done exactly the same today I can congratulate you for a job well done

I was sore at 70km but it was well worth it! I even managed a couple of 10-15% gradients too. I need some energy gels and a massage..

[osrg]

Was a couple of weeks ago now, and after nearly 12 months on the bike i guess i might not be a noobie now....... but completed my first imperial ton (160km ride). Physically it was easier than i thought, it's just keeping mentally aware whilst on the ride that is the killer.

Link: http://www.brytonsport.com/mapTrackView/2?id=713699

[GolferGoneMad]

Completed my first 100km today, feeling worse for wear now, however; im stoked that I finally got that one done. Only been riding a road bike since April, so im happy with my first gloat.....
Hopefully there will be more to come.

Well done mate! Having done exactly the same today I can congratulate you for a job well done

I was sore at 70km but it was well worth it! I even managed a couple of 10-15% gradients too. I need some energy gels and a massage..

Cheers for the well done and like wise to your self. I tried for a massage, all I got was being called an idiot for trying to push my self...... geez, wheres the love.

One thing it did teach me is that i need to carry more fluid, one bottle is not enough thats for sure.

[Livetoride]

First time I've ever changed a bike tyre! Three different You Tube videos and an hour later, it's on and inflated and hopefully not pinched. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

G'day mate, when you put the tyre on, pull the top back a bit and work your way around the wheel, you'll be able to see whether or not the tube has been pinched. I'd suggest you get a few CO2 canisters, takes all of 5 seconds to inflate your tyre.

[Milar]

Cracked my first metric century today . I suffered in the last 20-30 and was really gone for the last 10, but I haven't had any rides over 30km in the past 2 months so I guess I deserve what I get! I rode it solo to so no free tows which I really wanted at times. Probably need to take more than a muesli bar and bottle of water next time . The bottle of red last night may not have assisted either

Gory Details:
100.1 km
03:38 moving time
773m elevation gain
27.5 kph average

[VRE]

OK, so plenty of threads about 100 - 200 - 300k rides. Certainly achievements worthy of note, and something for us mere mortals to aspire too, but I can't find any threads for all us newbies to boast our own small achievements. So I thought I'd make one.

All achievements are worth celebrating!

Today, only about 5 weeks after that first 4k ride, I managed 25 k's!

Awesome

I used to think 100km was a long ride, then I thought 200km was a long ride. Now I can manage 200km but 300km is still a long ride. It's just a matter of building up and celebrating every milestone. Of course, I have never smoked, so it was a lot easier for me. Building up your fitness after smoking for so long is admirable and inspirational. You are the poster child for "If I can do it, anyone can!". Keep up the good riding. You will be at 30km before you know it.

^^^ What casual_cyclist said. I was in a similar position almost 4 years ago, after a few too many years of really unhealthy lifestyle. All I could ride initially was about 30-40km on a reasonably flat course, but now I've gone and signed up for the ACE250 . It may take years to build up to that, but trust me it will happen if you just keep pushing your limits a tiny bit further each month and year .

[shann]

My longest ever ride today, just over 70km solo, and my first ever ride in proper nicks. Geez it makes a difference, I really had no idea I could love padded pants so much. <3 <3

[juggs]

I bought a giant defy 3 weeks ago and couldnt work out why i was faster on my mtb
I bought a pump today and realised i only had 40psi in the road bike tyres

thats got to be some sort of milestone ?

i did my first 40k ride this afternoon at 24k/h average and feel like my legs are dead
ive got a long way to go

[jacob_T]

Been riding a single speed since the start of the year (biggest ride was 40km).
Bought my first road bike 2 weeks ago (milestone 1). Did my biggest ride yet (90km), the other day.

Looking to do 100kms soon.

[Tarquin]

I'll be happy when I can get up Mt Panorama.

Had a crack at it a few months back, got halfway up and had to stop.

Feeling a lot fitter now, but I'm not riding a compact any more. I should be able to do it looking at Strava's profile.