Road Cycling - Yeah!! Impressions of my first bike & first real ride

WHHOOOO!!!!

I just had to post this! I've posted here a few weeks ago that I bought my first roadbike (Cannondale R800), since I live in the city I haven't been able to get a "real" ride in until today.

Just a little background. I am a distance runner trying out this whole biking thing. I wanted a change of pace since I have been hammering running training for the past two years and was starting to get burned out.

Anyway, about my ride. It was a day of many first; first long ride, first fast ride, and most important first wipe out.

Got on the road about 7am, so the traffic was pretty ligth. The route I took is flat (Houston) with the random overpass/underpass. First 1/3 of the ride there was quite a bit of traffic and traffic lights (I won't take that route anymore). At one of the first lights, I was slowing down and successfully unclipped one side (Look pedals). Being the newbie I am I leaned to the side that was still clipped in and fell over. A guy in the back of a truck and some people next to the road on a running path got a good laugh, and actually so did I. :D I got up a gave them all a bow! I have been waiting for a fall. This was my third time riding the bike and I hadn't had a problem with the clips. I guess I was getting too cocky! Like I said the first half had a lot of traffic. It goes through a park and cars are cruising along at 15 mph or slower. Once I got out of that it was pretty open, and I was able to really concentrate on my riding. I tried really hard to "keep my heels down" and pull up on each back stroke. I found that if I always thought about it, it really helped with the speed and effort. I was smart enough to buy a camel pack cause me riding and trying to use a water bottle is not a good combination.

Man, I love this bike. It seems so quick and feels like it takes no effort to ride at speed. The only problems were it did seem that I was always having to scoot back on the seat to get comfortable. Is there an adjustment I can do? Also, it felt like I was having to push back on the handle bars to keep on the back part of the seat. My elbows were bent, but my arms got sore near the end cause of it. Any ideas? My butt felt good! I was kinda worried about that.

So how did I do? I was actually really amazed for a solo ride. Checked the computer when I got close to home, and my average was 19.8 mph. I really wanted to go over 20 mph, so I cranked it up. There was three traffic lights over the last 1.5 miles, so in the end I didn't break it. Overall.......... average speed 19.7 mph with a distance of 28.88 miles

Man, I think I am hooked and being a roadie!!!

Cheers:beer:

Congratulations! I think the R800 is a great bike. I haven't seen the 2004's yet to see the paint scheme. I am of the opinion that when you get to a certain level of price, about $1400 and up, everything is pretty much personal choice and paint figures greatly in the decision. The first Cannondale roadie I saw was a Tangerine 2003 R600. That is a great looking bike.

I hope you have a lot of fun on it and that it performs up to your expectations. And, that you don't fall again!:D

sweet ride (lets see some pics! :D)

anyhow as for average speed that is great for a beginner, I did around 16 mph for the first few months while riding, but you seem to already be in good shape :)

as for seat adjustment, yes there is a way to move it forward and aft, as well as tilt it up and down, but it would likely be best if you went to your lbs to help get it perfect.

(this article might help though :rolleyes: )
http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#adjustment

Congrats on your bike and the ride! I feel your pain (literally) with the clipless pedals. It took a few times of panic and falling before I became used to them and now I'd never go back to toe clips.

Paul

Yes, we ALL seem to fall at least once with learning the clips.

That is a fantastic average speed. Obviously you are already in good shape.

Have your LBS check out your seat adjustment(s). Also, ride it for a bit more - it may feel different after a few more rides.

Cnograts. Fun isn't it!!

are you looking into duathlon or triathlon? because considering how good shape you're in after only the first ride, you can only get better. i think you would do really well. check out our triathlon forums

also, regarding your effort to "keep the heels down" - you don't necessarily need to do this if it's not your natural pedaling style. you can read some great stuff about ankling (that's what the technical name for it is) in this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26703

That's a great average for your first ride. Welcome to heaven on Earth. :D


My favorite place to ride, is on a long stretch of highway. It is so much more relaxing than riding in town.

I just came back from my LBS, where I gifted myself with a WrenchForce maintenace stand. I was talking to the owner about road bikes, and that I was going to buy one next May. He carries, Trek, LeMond, Cannondale, Giant, Gary Fisher and Haro. He immediately steered me to the Cannondale. I said I had been leaning toward a Trek 2200/2300 or LeMond Buenos Aires/Zurich, and he said the Cannondale R800/R1000 is about the same price and the workmanship on the frame is superior to either the Trek or LeMond. He showed me a cutaway of a Cannondale and a Trek frame and the butting was much better done and the welds were a lot cleaner on the Cannondale.

Looks like you made an excellent choice!

The other reason I got the bike was so I could try triathlons. I am actually having a really hard time with the swimming part. It is all about form and it takes some practice.

Being a distance runner and having that base is what is helping me on the bike. I found that when I did encounter any hills I was really stuggling, had to drop a bunch of gears and keep a really high cadence. I don't have any leg strength yet, but I'll work on that. For the mean time, I'll keep to the wide open flats.

Cheers

I just came back from my LBS, where I gifted myself with a WrenchForce maintenace stand. I was talking to the owner about road bikes, and that I was going to buy one next May. He carries, Trek, LeMond, Cannondale, Giant, Gary Fisher and Haro. He immediately steered me to the Cannondale. I said I had been leaning toward a Trek 2200/2300 or LeMond Buenos Aires/Zurich, and he said the Cannondale R800/R1000 is about the same price and the workmanship on the frame is superior to either the Trek or LeMond. He showed me a cutaway of a Cannondale and a Trek frame and the butting was much better done and the welds were a lot cleaner on the Cannondale.

Looks like you made an excellent choice!

You are in the same boat as me. I bought the 2003 R800 but had my heart set on the Trek2200 (bike shop did not have it in and R800 felt great). However, now I am having second thoughts and I am going to test drive the 2200 this Saturday. Which bike did you get and why?

I am a recreational rider (5'6" 140 pounds) and I think I am working to hard on the R800 to move it forward. I do not see much difference between this and my Trek1000 with toe straps. Thanks.