Road Cycling - Fast bike! :) Slow biker :(

I'm so excited...I just bought my first road bike today! In previous first post, I was considering an 03 Giant TCR1, but after much consideration, decided to get an 03 Cannondale R1000 for the same price. Although I have nothing to compare it to, the bike feels damn fast! Too bad I pedal sooooo slow :( hahaha, I have many tough weeks to come.

Prior to today, I've only been training on my gym's bike...I [foolishly] assumed that I would be an ok rider - I can't believe how wrong I was! My butt hurts, my back hurts, my arms hurt, my hands hurt, and my quads especially hurt, lol. I could have sworn that a rollerblader passed me; however, I did happen to smoke a granny on a beach-crusier *high-fives* eat my dust! hahaha, ok, enough yammering, gotta train. See ya!

How far did you go, Ren? Best to start off easy. Have fun!

Congrats on the new steed! Two of my buds have that bike, and like it a bunch. You're going to have fun with her. :)

Hey Renault -

Congrats on the purchase. If you continue to hurt in the back and shoulders, I highly recommend getting a custom fit done at your LBS. They can put your bike up on a trainer, sit you on the saddle and make sure your post height, seat angle, and stem height are all right for you. Also, if you have clipless pedals, they can watch you pedal and adjust your cleats appropriately.

Have fun and just keep riding.

Teski

Originally posted by Renault78law
the bike feels damn fast! Too bad I pedal sooooo slow :( hahaha

Don't worry, we all feel the same.

I agree with teski, if the back, arms, etc problems persist consult the LBS and have a it fitted(//again).

Originally posted by Renault78law
I'm so excited...I just bought my first road bike today! In previous first post, I was considering an 03 Giant TCR1, but after much consideration, decided to get an 03 Cannondale R1000 for the same price. Although I have nothing to compare it to, the bike feels damn fast! Too bad I pedal sooooo slow :( hahaha, I have many tough weeks to come.

Prior to today, I've only been training on my gym's bike...I [foolishly] assumed that I would be an ok rider - I can't believe how wrong I was! My butt hurts, my back hurts, my arms hurt, my hands hurt, and my quads especially hurt, lol. I could have sworn that a rollerblader passed me; however, I did happen to smoke a granny on a beach-crusier *high-fives* eat my dust! hahaha, ok, enough yammering, gotta train. See ya!

When I started riding again last year, I got passed by everyone and everything on wheels, including a little kid on a trike! Last week I passed a car on a residential street. He was doing about 20mph and I smoke him good!

When I started even my lips, toenails and earlobes hurt. But, perserve and things will get better.

If they don't the advice on getting properly fit is excellent.

Also, the R1000 is at the top of my list for a new bike. Is it stiff as they say? Any fast descents yet? How was the stability?

Thanks for all the encouragement! I went on another ride this morning and faired much better. My saddle still hurts though...I think I'm going to give it a rest until Sunday. I think I have minor saddle sores from riding that infernal stationary bike at the gym, and riding on a real saddle is making it a little worse. Also, I wore tri-shorts today, whereas yesterday I was only wearing gym shorts, ouch! I think I'll get dedicated biking shorts before my next ride.
btw, I was fitted at the LBS when I bought it, but I'll definitely have them do it again if things start hurting more. :)

off topic: anyone have good links that describe proper posture? I think that may be the source of some of the pain. Until Wednesday, I didn't even know how to properly hold the hoods! (I was using my wrists instead of my hands) So any help here would be appreciated!

TrekRider: I'm sorry, but probably not knowledgable enough to give you a meaningful comparison. From the people I've talked to, they say it is only marginally stiffer than, say, an Allez. The consensus was, if you plan on doing centuries, a bike with carbon stays would make the last 20-30mi more enjoyable, but if you want to race shorter distances the stiffness will help. I'm young (25yo) and heavy (195lbs) and plan on doing mostly tri's, so stiffness wasn't as much of an issue for me. Besides, it already has carbon (partial) forks and hour-glass shaped stays, so it's probably not as stiff as you imagine. Maybe a carbon seatpost might help? I did a lot of shopping for this bike and couldn't be happier. The components are quality, and the frame is phenomenal. I thought it would be out of my price range, but I was patient and found a great deal. Best of luck!

You really do need to get those bike shorts, that will help alot.
Otherwise, just keep riding and you will definitely get better.
My problem is I am very fast rider.....but my bike is slow! LOL

I almost got an R1000. The guy I talked to at the shop owns one, and mentioned how the frame is great. I tried it out for 5 minutes or so.
It will probably be the next bike that I buy.