insylem

I'm finnaly starting to notice that I am makeing progress! Yay!
I baught my bike back in January, but didn't start logging my bike rides till the end of Feb. I have found a routine path to take, that is about 5 - 6 miles. I vary the path sometimes to cut accross the top of a levie instead of onthe street. Sometimes I cut through a vacant grassy field and drainage ditch just for the fun of it while thinking to myself "Roads? Where I'm going, I don't need roads!"

So anyhow I noticed that I"m not stoping to rest anymore. I feel less wore out at the end of my ride. I also started tracking my weight. I weigh myself after a ride, and shower on wensdays. This week will be my third wensday weigh in.

Today, I took a diffrent path. I road to the corner Chevron station and back (Still cut accross the levie on the way back)

I had done this once before and it was hell. It was a steep downhill, then a loooong drawn out uphill that just kept going on forever... SO for the return trip that day, I took a difrent street back that was shorter and more level.

Well todays ride on that same path. I got up to 28 mph going down the hill, and going up it wasnt nearly as bad as it was before. I was kind of scared but I figured I could do it and I did! I didn't stop till I got to the Chevron station, where I drank some water. Turned around and came back. Comming back was alright, a long downhill grade, then a steep uphill one. Just took it slow and steady. But since I made it this time without stopping. (Other then at the Chevron station for a drink) helped prove tomyself that I am makeing progress!!

Cfiber

Congrats, Insylem!

DX-MAN

KEEP ROLLING, DUDE!! Awesome!

I remember that feeling -- it ignites a passion for riding that just doesn't go AWAY!

Artkansas 

Well, done!

Now you'll want a water bottle and water bottle rack so that you can go farther in the summer. I have two.

insylem

I'm a step ahead on that already. When I purchased the bike back in January, the owner of The Bike Store threw in a water bottle / cage for no charge! I even have a camel pack that I tried to ride with once. It worked out pretty well. I rode with it to see what kind of load it would be, and how the drinking from it would work and where to put the mouth peice while rideing without stopping. Worked rather well. I had to adjust where I stowed the mouth peice though, but I think I got it. Just got back from 5.56 miles today I have the same rout that I normally take so my daily rides are always about the same lengh.

MetalPedaler

It's a great feeling, isn't it?

Me; I've never been very athletic- and the few things I tried in the past (like jogging) I never made ANY progress at. I started riding a little over a year ago, being out-of-shape and overweight....and I thought I was going to die- especially on all the hills around here- but now just a year later, I've pretty much conquered the hills....and getting up to a respectable speed....and am just getting warmed-up after 15 miles..... The way I see it: If I can make such progress now that I'm 51...I think I'm going to be a pretty good cyclist before long. Seeing meaningful improvements over a short period of time really adds another dimension to the sport...and makes you want to keep coming back for more.

Congrats, OP! And, you'll be amazed at where you'll be a year from now!

plumberroy

I used to ride a lot. I had not ridden for four plus years. In Jan. I decided to ride because I feel better when riding daily first ride in Jan. of 2 miles kicked my butt . soon I was riding 5 miles , next came 10. 2 1/2 weeks ago I rode 40 miles I feel I'm getting stronger every ride and I like it Last Satuday morning I left for the bike trail thinking I could ride 50 miles Saturday afternoon when I return home I was tired but now know I can ride 50 miles and that feels great .
Set a goal of a little farther than the last , or to take a higher hill every time you reach it the next goal seems a little easier