Random thoughts and observations from a newbie
07-05-08, 09:02 PM
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Random thoughts and observations from a newbie
I'm posting this here since I'm riding a new road bike and haven't ridden in decades (like 2+). These are some random thoughts that may help other newcomers or bore more experienced folks. Take them for what they're worth:
1: I shopped and shopped and compared and researched a very long time. A l - o - n - g time. So long that when I finally decided to get my bike, it wasn't available in my size. My LBS was awesome, but they had little stock left, couldn't locate the bikes in my price range and would not let me get the wrong size. I "settled" for the R6 Cannondale, and it's more than I can handle now. Moral: if you're a newbie stressing over the choice of bike, just buy a damn bike (right size) and ride it! It's better than not riding, and if you spend less on a compromise you can buy more goodies to go with it.
2: The Tiagra grouppo won't implode. If you haven't ridden in years like me, this bike at a grand is way more bike than I've ever had. You can always upgrade later if you become obsessed.
3: Hills are harder than they look. Stretch before and after riding! I have more respect for hill climbs in TDF now I tell you.
4: When your legs are numb, you're coughing up snot, you are about to keel over and regret buying a bike on your climb, you can get instantly fast by getting chased by a snarling Rottweiler.
5: Forget diet and training. Want speed? See #4 above.
6: 35mps is really slow in a car and really fast on a bike (at least to me)
7: It is dispiriting to ride until you're about to die and your cycle computer says you've barely burned enough calories to get rid of the Big Mac you had earlier.
8: Don't build a house two miles up a very steep 4 mile long road. There are no good choices for which way to go. NOW I know why I keep seeing people walking bikes up our road.
9: No shorts currently made have enough padding the first week you have your bike
10: Water bottles suddenly shrink when you are a few miles from civilization
11: Screaming out of control down your 700 foot steeply pitched gravel driveway with breaks locked up on your maiden voyage really gets the adrenaline going.
12: Nothing makes you feel like an idiot more than #11 when all your neighbors are watching.
Thanks for listening.
1: I shopped and shopped and compared and researched a very long time. A l - o - n - g time. So long that when I finally decided to get my bike, it wasn't available in my size. My LBS was awesome, but they had little stock left, couldn't locate the bikes in my price range and would not let me get the wrong size. I "settled" for the R6 Cannondale, and it's more than I can handle now. Moral: if you're a newbie stressing over the choice of bike, just buy a damn bike (right size) and ride it! It's better than not riding, and if you spend less on a compromise you can buy more goodies to go with it.
2: The Tiagra grouppo won't implode. If you haven't ridden in years like me, this bike at a grand is way more bike than I've ever had. You can always upgrade later if you become obsessed.
3: Hills are harder than they look. Stretch before and after riding! I have more respect for hill climbs in TDF now I tell you.
4: When your legs are numb, you're coughing up snot, you are about to keel over and regret buying a bike on your climb, you can get instantly fast by getting chased by a snarling Rottweiler.
5: Forget diet and training. Want speed? See #4 above.
6: 35mps is really slow in a car and really fast on a bike (at least to me)
7: It is dispiriting to ride until you're about to die and your cycle computer says you've barely burned enough calories to get rid of the Big Mac you had earlier.
8: Don't build a house two miles up a very steep 4 mile long road. There are no good choices for which way to go. NOW I know why I keep seeing people walking bikes up our road.
9: No shorts currently made have enough padding the first week you have your bike
10: Water bottles suddenly shrink when you are a few miles from civilization
11: Screaming out of control down your 700 foot steeply pitched gravel driveway with breaks locked up on your maiden voyage really gets the adrenaline going.
12: Nothing makes you feel like an idiot more than #11 when all your neighbors are watching.
Thanks for listening.
07-05-08, 09:06 PM
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I'm posting this here since I'm riding a new road bike and haven't ridden in decades (like 2+). These are some random thoughts that may help other newcomers or bore more experienced folks. Take them for what they're worth:
1: I shopped and shopped and compared and researched a very long time. A l - o - n - g time. So long that when I finally decided to get my bike, it wasn't available in my size. My LBS was awesome, but they had little stock left, couldn't locate the bikes in my price range and would not let me get the wrong size. I "settled" for the R6 Cannondale, and it's more than I can handle now. Moral: if you're a newbie stressing over the choice of bike, just buy a damn bike (right size) and ride it! It's better than not riding, and if you spend less on a compromise you can buy more goodies to go with it.
2: The Tiagra grouppo won't implode. If you haven't ridden in years like me, this bike at a grand is way more bike than I've ever had. You can always upgrade later if you become obsessed.
3: Hills are harder than they look. Stretch before and after riding! I have more respect for hill climbs in TDF now I tell you.
4: When your legs are numb, you're coughing up snot, you are about to keel over and regret buying a bike on your climb, you can get instantly fast by getting chased by a snarling Rottweiler.
5: Forget diet and training. Want speed? See #4 above.
6: 35mps is really slow in a car and really fast on a bike (at least to me)
7: It is dispiriting to ride until you're about to die and your cycle computer says you've barely burned enough calories to get rid of the Big Mac you had earlier.
8: Don't build a house two miles up a very steep 4 mile long road. There are no good choices for which way to go. NOW I know why I keep seeing people walking bikes up our road.
9: No shorts currently made have enough padding the first week you have your bike
10: Water bottles suddenly shrink when you are a few miles from civilization
11: Screaming out of control down your 700 foot steeply pitched gravel driveway with breaks locked up on your maiden voyage really gets the adrenaline going.
12: Nothing makes you feel like an idiot more than #11 when all your neighbors are watching.
Thanks for listening.
1: I shopped and shopped and compared and researched a very long time. A l - o - n - g time. So long that when I finally decided to get my bike, it wasn't available in my size. My LBS was awesome, but they had little stock left, couldn't locate the bikes in my price range and would not let me get the wrong size. I "settled" for the R6 Cannondale, and it's more than I can handle now. Moral: if you're a newbie stressing over the choice of bike, just buy a damn bike (right size) and ride it! It's better than not riding, and if you spend less on a compromise you can buy more goodies to go with it.
2: The Tiagra grouppo won't implode. If you haven't ridden in years like me, this bike at a grand is way more bike than I've ever had. You can always upgrade later if you become obsessed.
3: Hills are harder than they look. Stretch before and after riding! I have more respect for hill climbs in TDF now I tell you.
4: When your legs are numb, you're coughing up snot, you are about to keel over and regret buying a bike on your climb, you can get instantly fast by getting chased by a snarling Rottweiler.
5: Forget diet and training. Want speed? See #4 above.
6: 35mps is really slow in a car and really fast on a bike (at least to me)
7: It is dispiriting to ride until you're about to die and your cycle computer says you've barely burned enough calories to get rid of the Big Mac you had earlier.
8: Don't build a house two miles up a very steep 4 mile long road. There are no good choices for which way to go. NOW I know why I keep seeing people walking bikes up our road.
9: No shorts currently made have enough padding the first week you have your bike
10: Water bottles suddenly shrink when you are a few miles from civilization
11: Screaming out of control down your 700 foot steeply pitched gravel driveway with breaks locked up on your maiden voyage really gets the adrenaline going.
12: Nothing makes you feel like an idiot more than #11 when all your neighbors are watching.
Thanks for listening.
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07-05-08, 09:12 PM
#4
Peloton Shelter Dog
07-05-08, 09:21 PM
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Excellent list. Did you top off 11+12 with a clipless fall aswell? That would have been the triple crown.
07-05-08, 09:32 PM
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Great list - agree with the clipless fallover, though. My daughter (age "almost" 17), has decided to join me on the road. Her first trip out on SPD's, she had her first clipless slow-mo fallover. So now that's out of the way.
She's a warrior, though...got right back on the bike. Every day..."Mom, can we ride today? When can we ride today?"
Cool.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Beth
She's a warrior, though...got right back on the bike. Every day..."Mom, can we ride today? When can we ride today?"
Cool.
[IMG]
[/IMG]Beth
07-05-08, 09:37 PM
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I was trying to decide if I should be snarky or serious, but I just got word that the evacuation order on my neigborhood has been lifted, so I'm in a good mood.
+1 When I decided I wanted a road bike, I wanted a Cervelo Soloist (before the SLC), but it was more money than I wanted to spend. I decided I would earn it, $1, for every mile I rode my mountain bike around town instead of driving. After a few weeks, I said f-this, I just want to ride a road bike and got an Allez Sport Triple with Tiagra.
See above... I didn't keep my Allez long enough to destroy my Tiagra (I had about 2000 miles on it I think). The bike I replaced it with had 105, and it did eventually implode. I replaced it with more 105, and it imploded too. Replaced that with SRAM and still running strong.
The speed at which they attack them is particularly impressive. Heck, I'm impressed with my teammates, most of which can climb significantly faster than myself.
Correction aside, yes.
Don't eat crap food and then you don't have worry about "burning it off"
Bikes are meant to be ridden. Don't walk it. HTFU.
I guess I've always ridden a bike in some capacity since I was a kid, so I can't relate.
Running out of water sucks. I've learned that there is water in a lot of places if you know where to look. Find locals that ride a lot and they will show you all the secret places to get water.
1: I shopped and shopped and compared and researched a very long time. A l - o - n - g time. So long that when I finally decided to get my bike, it wasn't available in my size. My LBS was awesome, but they had little stock left, couldn't locate the bikes in my price range and would not let me get the wrong size. I "settled" for the R6 Cannondale, and it's more than I can handle now. Moral: if you're a newbie stressing over the choice of bike, just buy a damn bike (right size) and ride it! It's better than not riding, and if you spend less on a compromise you can buy more goodies to go with it.
Running out of water sucks. I've learned that there is water in a lot of places if you know where to look. Find locals that ride a lot and they will show you all the secret places to get water.
07-05-08, 09:55 PM
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Thank God I didn't have the clipless pedal slow mo fallover. I think my eyes bugging out and huge dust trail and unclipped helmet bouncing on my head were enough. That and doing a cool sideways slide at the base of the driveway and narrowly missing the drainage ditch were enough to get a little applause. I still get heckled, but now walk the bike down.
