Started today - 1st time in 20 years
08-12-07, 09:00 PM
#1
Plodder in khaki shorts
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Started today - 1st time in 20 years
Subject line pretty much hits the high points. Covered 3 miles in a little over 17 mins by the bike computer. Was hoping to make at least 20 mins, but my heart rate was up for sure longer than the ride.
Gawd, that was awful. I need to learn how to pedal with cleats; i"m just working on the down stroke; quads are jelly and I'm not looking forward to waking up in the morning.
At least I've started, but I'm not sure the first ride is the toughest. I'm not looking forward to the next. But 40 extra pounds needs to go somewhere, and it doesn't seem to be leaving sitting at my desk.
I did learn bike shorts are probably worth it. I even wore them to the grocery store later. Only because I was too tired to care what I looked like and changing would have taken more energy that was in rather short supply.
I figure if I can make it through two weeks, riding every other day, that'll take the horror off of it. I knew I was in bad shape, but until today I had no idea how bad.
Maybe I'll have some more coherent thoughts tomorrow, at least I feel like I'll get to sleep tonight OK,
Rob
Gawd, that was awful. I need to learn how to pedal with cleats; i"m just working on the down stroke; quads are jelly and I'm not looking forward to waking up in the morning.
At least I've started, but I'm not sure the first ride is the toughest. I'm not looking forward to the next. But 40 extra pounds needs to go somewhere, and it doesn't seem to be leaving sitting at my desk.
I did learn bike shorts are probably worth it. I even wore them to the grocery store later. Only because I was too tired to care what I looked like and changing would have taken more energy that was in rather short supply.
I figure if I can make it through two weeks, riding every other day, that'll take the horror off of it. I knew I was in bad shape, but until today I had no idea how bad.
Maybe I'll have some more coherent thoughts tomorrow, at least I feel like I'll get to sleep tonight OK,
Rob
08-12-07, 09:29 PM
#2
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
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Good job, Rob! Welcome back!
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
08-12-07, 10:32 PM
#3
Tar is not a toy.
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From one Rob to another... I am so right there with you! I just got back on after a 1+ year layoff. It was tough to see that I couldn't keep my minimum speed above 10 mph. And after a long ride I know what kind of apathy you speak of... So don't quit! It will get easier.
08-13-07, 12:36 AM
#4
Steel is Real.
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__________________
Mark Wolfe -- Lakeside, CA
2007 Bacchetta 700c Carbon Aero
2005 Bacchetta Corsa
2004 Surly Long Haul Trucker
1990 Waterford Paramount
Mark Wolfe -- Lakeside, CA
2007 Bacchetta 700c Carbon Aero
2005 Bacchetta Corsa
2004 Surly Long Haul Trucker
1990 Waterford Paramount
08-13-07, 04:29 AM
#5
stays crunchy in milk
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Welcome back to cycling!
Your post reminded me of myself one month ago. At a rather short 5'7" and weighing in at just over 200 lbs I knew I had to do something to get myself back into shape. One month ago I started running again (injuries stopped my progress five years ago). I also stopped smoking six days ago (huge improvement in lung capacity).
My first run was just around the block (about 2km). I was totally gassed and had to stop SIX times during the 25 minutes it took to plod my way around the block. Needless to say this was a humbling experience. I did not give in to despair but rather used this as motivation to get stronger and faster. After one month of running and riding (to keep things fresh), I got stronger, fitter, and much faster and lost my clydesdale status (now weigh around 185lbs). Earlier today I finished a 10km run in just over an hour.
Just keep riding every couple of days and you will start to notice some drastic improvements in just a few weeks.
Your post reminded me of myself one month ago. At a rather short 5'7" and weighing in at just over 200 lbs I knew I had to do something to get myself back into shape. One month ago I started running again (injuries stopped my progress five years ago). I also stopped smoking six days ago (huge improvement in lung capacity).
My first run was just around the block (about 2km). I was totally gassed and had to stop SIX times during the 25 minutes it took to plod my way around the block. Needless to say this was a humbling experience. I did not give in to despair but rather used this as motivation to get stronger and faster. After one month of running and riding (to keep things fresh), I got stronger, fitter, and much faster and lost my clydesdale status (now weigh around 185lbs). Earlier today I finished a 10km run in just over an hour.
Just keep riding every couple of days and you will start to notice some drastic improvements in just a few weeks.
08-13-07, 04:44 AM
#6
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Subject line pretty much hits the high points. Covered 3 miles in a little over 17 mins by the bike computer. Was hoping to make at least 20 mins, but my heart rate was up for sure longer than the ride.
Gawd, that was awful. I need to learn how to pedal with cleats; i"m just working on the down stroke; quads are jelly and I'm not looking forward to waking up in the morning.
At least I've started, but I'm not sure the first ride is the toughest. I'm not looking forward to the next. But 40 extra pounds needs to go somewhere, and it doesn't seem to be leaving sitting at my desk.
I did learn bike shorts are probably worth it. I even wore them to the grocery store later. Only because I was too tired to care what I looked like and changing would have taken more energy that was in rather short supply.
I figure if I can make it through two weeks, riding every other day, that'll take the horror off of it. I knew I was in bad shape, but until today I had no idea how bad.
Maybe I'll have some more coherent thoughts tomorrow, at least I feel like I'll get to sleep tonight OK,
Rob
Gawd, that was awful. I need to learn how to pedal with cleats; i"m just working on the down stroke; quads are jelly and I'm not looking forward to waking up in the morning.
At least I've started, but I'm not sure the first ride is the toughest. I'm not looking forward to the next. But 40 extra pounds needs to go somewhere, and it doesn't seem to be leaving sitting at my desk.
I did learn bike shorts are probably worth it. I even wore them to the grocery store later. Only because I was too tired to care what I looked like and changing would have taken more energy that was in rather short supply.
I figure if I can make it through two weeks, riding every other day, that'll take the horror off of it. I knew I was in bad shape, but until today I had no idea how bad.
Maybe I'll have some more coherent thoughts tomorrow, at least I feel like I'll get to sleep tonight OK,
Rob
08-13-07, 05:24 AM
#7
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You'll find a few of us here that had some time laid off from bicycles. We all started out slow and had to work back into it. I know I'll never be at the form I was in 30 years ago, or even 20 years ago, so I go out there for my enjoyment and get a little time in on the bike. Enjoy it!
08-13-07, 04:04 PM
#8
Really Old Senior Member
Just don't push too hard too soon. You want to keep it "enjoyable".
Even if' you're sore today, ride some. Even if it's just around the block.
Even if' you're sore today, ride some. Even if it's just around the block.
08-14-07, 05:14 AM
#9
Plodder in khaki shorts
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Thanks guys. By some small miracle I was able to move yesterday morning. When I got home one of cycling jerseys had arrived, so I dressed up and did it again. Still not great fun, but I need to tune the bike a bit more. It keeps jumping out of low gear, which kills me on a couple of steep hills.
Most of my previous experience was MTB, so trying this road bike thing is a bit different. The lowest gear is not low enough, and the silly thing coasts downhill a lot faster than I'm used to.
Anyway, that's twice now, and by the time I got home yesterday I was almost looking forward to trying it again.
Might have to skip tonight as I've also noticed an intermittent "death wobble" in the front wheel; need to get that hub apart and see what's going on.
Thanks for the encouragement,
Rob
Most of my previous experience was MTB, so trying this road bike thing is a bit different. The lowest gear is not low enough, and the silly thing coasts downhill a lot faster than I'm used to.
Anyway, that's twice now, and by the time I got home yesterday I was almost looking forward to trying it again.
Might have to skip tonight as I've also noticed an intermittent "death wobble" in the front wheel; need to get that hub apart and see what's going on.
Thanks for the encouragement,
Rob
08-14-07, 03:39 PM
#10
Really Old Senior Member
You probably need just a little "tweak" on the RDER adjustment.
https://www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp?catid=53
Check spoke tension for the wobble. Here's some thoughts on wobble
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ghlight=wobble
https://www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp?catid=53
Check spoke tension for the wobble. Here's some thoughts on wobble
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ghlight=wobble
