Back in the saddle again
 

So I posted here a few weeks ago. I'm 53 and getting back into cycling, had started riding ca 2005 but an accident took me away from it.

Well Friday the bike I ordered came in a beautiful 2014 Specialized Roubaix Comp SL4 Ultegra C2 in satin carbon (no pics cuz my camera has dead batteries.. I'd been doing a number of demo rides on an earlier model Roubaix. FYI I also fitted shimano spd clipless as I've never been any good with the pedals with straps. Went riding with my friends on a rails to trails downtown yesterday, pretty leisurely, maybe 10 miles. I also got a wireless odo installed which also tracks cadence and other things.

This morning got up, rode the 3 or so miles from my house to the nearest entrance to the rails to trails and rode about 10-12 miles and then home, all told around 18 miles (I know it's not much but a start). I averaged on the whole ride a bit over 15mph and on the trail about 17mph.

My goal was to average 15mph and I wanted to keep my cadence for the most part in the 70-75 range with brief runs into 80 or so.

Wow this bike is SWEET! They've come a long way since my Jamis Satellite I had in 05. Also the bike shop spent a good bit of time fitting me to the bike.

So there it is! Not really sure how often to ride. I'm off every Friday Sat Sund so I'll certainly ride then and probably a couple more days during the way.

I did have flashers installed as I might ride to work which is about 5 miles each way.
Chris

Congrats! I just recently got back into biking too. Definitely makes you feel younger.

Congratulations and welcome. Your 18 miles was longer than 95% of folks our age can ride!

That is great Chris!!! That is 6 miles more and 5mph faster than my first bike ride back in july 2012 (and i am 25). Great to see that u love the bike too. I love my roubaix :) just did 103 miles today. The bike is flawless, me? Not so much :p

Sorry, but rulz is rulz.

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...dnt-happen.jpg

Good to see you back on a bike, zvez.

I have a 2012 spec roubaix and ride the heck out of it, lots of miles. Be safe, and have fun getting back in shape.

Hey Chris,

Keep your saddle warm.

Well done Chris. On my first ride 4 years ago, my asthma was not controlled at that time. I rode 200 yards and had to stop to catch my breadth. My allergist now has me on some good stuff that controls asthma very well and can do 50 or more mile rides with relative ease. Your mileage will go up of its own accord as it responds to the effort of riding. Recovery is important so ride as often as it feels good. If you ride often enough so that it doesn't feel good, take a day or two off. If you reach this point you will know it as your legs will feel as if they have no strength.

HI guys thanks for the kind words!

I promise I'll get some batteries and pics of the bike, it's gorgeous satin carbon with white lettering, fulcrum wheels look cool too.

I'm lucky I live about three miles from a rail to trail park and ride. If I go left I go 5.5 miles right takes me thru the city and about 25 miles. So I've settled on the weekdays I'm going to do a round trip loop to the left so 11 miles or so each weekday after work (I get off at 130p). The weekends I'll do the long stretch, my bike shop is in that direction only about a 100 yards from the trail! http://www.traillink.com/trailsearch.aspx?zipcode=31909

Luis, thanks for the kind words! 103 miles Great!! I'm going to text you about a duc rally coming up.
Chris

Here's a few pics, sorry for the poor quality, got a cheap camera and even less talent!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337029http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337030http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337031http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337032http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337033

Pics are fine. Enjoy your ride!

Did you use black and white film?:lol:

Nice.