Old Git On A Bike battles with the wind (2000 miles ridden)
Comments
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Goes to Eastbourne one way and West Hythe the other way. You'll manage to get from one to the other eventually!!!
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Eastbourne is a bit far for me at the moment, Woody, I'll keep working on it, I'm sure I will do it one day
Same route again today, except for going a mile further along the Bexhill seafront, the wind was killing me today, maybe the previous days had take more out of me than I though, it took 34 minutes to do the first 5 miles in to the wind, and 24 minutes for the 5 miles coming back:
Mar 7th
Top speed 20.8 mph (flat cycle path with wind behind me)
Avg speed = 10.2 mph
Distance = 10.07 miles
Time 58:48:6
Pulse before ride = 72 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 102 bpm's 5:50pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 84 bpm's 6:00pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 78 bpm's 6:10pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 82 bpm's 6:50pm
Total miles ridden = 85.08
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Hi all, after no riding due to 5 days of sh!te stormy weather, I was just about to go out this afternoon, when all of a sudden the heavens opened up, it's still p!ssing down now, so I might not even get out tonight if it continues, poxy weather :evil:
I got a mini pump from Lidl today, tried the pump straight away and found that my tyres were only at about 30psi, I have pumped them up to 40 now, that might help me roll a bit better, well, they might, if I can ever get out on the damn bike.0 -
Have you checked the maximum pressure your tyres can take? is will be written on the sidewall of the tyres themselves.
You'll probably find you can go a fair bit higher. I run mine at 45 psi but have run them at 60 (the maximum) for a long road haul.
Generaly, the harder they are the better they'll roll.
Cheers
Chris
Racing snakes. It's not big, and it's not clever
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@ Panter, the maximum recommended pressure on the tyres is 40 - 65psi, they seemed to roll ok today with 40psi in them, might stick another 5lbs in them.
I managed to get out today, the wind was very low and it had dried up after early morning rain, that is, until I walked out the front door and the drizzle started immediately :roll:, I went along my usual coastal route, but due to the storms we had this last week, the sea has washed a lot of the pebbles away from the path, and dumped a load of sand there, so in places, it is impossible to ride at all and you have to walk until you hit a compacted area again, not too bad, though.
I went nearly a mile further through Bexhill than I did last time, at the end of the Bexhill promenade, the path ends and turns in to deep pebbles, I didn't bother to walk across it to see what's round the other side of the cliff, so I went on the road for a bit instead, then made my way back, I even climbed a very steep hill for the first time, half way up I wish I hadn't, but I kept pedalling, now I know I can do it, I'll do it every time.
The bike is filthy, covered in wet sand and dirt, as are my clothes, I hate getting dirty, damnit, I stopped in a large puddle on the way back and threw some water over the bike to get the heavy cr@p off it, I might stick the bike in the bath and shower it down later, or maybe let it dry and brush it off.
My other half went back to Lidl again today and bought me a wind/rain resistant cycling jacket, so no matter if it's raining, I'll be out on the bike from now on, because I need to get those miles on the clock, I'll go out again tonight and hit the 100 miles cycled mark
Mar 8th - 13th: No riding due to storms
Mar 14th
Top speed 25.8 mph (down steep cycle path hill)
Avg speed = 9.2 mph
Distance = 11.76 miles
Time 1:16:11
Pulse before ride = 72 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 116 bpm's 3:57pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 96 bpm's 4:07pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 90 bpm's 4:17pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 88 bpm's 4:57pm
Total miles ridden = 96.840 -
Just in from my night ride, it's damp and foggy as hell out there, but still, I enjoyed my ride back and forth along the sea front, that now gives me the first 100 miles I have cycled 8)
Mar 14th (2nd ride of the day)
Top speed 17.6 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.2 mph
Distance = 6.41 miles
Time 31:20:8
Pulse before ride = 80 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 118 bpm's 10:02pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 96 bpm's 10:12pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 92 bpm's 10:22pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 84 bpm's 11:02pm
Total miles today = 18.17
Total miles ridden = 103.250 -
congrats m8 keep it up the miles will add up really quickly now the next 100 will probably feel alot easier. 0
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You are doing really well!!
Have you had a look & compared your pulse rates & recovery rates to your first post recently.... Obvious difference showing up! Keep going.0 -
Yeah, the next 100 miles and the hundreds after it will be a breeze, getting on the bike to start with was the hardest part, I can feel myself getting stronger all the time, onwards and upwards.
I had my first encounter with a dog chasing me tonight :evil:, was it some little mut, a poodle, a hotdog, no, it was a frikking great dane
I saw a couple of people in the distance and a dog, as I got near them, the dog walked across the path and went on the grass behind a wall, I slowed down a bit and overtook the people, then I heard very deep barking noises, turned round and this big b@stard was after me.
I slammed the brakes on, jumped off and used the bike as a shield, I said something to the dog, I don't think he understood, the owners were calling him, he did seem a sit soppy at that point, but I wasn't to know that, as he came up to me I was just about to give it a righ hook if it had jumped up at the bike, but it backed off, the owners were very apologetic, they said he likes to chase things going fast, I told them I would be coming back that way in 5 minutes, as I rode off I heard them shout noooo to the dog as he was about to chase me again, so they put a lead on it.
Just logging tonights ride, I have not been out for the last couple of days after cleaning my bike to get all the sand and dirt of it from the last ride, I cleaned it too well and the chain was grinding due to no oil being left on it, I didn't have any lube to put on so I didn't ride it in case I did some damage, I got some wet lube today:
Mar 15th & 16th: No riding as I had stuff to do, there were strongish winds anyway and I had no lube for bike chain/cassette until today
Mar 17th
Top speed 19.0 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.1 mph
Distance = 7.68 miles
Time 37:47:3
Pulse before ride = 78 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 112 bpm's 10:36pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 94 bpm's 10:46pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 88 bpm's 10:56pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 84 bpm's 11:36pm
Total miles ridden = 110.930 -
Log from tonights ride:
Mar 18th
Top speed 17.2 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.5 mph
Distance = 5.12 miles
Time 24:34:2
Pulse before ride = 62 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 104 bpm's 10:44pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 88 bpm's 10:54pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 84 bpm's 11:04pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 80 bpm's 11:44pm
Total miles ridden = 116.050 -
Aw the banters good here, so thought I`d post a wee reply, and if theres too many spelling mistakes dont read to much into it dude! hahha
Well to the man who started the post..... I`m a skinny dude but was also unfit when i began cycling, and like others say the important thing to do at first is to stay comfortable. take it easy and enjoy, dont be pusing hard and end up disliking it.
Its amazing the differance you begin to feel in a few weeks, keep it regular thou, like every second day and b4 you know it you`ll be like me and out nearly every night once the wee fella in bed.
The more you enjoy it the further you`ll go, then b4 you know it you'll be off the ciggies and spending the money on bike gear.0 -
Hi RustlerUK, thanks for the comments, I'm taking it nice and easy at the moment and I'm really enjoying being out on the bike, I don't think I would end up disliking it if I pushed too hard. I have to admit I am struggling with my smoking, I did manage to cut down a bit a while ago, but it has gone back up again, I have to make a proper effort to get it back down again, but being a chain smoker it's not easy.
I don't know what it is, but for the last 2 nights, I have felt pretty weak right at the start of the ride, I have also been getting little stabbing pains and twinges in the left breast area of my chest, I'm not sure if that's down to the riding, or down to carrying the 2 wardrobes up to our 3rd floor flat yesterday, these are not the cardiac arrythmia's that I usually get were my heart beats irregularly and misses beats, I might have to go for a check up with the doctor, having said that, my average speed tonight of 12.7mph was the highest I have reached so far, log for tonights ride:
Mar 19th
Top speed 17.4 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.7 mph
Distance = 7.29 miles
Time 34:18:5
Pulse before ride = 70 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 104 bpm's 8:31pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 90 bpm's 8:41xpm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 88 bpm's 8:51pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 88 bpm's 9:31pm
Total miles ridden = 123.340 -
Old Git On A Bike wrote:I have also been getting little stabbing pains and twinges in the left breast area of my chest, , I might have to go for a check up with the doctor,
If this happened to me I would replace with might with will0 -
^what he said, might be nothing but best be safe aye.0
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I didn't go out yesterday, I wanted to give my chest a rest after getting those stabbing pains and twinges, I only got them a couple of times yesterday and not had them since, thankfully.
Just in from my ride, the damn wind is a killer today, it's getting on for 30mph around here, I had to stop for 30 seconds after only 0.87 miles, my lungs were killing me, I could hardly breathe and the wind was stopping me dead, I was alright after the breather and the wind wasn't as bad along the pebble path, I got to 3 mile point when I saw the blackest clouds I have ever seen, so rather than carry on in to Bexhill, I turned back before the path turned in to a quagmire, about 50 yards from my flat the heavens opened up, perfect timing, I have never seen clouds like this before, I was looking up at them on the way back and they looked like something out of a horror film, swirling around, wish I had a video camera with me, it has now gone to dump it's load on the rest of Europe.
Mar 20th: No riding, gave my chest a rest due to the stabbing pains/twinges.
Mar 21st
Top speed 25.5 mph (down steep cycle path)
Avg speed = 9.7 mph
Distance = 6.82 miles
Time 42:05:4
Pulse before ride = 66 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 100 bpm's 6:19pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 96 bpm's 6:29pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 86 bpm's 6:39pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 80 bpm's 7:19pm
Total miles ridden = 130.160 -
looking north at about 5pm i could see those huge black clouds north over soton/pompie area and they recently hit us here, might be snow the weekend hehe gotta laugh or i'd cry i think, not ridden my steed in snow yet though might be fun 0
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I gave up on the idea of a ride after I nearly got blown off the bike on the half mile journey to my friends house ... just didn't seem worth it :?One day, I'm going to buy a cottage in a small village and become its idiot!0
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@ Dunker, there is not a cat in hells chance of me going out if it snows, I have seen some photos of people mountain biking in heavy snow, all I thought was, nutters
@ Punkypossum, I know the feeling, I sit here by the window watching the trees and bushes being blown about, and think to myself, shall I go out in that or shall I sit here by the radiator, the wind is mad here, nearly always riding in to it at the start of a ride, then there are the cross winds either blowing out to or coming in from the sea, it's murder at times.
Just in from my nightly ride, it made a nice change for the wind to be behind me for the first mile, the winds are about 20mph at the moment, that gave me a chance to get the lungs working up the very gently incline, it really does make a difference to riding in to the wind at the start, so riding back in to the wind wasn't so bad this time, I was only going to do about 4 - 5 miles, but I did a bit extra in case I can't get out tomorrow if we get the forecast snow, we were due some today, but luckily, all we got was 3 seperate showers of hailstones.
Mar 22nd
Top speed 18.1 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.5 mph
Distance = 8.75 miles
Time 42:00:3
Pulse before ride = 70 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 108 bpm's 7:45pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 94 bpm's 7:55pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 84 bpm's 8:05pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 80 bpm's 8:45pm
Total miles ridden = 138.910 -
It's a bit nippy out there tonight, my ears are throbbing from the cold, but at least it isn't snowing, yet, log for tonights ride.
Mar 23rd
Top speed 16.4 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.3 mph
Distance = 7.50 miles
Time 36:21:9
Pulse before ride = 68 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 110 bpm's 10:38pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 92 bpm's 10:48pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 88 bpm's 10:58pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 80 bpm's 11:38pm
Total miles ridden = 146.410 -
I stepped on the weighing scales today, my weight is now exactly 13 stone, I have lost a whole stone (14lbs) since the start 8)0
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Well done, it's great you've lost so much in such a short space of time!"Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs0
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Cheers Blackspur, I was getting a bit fed up with my weight hovering around 13 stone 3lbs, so, for the last few days I have been eating only small amounts of fruit and cereal, and some brown bread and peanut butter, oh, and one small chicken kiev, I just wanted to get over the 13 stone hurdle, hitting 12 stone something will give me another boost to push myself further.
Just had my ride over to Bexhill and back, I'll go out for another ride tonight.
Mar 24th
Top speed 25.0 mph (down steep cycle path hill)
Avg speed = 10.2 mph
Distance = 10.82 miles
Time 01:03:04
Pulse before ride = 68 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 102 bpm's 6:36pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 90 bpm's 6:46pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 84 bpm's 6:56pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 82 bpm's 7:36pm
Total miles ridden = 157.230 -
Just in from my little night spin:
Mar 24th (2nd ride of the day)
Top speed 17.0 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.5 mph
Distance = 5.39 miles
Time 25:42:5
Pulse before ride = 72 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 110 bpm's 10:43pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 92 bpm's 10:53pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 88 bpm's 11:03pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 82 bpm's 11:43pm
Total miles today = 16.21
Total miles ridden = 162.620 -
Log for tonights ride:
Mar 25th
Top speed 18.5 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.6 mph
Distance = 7.90 miles
Time 37:22:2
Pulse before ride = 64 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 102 bpm's 9:37pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 86 bpm's 9:47pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 84 bpm's 9:57pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 78 bpm's 10:37pm
Total miles ridden = 170.520 -
just ordered a set of specialized crossroads armadillo elite 26x1.95, at 1.95 hopefully they'll not be too bad for some hardpack use too. i ordered them from hargrove cycles in soton as they are doing them with £10 off at £20 each http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... ts_id=9144
a puncture free year i hope will be nice i'll let you know how they are once i get my mitts on em. 0 -
Hi Dunker, good luck with those tryes, keep us posted how they go. I have not replaced my tyres yet, with going over the shingle and pebbles, I'm surprised I have not got a puncture yet, dreading it as it will happen at some point.
Not long in from my longest ride yet, a bit over 18 miles yoday, the head/cross wind was a little worse than I though it was supposed to be, but I damn well enjoyed the ride.
I got out of the saddle quite a few times to sprint for about 5 - 10 seconds each time, my legs are definitely getting stronger and so are the lungs, I managed to climb to the top of Galley Hill between Hastings and Bexhill, I did that twice today, very pleased with my ride.
I rode to my 5 miles marker at the end of Bexhill promenade, I then noticed an area that was previously covered in pebbles, that has now been cleared, under the pebbles is another mile of concrete promenade, that now gives me a nice 6 mile each way run, so I went to the six mile point, then back to Galley Hill which is about 3 miles back, climbed up that, then rode back to the 6 mile point before riding the 5 miles home, I wanted to hit 18 miles today, so I went along Hastings seafront to get over that mark, a all in all, very enjoyable, I might go and do a few more miles tonight, I'll see how I feel later.
Mar 26th
Top speed 29.7 mph (down steep cycle path hill)
Avg speed = 11.5 mph
Distance = 18.26 miles
Time 01:34:58
Pulse before ride = 70 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 96 bpm's 6:03pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 84 bpm's 6:13pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 78 bpm's 6:23pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 82 bpm's 7:03pm (pulse increased slightly)
Total miles ridden = 188.780 -
My legs were a bit sore after yesterdays longer than usual ride, but I was determined to do the same route again today, I got to the 6 mile point, and as I was coming back along the promenade, I was watching all the people walking dogs, I counted 57 dogs along the 1 mile stretch at the end of Bexhil, unreal, I made sure I wasn't going too fast in case I needed to stop for a dog, so I see a couple and their 3 dogs, 2 of them were on the left of the path, when suddenly, the little dog ran from the beach and right across me, the bloke looked at me and said, watch where you're going, I was like, wtf, shut the f*ck up you div, I was riding in a straight line, his bloody dog ran in front of me, idiot :evil:
I had planned to ride back along to that 6 mile point, but if I had, and he had opened his mouth again, chances are he would have got a slap, so I made my way home for 12 miles, then rode a mile further down to Hasting and back, I hate dog walkers, well, the idiot ones, most call their dogs or hold them when I go past, and we exchange a nod and I say cheers, shame there is always one idiot who gives it the mouth.
I hit the 200 mile mark today 8)
Mar 27th
Top speed 30.3 mph (down steep cycle path hill)
Avg speed = 11.0 mph
Distance = 14.36 miles
Time 01:17:44
Pulse before ride = 64 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 94 bpm's 5:56pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 84 bpm's 6:06pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 82 bpm's 6:16pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 78 bpm's 6:56pm
Total miles ridden = 203.140 -
Just like to say well done Old git,i will be starting my riding and wieght lose program this week,I haven't felt very well for the last 8months due to Depression and the lost of my Father,but have decided to do somethink about my weight and the doctor says that exercise is the best thing for depression too,i am 43 and 14.5st 5'4 hope i can get on aswell as you(o forgot to say i gave up smoking 7 months ago)i watched my dad die of lung cancer in November and i am very glad that i gave up,not saying it is easy because it is'nt but i do feel much better for it.
Paul...0 -
@ Paul_GT, thanks for the encouragement, mate, sorry to hear about your dad, I lost mine to cancer in 2003, I know what depression can do to a person, I have similar health problems and know what you are going through, well done giving the smoking up, I have failed miserably at trying to kick the habit, I keep telling myself I could do so much more on the bike if I packed them in, but sitting here all day in front of this monitor, apart from when I go out on the bike, it's smoke, smoke, smoke, I have to try cutting down again because no way I can just stop smoking and not light another one up, let us know how you do once you are back on your bike!
I didn't get out for the last 2 days, Friday was very windy and pouring down all morning and afternon, I was planning on going out that evening when the wind dropped a bit, then I thought I might as well make it a rest day after doing nearly 70 miles in the last 7 days, then, on Saturday, my ulcers were killing me, no chance of riding in that pain, which meant I had to have another day of no riding, that's not what I wanted
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Just had a quick spin out tonight, wind is supposed to be 5 - 10mph, but it's currently gusting at 17mph, after having a couple of days off, the old legs were hurting quickly as I was riding in to the wind, my lungs didn't feel too bad for a change, I rode back from St leonards to where the fishing boats are in Hastings, I was going as fast as I could, keeping it constant between 17mph and 19.9mph with the wind behind me, I went to change on to the big crank ring, but it wouldn't shift on to it, just loads of grinding, seems I am destined to only use the middle ring, bloody thing, thought I had sorted that out a while ago, one good thing, I managed to get my average speed over 13mph for the first time tonight 8)
Mar 28th & 29th: No riding due to weather on 28th and being ill 29th
Mar 30th
Top speed 19.9 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 13.1 mph
Distance = 6.54 miles
Time 29:55:4
Pulse before ride = 62 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 112 bpm's 11:20pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 92 bpm's 11:30pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 80 bpm's 11:40pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 78 bpm's 12:20pm
Total miles ridden = 209.680 -
You are doing really well old git, at least you keep going out pretty much ever day, despite the weather not being great!!! I managed a very leisurely 15 miles tonight, which is better than nothing I suppose - was actually really nice still having daylight for a change!!! One day, I'm going to buy a cottage in a small village and become its idiot!0
