Hurrah! - It is getting easier!!!
steve77uk
Posts: 36
WOW!
That is all I can say...
Today is the day where I have gone to work (in 18 minutes - usually takes 20+) and got home in a record breaking 23 minutes(beating that massive hill on the way back!) and that even includes stopping at the kerb for 2 minutes as I had to cross the road manually because there was too much traffic and I missed my chance to pull out.
I actually timed myself today. Got GPS on my N95 using sports tracker. It gives my my average speed and other goodies.
I started on and off cycling to work - have done OK, but not great although I am sticking with it, got myself a Giant Terrago Disc, loved the bike, found it a bit difficult and not really going anywhere despite putting the effort into it, managed a couple of times a week max three days, few weeks off, back on etc...
I picked up my Giant FCR1 Monday, went to work on Tuesday (the day of really bad rain and weather), nearly killed me, half a mile into it, went through a flooded part of the road and the water just poured into my trainers 4 miles to go
- my feet stodged with water, wind all the way against me, cold, no mudguards - even my dry clothes for the working day got wet inside my ruck sac - but after a visit to the LBS at lunchtime, getting some waterproof trousers and some waterproof overshoes, drying my shoes on the wall mounted radiator, I was ready for the journey home. (putting my clothes inside a carrier bag this time!)
With only having 2 cogs on the front, I found I did not have the easiest of gears on that final hill on the way back, but persevered. At least now I have got a starting point to try and get up the hill next time in the next gear up as on the terrago I kept changing like a nanny.
Got in, sat down gasping for breath, got in the bath nearly passed out - went to my dad's to fit some full length mud guards to the FCR1 boy it was tight but no customisation needed!!! (had a good father to son chat about life which was the best and most sincere talk I have ever had in 30 years) and ached all through the night. Went to work in he car the next day, bit dissapointed with myself as I wanted to test these shiny new mud guards, but really ached like billio, but thought it would be a good idea to rest for one day.
I went to work on my FCR for the 2nd time today.
It felt so much easier, I was riding along, thinking this is a lot faster, easier and less effort, although the inclines I felt, but had the power to push through them. I sat in my office chair as I walked through the door and thought, yes, sweating a fair bit more than usual because I had pushed myself, but did not feel as knackard as bad as before. Throughout the day I sat there watching the rain but didn't think crap I have to cycle home in this, just thought it is nearly time to get kitted up and go home.
The big thing for me is on the way home, it took me 15 minutes to go 4 miles to the bottom of the last hill (which the hilly bit is a mile long) by the time i hit 23 minutes I was home and I felt great - I was panting a lot up the hill for that final mile - however I caught another cyclist up too, still in the easiest gear on the FCR which did not feel that easy, but had recovered fairly well when I walked through the door. I had a banana to get my levels up, kept active (as in not sitting down and setting).
Yeah - waffling on, but I am chuffed to bits. I have a nice bike, easier to ride, got the kit to keep me warm and dry, and have done it in record time.
I can now actually see myself doing this more and hopefully, mentally I will be able to do it some more. The journey home did not 'feel' that long and I powered through it.
Glad I got my new bike as looking back, maybe my terrago with slicks was not a good idea, but happy that now I have a choice come the really bad weather - just need a bigger shed to get the FCR out of my living room!!!
That's it - thanks for letting me blow my own trumpet - I am chuffed with myself - and yes, it does get easier - it just hits you.
I just hope I am saying the same thing tomorrow night!!!!
This is me, Steve overweight 16.2 stone, 5'9 actually cycling to work, watching what I eat (stuck to the diet so far) so let's see how we go...
That is all I can say...
Today is the day where I have gone to work (in 18 minutes - usually takes 20+) and got home in a record breaking 23 minutes(beating that massive hill on the way back!) and that even includes stopping at the kerb for 2 minutes as I had to cross the road manually because there was too much traffic and I missed my chance to pull out.
I actually timed myself today. Got GPS on my N95 using sports tracker. It gives my my average speed and other goodies.
I started on and off cycling to work - have done OK, but not great although I am sticking with it, got myself a Giant Terrago Disc, loved the bike, found it a bit difficult and not really going anywhere despite putting the effort into it, managed a couple of times a week max three days, few weeks off, back on etc...
I picked up my Giant FCR1 Monday, went to work on Tuesday (the day of really bad rain and weather), nearly killed me, half a mile into it, went through a flooded part of the road and the water just poured into my trainers 4 miles to go
- my feet stodged with water, wind all the way against me, cold, no mudguards - even my dry clothes for the working day got wet inside my ruck sac - but after a visit to the LBS at lunchtime, getting some waterproof trousers and some waterproof overshoes, drying my shoes on the wall mounted radiator, I was ready for the journey home. (putting my clothes inside a carrier bag this time!)With only having 2 cogs on the front, I found I did not have the easiest of gears on that final hill on the way back, but persevered. At least now I have got a starting point to try and get up the hill next time in the next gear up as on the terrago I kept changing like a nanny.
Got in, sat down gasping for breath, got in the bath nearly passed out - went to my dad's to fit some full length mud guards to the FCR1 boy it was tight but no customisation needed!!! (had a good father to son chat about life which was the best and most sincere talk I have ever had in 30 years) and ached all through the night. Went to work in he car the next day, bit dissapointed with myself as I wanted to test these shiny new mud guards, but really ached like billio, but thought it would be a good idea to rest for one day.
I went to work on my FCR for the 2nd time today.
It felt so much easier, I was riding along, thinking this is a lot faster, easier and less effort, although the inclines I felt, but had the power to push through them. I sat in my office chair as I walked through the door and thought, yes, sweating a fair bit more than usual because I had pushed myself, but did not feel as knackard as bad as before. Throughout the day I sat there watching the rain but didn't think crap I have to cycle home in this, just thought it is nearly time to get kitted up and go home.
The big thing for me is on the way home, it took me 15 minutes to go 4 miles to the bottom of the last hill (which the hilly bit is a mile long) by the time i hit 23 minutes I was home and I felt great - I was panting a lot up the hill for that final mile - however I caught another cyclist up too, still in the easiest gear on the FCR which did not feel that easy, but had recovered fairly well when I walked through the door. I had a banana to get my levels up, kept active (as in not sitting down and setting).
Yeah - waffling on, but I am chuffed to bits. I have a nice bike, easier to ride, got the kit to keep me warm and dry, and have done it in record time.
I can now actually see myself doing this more and hopefully, mentally I will be able to do it some more. The journey home did not 'feel' that long and I powered through it.
Glad I got my new bike as looking back, maybe my terrago with slicks was not a good idea, but happy that now I have a choice come the really bad weather - just need a bigger shed to get the FCR out of my living room!!!
That's it - thanks for letting me blow my own trumpet - I am chuffed with myself - and yes, it does get easier - it just hits you.
I just hope I am saying the same thing tomorrow night!!!!
This is me, Steve overweight 16.2 stone, 5'9 actually cycling to work, watching what I eat (stuck to the diet so far) so let's see how we go...
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Comments
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Fantastic mate well done!
Don't know about the others but I enjoyed reading something as positive as that so don't worry.
2007 Giant SCR2 - 'BFG'
Gone but not forgotten!:
2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport - 'Red Rocket'0 -
Good for you, keep up the hard work...
Wait till summer arrives ( if it ever does ) you'll enjoy it even more then...0 -
as Mog says doing the hard graft in winter in commendable and when spring starts to turn you'll absolutely love it out there and you'll get even faster and the weight will come off too
Well donePurveyor of sonic doom
Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
Fixed Pista- FCN 5
Beared Bromptonite - FCN 140 -
*applause*
Well done Steve!*´¨)
`.·´ .·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´
Power to the pedal0 -
Ahhhh. The sweet scent of cycling shoes drying on the radiator in my office at work...
'Foisty' my wife calls them. But then she is from Liverpool....0 -
that brings back memories of my first few commutes started on mtb but then got road bike..
you will defo see the minutes falling off your time and it will get easier the more you do it .
oh and the aching goes so does the babooooooooooooooooooonnnsss ass feeling...
well done you made the hardest decsion by starting in winter, bring on summer shorts and tee..www.bearbackbiking.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrDelcol#play/uploads
hd vids
http://www.youtube.com/user/topasassin#play/uploads
http://www.vimeo.com/user2514116/videos0 -
Starting in winter will let you see the hardest conditions, and will set you up to do it all the time.. well done...spring is coming (soon)0
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Great news! If you enjoy it the time will whizz by.
I find having a time to match or beat is a great incentive to really motivate yourself to go quicker. You seem to have enough gears to get you up that hill; the knack is to use them well - change down before you are labouring, keep the rhythm steady and maintain a steady effort all the way up. Don't be in a rush to use the next gear up - get your technique right and the speed will come as you get fitter.
In the recent weather (often windy, dark mornings and nights, feeling more tired) I've been taking it steady. As someone else said, it will get even better on brighter, warmer days. Mudguards, overshoes etc are definitely a good thing when it's this wet, I find it more of an issue than the cold. But a lot of it's in the mind, and I still prefer riding my bike in the rain to the alternative - queueing in the car.Aspire not to have more, but to be more.0 -
I must admit, I've sort of reached the limits of what I can do in London as far as speed goes. If I cycle at a speed that challenges my muscles its far too hairy, and about the only challenge I have is to maintain a steady 15-20mph up Holland Park Avenue, which is a half mile climb, as long as the lights are in my favour. Heart in the throat at the top though.0
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Hi Steve,
Good doing with the bike, I got an FCR1 a couple of days ago and was interested in where/what mudguards you got???
I lost a load of weight last year with Slimming World and bike exercise being the main features - was 18st 11lbs, now 14st 12lbs!! Biking is great exercise when you couple it with a healthy eating plan!! Have put my travails on a ]blog if you're interested it's here: http://www.sidsjourney.blogspot.com
Keep on going and the weight will come off!
All the best
Paul 0 -
pdsidd wrote:Hi Steve,
Good doing with the bike, I got an FCR1 a couple of days ago and was interested in where/what mudguards you got???
I lost a load of weight last year with Slimming World and bike exercise being the main features - was 18st 11lbs, now 14st 12lbs!! Biking is great exercise when you couple it with a healthy eating plan!! Have put my travails on a ]blog if you're interested it's here: http://www.sidsjourney.blogspot.com
Keep on going and the weight will come off!
All the best
Paul
Hi Paul, I love hearing stories such as yours - it is a great motivator, however I have not lost that much only a couple of pounds to start off with , I think because I am building muscle it is levelling out, but keeping with it, i should see some drop soon (i hope!)
It is a tight fit with the mud guards, I don't know what the make is as I chucked the box out last week after I fitted them, but i bolted them to the brake nut (technical term!) and pushed them up real hard before tightening them up. it is close, but the wheels still run freely.
When I bought the bike they did say they would have to do some customisation and chop them up a bit but I never had to do that - it took me and my father 2 hours to sort out (with a couple of coffees and talking etc)- if I find anything out, I will let you know...
I will have a nosey at your site!
EDIT:
Just noticed that you are in Derbyshire - I am the next town along in Belper, I got all my bike gear from the nice guys at the Bike Shop on Monk Street in Derby. The are the full length mud guards..
Your blog puts me to shame!!!0 -
steve77uk wrote:I have not lost that much only a couple of pounds to start off with , I think because I am building muscle it is levelling out, but keeping with it, i should see some drop soon (i hope!)
Slow and steady is the way, Steve - a couple of pounds a week is good going. Don't get disappointed if you put a pound back on now and then. Drink plenty of water, try to moderate your eating - starvation diet doesn't work and really won't for an active person and certainly doesn't make you happy.
I lost just under a stone over a few months, even though I wasn't only slightly overweight. I cut down on sweets, choccy bars etc - just the odd treat once a week or so - and kept up the fruit intake (including bananas). Also tried eating smaller portions. I rely on raisins for mid-morning snack at work and try to ignore the little voice demanding chocolate after meals. Both reducing meal size (including the no. of slices in my sarnies) and denying the sweet tooth thing require willpower and training, but it does work.
Well done too Paul, I'm off to read your 'blog.Aspire not to have more, but to be more.0 -
steve77uk wrote:pdsidd wrote:Hi Steve,
Good doing with the bike, I got an FCR1 a couple of days ago and was interested in where/what mudguards you got???
I lost a load of weight last year with Slimming World and bike exercise being the main features - was 18st 11lbs, now 14st 12lbs!! Biking is great exercise when you couple it with a healthy eating plan!! Have put my travails on a ]blog if you're interested it's here: http://www.sidsjourney.blogspot.com
Keep on going and the weight will come off!
All the best
Paul
Hi Paul, I love hearing stories such as yours - it is a great motivator, however I have not lost that much only a couple of pounds to start off with , I think because I am building muscle it is levelling out, but keeping with it, i should see some drop soon (i hope!)
It is a tight fit with the mud guards, I don't know what the make is as I chucked the box out last week after I fitted them, but i bolted them to the brake nut (technical term!) and pushed them up real hard before tightening them up. it is close, but the wheels still run freely.
When I bought the bike they did say they would have to do some customisation and chop them up a bit but I never had to do that - it took me and my father 2 hours to sort out (with a couple of coffees and talking etc)- if I find anything out, I will let you know...
I will have a nosey at your site!
EDIT:
Just noticed that you are in Derbyshire - I am the next town along in Belper, I got all my bike gear from the nice guys at the Bike Shop on Monk Street in Derby. The are the full length mud guards..
Your blog puts me to shame!!!
Thanks for the info, Steve. Not sure where Monk Street is but will look it up on the net! In the summer I cycled to and from work in Alfreton and passed through Belper. First couple of times I couldn't hack that hill after I think it's called Bridge Street (it's got a pub at the bottom on a very tight corner). By third time I could do it. Am hoping with the FCR and a bit more fitness (been doing a fair old amount in the gym over winter) I'll be able to tackle that darned hill upto Turnditch this summer.
Anyway, keep on going with the bike it's one of the best forms of exercise in my opinion and not only that but bloomin good fun to boot!! Slimming World helped me too and if you can get over the initial embarassment of the first night you find it's people in the same boat as yourself who support each other to lose weight. Not only that but the eating plan is simple and you don't go hungry - you have to make changes but it's not like you have to start surviving on lettuce and a shake or any of that nonsense!
All the best
Paul0
