Good Start??

cmjcycle
cmjcycle Posts: 5
edited August 2008 in Road beginners
Hi I am a female, I just bought a new road bike. I went out on it last sunday for just over 14 miles in the terrible wind and rain on a hillyish course and did it in 50 mins?i wasnt even tired at the end and felt i could do it again, is this a good start??

Comments

  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    That doesn't sound to bad IMHO. I'd be happy with that time.

    Are you brave enough for the GILS thread? :wink:
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • no-mates
    no-mates Posts: 31
    Sure is, you're doing a lot better than I can manage.
  • on2wheels
    on2wheels Posts: 102
    give yourself a pat on the back, you have started well, and you'll only get better... well done and most of all enjoy!
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    cmjcycle wrote:
    Hi I am a female, I just bought a new road bike. I went out on it last sunday for just over 14 miles in the terrible wind and rain on a hillyish course and did it in 50 mins?i wasnt even tired at the end and felt i could do it again, is this a good start??

    not bad for a first ride but I presume your base fitness level is ok to begin with.
    I guess you will be wanting to do a longer ride next time to see how fit you actually are and then build up from there .
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • cmjcycle
    cmjcycle Posts: 5
    im doing my first 20-30 miles tomorrow, so hopefully i will be ok!
  • julietp
    julietp Posts: 67
    That's not a bad start. Do you have a computer on your bike? It will really help you improve your times and it's good to know your average speed for each outing.
  • cmjcycle
    cmjcycle Posts: 5
    julietp wrote:
    That's not a bad start. Do you have a computer on your bike? It will really help you improve your times and it's good to know your average speed for each outing.

    No I havn't got a computer!where could I get one from?how much does it cost and how do i use it?
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    Look at lidls up and coming cycle offers dunno if there any good but has a heart rate monitor and all sorts for 20 quid, any-one know if there any good? i'm getting one anyway i think.
    winter beast: http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff016.jpg
    Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg
  • heavymental
    heavymental Posts: 2,090
    Nah. Just get a cheap one from Halfords. They do the job fine.
  • cmjcycle
    cmjcycle Posts: 5
    Did 28 miles today in the severe weather and managed under 2 hours, not sure what time was exactly!what kind of times are you guys doing?
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    average speed all depends on the terrain that you are covering. It is really hard to compare average speeds on different routes with varying weather conditions. There are quite a few threads on here about average speeds
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • le_grimpeur
    le_grimpeur Posts: 135
    As fuzzy navel says, avg depends on many factors. Sounds like yours will improve - from a very good starting point, as you get fitter, and probably upgrading your gear
    Personally my avg is 15.5, which includes 5mls of 7% gradient
    The ultimate cruelty of love's pinions
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    le_grimpeur wrote:
    As fuzzy navel says, avg depends on many factors. Sounds like yours will improve - from a very good starting point, as you get fitter, and probably upgrading your gear
    Personally my avg is 15.5, which includes 5mls of 7% gradient

    That could be 7% gradient at 2 mph followed by half an hour of downhill at a decent pace...that is why average is such a bad measure.
    If you really need to use average then you have to do it against yourself over the same course and watch to see if you improve over time.
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • le_grimpeur
    le_grimpeur Posts: 135
    Could be, (2mph) but isn't! Of course average is only a personal thing, but I was responding to the original query. Someone new to cycling is curious about averages, and I answered.
    The ultimate cruelty of love's pinions
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    le_grimpeur wrote:
    Could be, (2mph) but isn't! Of course average is only a personal thing, but I was responding to the original query. Someone new to cycling is curious about averages, and I answered.

    I know most people on a specialised cycling forum will be pushing more than 2mph up a hill...that was just an example of why average is bad..
    I wasn't trying to be nasty and apologise if there was any offense...
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!

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