Just a hello

tav1969
tav1969 Posts: 49
edited October 2009 in Road beginners
Hi all, I'm new here. I just got myself a Boardman Team road bike on the C2W scheme. After 15 years-ish off a bike, my first couple of outings have been a bit shaky but I'm getting the hang of it now. I plan to drive from Newport to Chepstow (Bulwark), then cycle from there to work near J20 of the M4, about 10 to 12 miles each way. Twice a week should pay for the C2W voucher, any more and I'm saving £8 a day. I'm just waiting for some lights to arrive and a bit more confidence on the bike and I'll be away.

Cheers!

Comments

  • AMcD
    AMcD Posts: 236
    All the best Tav. Sounds like a good plan there.

    Please report back after your first trip to work - let us know how it went. :D
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    Welcome to the forum, the Boardman is a nice bike. i Hope your lights arrive soon and you can really get out and enjoy yourself.
    Ademort :wink:
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Welcome and enjoy your riding... :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Hello mate, enjoy yourself, getting back into it after 15 years, easy just like riding a bi......ohh. :wink:
  • tav1969
    tav1969 Posts: 49
    Cheers all. This is the first "serious" road bike I've ever had as well, last bike was a Raleigh Arena which probably had 28mm tyres, maybe even thicker, as well as secondary brake levers on the flat part of the bars. It's mainly confidence I need, as well as learning how to signal without sitting up i.e. take one arm off while still putting some weight on the bars.

    I thought, seeing as I have only been out twice, a week apart, that I would lose what I had gained last Sunday, but I was much better this morning, out of the saddle and everything, taking glances behind etc.

    The Boardman is great, obviously unlike anything I have ever ridden. I think it'll be the only one in the bike shed at work, although there are 3 Team Carbons there at the moment. So common! :wink:

    Took a bit of work to get it set up, but I learned a bit about front derailleurs and brakes along the way so no bad thing I guess.
  • Dogbert
    Dogbert Posts: 10
    I have put my paperwork in and am now waiting for the voucher to arrive then I will be off to Halfords to order my Boardman Team. :D Then I will be wobbling along too as I haven't been on a road bike for a good few years.
    Half our site was in Halfords last week when the scheme was launched so I may have to put a sticker on mine with my name on so I can pick it come home time :?
    I am planning two 11 mile rides home a week to start off then I will hopefully build up from there. In the mean time I am getting out on my MTB to build up fitness and confidence.

    Cheers

    Alasdair
    "If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through." General Melchett - Blackadder Goes Forth
    GT Arrowhead
  • tav1969
    tav1969 Posts: 49
    Sounds good Alasdair. I can see myself upping the cycling days, maybe not until it gets light enough though. As soon as the clocks go back it shouldn't be too bad, but I'll be doing a lot of riding in the dark so will take my time to start off with I think. I've estimated up to 1 hour each way at the beginning, I have a feeling that even though I can run a half marathon, cycling will kill my legs, especially the hills. Got the Cardiff Half in 2 weeks so no serious cycling until after then anyway.

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