How old are the newbies to road cycling?

LouiseRiviera

Thebigbee wrote:

And what are your reasons for picking the sport up?

Also what cylcling / exercise / fitness history do you have?

Finally what bike have you bought / now use?

Interested to know your thoughts - answer as many as you want and give as much history as you want.

Cheers

Bigbee

48, new to road cycling, but a long history of off road cycling: 12 miles each way to work and back over Sheffield hills, all weathers, from 1990 to 2002. Now living in Nice, cycling on the pave, wanting to get into the cols and on the mountain passes.

I've just got a twenty year old racing bike of good pedigree, Motard Vitus, superb condition, but set up for pro use. I'm just getting used to cleats, no granny ring, no springs.... But loving it, it feels so light and responsive. Just fitted pink tyres and new bright yellow bar tape, it's a very pretty bike

I cycle with two groups here, more social than serious cyclists, 40 to 70 km per trip, but it's a good starting point to learn the area, and the language. Looking forward hugely to extending my range and joining a more serious club.

jmillen

Hey all,

Newbie to road cycling at 30yrs old

And what are your reasons for picking the sport up?
- Mainly to try and increase my fitness and mileage but I also find that for me, going out on the road bike takes a lot less preparation and hassle than mountain biking

Also what cycling / exercise / fitness history do you have?
- I have been mountain biking for many years and I've always been relatively fit. I play a lot of squash, ride into work every day (10 mile round trip per day), do a 2 hour off road ride one evening per week and also some kind of cycling at the weekend. Once the new pool has been built nearby, I'll be getting back into swimming again as well hopefully.

Finally what bike have you bought / now use?
- road bike - Trek Alpha 1.2
- mountain bike - Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon

mikeabanks

49, my 2 boys decided at the end of the summer hols that they wanted to learn to ride. So 2 new bikes later and in a couple of days they were whizzing around and I could not keep up so I knocked the cobwebs off a 15 year old mountain bike. Needless to say, I got the bug and bought a Specialized Sirrus Sport. Now I am itching to get a road bike.

Mellow vèlo

I'm 26. I was always on a bike as a kid but just going down to the pro with friends.
I've been riding cheap second hand road bikes for the last 3/4 years maybe a couple of miles to work, most of them ending up getting stolen. I moved out to the country and sold some things and bought a bianchi reparto corsa on eBay and saved up for a jersey and helmet and such. I love being out on my bike and started to get really into it. I have two young children so time and money is tight but that makes it more fun, I love my time out on my bike and finding bargains on eBay. Although looking forward to the day I can upgrade!!!
I also have something to bond over with my dad as he used to ride tt's and at the velodrome in south east London I. Te 60's.

I love cycling.

Mellow vèlo

I also hate the way my iPhone changes my words. That was meant to say 'park' and 'in the'

NickintheLakes

This is an interesting thread but i have to ask - why don't the Mod's on here knock out the distracting posts re BigBee? They really don't help and whilst they have novelty value on the more famous threads they don't help here. I'm not for over censorship but they are a PITA when you just want to read something sensible on here.

hodge68

Im 43 and got my Ridley Boreas with 105, 3 years ago. As a 16st runner i find staying out for hours painfull on the joints, but love being out for hous. So i thought a bike would fit the bill. But never enjoyed riding it.
Each year an old army mate and me challenge each other to something(3 peaks, half marathon, yorkshire 3 peaks ect)This year he has challenged me to a Tri. Out comes the bike and get it fitted to me at the LBS. Apart from them telling me the next size up would be better, they have done a great job with what ive got and if i use it all year they can have my custom when i get another bike . Now it fits i enjoy riding it , even if its cold out.

Alan114

I was 60 last year.

And what are your reasons for picking the sport up?
Had to give up dinghy sailing and badminton last year and wanted another hobby. Generally like doing things to improve fitness, provide challenges, in the fresh air, and meet people and join club to meet others with similar outlook.

Also what cylcling / exercise / fitness history do you have?
I've had a Specialised Rockhopper since 2000, did some coast to coast type trips on it 6 to 7 years ago, some off road stuff, and rides with the wife whilst she's riding horse. Never many miles per year, and wouldn't claim any fitness.

Finally what bike have you bought / now use?
In January I purchased Giant Defy 2 and joined local cycling club, been out 4 times so far. Really comfortable bike, and limitations are my poor hill climbing, and runny nose !

I'm able to do good distances, longest so far 47 miles, but the hills are tough. On the flat can average 15/16mph, but this drops away fast as it gets hillier. I just hope at my age I can improve fitness level, a little worried that heart and lungs are gradually aging and have little potential to improve when over 60.

SimonPieman

Not technically a newbie, I was big into cycling late eighties and nineties with TT's etc, etc. Mid nineties I had all my bikes stolen and had to stop, I then took a job on a cruise ship not much room on there. Now a land lubber again I am back in the game, and oh how I missed it. Havent thinks changed!! I still miss my old Roberts though I wonder where they are?
Oh I am now 41!!

zackny

I'll be 49 in March. I started riding two years ago on an old Peugeot 10 speed I had bought around the mid 80's. I had never ridin it much til then. Took up riding to help with fitness, especially when I quit smoking. I started out with some 10-15 mile rides and now most rides are in the 25-60 mile range. I've really become addicted to the longer rides 60-80 (soon to be more). Last fall 2011, I bought a Trek 2.3 and what a diference from my old bike! Looking forward to spring in a couple months.

Cool4catz

Hi,
I'm 48 and I took up cycling last year when my knee wouldn't let me run. Gave up on the half marathon and did the Glasgow to Edinburgh fresh n Lo event with my teenage son.

I bought a Guess RB1 a few years ago but hardly turned a wheel, recently bought a touring Claud Butler dalesman but bike I use most often is my sons Specialized Allez Sport which is an awesome little bike.

To keep me motivated (and scared s**tless), I've registered for two 100 mile sportives Aug and September. Currently doing two 15 mile trips a week and just cracked the hour. I live in South Ayrshire which is not without the odd hill! Doing a 40 mile easier pace at the weekend.

I'm the slimest I've been in 10 yars which is pretty cool, my blood pressure is down and I'm loving being out on the bike.

bmgood

Age: 29

Just getting back into road cycling, bought a promo bicycle, made by Polaris which makes motorcycles.
Not a great bike, but it was afforable and easy to ride.
I used to spend hours riding many years ago but sort of lost touch with riding, sold my old bike, which I loved and I now reallt regret that decision.

Now am ready to get back on and put in some serious miles this spring, after a slight tune-up of course.

Cheers!

DanDanDan182

I'm 21.

I started working in a bike shop about 4 years ago while I was in college part-time. I had always had a bike and used to go on bike rides as a kid but was never really into them. Being around them all the time, assembling and selling them, did have an effect on me. I started working full-time in the shop as a sales assistant about 2 years ago.

My first purchase was about 4 months afer I had started and was a very cheap, very basic Falcon Gatecrasher. I honestly cant remember exactly which model it was but it was 21 speed with EZ fire shifters and a Tourney rear derailleur, with cheap unbranded mechanical disc brakes and a 50mm suspension fork. It didn't get used too much, other than riding to work and to my girlfriend's house every now and then. It was eventually locked up outside my house and left to rust until it was stolen.

My next bike was about a year later and was a Claud Butler Urban 500. The specification on this was a little better. It was 27 speed with rapid fire Deore LX shifters and derailleurs, carbon fibre fork, suspension seatpost and Avid Single Digit 3 v-brakes and levers. I used this bike a little more, going on a few longer rides and using it a lot more often to get to work instead of getting a lift of my parents or getting the bus. I had this bike for a year and a half before selling it on ebay for a decent return.

Bike number 3 was a Cube LTD Race. This was bought 6 months before selling my Claud Butler. I had been thinking about getting a 'proper' mountain bike for a while and had decided I would save up some cash and get myself something of a good level. The LTD Race ran a Rock Shox Reba 100mm fork, was 27 speed with SLX shifters and XT derailleurs, had a Deore HT2 chainset, Formula RX 180mm/160mm disc brakes and a Sun Ringle Ryde XMB wheelset. It didn't get used as much as I would have liked it to, partly due to having next to no friends that ride mountain bikes and also that I dont drive so I couldn't really get to anywhere worth riding. It was also sold after about a year on MTBE.co.uk for a very good price (for the both of us).

My next bike was an impulse buy just before I sold the Claud Butler. I had been watching the Chris Akrigg video 'One Gear No Idea' and had thought the idea of a Fixie would be cool. We had some cheap Claud Butler Courier bikes in so I bought one. I stripped all the stickers off the frame and wheels, cut the bars down and took off the rear brake. I still have this bike. It's now running brakeless mind. I've been using it to get to work for the past year and been on a few smaller rides, although being single speed without the capability to coast makes it a little harder on long climbs and descents.

Number 4 was a secondhand GT Performer BMX that I bought off my brother for £25 to use as the skatepark with one of the lads from work. Not much to say about it really.

And now onto the road bike. Bike number 5. A Cube Peloton Pro. I've only had the bike for a week and I'm loving it already. I had the bike on order in November so I was itching to get out on it. I havent had a day off since getting the bike so I haven't been out on a big ride yet, but I've done a couple of 10 mile loops after work and it's been good. Looking forward to getting a day off so I can get a 30-40 mile ride under my belt.

This post was probably a little bit longer than it should have been but it's all good.

Watch this space.

DonutDad

44 years young. Started road riding TODAY by blowing my mountain bike tyres up really hard and locking out my forks!
30 minutes and 6 miles later and I'm very proud that I went out and did it. Go me.

I've been roped into tackling a 104 mile cycling event in Northumberland in June, so started riding asap in lieu of finding a suitable road bike to kick on with - lots of research to do first.

Twenty years ago (and more) I used to race mountain bikes, commuting to train plus weekend rides or races or day rides in the Lake District, some fantastic adventures.
Then back injury hit, then marriage etc., and although I've still always had a bike, I've managed only 4 or 5 local rides a year on the occasional sunday, normally after unearthing my bike in the garage during a clear out.

I dieted last year (2.5 stone) after finding I was too fat and unfit/sore back to do a coast to coast ride with some colleagues and pulled out, and this year's challenge is the road ride. I'm in much better shape to take part this time round, and determined to do so. It's taken me a year to get to this point without even getting on a bike, so I'm mad keen to get going.

I have a Kona Kula mtb which will have to do me for a few weeks, but road bike reviews are pointing me at Cannondale Synapse alloy 105, Giant defy 1, Focus Cayo carbon - I'll be tapping you lot for opinions on those for a start.

Never ridden a road bike before, so it's the new and exciting twist I've been looking for to drag me out of the house.

Thebigbee

Some great posts on here guys - keep up the good work.

I posted the questions primarily because I was new to the whole road cycling lark although I had ridden a bike for as long as I can remember. And I was a nosey sod but am genuinely interested as to how and why people got into it.

Although there may be similar themes - losing weight, getting fit, commuting, saving money/ time on commuting, changing from MTB or simply for the thrill and fun of it I think it is fair to say that anyone who has bothered posting about their own experiences on this thread is in it for the right reasons.

Even if you have only posted a response to the initial OP you will have informed at least one person and hopefully given one more person the push to get their leg over - the toptube!

This is a road Beginners thread so in general people are friendly and helpful.

Cheers

KBrent24

24 and been spinning at the gym for less than a year, on and off. Interested in venturing to road cycling although as a newbie, don't know much about what type of bike to buy and gear and stuff. Not really into high end thing just as a start up is enough for now. Any suggestions? Appreciate it.

SenseiSpud

I'm 37, had a bike of some sort or another most of my life, but always preferred road bikes. Currently using a Scott AFD309 that I got for the bargain price of £20. With parts and upgrades it probably owes me nearer £150 now, but is a reliable tidy bike. Been doing a lot of miles (for me) recently thanks to the challenges on endomondo and find them great motivation.

simonrussell73

I'm 38 and have been cycling for years (although took a gap of about 5 years until last summer)

Apart from when I was 18, it has been MTB over the years for me, simply for comfort and "messing around"

Did the pedal for scotland last year on my MTB and loved it. use it for commuting every day, so have set it up more for the road now rather than off.

Been given a fantastic opportunity to take part in an EPIC charity bike ride shamless plug so have taken the plunge and gone back to road bikes with a Forme Vision. I am having the most fun I have had on a bike in years.

I still commute on my MTB, but then spend as many spare hours each week out on the road bike (mainly for training for the charity ride) but also beacuse I love the open road!

paulthomas123321

Hello Guys I am paul, from liverpool
I am in okay physical shape but have made the decision to get into road biking for a number of reasons:

1. to get fit.
2. to get proactive as i have just graduated college and have accepted an offer for an office job and don't wanna get too lazy.
3. to meet new people.
4. to have a fun hobby

So as you can see, this is not going to initially be a racing/ extreme form of road biking, i see it as being a fun hobby with the benefit of getting fit. My past experience is with mountain bikes which was basic i guess and i have riden motorbikes for 5 years now, including sports bikes and cruisers.

Norris-wf

Hi Guys,
I'm 24 and I've been road cycling for about a year now and I just found this forum and I love it, so much information and banter too. I never did much road cycling before and I originally bought a MB and started doing some of the cycle routes but then wanted to get out and explore more which meant I had to get onto the roads. Bought some road tyres for the mountain bike and I was off. It was when I was doing a loop around the moors in Co. Durham I decided this was what I want to do. It was breathtaking, and what I love most about road cycling is that you can experience so much in just one ride.
I saved up for my first proper road bike, got over the dreaded fear of the clipless pedals and I think I may have started the slippery road into bike upgrades. The mechanics are all part of the thrill of it, if something goes wrong, I look forward to fixing it. Started riding with friends from work and then we find the climbs and I guess it has become a very big focus. Much of lunchtime conversations now are spend talking about roads, routes, dips and climbs...much to the annoyance of the other non-cycling members.
I'm looking forward to another great year of getting out and putting in more hours and more miles (And trawling through this forum

Punntz

Just turned 38, got back on the bike last summer as an alternative to driving to work. Used to go everywhere on my old Raleigh Eclipse as a kid, and then university happened and I just lost the need for it. Once I had passed my driving test, the new passion was my Mini Cooper, and I didn't own a bike at all. I had brief dalliances with buying MTBs but rarely got use out them and found them too cumbersome.
I then owned a Claud Butler Chinook for 6 years without ever seriously riding it, just gathered dust in the garage. But then last summer happened. I rode the chinook the 4 miles to work and back and was gasping and sweating but loved it. I lost a stone and a half in weight during that time, and then decided I needed a decent road bike, so I took advantage of my work cycle scheme to get a Trek 2.1 Leopard. I felt the difference immediately, and was soon going on 40 mile jaunts and loving every minute. I have nice bought a Beone Karma MTB (pretended that it was for the wife to use to justify the extra cost) so that I had a winter bike and something different to explore. I was astounded at the weight of the MTB, almost as light as my road bike!
Now I want to turn my attention to some organized rides, doing sportives, and join a local VC. I have to juggle this new found passion with my others, namely my young family and golf, so it's not always easy to do that. I may ditch the golf club if I find myself missing the open road whilst I'm on the course.
Being on the bike for hours on end in glorious sunshine gives me a sense of freedom that just feels divine. Sometimes I don't want to see the finish line...

mattheww385

I'm 25. Used to cycle loads as a kid, mostly off road in Mid Wales but stopped for years, don't think I rode a bike at all in University years.

I brought a cheap hybrid when I moved to Cardiff for work and after a winter and spring pottering around on that doing leisurely 15 mile rides at the weekend and the daily commute to work (only a short 4 miles) I decided to buy a road bike last summer and got the bug in a fairly big way. I was pretty unfit when I started, but now am much much much fitter - gained weight due to increased muscle mass (I'm naturally very skinny, 6ft 2 and 142lbs or so). Clocked up around 2500 miles between May and December last year and there hasn't been a day where I haven't been on the bike at all.

I've just upgraded my lowly Trek 1.2 : keeping the frame but sticking SRAM Rival groupset on it - the experience of fully stripping my frame and rebuilding the bike was great too, I'm pretty confident I can fix most of my bike now. I've been starting to do some much longer distance rides than I had been used to, now comfortably doing 60+ miles at 17mph, where last year I was struggling on 15 mile loops.

I also ride a fixed gear for my commute (build up from my Dad's old bike), fairly easy 44:16 gear but it gets my legs spinning and has done wonders for my pedalling technique and power.

Just committed myself to the Etape Cymru this year and a Cardiff to Paris ride at the end of September, so need to get myself in shape for that.

cycle4sobell.org

I'm 45 and though I have cycled all my life (commuting/MTB) I had never got into road biking until I did a charity bike ride to Paris a couple of years ago. Got the bug completely - love it for the fitness, the social side and I have really got into the whole cycling culture and history. I used to keep an eye on cycling events but now watch it with a far keener and enthusiasic eye. Can't wait for the Spring Classics to get going - i wouldn't have said that a couple of years ago!

Bike is an 1999 Peugeout Competition - good old steelie with Campagnolo Veloce groupset and a 53/39 chainring. Still manage to keep up with the peloton and it took me up the Joux-Plane last summer . . . slowly!

I was talking to a mate in Yorkshire this week and he was telling me that the defunct Ilkley Cycling Club was resurrected only a year or so ago and now has nearly 700 members! Astounding figure that and just shows that the road cycling phenomonen is growing and growing!

joshr96

I am 14

I haven't really got a good fitness history, bottom set PE but I enjoy cycling never the less

For Christmas 2011 I got my first road bike. A Carrera TDF 2011 Limited Edition.

fmcastro

69 and been cycling since age 10. I have two Raleighs: '94 Technium 500 Road and a 2009 Cadent 2 Flatbar Road Bike. I also have a Jamis Explorer Hybrid to haul groceries. I live near the beach in Jupiter, Fl USA. I am trying to loose at least 3 stones. Hopefully, going back to work will help with that. Have to ride at first light as the sun is harmful to me. I can do 10+ miles per day and see almost no car traffic.

ahstueyman

23, after 6 years of a mixture of xc/ 4x/ bmx (lots of injuries) , and relocation to North Devon im settling into road cycling, just got myself a nice Trek 1200 second hand from lbs for just £280, not to bad for tiagra and 105 kit and carbon forks, and will be doing my first proper ride (30 miles) this saturday and hopefully another 20 on sunday. All i can say is even taking it for a quick 17 mile spin last sunday...im in love with cycling all over again!

houndlegs

46 here, and funny enough like ahstueyman, I've just bought a Trek , though mine is a 1.2 Pilot, I think this may be a few years previous to his, but it sounds similar, tiagra and 105 etc. Anyways, I must say I'm really enjoying myself so far, and hopefully I can lose a few pounds

ATB

Phil

alan.breen

37
I started cycling a couple of years ago and bought a cheap MTB from a friend. I mainly used it on the roads and upgraded all the components on it. This year I abe just bought a road bike which is a specialized sectuer comp. I mainly do riding on Sunday mornings usually for a 25-30 mile run round the North Downs in Kent. Looking to do a couple of sportives this year along with commuting to work. I still have the MTB which I use when I take my children for a bike ride.

KrazyKiwi

Thebigbee wrote:

How old are the newbies to road cycling?

And what are your reasons for picking the sport up?

Also what cylcling / exercise / fitness history do you have?

Finally what bike have you bought / now use?

I'm 39 (looking down the barrel of the BIG 4_0) and started cycling (read as "dragged my butt off the couch!") 2 months and 4 days ago because a good friend thought it would be a "good idea" (d@mn New Years resolutions...) to do the Taupo Challenge at the end of this year. :shock:
I'm a shade under 6' tall & was 123kgs then, so I figured that I had better get my "A" into "G" PRONTO!

So far I have dropped 19kgs and I have planned a my first event for March 31st which is a 100km fun ride. I'd like to drop a further 14 kgs by November 22nd and give the Challenge my best shot. To be honest though, I'm not too sure what weight I will be by then because the weight loss has become more of a side effect from all the kms I'm clocking up now rather than my primary focus.

I purchased a second hand 2008 Avanti Cadent 2.0 (Full Carbon frame with Shimano 105 though out including pedals) for $915.00NZD that had clocked up 1,200kms since new. A bargain buy for the price. To monitor my workouts I purchased a new & not so cheap Garmin edge 500 with HRM. Looking at internet prices, I should have imported one from the UK

Cheers Marcus.

Thebigbee

KrazyKiwi wrote:

Thebigbee wrote:

How old are the newbies to road cycling?

And what are your reasons for picking the sport up?

Also what cylcling / exercise / fitness history do you have?

Finally what bike have you bought / now use?

I'm 39 (looking down the barrel of the BIG 4_0) and started cycling (read as "dragged my butt off the couch!") 2 months and 4 days ago because a good friend thought it would be a "good idea" (d@mn New Years resolutions...) to do the Taupo Challenge at the end of this year. :shock:
I'm a shade under 6' tall & was 123kgs then, so I figured that I had better get my "A" into "G" PRONTO!

So far I have dropped 19kgs and I have planned a my first event for March 31st which is a 100km fun ride. I'd like to drop a further 14 kgs by November 22nd and give the Challenge my best shot. To be honest though, I'm not too sure what weight I will be by then because the weight loss has become more of a side effect from all the kms I'm clocking up now rather than my primary focus.

I purchased a second hand 2008 Avanti Cadent 2.0 (Full Carbon frame with Shimano 105 though out including pedals) for $915.00NZD that had clocked up 1,200kms since new. A bargain buy for the price. To monitor my workouts I purchased a new & not so cheap Garmin edge 500 with HRM. Looking at internet prices, I should have imported one from the UK

Cheers Marcus.

Hey Marcus - great post. Sounds like you have definitely got the bug. Had to Google 123 kgs in stone and realised it was pretty big but then when I put my weight in in stones is pretty huge.

Thing is it doesn't bother me. I'm aiming for 20 miles a day and don't really care about the weight anymore. Can feel myself getting a lot fitter and according to my app am doing between 1000- 1400 calories on the rides.

Through my limited maths even if I consume 3000 and am burning off 1-1400 then I am only on 1.6-2000 a day.

Best of luck