How old are the newbies to road cycling?

gbs

I believe the only approriate use for WD40 is as water repellent on chain and pedals if you do not have time to clean and lube after a wetride.

Thebigbee

gbs wrote:

Thebigbee wrote:

[

Wow gbs - I don't work in KM but that is 120 Km - miles is 75. That is impressive. From what I have roughly scanned you are the oldest at 66.

Just goes to show how inclusive and what can be achieved.

Not really impressive. I have two VG bikes, I weigh only 85kg and so I can perform relatilvely well going uphill but downhill I am usually among the slowest. FWIW in our CTC group we have a 75+ yr old who will pass me easily up Box Hill and down hill generally on a fixed gear. Mark you he is v experienced and tiny.

Just goes to show I guess. I am under half your age and you are saying that is a walk in the park for you. I find that impressive. Near on double my max so far - and I was knackered at the end - not on a road bike I will add. But still...

Have a long way to go.

Thebigbee

jimmnm wrote:

hello all, i have been into road bikes for many years, I use mine every day hail, rain or shine...I commute to work, go to the gym 3 times a week. Just love biking, I have had some narrow escapes due to un observant drivers, even when I've been wearing hi viz clothing. I do have car, but it's just a shopping trolley. It's a cliosport 172 at the moment I ride a Claud Butler san remo it's ok, not the best but does the job for me.
What are your thoughts about using wd40 on your chain and gears, or do you recommend something else?

I don't think it is recommended for bikes. Good for cleaning them though... get some lube from Wilkinsonsm under £2..

HTH

Smokin Joe

14 when I got my first road bike, 16 when I joined a club.

JohnBoyUK

I'm John, I'm now 35 and am addicted to cycling.

Hadnt ridden a bike since 17 when I sold my old trusty MTB to help pay for my car insurance until I bought myself a MTB on the C2W scheme in 2009. Quickly realised I was doing 95% of my riding on the road so bought an Specialized Allez Elite in the autumn of 2010. Didnt really ride it a lot until the start of this year, as it was my resolution to do take up cycling "properly".

Have since joined a cycling club, have beaten my prev PB 3 times in the last 6 weeks (previously done the London 2 Southend in 2009) but have since done a few 60 milers and yesterday completed my first ever Sportive (the Wiggle New Forest Sportive over the Epic distance of 85 miles in 11 seconds short of 6 hours - yes slow I know but who gives a shit!).

Road cycling has pretty much changed my life. 1st Jan I was a fat bastard weighing in at 16st 11. Today I weight 15st 2. Since Jan 1st, I've spent just a fraction over 100 hours in the saddle, cycled 1,424.27 miles, climbed 35,000ft and burnt 70,000 calories.

The reason I took up cycling was to fill my time. I went through a horrible divorce and I've lost some access to my daughter, who was and is my life. I found it very difficult going from being a very much 24/7 hands-on Dad to one that only sees his daughter at weekends. So cycling has filled the space. Best thing I've ever done

gbs

Thebigbee wrote:

gbs wrote:

Thebigbee wrote:

[

Wow gbs - I don't work in KM but that is 120 Km - miles is 75. That is impressive. From what I have roughly scanned you are the oldest at 66.

Just goes to show how inclusive and what can be achieved.

Not really impressive. I have two VG bikes, I weigh only 85kg and so I can perform relatilvely well going uphill but downhill I am usually among the slowest. FWIW in our CTC group we have a 75+ yr old who will pass me easily up Box Hill and down hill generally on a fixed gear. Mark you he is v experienced and tiny.

Just goes to show I guess. I am under half your age and you are saying that is a walk in the park for you. I find that impressive. Near on double my max so far - and I was knackered at the end - not on a road bike I will add. But still...

Have a long way to go.

120k in the Surrey Hills is not "a walk in the park" but is arduous without draining the tank. I would not normally undertake more than on such ride each week and whilst I do not hang about I do reckon to stop every two hours for fuel and certainly a sitdown lunch, coffee, tea or whatever.

I reckon that a road bike with skinny tyres is 25-40% more efficient than a hybrid so take heart!

gbs

duplication deleted

Bowden2017

41...........Started running in Jan 09 following nagging from my wife. Lost 2 stone by July 09. Then in August my 15 year old son thought he might like to get a road bike so we went for a look at LBS. Fast forward to Dec 09 and I got a Trek 1.2 on Cycle to work scheme and relocated office to 12 miles away rather than 40! Son now into climbing and kayaking so no bike.
In Dec 2010 added a Cube Agree GTC SL to the collection and now ride at every availabe opportunity! I can confidently say I am addicted to cycling. Still running and am due to do the Great West Run in a fortnight and am doing the Dartmoor Classic Sportive in June! Just need to join my local club which I will do in the next coupe of weeks.

jimmy_custard

30, and im so new to it that ive only put 12 miles on my bike

Played football most of my life and enjoy most sports. Too many knee injuries have ended my competitive football days and ive spent the last two years doing nothing at all.

i have a young family (two sons aged 4 and 4 months) and cycling seems ideal for me as im gonna be out of the house for maybe 1-2 hours at a time and still get a good bit of exercise.

Cant wait to get a good long ride under my belt though, assuming my backside can take it.

Jonninho

39 - was sat at home last July (18th - remember it well), watching TDF as I do every year, and yet again thought I would get the old Holdsworth Criterium (1992/93) back on the road, but yet again failed.
Sat there though was my sons mtb, so out I went on that (he is 18 so it was big enough).
10 miles, 59 mins and knackered!!

Hadn't ridden for any length for about 15 years. Always wanted too, but never got round to it for one reason or another. Usual suspects - work/family/money.
Had discovered mountaineering/rock climbing which took up most free time for a while, but never put the 2 together and cycled off road in mountains - didn't seem right to me.

Spent the last half of last year on the road on the mtb, doing about 2500km. Turned 40 in Oct and celebrated by riding Bealach na Ba & round Applecross Peninsula. Best ride so far.
By xmas was able to get the road bike - Boardman Team Carbon. Not having had a new road bike for nearly 20 years, I found myself reaching down to change gear quite often - still catch myself nearly doing it now and again. Now done 2500km on that and regretting those 15 wasted years, but I did enjoy the mountains

Jersey Boy

Age 42

Started riding last year after not having ridden since being a teenager. First bike last year was a Specialised Sirrus Hybrid and have been riding properly since Jan 3 times a week plus gym plus spinning class. Cycling is so addictive that when you get home all you want to do is turn around and go out again.
Did some sportives over the winter and fitness has come on leaps and bounds. Weight loss great with cycling, lost over 2 1/2 stone since XMas although I will never be a skinny rider and hills go against laws of physics for me even though now down to 16 stone. Promised myself a new bike at the 2 stone mark and bought a Giant TCR Advanced with Ultegra and compact upgrade.

Want to do more UK races next year as just riding in Guernsey in League of Gentleman Div of Velo Club

secretsam

no doubt the thread has moved on but I've been off for a few days!

42
Have been cycling again for about 5 years - commuting - after a break of around 15 years

Got first road bike in Feb

Am doing it for fitness, both physical and mental, and to escape the trials and tribulations of life

I ride alone and like it that way, am neither quick nor inclined so to be!

garryc

51

Drunkenly volunteered to do a charity cycle ride 2 years ago, started riding an old clunker I had in the shed (hardly ridden for 20years and then only occasionaly). Then bought myself a Trek 1.7 for the ride.

Loved it. The week after the charity ride I joined the local club, havn't looked back.

I've worked from home for the last 10 years or so, it's very easy to get fat and lazy. Since I started riding I'm fitter, and lighter, than I've been in years.

I currently ride a Cevelo R3, I love it to bits.

Pross

A returner rather than a newbie here. Age 38, been back cycling about 18 months after a 13 year break playing rugby for a few years but not much other exercise. Previously rode regularly from the age of 17 for 7 years racing as a junior for one season and the rest as a (not very good) 3rd cat. Currently not very fit and about 3.5 stone heavier than in my first attempt at being a cyclist.

Treated myself to a Scott CR1Comp last year when I started riding regularly again but have just finished getting my old 653 steel Ribble back on the road as a winter / commuting bike.

Stone Glider

By the end of this year I shall be drawing my State Pension (65). Started nearly five years ago when Mrs S G thought we should take more (some) excercise to aid the weight loss regime then in operation. Bought a BOGOF from the Sunday Paper and these 'chinese' mtb's arrived. Terrible shock to find how old, slow and unfit I was; could hardly ride round the housing estate we live on :oops: Mrs S G quit early on citing the possibilty /probability of falling, I persevered and after a few months it clicked! I love the freedom and the challenge, it keeps me alert and engaged with the world around me.

I have a couple of better bikes now and the 'chinese ' bikes are with some friends and still going strong. Health issues knocked me out of most of last year but the other week I rode further than I have ever been (80miles). So I am on the mend. Never was interested in cycling when young, only learned to ride when I was 13/14 and chucked the bike into a hedge as soon as I could buy a motorbike. So no memory of youthful jollies but a great deal of enjoyment now. All I need is to lose some more weight and persuade the Mrs about that c/f dream machine and all will be well

Thebigbee

gbs wrote:

till...

Have a long way to go.

120k in the Surrey Hills is not "a walk in the park" but is arduous without draining the tank. I would not normally undertake more than on such ride each week and whilst I do not hang about I do reckon to stop every two hours for fuel and certainly a sitdown lunch, coffee, tea or whatever.

I reckon that a road bike with skinny tyres is 25-40% more efficient than a hybrid so take heart![/quote]

My hybrid has "skinny" tyres. Haven't used the road bike really yet because initially it didn't come with a pedal spanner - and I couldn't find a 15mm spanner.

Always the way - I have needed an Allen key in the past, have every bloody size, but the one I need.

However, got one the other day and went on a couple of mile "test drive" and was pretty disappointed by the top gear - was easily getting into it on the flat and spinning out.

I am not sure if the bike has been set up wrong or if I am doing something wrong.

It is a Specialized Allez 24 2011 - vs my Scott Sub 30 2010 hybrid with 27 gears. Will report again once I have more info - but there is no way I thought I could get into the top gear on the road bike on the flat... And be spinning out on it!!

Blacktemplar

49

Started cycling again after a 30-year break a year past in November. I'd taken up Karate the year before when my youngest started, but I was still about 2-stone overweight and needed something else to get in shape. After years of running & martial arts in my youth, my knees and back are no longer up to pounding the pavements, so cycling seemed like a good idea.

I had an old 200lb pig-iron mtb from Halfrauds which I started doing 2-3 mile loops on before work in the morning, then just decided to "go for it" and start commuting the 12 miles to work. I bought a Felt Hybrid (most expensive bike I'd ever owned) and started commuting 2-3 days a week.

Last summer I went the whole hog and splashed out on a road bike, and have never looked back. Well, apart from the 3 months I had off the bikes when I tore out my AC joint in a crash! :oops:

I'm now commuting every day - 24 mile round trip in all weathers, ride at least 50-60 miles every weekend, and have managed a couple of century rides this month. In the 10 months I've actually been riding, I've covered over 4,000 miles, have lost nearly 2 stones and am fitter than I've been since my 20's.

I've entered the Etape Caledonia, and am riding LEJOG in June over 9 days unsupported.

On the down side, I now have Lycra OCD, and have spent probably as many £££'s as I've covered miles on bikes, accessories & clothing!

Whatever your motivation, get out there and JFDI

PS I'm sitting my black belt in 2 weeks - wish me luck, I'll need it :!:

wasi1984

Well this is a superb thread to read, really enjoyed it.

My story..........

Age : 26

Always had a MTB from a young age and was a very keen cyclist up till the age of 16/17, even entered a couple of local races, finishing usually in the midfield, but not bad for a complete amateur at the time.

Anyway after football and badminton took over my sports concentration for the next few years or so Ive been lazy and am probably 2/3 stone overweight at the moment.

Bought a Giant Defy last summer, and initially after only doing the odd few rides, it got parked in the garage Yet more laziness on my part.

Anyway having moved house I dug the beast out and in a month im averaging a 7 mile commute per day, plus roughly between a 12/20 mile hill route on a Sunday.

Doing my first BIG ride for my standard tomorrow (28 miles) and massively looking forward to it.

gbs

Thebigbee wrote:

[
However, got one the other day and went on a couple of mile "test drive" and was pretty disappointed by the top gear - was easily getting into it on the flat and spinning out.

I am not sure if the bike has been set up wrong or if I am doing something wrong.

It is a Specialized Allez 24 2011 - vs my Scott Sub 30 2010 hybrid with 27 gears. Will report again once I have more info

I think you will need to clarify yr top gear ratio - I would guess at 50/13. At 120 revs/min you should record, theoretically, over 60kph. Few of us have the strength or aerodynamic efficiency (my fellow Manxman Cav excluded) to achieve that. So either my guess at yr gearing is way wrong or my calc is illfounded or, and this is unlikely, you are spinning out at less than 120rpm.

upperoilcan

36.......

Been mountain biking since the early Nineties,Raced Downhill in the mid nineties,been riding MTB'S ever since purely for pleasure,mainly Freeriding/Northshore and gaps..

After many injury's decided to go into the fitness side so got a lighter bike and started Enduro kind of rides....

Eventually the fitness side of stuff took over so i sold the MTB and bought my first road bike at the end of last year,purely to break up my running training.

And to be fair i really enjoy the road biking and am looking forward to putting a lot more miles on it during the summer.

jaythai

age 40

used to ride Grifters in the 80s.
90's no riding
odd mtb trip in the 00's
took up mtb riding again after xmas.

buying my first ever proper rd bike soon, friends of a similar age are also taking it up, i suppose its mainly to have something new to do and mix up our sports and fitness regime.

screebs

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

My introduction to cycling was due to a family holiday at the foot of the Alps in France. I was sitting in a pavement cafe with my wife, kids and in-laws watching all these cyclists sitting having a celebratory drink having just returned to the village from cycling up Mont Ventoux.

I knew nothing about cycling apart from watching the tour on Channel 4 when i was younger - Robert Millar days! So, was unaware of the history of the Giant of Provence. I hadn't had a bike since primary school days!

Don't know what came over me but i just said "i'd love to cycle up that mountain if we come back next summer". Never really thought much about it until about 4 weeks later when i was in the office and was talking to a guy from another company we did business with. He mentioned he'd been in Provence on holiday and had gone up Mont Ventoux in his car - i said "wouldn't it be great to cycle up Ventoux". he then said "how do you fancy doing it then?". i agreed there and then.

So here we had a 39 year old (me) and a 49 year old, neither of whom had bikes, agreeing to cycle up what is reputed to be one of the hardest climbs in cycling, and that's by the professionals!

So a bike was bought at the end of January 09 - about a week before my 40th birthday - and decided to get a Boardman Hybrid (through my works CTW scheme) as i might use it with the kids! LOL - if i knew then what i know now!

First ride was 7.3 miles and i came home and collapsed onto the bed, unable to move - thought i had taken on the stupidest challenge imaginable. I could hardly ride a bike nevermind tackle the French Alps. The odd game of 5-a-sides had not equipped me for this. Slowly i built up from 7 miles to 11 miles, to 13 to 15 to 22 to 25 to 34 over the period of a few months. Set myself a pre-Ventoux target of the 67 miler from Edinburgh to St Andrews 3 weeks before i went out to France. Managed that and was all set for Ventoux.

On the day of the Ventoux climb, my work colleague - he had driven over from england a day or so earlier - met me at the villa we were renting at 6am and we set out before the sun could get ferocious.

I had done little hill-training yet managed to drag myself up Ventoux without getting off and pushing! A wonderful introduction to cycling and a climb that i would love to do again. A personal achievement that at 40 i thought was probably too much but proved to myself i could do it. you can see a photo on the link below.

In just over three weeks time i have my next challenge, the 81 miles of the etape Caledonia. The Hybrid bike was sold onto to a friend last year and i got a "proper" bike on the CTW scheme (well proper to me) - a Boardman Team Carbon race bike.

I love my cycling now and this year in particular i have the bug - having cycled all through the winter, i'm loving the sunshine and fresh air. Nothing beats getting out on the bike with some new friends and enjoying the Scottish countryside.

Started off

Devon Lad

Age 18

First started cycling regularly when I grew out of my old MTB and realised it was time for a new bike I had previously never even considered getting a road bike and ignorantly viewed them more as unnecessary exotic overpriced bikes, but I thought, why not try it? and was instantly amazed by the speed and acceleration!

Previous exercise history mainly consisted of playing rugby for my nationally competitive school which cycling complemented, as after 2 mandatory sprint and extended running sessions per week for rugby all desire to run for fun had left me and cycling provided a useful source of CV fitness.

Now that the rugby has finished I am finding even more time to cycle and with cricket training more lenient I envisage much more time spent on the bike! However at 85kg i feel like a heavy cyclist, when I have always been a touch on the light side for rugby!

First Bike Trek 1.2 2011

Loved reading this thread, thanks OP

potters1863

Started age 51, which was 2 years ago.

Used to do some running but found back and hips were starting to complain too much.

Tried cycling as I used to enjoy cycling when I was younger.

Main reason for fitness and after lots of miles, great cycling and plenty of money being spent on this hobby I am totally addicted. Brilliant for fitness, fun and seeing new places to visit.

west green

Great read about your Mount Ventoux adventure Screebs, but also lots of great explanations about how everyone got the bug. Definitely given me even more inspiration to push myself to the next level!

Rich Hcp

I was 41 when I bought my roadie, I'm nearly 46 now

I'd got fed up of a slick shod MTB being too slow!

I was training to do the South Downs Way.

I'd been I'll, not seriously, but enough to scare me in to looking after myself, I was several stone overweight and decided to sort myself out and I started training for the SDW.

So I do it for myself & family.

Now I cycle to stay reasonably fit.

Ive done a few charity rides, including a 100 miler last year 8)

I think the beginners section suits me because I'm not going to race or anything.

I still ride the trails, but prefer the roads.

I was doing this before it became fashionable

I'll be riding bikes until I'm in my box

-steves-

Lets see.....

Age now 42....

Smoked for 30 years, gave up last Nov (2010) and put on considerable weight over the next 2 months. Decided I needed to do some exercise and get fit to lose some weight, I used to cycle when I was younger (MUCH YOUNGER!!!!) like 17 and prior to getting a motorcycle and cars!. I thought this was the quick route, how wrong was I. :oops:

I started on the 8th of Jan this year at the age of 41 and could only manage 1 mile before being out of breath, had a stitch (didnt even know that was possible on a bike) and this was at a flat out speed on my step dads mountain bike on a flat road at just under 8mph, yup, I was seriously a couch potato of the large kind and had not exercised for 25 years. :oops:

The last 3 months have seen an amazing change in me, my attitude and health. I can now walk as far as I like at just over 4mph, and this weekend I managed a 30 mile ride (calm and fairly flat) at a whopping (for me) 17.6 mph average. This was way more than I could have ever hoped for 3 months ago. I have lost over 2 stone since then and have dropped over 4 inches in jeans size (was a very tight 38" waist now down to a very lose 34" waist and still dropping

Early feb I went out and treated myself to a road bike as I thought it must be my step dads crappy bike making me out of breath and so slow, LOL :roll: I bought a bottom of the range Specialized Sectuer and can honestly say its the best £400 I have ever spent, I love that bike, it may not have a 105 set on it, it may not be carbon, but I love riding it and I cant wait to see where this journey goes to through the coming years

Hoping to one day be able to get to a 20MPH average over 20 miles. It seemed impossable at first, but as time moves on, who knows, one day my 17.6 average might just make to 20mph :shock: A long way to go, but who knows.......

P.S. SO far since 27th Jan I have managed 832 miles on the bike all tracked online by GPS and loving it

jus71n

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

36, general fitness mainly

A little cycling last year but a lot more this year, just seem to have got the bug (gets expensive though) just done my 1st 50 mile+ ride ever. and did 120 miles in total last week, always kept in shape, running weights, situps and punch bag.

Carrera Fury - now sold
Kona PHD 2009
Ribble - Sportive bianco

Embee83

Started this year, aged 27.

Thebigbee

-steves- wrote:

Lets see.....

Age now 42....

Smoked for 30 years, gave up last Nov (2010) and put on considerable weight over the next 2 months. Decided I needed to do some exercise and get fit to lose some weight, I used to cycle when I was younger (MUCH YOUNGER!!!!) like 17 and prior to getting a motorcycle and cars!. I thought this was the quick route, how wrong was I. :oops:

Jeez - smoked for 30 years, since you were 12!!!

Gives me hope I suppose - am only 32 and have smoked for 17 of them. How did you give it up?