Another first on a bike ride :)

-steves-

Just thought I would post up my mini achievment as I was rather proud of myself this morning.

For those that dont know, I am 42 years old, smoked for 30 years, gave up 5 months ago, piled on loads of weight and decided to use cycling to lose it again and to get fit as I was a couch potato for 25 years :oops: Anyway, in January I started cycling a whole mile, with stitches and sweating on freezing cold days, managaing once a week as I was too sore to sit down before 5 days. Over the last few months I have built myself up to 20 and more recently 30 mile rides at averages around 17.5 to 17.6 mph on calm days with few hills around here, so yes, its easy going.

This morning saw me make a massive break through, I done my first 50 miler, all be in on the flat mainly and without much wind about either. I managed 50.09 miles in 2h:53m:49s. so was rather pleased with my 17.3mph average, all be it in easy conditions.

I am so pleased I have started cycling, looking forward to the day where I can do 50 miles and still be able to walk at some point during the day as today my knees have been proper painful, lol and thats without clipless pedals ....

Sorry to post it up and bother you all, but like I said, for me personally, I am very very pleased and had to tell someone, lol

Anonymous

Fair play to you.

I also started cycling when I gave up smocking and put on weight.

I think that starting to cycle actualy stoped me fropm starting on the fags again as I kept telling myself the hard work I'd done onj the bike would be pretty pointless if I buggered up my lungs again.

-steves-

RichardSwt wrote:

Fair play to you.

I also started cycling when I gave up smocking and put on weight.

I think that starting to cycle actualy stoped me fropm starting on the fags again as I kept telling myself the hard work I'd done onj the bike would be pretty pointless if I buggered up my lungs again.

Yup, fair point I certainly have no intent to start again, and from day 2 onwards I actually found it very easy to pack in, suprisingly easy, I guess it was just the "right time" for me.

jgsi

Sounds really good progress... just that cycling being load bearing should not impact on the knee joints whatsoever.. so have a think about getting someone to check over your bike setup and riding position....

-steves-

JGSI wrote:

Sounds really good progress... just that cycling being load bearing should not impact on the knee joints whatsoever.. so have a think about getting someone to check over your bike setup and riding position....

I understand exactly what you mean on the knees, though the truth of it is, I had to cycle because my knees are pretty well knackered from working on cars in my early years. I am working on where to get a bike fit locally, and currently reading a document found from this site about how to get a rough bike fit from home. I am also working on getting a clipless setup over the next few weeks...... hopefully I think my kness just ache as they are not used to being used for nearly 3 hours in one go, lol Hopefully things will get easier. i appreciate the adivce on getting a bike fit, thank you

cornerblock

Good on you for doing lots of positive things. Gave up the disgusting weed in January myself, never felt better. If you carry on doing those kind of distances at a similar average speed, the weight will just fall away rapidly. And never worry about bothering anyone, you might inspire somebody instead.

-steves-

Cornerblock wrote:

Good on you for doing lots of positive things. Gave up the disgusting weed in January myself, never felt better. If you carry on doing those kind of distances at a similar average speed, the weight will just fall away rapidly. And never worry about bothering anyone, you might inspire somebody instead.

Cheers cornerblock, if anyone needs and inspiration, how about I have already managed to lose way over 2 stone in less than 4 months, and gone from a very tight 38" jeans to a lose 34" jeans, and if anyone needs any more, its changed my entire outlook, which is way more positive and a can do approach, as well as being able to now kick a football about with my 8 year old step son, which 6 months ago I could not have dreamed of

Its great, so glad life has taken such a positve turn

Lycra Man

Steves - that really is inspirational.

But beware, cycling is addictive.

In 2003 I was callenged to do a 50 mile charity ride by my then boss, which I did.

Since then, I have been cycling regularly, and my next event this coming Saturday is a 400k ride from Chalfont St Peter to Chepstow and back.

So keep it up, and you never know what might happen!!

Lycra Man

cornerblock

-steves- wrote:

Cornerblock wrote:

Good on you for doing lots of positive things. Gave up the disgusting weed in January myself, never felt better. If you carry on doing those kind of distances at a similar average speed, the weight will just fall away rapidly. And never worry about bothering anyone, you might inspire somebody instead.

Cheers cornerblock, if anyone needs and inspiration, how about I have already managed to lose way over 2 stone in less than 4 months, and gone from a very tight 38" jeans to a lose 34" jeans, and if anyone needs any more, its changed my entire outlook, which is way more positive and a can do approach, as well as being able to now kick a football about with my 8 year old step son, which 6 months ago I could not have dreamed of

Its great, so glad life has taken such a positve turn

2 stone in less than 4 months, superb. One of the many reasons I love cycling, apart from the physical benefits, is it really can improve our attitude to life in general. Probably goes for all exercise but I really believe a healthy body makes a healthy mind. And by the sound of it, it's not just you that is benefitting, but your step son too. Everyone's a winner. Nice one.

mattshrops

well done steves

ive been wondering lately why it is that i love cycling so much when it does involve quite a lot of pain?

maybe partly having some targets to beat (and beating them), a little bit the physical improvements to myself. But i think mainly its just the feeling of being out in the countryside and flying along(relatively speaking) under my own steam.freedom and pure exhiliration.
keep on keeping on.

carl_p

Good effort and decent average speed too. I manage to convince myself that whilst the Anglia region is flat you are always pedalling - no descents to free wheel down

If you are thinking of going clipless then think carefully about which type, especially with your dodgy knees. Choose some with plenty of float such as Speedplay or Look.

si2k2000

Great effort Steve, its always great to read stories like this and proves that if you make the effort its never too late to make a positive change and see real results.

I wouldn't worry about thinking its easy going. 50 miles is 50 miles and is always an achievement.

Personally I wouldn't get too wrapped up in a proper bike fit as a decent bike shop should be able to advise on fit just from looking at you on the bike. I have had friends in the past who have paid £50 for a proper bike fit and it has still not resolved their problems, then a chance chat in another bike shop and the mechanic sorted out the problem just from looking at my friend on his bike.

Peddle Up!

Fantastic! Keep it up.

MrBibble

Great results everyone, keep it up!!

Did a personal best for me this weekend, managed to break my thirty mile barrier and hit just over 41miles!! Also i live at the top of a fairly steep hill in Stroud and i normally take the easy option but decided to take the hard full length route. Took an energy gel thingy about two miles from the hill and rather proudly of myself rode up all the way at a nice steady pace!

Chuffed

Chris87

Nice one on hitting 50, hoping to do the same myself soon as well!

-steves-

Chris87 wrote:

Nice one on hitting 50, hoping to do the same myself soon as well!

Cheers Chris Best of luck with the 50 when you go to do it, for me it was so much harder than the 30's I had aready done, not sure why, maybe I was going too hard and should have paced myself better, lol

What I can say is this, the feeling of satisfaction and joy when you complete it, far outways any discomfort or pain I had on the way round, all very very well worth it for me.

Go for it Chris and and enjoy Let us know how you get on

-steves-

MrBibble wrote:

Great results everyone, keep it up!!

Did a personal best for me this weekend, managed to break my thirty mile barrier and hit just over 41miles!! Also i live at the top of a fairly steep hill in Stroud and i normally take the easy option but decided to take the hard full length route. Took an energy gel thingy about two miles from the hill and rather proudly of myself rode up all the way at a nice steady pace!

Chuffed

Hey MrBibble, well done on the 41 miles, thats awesome going, especially with some major hills about, I was lucky enough not to have any of those, lol. Up till this 50 miler yesterday for me, my best was at 32 miles, which I had only done about 3 times previously, up till then I had done about six, 20 milers, so progress seemed thick and fast. I am not sure where I go from here as 100 miles just seems impossible due to time to do the training for it and time for personal reasons to get out there and do it. Fot the moment, the thought of doing what I did yesterday, and then doing it all over again, well it just makes my body cringe with pain, lol I think for now I will stick to the 30 milers until they become less painful, then maybe, just maybe think about doing a 50 miler again one day, lol

Well done to everyone, the stories on here of sucsess and the achievments people have done are truely amazing

-steves-

si2k2000 wrote:

Great effort Steve, its always great to read stories like this and proves that if you make the effort its never too late to make a positive change and see real results.

I wouldn't worry about thinking its easy going. 50 miles is 50 miles and is always an achievement.

Personally I wouldn't get too wrapped up in a proper bike fit as a decent bike shop should be able to advise on fit just from looking at you on the bike. I have had friends in the past who have paid £50 for a proper bike fit and it has still not resolved their problems, then a chance chat in another bike shop and the mechanic sorted out the problem just from looking at my friend on his bike.

Thank you As you say 50 miles is 50 miles, but I am aware some are harder than other, it does not take away any of the joy of the achiement and I am probably more chuffed today then yesterday as it does not hurt as much, lol

I was hoping someone would say that about a bike fit, or at least similar, as I don't mind paying for something I truely need, but if its not desperately needed then I would rather save my money. Best I start looking around local shops to see if we have any friendly, knowledgable mechanics, lol.

lucan

Well done Steve.

It's posts (and achievements) like yours that inspire the rest of us mortals to get out and ride.

Keep it up.

Big Hairy Wallapers

Well done mate,
I was feeling pretty impressed with myself as I had a 250mile week including 115mile run out on Sunday and an uber hilly 72mile lake district loop on Friday but I'm more impressed with your achievements than mine.
So much so I'm going to force my wife to read this thread, I'd love her to kick the cancer sticks but realise she'll only do it when she's motivated and not because anyone tells her to.
Fingers crossed your achievement flicks that switch in her head!!!

Well done.

Clank

Awesome stuff!

Steves - nice. 8)

Mr Bibble - doing well. 8)

Lycra man - like it. 8)

Three different people, three different achievments at three different points in the great cycling timeline - equally as inspirational.

Cheers for sharing guys.

Peddle Up!

Big Hairy Wallapers wrote:

I'd love her to kick the cancer sticks but realise she'll only do it when she's motivated and not because anyone tells her to.

They don't always kill you, but I've seen too many smoker friends suddenly age prematurely in terms of looks and stamina, and it's something you can't easily rewind by giving up.