Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2014 22:45:33 GMT
So after not getting on my bike since July 9th due to a mix of laziness/lack of confidence and work (mainly the laziness/lack of confidence though) I set off on a little ride again tonight. Only a single lap of Richmond Park but I'm really unfit so just trying to build up fitness to begin with and I do it late in the evening when there's little traffic so not a lot of time for multiple laps at the moment. And well after the initial feel good factor of being out again it felt like a terrible ride.
The negatives:
- About 10 mins in I went over a speed bump and my newly adjusted handlebars dropped forwards nearly sending me over the top. It wasn't until I was nearly the ned of the ride after I'd been holding them up right all ride that I realised I had my new multi tool with me and could easily have sorted it out!
- About 1km before I exited the park the front derailleur started making a rubbing noise so I attempted to shift to see if it sorted it only to have the chain come off. It was at this point I remembered I had my tool kit with me but I forgot to put in my gloves! Cue mucky hands and a few minutes trying to get it back on for the first time.
- Still had trouble with a standing start on uphills trying to clip in my second foot. Ive learnt to keep the foot that stays clipped at 12 o'clock to aid pushing off but always end up basically cycling one footed while trying to clip in/pushing off the ground with the other foot. Something to practice.
- My cleats still aren't adjusted right and so was getting cramp by the end and had nothing to push my toes against.
- The stock saddle isn't great for me. Was feeling a little numb by the end.
So after all that I didn't feel great but then I thought about it.
Positives
- Was only 1:15 off my fastest lap time even with the mechanical and not riding that hard due to the handlebars.
- I went the fastest I've ever been on a bike... and I liked it!
- I climbed Dark Hill the whole way out of the saddle for the first time. I was knackered when I got to the top but went up 30 seconds quicker than I ever had before.
- I feel great about myself. After a nice cold shower I went for a short walk and I felt fantastic.
- I can't wait to get back in the saddle tomorrow!
So overall I'm loving cycling and just need to get more motivated to get out more. I enjoy just the fun of cycling but Strava just keeps me mentally interested and a guide to if my fitness is improving. But the most important thing I learnt today was that even when things don't feel like they're going well, just being out on a bike and riding is fun!
The negatives:
- About 10 mins in I went over a speed bump and my newly adjusted handlebars dropped forwards nearly sending me over the top. It wasn't until I was nearly the ned of the ride after I'd been holding them up right all ride that I realised I had my new multi tool with me and could easily have sorted it out!
- About 1km before I exited the park the front derailleur started making a rubbing noise so I attempted to shift to see if it sorted it only to have the chain come off. It was at this point I remembered I had my tool kit with me but I forgot to put in my gloves! Cue mucky hands and a few minutes trying to get it back on for the first time.
- Still had trouble with a standing start on uphills trying to clip in my second foot. Ive learnt to keep the foot that stays clipped at 12 o'clock to aid pushing off but always end up basically cycling one footed while trying to clip in/pushing off the ground with the other foot. Something to practice.
- My cleats still aren't adjusted right and so was getting cramp by the end and had nothing to push my toes against.
- The stock saddle isn't great for me. Was feeling a little numb by the end.
So after all that I didn't feel great but then I thought about it.
Positives
- Was only 1:15 off my fastest lap time even with the mechanical and not riding that hard due to the handlebars.
- I went the fastest I've ever been on a bike... and I liked it!
- I climbed Dark Hill the whole way out of the saddle for the first time. I was knackered when I got to the top but went up 30 seconds quicker than I ever had before.
- I feel great about myself. After a nice cold shower I went for a short walk and I felt fantastic.
- I can't wait to get back in the saddle tomorrow!
So overall I'm loving cycling and just need to get more motivated to get out more. I enjoy just the fun of cycling but Strava just keeps me mentally interested and a guide to if my fitness is improving. But the most important thing I learnt today was that even when things don't feel like they're going well, just being out on a bike and riding is fun!