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Cycling Forum: Complete newbie - go easy on me...

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    • CommentAuthorFree Memberaribbans
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2008
     
    aribbans

    Hi, Andy here. Just started riding regularly - 18 hilly miles a day commuting to work in the City of London. Have bought a Marin Larkspur which seems to be holding up well, and am learning the ropes quite well.

     Couple of questions though. Firstly, where can I cut time out of my ride? I've already cut it from 65 to 45 minutes but now the law of diminishing returns in kicking in. I think I've got the gears pretty sorted, I'm good at changing down for hills and wind etc so that my cadence stays pretty high (although I'll confess to using more power than speed - after all I'm an ex rugby player weighing 17 stone!). I'd be pleased to know what suggestions people have for saving time - or indeed if it's possible.

     Secondly, I know nothing about bikes. I get on, point it in the right direction and push the pedals until I have to stop. But I see on here people going on about number of teeth, chain length, frame setup, cleat position etc and I feel totally out of my depth. Is this a problem? Do I need to understand all this to get the most out of riding? 

     And finally... (I promise) how much equipment should I get? I currently have: bike (duh); lock (good quality and strength), pump, helmet; lights (old fashioned bulb type, though I'll probably get some LEDs soon); I ride with a backpack which is fine. Do I need anything else? Also I don't have any lycra, only old football and casual shorts which I wear with cotton vests/t-shirts. Am I missing loads of stuff which is going to cost a fortune (two kids and a wife so budget is reasonably limited!)

    Anyhow, thanks for listening, and for any advice. I'm loving the riding but just want  to know how much more I have to spend (!) to be doing it properly

     

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdalbany992
    • CommentTimeSep 30th 2008
     
    dalbany992

    sounds to me your doing everything right. keep on biking!

     

  3.  
    Moore121135
    If you're smiling at the end of your rides you certainly are doing something right.  Pursue the stuff you mentioned if it is of interest.  If not   - - -forget it and ride on.  Too many folks get caught up in the equipment and forget about how to enjoy the ride and other riders.
    • CommentAuthorFree Membermwineman
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2008
     
    mwineman
    In the speed/efficiency category, I might recommend a set of clip-in pedals (along with the requisite shoes). Having your feet connected to the pedals will enable you to get more out of each pedal stroke. With your feet clipped to the pedals, you can spin (as opposed to stomp on) your pedals and direct more of your pedaling motion (energy) to your forward momentum.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjampublic
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2008
     
    jampublic

    A hilly 18 miles sounds fun for a commute! Wink 

    Like everyone has said as long as your smiling at the end of the a ride, your doing it right!

    Mwineman suggesting clip in pedals is a good call, take sum getting use too normally at your own expense!  Not saying you will fall over with your feet still clipped in, of course I am not talking from experience! Embarassed

    As for gear, you can never has enought!  You will develop a slight taste for gear, don't worry thats only a matter of time! Tongue out Then its all down hill, ha ha LED lights, BIB shorts, Clear lens glasses, a Bianchi road bike for the sunny weekends, LEG warmers, WINTER gloves, WINTER shoes, WINTER tights & an extra rear light with 7 LED's! All because you need it... and you will Innocent

    ENJOY

     P.S  just waiting in the office for my wiggle delivery to arrive!! New LED lights! Tongue out

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberKGBIII
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2008
     
    KGBIII

    18 miles in 45 minutes!!!  Dude, that's really good, especially for a beginner.  I have a 23 mile roundtrip commute (11.5 miles each way) and it takes me anywhere from 50 to 40 minutes each way, depending on how I'm feeling, so I'm impressed with your 45 minutes.

     

    Sounds like you're doing fine.  most of the stuff you ask about concerning gear and such is just preference.  You'll figure out what works for you. 

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberaribbans
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2008
     
    aribbans
    Oops! I should have clarified that it's an 18 mile round trip - 9 and a bit there in the morning, and 9 and a bit home in the evening! Suddenly 45 minutes doesn't seem so hot, does it? In my defence, there's about 200 feet of climbing on the way there and nearly 300 on the way home...
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjampublic
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2008
     
    jampublic

    I knew that, KGBIII just didn't read your post properly! Sealed

     Opps

    On a completely invelant note my new glasses arrived today, dam they are great and beat wearing sunglasses at night!Cool

    Gear whore. (me) 

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberaribbans
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2008
     
    aribbans

    As people are saying that gear is reasonably important, do you have a good recommendation for reasonably priced good quality stuff - ideally from the UK? And any recommendations for the following:

    gloves

    long tops/bottoms

    cycle computer

    lights

     

    thanks!

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjampublic
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2008
     
    jampublic

    Well gear is important, you have to use it every day!  Tongue out

    I tend to shop online with the likes of wiggle.co.uk & ukbikestore.co.uk mostly.  Wiggle has alot of tried & tested information from magazines etc, so i fine this helps make my deicisions easier! Smile

    Not shopped for the computer yet, but have had suggestions that POLAR is a must!  Having said that the POLAR isn't a cheap option, min cost with heart rate monitor is £75! Embarassed

     Good luck

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdino1300
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2008
     
    dino1300

    If there is still some, get allong to ALDI.

    I have just (litrally) started to ride again, and i need to get up to 12.5 miles each way. So i bought myself some clothes.  There are winter trousers with a seat pad for £10. top £15. shirts, waterproofs, etc.

    Clip on shoes for £20 as well

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberKGBIII
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2008
     
    KGBIII

    Gear is somewhat important.  There are certain things you need, and then some things you don't.  For instance, for commuting only, you don't need a computer.  As long as you have a watch.  I'm not saying you shouldn't get one, though.  Up to you.  As I'm sure you're finding out, cycling stuff is expensive.  No sense in going overboard, unless you have a lot of disposable income and just like buying stuff. 

     Anyway, it's all up to you, and the longer you ride, the more you will come to see for yourself what you need and don't need.

     I started riding about a year and a half ago.  I had a really old Raleigh Technium (circa 1984) a helmet, a pair of gloves and a water bottle.  That's it.  I was as happy as can be.  But as I rode and gained more experienced, I gradually figured out what other things I needed and what I didn't.

     Sorry about misreading your post.  I just thought you were super talented!  Now, you're just doing good.  45 minutes for a hilly 9 miles is great.  Don't feel bad.  My 11.5 mile ride that I do in 40 or so minutes is super flat and easy.  I don't go all out, I just go around 15, 16 mph.  It's a commute, not a race.  So, yeah, you're doing great.

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberMoniquita
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2008
     
    Moniquita
    Hey there-I'm Ladyrider2003, New since January and have been riding to get healthy.  I've put on a lot of weight since not exercising.  I started back in January 08 and have lost 20lbs and have much to go.So what is a healthy meal that would energize me while riding 20-40 miles in a day over the weekend?  I rode 50 hilly miles and about killed myself in Rosarito Beach/Ensenada Beach in Baja California last Saturday. I’m planning another trip in Late November for two weeks and will ride approximately 260 miles from the most northern California mission to stop at least 10 of the California Missions once I'm done.Anyone one got any suggestion for that trip:  Need to be equipped and self contained for the most part to camp out at most of the stops over night?Anyway thanks for reading my input. 

    Ladyrider...

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjampublic
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2008 edited
     
    jampublic

    Wish I could help, I have no idea! I am a seasoned camper, but never combined the two for a trip like this! Embarassed

    But I take a guess a tent & sleeping bag might help..Tongue out

    Sounds like a mini adventure, you might want to look for a better section to mention this in!  You might get help comments, rather than me!

    Enjoy

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberchillijo1
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2008
     
    chillijo1

    Hi, if you're planning on carrying all your gear,food camping stuff.... look at trailers the BOB Yak  is a great piece of kit, I've used it on a coast to coast and planning on British Isles End to End next summer...if we get a summerSmile that is!

    There really well built, light and much better than carrying your gear on your back! Hope this helps.

    • CommentAuthorFree Membertcfraze
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2008
     
    tcfraze

    Newbie, you are doing great! Off the butt is how we start all good things. I finally did it myself this summer after seeing too many photo's of myself (turned 45 weighed 260+). Summer flashes by in Minnesota and I still got a few hundred miles to get out before the weather changes the game. 
     

    You can find great deals on line for clipless shoes/pedal combo deals (just google) it's the best new thing I have tried and they really make a difference (jampublic is right, there is no way to look cool while getting used to those things though. I am no slave to fashion so I just wear what is comfortable for the weather, maybe someday the lycra might be ok, but for now I would just look like someone who "escaped" from somewhere haha. And to Ladyrider 2003, the trailer would be a huge plus if you were camping . Ask around someone has one and they cant be using it all the time.

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