So will it become a hobby? Or a 'drug'?

[Slaav]

So just picked up my first bike in maybe 26 years!

Planning on 8/10 miles tomorrow and then build from there....

Will some sort of 'bug' bite and it's all downhill from here

[RRS_Staffs]

I got on a bike after a similar gap 4y ago

The first time I rode it I swore it didnt have enough gears, it hurt my back and my legs ached so much that I couldnt get out of the bath afterwards

4y later on Ive got the world at my feet Im up eating Frosties at 730AM on a Sunday with the rest of the house in bed before meeting a couple of pals

Last Sunday I was on my own so was out an hour earlier and did 90km through rain,sleet and wind

I feel great and have also lost a fair amount of weight - my old suits dont fit but naturally my jeans do as I never changed my waist size even though it hurt

TBH I find biking more fun than driving these days
This is certainly influenced by my local roads and trails being perfect for bikes yet too heavily policed to drive like I did when I was single!

There is also a whole heap of gear and 'stuff' to get into
Moreover even if you go bonkers at your local bike shop and walk out with something expensive it will realistically be cheaper than the depreciation on a new Yaris

So enjoy

[Slaav]

Just got back from an hour ride this morning on the new toy.

Still a little chilly and cold for me but I do feel slightly sanctimonious....

Bl00dy shattered after only an hour but from small car design studios do great marques grow! (See what I did there...)

So that's enough for this weekend (those saddles werent like that 24 years ago) and couple of boris bikes during the week.

Question is; will I be looking forward to nest weekend and taking it out again or dreading it?



ps - Need to be capable of a 3 day 200km ride in 10 weeks so any tips much appreciated!!!

[mcelliott]

Slaav said:

Need to be capable of a 3 day 200km ride in 10 weeks so any tips much appreciated!!!

Lots of steady rides, throw in a few hills as well, and about 2/3 hours in duration - should set you up ok.

Just got back from a lumpy ride myself, here's a few figures for anyone remotely interested.

Overall
Time: 01:46:45
Distance: 30.51 mi
Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft
Calories: 2,021 C

Speed
Avg Speed: 17.1 mph
Max Speed: 39.4 mph

Heart Rate
Avg HR: 160 bpm
Max HR: 182 bpm

Edited by mcelliott on Sunday 6th March 12:42

[RRS_Staffs]

Slaav said:

ps - Need to be capable of a 3 day 200km ride in 10 weeks so any tips much appreciated!!!

Padded shorts - utterly seriously!

10 weeks isnt long however 70km a day should be OK if you take it easy and get some sneaky practice in beforehand

I was honestly completely unfit when I started back on a bike
You just cannot be as breathless and useless as I was
Ride a couple of times a week and build up your endurance/distance and you will be fine


PS Here are my stats from today:
Average speed 14.6mph
Distance 53 miles
Total climb 5108 feet
Average HR 138 - I was out with the slow lads

Edited by RRS_Staffs on Sunday 6th March 14:13

[Slaav]

Thanks guys - a little encouragment is much appreciated - Mrs Slaav has said - "you are mad" and "no chance" enough times...

Padded shorts - check
Sore 4rse - check
Wish I had cycled further this morning - check

My aim was to go to the next pub along the valley from where I turned around. On the way back, apart from two hills, it was pretty much a free wheel back down into the valley so got all the way back in maybe 10 or 13 mins or so.

Am already now thinking of what I will attempt next Friday when back out of teh big smoke! SAD