Monthly Archives: May 2014

It Starts to get Real

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Braved it today and did my first ride out from home. On roads. With traffic. So very scary, and way, way different on the tarmac in the rain from my lovely rides in safe reserves. Rubbish at tackling the hills too. I simply have no idea how to manage the gears, making it extra hard for my incredibly unfit body.

I guess I just have to keep biting the bullet and practise, practise, practise.

A ride round the block turns out to be 2 miles, and it has proved I can easily cycle to Slimming World so at least not all is bad, even if today left me wheezing, ready to barf and unable to speak for a while.

The butt mufflers, however, are a massive hit. Money well spent there.

Need to get my head down to be ready for the bike maintenance workshop tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be a little better informed after that.

Butt Mufflers

Posted in Cycling by

Well, proud though I am off my exertions yesterday, my poor bum is really feeling it now! I have been persuaded I need help, in the form of padded cycling shorts. Fortunately, the sports shop a hop and skip from work has them on a 2 for 19 quid offer, so at least I won’t have wasted a shed load if they don’t help.

Now I just need to stop feeling sore enough to contemplate jumping back in the saddle. But not today.

Making the Most of It

Posted in Cycling, Slimming World by

Yay! Our annual week of summer’s finally here so it’s lovely with the warm temperatures and light nights to be able to make the most of it.

Been out on the bike again to Attenborough and doubled, yes doubled, my previous distance, travelling a massive 4.63 miles. I do know that’s not really very far in the grand scheme of things but that’s huge for me. Just 7 days ago I got on a bike for the first time in 25 years and struggled to set off! My confidence at starting pedalling has grown enormously already. I don’t think it’d be an issue for me now, whoever was watching. I’m also beginning to feel much more in control of the bike, it doesn’t seem quite so heavy and I’m a lot happier when passing pedestrians and moving through the “slow down” gates.

Need so much more practice though. On stopping I took on water but just felt sick and my heart rate was up to 118, damn you phone app! But I gave it 10 minutes and things returned to normal. I guess I just have to work through it and do a bit longer each time. 39 minutes of cycling from nothing in a week has to be OK?

In better news I’ve realised I’ve an extra week to get up to the magic 25 miles, so I’m aiming next Sunday for 9-10 miles. If I can achieve this I can start to consider cycling home from work after my annual leave.

And perhaps I’ll get a weight loss boost. Losing just a half pound this week needs some work.

Weight loss – 33.5 lbs
Longest ride – 4.63 miles
Longest duration – 39 mins