Despite riding in the Vagabond’s 30 mile Easyrider club run on Saturday, the sun on Sunday was too tempting. The intention was to do 10-15 miles just to stop my legs getting too stiff, but I ended up doing another 30 miles.
I left the house planning on finding a route to Ponteland so I didn’t need to take the bike in my extremely small car. I got to Pont and felt ok and before I knew it, I was in Belsay! From Belsay I tried to retrace the route from Saturday, but took a left instead of a right and ended up in Walton. From there I was a bit lost, so followed the signs to Pont and went through Ogle and over some horrid roads back to Pont.
The last 10 ten miles my legs felt like jelly - let’s not forget the most I had previously done was one 40 mile ride on the turbo trainer, this was 60 miles outside over 2 days. Not much for a seasoned club rider, but for yours truly it meant everything hurt.
Today I’m stiff, and it looks like I’ve finally caught a cold (it’s been over a year since my last I think). On top of that, my right hand Veloce shifter has “lost” it’s indexing, so rear mech shifting is now hit and miss.
Still, even if I have to get the heavy Orbea out, I’m riding on Saturday come rain or shine!
Just wanted to say thanks for the blog. I’ve been enjoying reading it being new to cycling myself. I’ve been cycling for about a month so far, only doing a few miles a day, but slowly feeling more comfortable with it (I’m very unfit, being, until last year, a smoker for 25 years). This weekend I did my first 10 miler! Not far I know, but it felt like it to me! - My excuse is that it’s very hilly where I live!
Anyway, thanks for the blog.
Hey Adam,
Thank you for leaving your comments!
I’m glad you enjoy it - cycling can be an extremely daunting prospect. It certainly was for me, but I’ve found that even at my low level of fitness there are plenty of like mind people I can cycle with.
It’s important too after giving up smoking you exercise, because smoking raises the body’s metabolism. Once you stop smoking, your metabolism drops, and that’s why so many ex smokers put on weight!
My advice to you is to slowly build up the miles, and as soon as you can, join a cycling club. The members are friendly and helpful, and you learn all sorts just from riding in the group and listening, watching and trying out new stuff.
Don’t knock the fact you only did 10 miles. When I first started, I could barely manage 5 miles on my turbo trainer. I’m still only just under 18 stone but this weekend I did a 37 mile club ride at an average speed of 14.5 mph, something I never even dreamed of last June! My big goal was the Great North Bike Ride, and now I’m looking forward beyond that to next Spring to hopefully compete in some 10 mile time trials!
Your legs and backside soon get used to the abuse, and 10 miles will become 20, 20 will become 30, and so on.
Good luck and please keep me posted!
James