Beginner - First Ever Road Ride

[dexterdent]

Bellevue on your first ride?  I think you need a sponsor

 

I got 80% of the way up on my mtb before lying under a tree for 5 minutes. On the road bike only about 50% so far. I also reallllyyyy want to finish Molteno Road without turning into the side streets to build up some momentum at every opportunity.

 

I was used to Modderfontein in JHB where a mountain is something you can throw a rock over and you could free up a hill.

[Zamorano]

Update-

 

Slight progress from last weeks ride.

 

Huffed and puffed and managed 5.7km.

Slow progress but hey its an improvement from last week. Ill take it

[Lurch the stalker]

Huffed and puffed and managed 5.7km.

Slow progress but hey its an improvement from last week. Ill take it

5.8km more than a lot of other people did.

Take the small victory.

[Casadam]

Hi Zamarano, 

Well done on our first ride 

I am 63 and have just started cycling

Managed 104.5 km this weekend and really enjoyed it.

Keep peddaling and you will overcome all your obstacles

Rgerads

casadam48

[Zamorano]

Hi Zamarano, 

Well done on our first ride 

I am 63 and have just started cycling

Managed 104.5 km this weekend and really enjoyed it.

Keep peddaling and you will overcome all your obstacles

Rgerads

casadam48

Wow, well done 

[Robbie Stewart]

After popping back on to the tar on Saturday after about 4 hours between vineyards and single track, I was passed by a roadie going at a furious pace. I was content to watch him disappear, knowing while he was clocking the kays, I was bombing the trails.

this is why I absolutely lurv MTB. I can ride on tar if I want, but a road bike can't go where I went.

***not lambasting road bikes, just an observation. If road biking is anything like spinning, I guess it would be fun, if it were not for the stupid traffic.***

[Martin Chitura]

Great comments guys keep them coming. I started 4 weeks ago using a friends bike for the first 2 weeks and now with my own the last 2.

 

My friend had tried getting me to start riding so he lent me his bike for 2 weeks. First problem is his bike was large so really aggravated the groin area and was an uncomfortable ride. I had also bought large shots and bibs so the chaffing was really bad.

 

Undeterred and determined to race in the 947 I bought my own Medium bike which is a much better ride. The chaffing was so painful though. Another mate suggested I use baby bum cream to heal it and going forward a combination of baby bum cream and chafing cream which I must say has worked wonders.

 

From a mileage perspective I did 35km on my first ride and 52km on my second ride using my friends bike. On my new bike I did 55km on my first ride (1st time with cleats too) and then 26km this last weekend.

 

It may seam like a shorter ride but I was learning cadence. Very short and frustrating lesson but my thighs suffered less due to pull and push. Will focus on cadence for the remainder of the week.

 

I currently ride mainly at the cradle and it pretty safe in most parts. My first 80km race will be the Harties Med and then the Tswana classic. These will be prep for 947.

 

In between I will so shorter 40km races for time, so will push myself here.

 

I am loving it, apparel is far from cheap but will be patient and keep racking up he mileage.

[Zamorano]

Great comments guys keep them coming. I started 4 weeks ago using a friends bike for the first 2 weeks and now with my own the last 2.

 

My friend had tried getting me to start riding so he lent me his bike for 2 weeks. First problem is his bike was large so really aggravated the groin area and was an uncomfortable ride. I had also bought large shots and bibs so the chaffing was really bad.

 

Undeterred and determined to race in the 947 I bought my own Medium bike which is a much better ride. The chaffing was so painful though. Another mate suggested I use baby bum cream to heal it and going forward a combination of baby bum cream and chafing cream which I must say has worked wonders.

 

From a mileage perspective I did 35km on my first ride and 52km on my second ride using my friends bike. On my new bike I did 55km on my first ride (1st time with cleats too) and then 26km this last weekend.

 

It may seam like a shorter ride but I was learning cadence. Very short and frustrating lesson but my thighs suffered less due to pull and push. Will focus on cadence for the remainder of the week.

 

I currently ride mainly at the cradle and it pretty safe in most parts. My first 80km race will be the Harties Med and then the Tswana classic. These will be prep for 947.

 

In between I will so shorter 40km races for time, so will push myself here.

 

I am loving it, apparel is far from cheap but will be patient and keep racking up he mileage.

Wow, are you sure that you have just started recently?

You making my 5.8 km rides seem like a pre-schooler. Good on you mate, well done!!!

[Martin Chitura]

Wow, are you sure that you have just started recently?

You making my 5.8 km rides seem like a pre-schooler. Good on you mate, well done!!!

[Martin Chitura]

I will be honest I used to do crossfit so legs are strong but cardio is a bit out. I was in major pain and found Epsom salts help a lot after. Will be doing a lot of shorter distances during the week focused on form and cadence consistency. Average speed is currently 19km/h need to work on my hill speeds as I am struggling with gear selection and ultimately momentum from a down hill. I am hooked.

 

Tip for bibs get a size smaller the gel pad need to be tight with minimal movement.

 

Baby bum cream is a must,

[Martin Chitura]

Download strava

[Robbie Stewart]

I will be honest I used to do crossfit so legs are strong but cardio is a bit out. I was in major pain and found Epsom salts help a lot after. Will be doing a lot of shorter distances during the week focused on form and cadence consistency. Average speed is currently 19km/h need to work on my hill speeds as I am struggling with gear selection and ultimately momentum from a down hill. I am hooked.

 

Tip for bibs get a size smaller the gel pad need to be tight with minimal movement.

 

Baby bum cream is a must,

 

Welcome to cycling Martin.

 

May you go from strength to strength.

 

As for your chafing; the following: https://www.cwcycles.co.za/apparel/body-oils-cream

[Bateleur1]

After popping back on to the tar on Saturday after about 4 hours between vineyards and single track, I was passed by a roadie going at a furious pace. I was content to watch him disappear, knowing while he was clocking the kays, I was bombing the trails.

this is why I absolutely lurv MTB. I can ride on tar if I want, but a road bike can't go where I went.

 

***not lambasting road bikes, just an observation. If road biking is anything like spinning, I guess it would be fun, if it were not for the stupid traffic.***

 

I hear what you say but there is know way you experience the road ride on a mtb like you would do on a road bike.  That is why I prefer my road bike to my mtb.  If we have bad weather here I normally ride on my MTB, which is fun as you say as I go on roads in forests and along rivers and even into the alps where I never would get with the road bike.  But after a couple of days when I get back onto the Roadbike you all of a sudden accelerate way faster and as if this bike just cuts through the air like a hot knife through butter.  Love it.

[Robbie Stewart]

I hear what you say but there is know way you experience the road ride on a mtb like you would do on a road bike.  That is why I prefer my road bike to my mtb.  If we have bad weather here I normally ride on my MTB, which is fun as you say as I go on roads in forests and along rivers and even into the alps where I never would get with the road bike.  But after a couple of days when I get back onto the Roadbike you all of a sudden accelerate way faster and as if this bike just cuts through the air like a hot knife through butter.  Love it.

 

My biggest obstacle to riding on the road is convincing the missus that I need to fork out another large lump of cash, for yet another bike and the accompanying kit. Somehow, methinks this will become a rather largish feud. So for now, I will enjoy my Camber Comp out on them trails, and truth be told, I have NO qualms in forsaking speed for trail.

 

But, I will confess though that I totally envy the fact that you get to play in the Alps. You are SOOOO fortunate. The closest I get to the Alps is during my virtual rides at the gym....(not quite the same)

[Bateleur1]

My biggest obstacle to riding on the road is convincing the missus that I need to fork out another large lump of cash, for yet another bike and the accompanying kit. Somehow, methinks this will become a rather largish feud. So for now, I will enjoy my Camber Comp out on them trails, and truth be told, I have NO qualms in forsaking speed for trail.

 

But, I will confess though that I totally envy the fact that you get to play in the Alps. You are SOOOO fortunate. The closest I get to the Alps is during my virtual rides at the gym....(not quite the same)

 

My problem is my time ration spent in the Alps is just not what it should be.  Being only about 30 km from the foothills, I am actually annoyed that I have hardly had the time to play there this year.  It will be fixed in future though

[dexterdent]

My biggest obstacle to riding on the road is convincing the missus that I need to fork out another large lump of cash, for yet another bike and the accompanying kit. Somehow, methinks this will become a rather largish feud. So for now, I will enjoy my Camber Comp out on them trails, and truth be told, I have NO qualms in forsaking speed for trail.

 

But, I will confess though that I totally envy the fact that you get to play in the Alps. You are SOOOO fortunate. The closest I get to the Alps is during my virtual rides at the gym....(not quite the same)