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Hi all just thought I would post an update on my first week of riding:
So I made the decision that I need to change my lifestyle and get fitter / lhoose some weight I'm 2023.
Currently sitting at 22 stone I realise that Ts was going to be a challenge.
Having been and avid mountain biker in the past when I lived in wales, I thought cycling would be the best bet for me however as I live in the Cambridgeshire fens there isn't a mountain in site so naturally road cycling was the next logical option.
So I won't bore you all with bike and kit and get straight into this weeks achievements
Monday th frost ride:
8.7 miles in total which I didn't think was too shabby I felt great anfter the ride a coiled not wait to get back out
Tuesday post work ride was only 6.4 miles but if I'm honest i had to overcome the voice in the back of my mind telling me that it was wet & dark so just not to bother, but I'm hugely pleased that I went out even it if was just for a short time.
Now having signed up to Strava I started planning my routes
My next ride was planned in for Thursday but due to work constraints I wasn't able to get out
So determined to make sure I cycles my planned route I ventired out at 5am Friday morning and covered off 12.2 miles. Words cannot describen what a sense of achievement I had after this ride so I immediately planned my next ride for today (Sunday)
I knew today was going to be tough planning myself a 26 mile ride in with somewhat limited time in the saddle, nevertheless I se off at 10am this morning , ready and determined to chew through these 26 miles.
Everything was going smoothly until 4 miles in when I crossed a level crossing and unfortunately came off my bike!
However still determined to keep going I jumped back up and straight back on the bike and carried on
Fortunately apart from a grazed knee and some aches and pain and a bruised ego I was ok and still determined to get these miles done.
I rolled onto my drive with a total me of 2 hrs and 14 minutes (riding time I did stop on a couple of occasions).
If I'm honest I felt broken but still very proud of my huge achievement, so as I sit typing this I'm already thinking about planning my rides for the comming week and still feeling 100 percent determined to press forward with my cycling journey.
Hope everyone has had a great week and if you get to this point thanks for reading.
Wow! Just wow, H. It's absolutely fantastic to read this and see how you're progressing.
So you stacked it, huh?! Don't worry, fella. Are you even really a roadie if you haven't come off at least once? Bet you've been admiring your bruises in the mirror, too. C'mon, man. Admit it. 😉
On a serious note though, reading your story has put a massive smile on my face on a wet and dreary Sunday.
They may not respond to this thread but I'm certain there will be other members of the m2M community who read your story in this forum and are inspired. Please keep us updated with your efforts.
If you haven't done so already, have you signed up to any 2023 sportives? Cambridge 100 is a great one for beginners as it's flat. Signing up to one of these bad-boys and doing it for charity is extremely motivational so I can't recommend them highly enough.
London 100 is also a great event. If you don't think you'll be ready for your first 100 miler by the summer than i think both events offer shorter routes. I think of approx 60 miles. Ride London definitely does but I'm not sure about Cambs 100. Both are very flat so would be perfect to aim for, for someone at your current level.
Please keep us posted with how you get on.
Cheers.