April 2019 Biking Cycling Bicycling Bike/ Bicycle/Unicycle/Tricycle Challenge!

Machka9
Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
If you are new to posting on this thread, or if you are new to cycling, We welcome you! If you are returning from a previous thread, We welcome you, too.

This thread is for anyone who rides a bicycle ... or unicycle, tricycle, tandem, etc.

Do you bike to work? Do you pull your children to the park? So you ride weekends? Do you spin at home or in the gym? Is Zwift your thing? Do you race crits, ironman, or centuries? Or, are you just starting out and remembering how much fun you had biking when you were a kid? However you choose to push your pedal, you are welcome on this thread.

There's no set challenge across participants - this is a mixed-ability / mixed-experience / everyone welcome group. Just pick your own target that you want to achieve this month, post that when you join the thread, and post updates throughout the month as you're working towards your target.

Advancing into April


(BTW - Thanks to @CricketKate for starting all this back in 2012)
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Replies

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes

    Goal: More than March.



    2019 Monthly April
    Walking Distance (km):
    Walking Time (min):
    Cycling Distance (km):
    Cycling Time (min):
    Stairs Climbed Number:
    Stairs Climbed Time (min):
    Other Distance:
    Other Time:

    Totals
    Total Distance (km):
    Total Distance (miles):
    Total Time (min):
    Total Time (hr):

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes

    Goal: More than March.

    Monday, 1 April 2019 ... 6.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.7 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs


    2019 Monthly April
    Walking Distance (km): 6.8
    Walking Time (min): 85.0
    Cycling Distance (km): 0.0
    Cycling Time (min): 0.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 4.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 3.2
    Rowing Distance (km): 1.7
    Rowing Time (min): 10.2

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 8.5
    Total Distance (miles): 5.3
    Total Time (min): 98.4
    Total Time (hr): 1:38:24
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    Hi, all! New to this thread. Ironically, I was thinking of doing a virtual challenge but this popped up. Still debating doing that in the future but not sure the medal would feel as special. My goal for March is 200 miles. I'm mostly a weekend rider alternating between road and mountain group rides. Tonight will be my second week night riding.
    My next event ride is in a couple weeks, 80 miles.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    Time to put a bit more structure into my training - ramp up my long ride of the week, have one hilly ride and a couple of easier rides.

    Hilly ride done for the week. Set out to ride a local long drag up into the hills, lovely fast wooded descent and then a nasty climb from almost a dead stop straight into a long 12 - 14% grind.

    Rode the ridge of hills then a slightly scary descent (narrow, bumpy, gravel, high speed, poor sight lines, oncoming cars leave almost no room) which took me a climb signposted 20%.

    Bit of an exaggeration - only saw 18% on my Garmin. ;)

    f3914vcjsfgz.png
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes

    Goal: More than March.

    Monday, 1 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.7 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 2 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 3 April 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 16 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 4 April 2019 … 2.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.2 km rowing + 14 flights of stairs


    2019 Monthly April
    Walking Distance (km): 15.6
    Walking Time (min): 195.0
    Cycling Distance (km): 0.0
    Cycling Time (min): 0.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 40.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 32.0
    Rowing Distance (km): 5.9
    Rowing Time (min): 35.4
    Other Distance: 0.0
    Other Time: 0.0

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 21.5
    Total Distance (miles): 13.4
    Total Time (min): 262.4
    Total Time (hr): 4:22:24
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes

    Goal: More than March.

    Monday, 1 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.7 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 2 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 3 April 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 16 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 4 April 2019 … 2.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.2 km rowing + 14 flights of stairs
    Friday, 5 April 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 17 flights of stairs
    Saturday, 6 April 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 16.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Sunday, 7 April 2019 … 3.9 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.6 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs + weights



    2019 Monthly April
    Walking Distance (km): 21.3
    Walking Time (min): 271.5
    Cycling Distance (km): 16.0
    Cycling Time (min): 67.0

    Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 57.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 45.6
    Rowing Distance (km): 9.5
    Rowing Time (min): 58.4
    Other Distance: 0.0
    Other Time: 10.0 (weights)

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 46.8
    Total Distance (miles): 29.1
    Total Time (min): 452.5
    Total Time (hr): 7:32:30
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    Life and weather got in the way of my training plan this week.
    Managed 104 miles / 6hrs total but didn't get my planned long ride in.

  • sharondesfor935
    sharondesfor935 Posts: 89 Member
    I've been off my bike for ten years, so my goals will be pretty basic for now. (I have been getting on it three days a week for about 2.5 weeks now, so at least I've remembered my seat and got my legs spinning a little.)

    1) get it off the trainer and take it outdoors. Practice mounting and getting into position and DISMOUNTING without falling on my keister. (And walking in those bloody shoes.)

    2) take a "long" ride once a week: 45 minutes the first week, then 50, 55, and culminate in a one hour ride at the end of the month.

    3) take two short rides each week, of at least 30 minutes each, at a higher intensity, and these can be indoors on the trainer if the weather so dictates (or if my balance doesn't come up to snuff quickly enough to go a little harder.) Aerobars are my savior from exacerbating the carpal tunnel syndrome, but they're a bugger to get used to after such a long time away.

    4) repair or replace my bike computer so I can find out my starting distance, speed and cadence. Hard to know how much you're improving when you don't have the data.
  • sharondesfor935
    sharondesfor935 Posts: 89 Member
    So I did it. Took my bike outside, spent too long looking for my helmet but eventually found it, lubed the chain, straddled the seat, and took a very deep breath. Clipped in, rode down the driveway and onto the street, easy peasy. And then... then I came to my first stop sign and nearly fell over, bike and all. It wasn't pretty, but I eventually stayed on my feet (ish). Hardly even did the splits at all. Gritted my teeth, looked both ways, and kept going.

    It really took me a good half hour, and six miles of just circling my own block repeatedly, before I felt like I was fully in control, comfortable with the aerobars again, could clip in and out of the pedals without overthinking it, change gears on the (very slight) elevation changes, and start and stop cleanly and on the spot I'd mentally designated. In the last five minutes, I even did a few U-turns and then a few 90% turns while still down in the aerobars, instead of sitting up and putting my hands on the horns.

    Put me down for Day One: 6 miles, 35 minutes. I'm counting it a success, mostly because I came home with no road rash.

    Hey, after a decade away from cycling, I'll take my wins anywhere I can find them. 😁
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    So I did it. Took my bike outside, spent too long looking for my helmet but eventually found it, lubed the chain, straddled the seat, and took a very deep breath. Clipped in, rode down the driveway and onto the street, easy peasy. And then... then I came to my first stop sign and nearly fell over, bike and all. It wasn't pretty, but I eventually stayed on my feet (ish). Hardly even did the splits at all. Gritted my teeth, looked both ways, and kept going.

    It really took me a good half hour, and six miles of just circling my own block repeatedly, before I felt like I was fully in control, comfortable with the aerobars again, could clip in and out of the pedals without overthinking it, change gears on the (very slight) elevation changes, and start and stop cleanly and on the spot I'd mentally designated. In the last five minutes, I even did a few U-turns and then a few 90% turns while still down in the aerobars, instead of sitting up and putting my hands on the horns.

    Put me down for Day One: 6 miles, 35 minutes. I'm counting it a success, mostly because I came home with no road rash.

    Hey, after a decade away from cycling, I'll take my wins anywhere I can find them. 😁
    So I did it. Took my bike outside, spent too long looking for my helmet but eventually found it, lubed the chain, straddled the seat, and took a very deep breath. Clipped in, rode down the driveway and onto the street, easy peasy. And then... then I came to my first stop sign and nearly fell over, bike and all. It wasn't pretty, but I eventually stayed on my feet (ish). Hardly even did the splits at all. Gritted my teeth, looked both ways, and kept going.

    It really took me a good half hour, and six miles of just circling my own block repeatedly, before I felt like I was fully in control, comfortable with the aerobars again, could clip in and out of the pedals without overthinking it, change gears on the (very slight) elevation changes, and start and stop cleanly and on the spot I'd mentally designated. In the last five minutes, I even did a few U-turns and then a few 90% turns while still down in the aerobars, instead of sitting up and putting my hands on the horns.

    Put me down for Day One: 6 miles, 35 minutes. I'm counting it a success, mostly because I came home with no road rash.

    Hey, after a decade away from cycling, I'll take my wins anywhere I can find them. 😁

    Bravo! Huge success IMHO.
    :flowerforyou:


    PS - Strava free app on your phone will allow you to track your distance and see your improvements.
    I use a Garmin Edge bike computer but a big part of my choice was for its navigation capabilities (overkill if you don't need that) and find it really good. Wahoo seem to be taking a bigger market share of the bike computer market though and get good reports.
    As for cadence - I got fed up with my Garmin cadence sensor playing up so swapped to a shoe mounted Wahoo linked to the Edge.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes

    Goal: More than March.

    Monday, 1 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.7 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 2 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 1.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 3 April 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 16 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 4 April 2019 … 2.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.2 km rowing + 14 flights of stairs
    Friday, 5 April 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 17 flights of stairs
    Saturday, 6 April 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 16.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Sunday, 7 April 2019 … 3.9 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.6 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs + weights

    Monday, 8 April 2019 … 5.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 9 April 2019 … 6.1 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 10 April 2019 … 4.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 2.5 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs


    2019 Monthly April
    Walking Distance (km): 36.9
    Walking Time (min): 466.5
    Cycling Distance (km): 16.0
    Cycling Time (min): 67.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 71.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 56.8
    Rowing Distance (km): 12.0
    Rowing Time (min): 74.4
    Other Distance: 0.0
    Other Time: 10.0

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 64.9
    Total Distance (miles): 40.3
    Total Time (min): 674.7
    Total Time (hr): 11:14:42
  • sharondesfor935
    sharondesfor935 Posts: 89 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    Bravo! Huge success IMHO.
    :flowerforyou:


    PS - Strava free app on your phone will allow you to track your distance and see your improvements.
    I use a Garmin Edge bike computer but a big part of my choice was for its navigation capabilities (overkill if you don't need that) and find it really good. Wahoo seem to be taking a bigger market share of the bike computer market though and get good reports.
    As for cadence - I got fed up with my Garmin cadence sensor playing up so swapped to a shoe mounted Wahoo linked to the Edge.

    Thank you, kind sir! I was just using MapMyWalk for distance and duration for that first ride, since it was more about remembering and getting the physical movements back into my muscles. I do have an old wireless Cateye Astrale mounted, so this morning I dug up the manual and I think I'll fart around with it and see if I can get it working before stripping the sensors. Hey, maybe I'm lucky and it's just the battery. But it's worth trying to fix in place, because I hate realigning the sensors 800 times until they are perfect and then repeating until they stay that way.

    If that fails, I will take your recommendation and look into the Wahoo. I really don't need to be worrying about cadence too exactly until I can reliably maneuver and still avoid traffic. I mean, I can roughly estimate 60 rpm, right?

    Weather permitting, I'll go out again tomorrow for half an hour. If it's yucky again, I'll put the bike back on the trainer. I'm so glad I kept all my antique training VHS tapes! Riding in the basement is boring, at least with the tapes I have someone keeping me accountable and encouraging me.
  • tcaley4
    tcaley4 Posts: 416 Member
    @sharondesfor935, if you like the MapMyWalk app, there is also a MapMyRide version available for free also. I’ve been using it for years.
  • sharondesfor935
    sharondesfor935 Posts: 89 Member
    tcaley4 wrote: »
    @sharondesfor935, if you like the MapMyWalk app, there is also a MapMyRide version available for free also. I’ve been using it for years.
    tcaley4 wrote: »
    @sharondesfor935, if you like the MapMyWalk app, there is also a MapMyRide version available for free also. I’ve been using it for years.

    I was looking at that, and wondering why to use it when MapMyWalk can keep track of all my workouts. Maybe I'll have to download it and try it out! 😁
  • sharondesfor935
    sharondesfor935 Posts: 89 Member
    For what it's worth, I was partially lucky: changing the battery did (sort of) revive the old Cateye, but I've still got no cadence reading. Perhaps I will find a magical block of unallocated time to mess with the sensors. Or perhaps I'll just continue to go without, until such magical block appears.

    It was bloody cold yesterday. 36°F and snowing, and today was colder. So this morning, back on the trainer I went. My profound gratitude to Spinervals Fitness, who made VHS tapes that have lasted 18 years (if I count the ten years they sat in a cabinet unused.)

    Today: 8.43 miles, 37 minutes. (All on the resistance trainer.)
  • tcaley4
    tcaley4 Posts: 416 Member
    @sharondesfor935 - it is the same basic engine underneath the covers, but the front ends, like MapMyRide and MapMyWalk let you track parameters specific to that particular activity.
  • sharondesfor935
    sharondesfor935 Posts: 89 Member
    Day Three, outdoors! (Brr, but I couldn't stop smiling. 😁)

    One hour, 10.18 miles, average speed self-evident.

    First three miles or so on the local multi-purpose trail. Wow, the winter left it in bad condition. Corrugated as all get out.

    Last seven-ish miles on real roads, with real traffic and real intersections. Intimidating, but nearly as much as I'd feared.

    Things I (re)learned today, quite viscerally:

    Ten miles is farther than I remembered.

    Choppy cadence makes for a wobbly line.

    A faster cadence is far preferable to straining quadriceps that had a strength workout yesterday.

    A standing steady climb is going to take some practice.

    Riding is really fun!

    Most drivers are really decent. A few are not.

    I need new goals.

    👍
  • sharondesfor935
    sharondesfor935 Posts: 89 Member
    @tcaley4 I downloaded MapMyRide to see how it differs from MapMyWalk. Just cadence, looks like. And since I don't have working cadence sensors to feed into the system (yet), it's basically identical. Either works and gives the same feedback. Guess it's time to find those magical non-existent hours and get my sensors working. 😁
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    Got my four training rides in this week including a gran fondo and a hilly ride.
    166 miles for the week, 270 for the month.

    Weather forecast is showing some warm weather coming my way this week - yay!!
  • sharondesfor935
    sharondesfor935 Posts: 89 Member
    I figured out my new goals for the next 3 weeks.

    Next weekend long ride 12 miles
    Following weekend 15 miles
    First May weekend 20 miles (bigger stretch)

    Continue the two additional shorter, more intense rides during each work week, indoors or out, depending on our *beloved* Chicago weather.

    Concentrate on improving cadence quality on trainer (equal push/pull), and translate that to a straighter line outdoors. Weather permitting, find a short challenging hill to practice standing climbs.

    That's enough for three weeks.