Ok so training continues for the Discombobulated triathlon, today was cycling.
I brought a new noggin protector yesterday and some cycling gloves for today was guided bike ride day.
I discovered that locally on a Tuesday from the D H Lawrence Hertiage centre we have guided bike rides. There are beginner sessions, improvers sessions and then a long bike ride if you fancy it.
Now I've not properly ridden on roads for a long time and I am a little nervous. I've never had formal lessons, not even cycle profficiency so I thought it would be good to go along to a improvers session.
Well the instructor was a bit late coming back from the beginners session and it was only me there as a newbie so he asked what I was wanting out of the session and had the option of a little one to one then going home, a little one to one and joining the long bike ride or joining the long bike ride.
I opted for a little one to one and joined the long bike ride. I let them know I'm from Essex and hills are a little bit of a shock to the system, but the trainer assured me they will always go at the pace of the slowest person (turns out I kept up really well and in fact could have picked up the pace on a few stretches).
Anyway I learn some stuff, like better positioning at junctions and the rather marvelous fact that actually I don't always need to signal, yes there are times you do, but having optimum control of your bike is always going to be the best position you can be in. Position yourself in the middle of your lane at a junction cars have to give you room and can't cut round you
I was also taught to how to cycle up hill, my bike has 3 gear ratios I've never used the lowest one before, in fact I very rarely even used to get out of the top ratio cycling round Essex. We did go up a rather nasty hill and I was puffing like a steam strain going up but there was a nice bench at the end that I just had to aim for. Made it. A sit down and a little breather.
Phew and off again.
I really really enjoyed it and the instructor let me know that my cycling style is actually very good I just need to get out and build up comfidence. So I need to get out onto those roads and try it for myself.
I will be going back next week.
So lessons learned.
Now for me cycling isn't something new, running was a gate way back into it, but I know that for some of you running has sparked your interest to getting in the saddle, I would definitely recommend seeing if your local council provides any lessons or guided rides - mine was free - and just go for it, if you can learn to run you can learn to ride a bike just remember it won't happen in a day and seek help where help is needed (definitely if you've never ridden a bike before).
Go on just try it.
Running resumes tomorrow.
Oooh then I've got to fit in my first swim training session.
I am actually hoping to complete the Discombobulated in one day
I've really earnt my pudding today, I shall enjoy that later.
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spoonierunning
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i may need something like that. Its been decades since i was on a bike, AND that was in another country. I was thinking when i rent to bike, i would just toddle around off the main road. Buti may need to rethink that.
It's was a council funded thing, so worth checking your local councils website and see if they have anything on offer or at the very least some links to other organisations.
It's was a council funded thing, so worth checking your local councils website and see if they have anything on offer or at the very least some links to other organisations.
Yay Spoonie, loving your post and your photos and your sharing of your lessons learnt.
Our forthcoming triathalon is doing the business for me too. I got on my bike again today and did another hour's ride. It was along an old cycle path (disused railway line) here in Edinburgh, so no hills, but it is a slight downward gradient for the first half then we turned, and it was (surprise surprise) on a slight uphill gradient coming back. Still I was changing gears every minute or two an am pretty chuffed. It does help having my wee girl back home as she's always so encouraging and is chumming me on my runs and bike rides for the 2 weeks she's here. She's 29 though so maybe not that wee now... I still have to re-enter the swimming pool but I'm looking forward to that in the next few days.
I think I'm going to join you and do all three in the one day. Sometime during the second half of July isn't it?
Yep I was taught to keep changing those gears, and low for hills it seemed counter initiative peddling and getting no where fast but I got up the hill without stopping, going so slow I was actually wobbling about, I would totally have just looked at it on my own and gone nah and walked up and even better my kneecap didn't slip out of place cause that would have been embarrassing as well as painful
Swimming next it's been about 2 years, discovered a local pool does something called swimtag it's a swim tracker so you get lap and pace info sadly I can't afford it so I shall be heading to the pool in my district where I can have a discount cause I am currently unemployed, but once I can afford it I know where I shall be going
Yes last two weeks of July when you can fit it in.
Oh that's fantastic! I need to get back on my bike. I won't ride on the roads cos I am terrified! Wus! Haha! But we have lots of cycle tracks around here. I am planning on cycling from my house to the neighbouring small village and back for my 30 minute cycle ride.
My original plan was to cycle to the swimming pool but there has been a spaight of cycle thefts! No one is taking Izzy!
My swim in going to consist of a water aerobics session and then a swim!
I am really looking forward to doing the Discombobulated! I have started saving lose change to put into the collection box of my chosen charity so it should add up by the end of the month!
I have a 30 mile round trail on my doorstep which is pretty much flat, but I didn't want to always be confined to one area. It was lovely getting out and luckily living on the edge of nottighamshire I can get into the countryside easily and off into Derbyshire
Don't think I would be up for heading into nottingham (ever) last city I cycled in was Oxford and occasionally cycling to uni, but then Oxford was very much geared towards cycling.
For me it was also a great way to see a bit more of where I live as not really had the chance to venture out much. I set my phone gps tracking with runkeeper so I have a map of my route
I am going to do laps for my swim but I don't think I will be up for 30 minutes non stop. I used to love aqua aerobics.
Yes I am looking forwards to the discombobulated too
All sounds fab! Hull does have plenty of cycle tracks but a lot are along the edge of main busy roads - the camber is terrible, rubbish builds up, cars park in them and drivers resent cyclists for being on their road! I try to stick to the pavement cycle routes. I live on the edge of town so getting out into the countryside wouldn't be difficult but my bike has no gears - was bought for just popping to the shops! (The wicker basket will come in handy for my discombobulated picnic lunch! I am sure Dozzer would approve of that!)
I'd love a new bike to cycle through woods and Forrest trails! One day! I just love being fitter - it opens up opportunities!
I am so jealous, I wish I could find something like that near me. I am having a love/hate thing with the bike at the moment. More on the hate I must admit but I have to keep going with it. Great that you enjoyed it. I definitely need more confidence.
It was council funded so maybe check out your local council website, failing that maybe the county council and see what cycling links they have or pop to a cycling store I am sure there must be options near you that cater for everyone.
I guess it's the advantage of living near a big city and the drive to get people out of their cars and using alternative means to travel to the centre.
I need to buy a bicycle! Your post has really made me want one, Spoonie! Jolly good show in going for some advanced cycling training; there's always something new to learn no matter how long you've been doing a thing.
Serious cycling face is serious. I also like your penny farthing top. PLEASE tell me you own a penny farthing? You can buy them new; I found a firm that makes them, but they're not cheap. Want!
Really good, inspiring stuff, genuinely. I so want a bike now!
Sadly no, I did see a modern one in a shop once and squeaked at the price. I have seen a proper one being ridden at a steam and country fair with vintage vehicle display.
Go on get a bike, cycling round Sheffield would be fun I seem to remember my brother would take it up and give up again repeatedly (he lived in Sheffield, now he is a little further out).
Cycling round Isengard! You have to be joking! It's built in the middle of seven hills! The Rome of the North! Out to Ladybower and back is a pleasant ride though.
Hi spoonie , I've started meeting a cycling group & really enjoying it . I am used to cycling on the the roads as I cycle to work every day , but still find it a bit scary at times . Glad your enjoying it , take care & like the gloves
As a teenager and early 20s I'd cycle to my nearest town along some pretty busy roads and was fine, oh and cycled in Oxford to get to uni sometimes, didn't like the buses but other than that ok. The last time I seriously cycled I just had to worry about bunny rabbits and weasels as I was cycling very quiet country lanes.
I was impressed I found pink cycling gloves in the past my choice was always black, black and er black
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I seem to remember my brother would take it up and give up again repeatedly (he lived in Sheffield, now he is a little further out). 
Finally made it up a hill :-)
What a difference going up hill makes!
me again coming up that hill!
Up a hill? Running? You must be mad!
Just started my training 
