I used to cycle around 200 miles a week. 110 miles from the commute to my work and then a long cycle on Sundays. I was quite a driven cyclist. (Is that an oxymoron?) I moved and my life got busier so I took up running as a less time consuming form of exercise and it gradually took over from cycling as my main exercise. Anyway, I got injured but kept pushing and eventually blew up my knee so had to give up running, cycling and hill walking - all of which I enjoyed - and I got depressed. I'm certainly not depressed anymore but I know what I was capable of and this makes me feel disappointed in myself for just how far I've let it slide. This is the demon that holds me back. Also, when I do go out, it causes me to put pressure on myself to cover miles that I'm just not fit enough to cover on a regular basis. On top of this I also have to look after my knee because it is still a bit fragile. So you're absolutely right. Realistic goals is the way forward. It's not that I don't know this, but it's always good to hear it from someone else. Sort of brings it back into focus.
Welcome to the cyclists thread. No efforts or accomplishments are meagre. All matter to you. Keep em coming, the more you do, the more you'll want to do. Eventually you don't need motivation, just opportunity.
Rather than focusing on what you think your not doing be kind to yourself and celebrate what you can and have done. it's ok to walk part way if you can't manage the hills It's ok to do 10 mins It's ok to have a day off
In grand cycling tradition (apparently) I’m due a ride the equivalent to the candles on my birthday cake. Got 60 and a bit done today Creaking a bit now!
A nice decent ride on the new Ribble. Starting to feel more like my bike, got it quite dirty though, I quess that's the point though.
Grand day to be out on me Ribble. Neck end of 50 lumpy miles. Not too hot, good conditions for a spin of the legs....
On my roadie I find it difficult to undo the top nut of the presta valve, when I’m at home I end up using pliers (gently) I carry a valve core tool, but that obviously removes the whole core assembly. I want something to grip the top bit you have to loosen to inflate the tyre. Any suggestions on what or how I can do this on the road ?
I was going to give my creaky ole arse a rest this weekend. But the weather is far too nice. Ended doing a very enjoyable 55 mile pedal.
Some, you cannot remove the valve core. If he can, swap the cores. You're not tightening the core with pliers are you @ymfb ?
Big up to the cyclist who stopped to help my lad fix his Aprilia today, as not a single motorcyclist did despite at least 30 riding by.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, I’m not tightening the plungers with anything other than my fingers. I harvested a core from an old tube, hopefully that will be it.
Another ride on the new bike, really liking it now, feels like mine. New shoes today too, first little fall off also.
Shimano pointy shaped thingy ones. It was a zero mile an hour drop. A couple of teenage girls came whizzing down the narrow overgrown gravel path and couldn't slow down or stop. My mate in front slammed on the brakes and stopped, I was to close behind and skidded to a halt and hit his back wheel and I toppled over in a heap on the floor, luckily my knee saved my nice expensive gears hitting the floor.
Commiserations and I can empathise greatly with this although only got close to 150 at one point. It helps me to read i'm not the only one. mine goes :- lower back, knee, neck, lower back, neck (and repeat) and now white flag time i think with occasional E-bike. Depression and particularly weight gain for me, are the worst symptoms as you say, but slowly beating this and it helps to come on here and see what everyone else is up to.
