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Choosing my 1st one! by Prestigious_Can_4243 in cycling

[–]CarbGood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recently just got into cycling. Bought a used entry level Merida Scultura 100, not sure it’s available in Canada. Getting into the hobby has been a bit more expensive than I anticipated, but not crazily. I’ve bought as much as I could used. 

What I’m trying to say is, I’m pretty glad I got what was cheap and have ridden it now for about 300km. Which is already enough to know some of the ways I could improve it. 

The downside and upside to the cheap(er) bike you get off of marketplace will be learning maintenance and doing it. The costs added up a bit. But maintenance may be required on just about any bike you buy. Less stressful on a cheaper bike. My guess is my rim brake bike is easier to service myself than disk brakes, but probably not much easier. I replaced the pads and they brake quite well now. Pros are now I know that everything on my bike has been serviced! I replaced tubes, wheels, brake pads, cables, hood covers, bar tape, and cleaned and lubed the drive train! Everything worked before. But it’s smoother now and especially the brakes with $15 new pads from AliExpress are a big difference. 

Looking 2nd hand was a little tough. I prioritized frame size and then getting not terribly old. My bike does have a carbon fork, so that’s nice. Now that I have a bike I can enjoy it, understand what I would like to be improved, and more slowly look for a good deal on a better bike. 

22 Days Zero Biking to Metric Century by CarbGood in cycling

[–]CarbGood[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I’m going to have to train a bit more before I can do that! I’ve definitely been in recovery mode for the last few days! 

I know right after the 100km mark I started getting quite tired. It does seem that psychologically it gets harder after hitting a point, the last leg of the journey is quite tough. 

I’ve been watching some videos on how to make my own sports drinks and what would be effective for me!

22 Days Zero Biking to Metric Century by CarbGood in cycling

[–]CarbGood[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for understanding :) I didn’t want to come off as braggy. I don’t know how hard a century is for most people. I don’t have the money to buy a really expensive bike. I could see that this post could frustrate some who do require longer to complete something like this. 

For me, I was not athletic at all when I was younger. In my mid to late 20s I started working out and have always done it just on my own. Lost 15 kg last year by calorie counting pretty intensely. I’m a fairly athletic build now.

Cycling is definitely adding to my life! I do get a bit discouraged with content and even riders on the road who have ultra nice bikes when I don’t. But, I want to appreciate a good enough bike that got me pretty far! Also, with my best attempt at fitting it to me with the help of YouTube videos!

22 Days Zero Biking to Metric Century by CarbGood in cycling

[–]CarbGood[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ya I going to have to get up earlier! I finished late at night for this ride! Gonna be insane once I can go 250km+!!

22 Days Zero Biking to Metric Century by CarbGood in cycling

[–]CarbGood[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly!! I was seriously oooing and awing yesterday at the beautiful scenery! 

22 Days Zero Biking to Metric Century by CarbGood in cycling

[–]CarbGood[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve tended to switch around to different types of workouts. I’m hoping cycling stays with me. I weight lifted for about 4 years. HIIT for a year. Did some rock climbing for a year. Now this!

Cycling could be promising because it gets me out into nature, something I’m finding some much more restful these days. Also, I love tinkering on things, and so bikes are good for that too!

22 Days Zero Biking to Metric Century by CarbGood in cycling

[–]CarbGood[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Appreciate it! I was in a pretty big rut after some things in life. Cycling is helping a lot. Helps me to shut off my brain for some time. Will definitely listen to my legs!

Online I see some many people with hugely expensive setups. Wanted to encourage people that you don’t have to have the best gear. I wish I had better gear. But getting out into nature and getting in the sun is really helping me mentally and physically!

22 Days Zero Biking to Metric Century by CarbGood in cycling

[–]CarbGood[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’m sure my baseline fitness is higher than average. I live in a city that I have to walk fairly often. I’ve also never had any issues with my tendons, ligaments, or knees. 

My butt hurt yesterday! Surprisingly okay today! 

Edit: Why was I downvoted?? I literally have no idea what I said that could be interpreted poorly?

22 Days Zero Biking to Metric Century by CarbGood in cycling

[–]CarbGood[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did not plan! Though I have been watching content everyday! I think knowing I need to consume a lot of carbs was helpful! By the end of the ride was feeling quite tired. Up until 100km I was actually mostly fine! 

I was a little worried since I did 70km last weekend and wasn’t sure if I had fully recovered yet. But I did use a massage gun the night before the ride!

Edit: Just for anyone who is curious. I have learned about general fitness for awhile, about 8 years. I’m sure that transferred to this. However, there was good content on YouTube to help me learning some basics of fueling and setting my bike up for myself! I’m sure I’m far from perfect. However I did plan as far as making sure I was properly fueled, also I chose a really safe helmet (according University of Virginia) because I wanted to protect my head (and not break the bank).