7 Things I WISH I Knew as a Beginner Cyclist! 

I agree completely. Repairs and maintenance help me "feel" the bike better. Plus I save a ton of $$. I still support my LBS with safety checks and overhauls before long events

Absolutely. I enjoy doing it so I find it easy but these are bicycles not F1 cars and I'm amazed at how many people can't index their own gears, or change a chain etc.

Yeah, if you cant do the basics your bike will mostly be slightly off.

Thanks for all the support over the years John! :)

@@KatieKookaburra Hava a Fantastic Spring & Summer on the "horse" Katie, make sure you get to enjoy one or two rides off camera, without feeling the need to film. It's Hugely appreciated when you compile a cinematic, uplifting vid, don't forget to have some "in the moment" rides, just for YOU Stay safe x

Dan….. 🥲🥲🥲 thank you!! Made me a bit teary reading that. THANK YOU!! Really do appreciate that. And yup still love them hills. Only ride/ video I got fed of them is All Points North last year!! Watch that one 😂🤣 ive defo had enough of them into headwinds

Thanks Ian! I would say to that make sure you have electrolytes and take larger bottles - I carry 2x1 litre bottles when I know it’s going to be hot. :)

This EXACTLY!!!!!! I love it. And to head out with those guys.. such great company! Even if they do drop me 🙈

@@KatieKookaburra I haven't really even looked for anyone to ride with yet. I've been riding a hardtail on mostly flat road for 4 seasons now, so anything with an upward grade is a bit of a challenge. I'll be getting a carbon gravel bike hopefully in a week or are so. So this year we work on climbing. Then I'll see about actually riding with others. 😀 P.S. I was just at the bike shop getting measurements for the dropper post and handlebars. They are finishing putting the Checkpoint together even as I type this. 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

Yes - far too may people wearing mostly black. There is nearly always a lot of black in the background eg shade under trees. I wear a dayglo yellow jersey. If someone knocks me off while I'm wearing that I expect them to be prosecuted for driving with defective eyesight (or some kind of malicious intent).

Heeeey! Thanks so much - glad you liked the vid! Sooooo you have a camper?! 😍😍

@@KatieKookaburra yes indeedy 🤣 in the middle of a build 🚐

Glad you enjoyed it :)

A few years ago I lost 25kg in 9 months solely through cycling. It made a huge difference obviously on hills but even on the flat. I also got a lot fitter and stronger in the process so it wasn't just the loss of weight. Best of luck

Hahahaha same!! I was like a toddler haha. Yeah losing weight definitely helps on climbs... but I was around 100kg when I started riding and LOVED the hills even then. I think the hills are what helped me lose the weight. But make sure you are eating enough on rides! Focus on adventures, not weight loss and it will happen :)

Don't worry too much about weight loss, as Katie says it will happen anyway. Eat well and healthily, don't have too many pastries or refined carbs, rather eat fruit and veggies to get your (much needed) carbs. Don't push yourself to ride hard without adequate nutrition and proper hydration (electrolytes) - bad things happen! Stay healthy and just ride - the kilos will melt away by themselves. I was 115kg at one (low) point, now within 2 or 3 kg of my youthful weight - not bad for a guy in his late fifties - and that after only 6 months of riding. Health first - weight loss as a free (ok, I lie, you have to work at riding!) bonus second.

It is LEGIT such an epic route!

I surely do! Saw them a few times - once we saw the people walking them!!! Taking them for a WALK!! 💕

😂😂😂

Thanks so much!! Mic is the internal GoPro one, with a wind jammer over the mic holes ☀️🙌🏼

@@KatieKookaburra oh that is cool. Somehow you manage to get great sound quality from it. Thanks for the reply and love your videos!

It is INCREDIBLE!!!!! I went back at the weekend to do a longer version of it I loved it that much!!

@@KatieKookaburra Oh now you’re talking my language 😂 Also, despite doing plenty of long rides over all these years, I’ve finally signed up for my first ever audax thanks to your recommendation. Delightful Dales here I come! Only ever done the Dales on foot before 😬

Are you a mind reader? I was only thinking about heading up there again yesterday! But yeah defo doing that soon.

@@KatieKookaburra lol saw ur pal was there this week.

By memory Katie runs a sub compact 46/30 crankset with an 11/32 cassette.

Didn't have Long Causeway in this route - but went out yesterday and did it with that one in it! And it was lush xx

Yup 😎

Never. And don't plan to. I like hills and my knees too much 😂

@@KatieKookaburra Fair point, steep hills are a bit of a killer! 🙂

It's riding a bike and using the right gear for the ride. Plenty of audaxers ride fixed. I use a 48×19 around our area but if it was really hilly e.g. Dales it would be a 46 x 19 or 44x 18 or 19. It's quite liberating not using gears. Trick is to be on top of the gear.

Think she goes Oldham way out...

@@KatieKookaburra yeah I know the route off by heart now ,think we might be out on Sunday weather depending?

Haha thanks for this 🫢🤣🙃

@@KatieKookaburra you’re welcome, I’m further north than you, and I’m not even north

Katie, your transformation has been amazing! I live in between the Dales and the North Yorkshire moors, it’s a fantastic place to live.