Has anyone taken up Bycyling?

areellady · 07-02-2007, 05:38 PM

okay so I guess the new bicycle thread I tried to start was a COMPLETE and utter failure....so....now what...come on people, let's talk bikes...lol.

hoosierpoms · 07-02-2007, 07:53 PM

what kind of bike are you riding? I m looking at buying new one, an we have looked around online and just cant deciede what we want. You guys make me feel very inexperienced becuase I do good to get in 6 miles. But, I also am doing a heck of a lot more than I was 2 months ago....

OH Juli · 07-02-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierpoms

what kind of bike are you riding? I m looking at buying new one, an we have looked around online and just cant deciede what we want. You guys make me feel very inexperienced becuase I do good to get in 6 miles. But, I also am doing a heck of a lot more than I was 2 months ago....

First of all 5 miles is fantastic. I started off barley able to do 3. You've got to start somewhere. You should be proud of yourself!

I decided to buy a road bike because I knew I was never ever going to ride anywhere that wasn't paved. So that helped eliminate moutain bikes and hybrids.

I also was riding a bike that didn't fit me well, it made my back and shoulders hurt to ride more than a few miles. So I knew I had to look at my size in relationship to the bike. I'm short and needed to buy a small bike. I'm so used to buying everything BIG, it was interesting. Also, I was afraid to go too hog wild so I knew I wanted an "entry level" bike. Road bikes start at $600 and can go into the thousands.

With that in mind I got on bikes. Giant, Trek, Schwinn, Specialized...and bought the one that fit me the best.

I had no problem going to the skinny biker dudes saying, I want a bike and this is how I plan on riding. Really, they are typically so stoked about the sport they encourage everyone to ride, and there you are a willing listener!

Take your time to get the bike you want. Get your butt on a few and ride them around. Spend some time on line to see what might best suit you, what kind of riding you see yourself doing in 6-9 months, not next week...because you can out grow a bike pretty quickly.

There's a ton of information on line, just dig a little. Let us know which way you are leaning and we'll support you!

I knwo JC is a recumbant biker, I believe he has other bikes too.

Areelady has a hybrid that she's in love with

And I'm a road biker.

There are commuter bikes, fitness bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, recumbant bikes...I feel like Bubba from Forrest Gump..you've got shrimp gumbo, shrimp cocktail, shrimp kabobs, shrimp ala king...

:)

areellady · 07-02-2007, 11:16 PM

Oh Juli, you ARE Forest Gump, silly girl!!!! Listen to Juli, she is awesome and knows of what she speaks of. LOL.....she is also my shadow...so I have to love her!!!!

hoosierpoms · 07-03-2007, 05:21 AM

Ok, Forrest Gump....

Thank you SO MUCH for your email. I defiantly plan to do my research and try out a few bikes. I just know, that my single speed cruiser isnt going to cut it if I plan to increase distance, time, and terrain.

Thanks again for all the support guys...never dreamed I would be on a exercise thread 4 months ago..LOL

areellady · 07-03-2007, 09:33 AM

hoosier, I know huh? I can't believe that I live to exercise now instead of live to eat!!! Its a great feeling though and I hope it NEVER goes away!!! I am a little concerned about this winter. What does everyone plan on doing in the winter time. This question

areellady · 07-03-2007, 09:33 AM

hoosier, I know huh? I can't believe that I live to exercise now instead of live to eat!!! Its a great feeling though and I hope it NEVER goes away!!! I am a little concerned about this winter. What does everyone plan on doing in the winter time. This question is not for the ones who live down south and don't have an issure with weather...lol

jcgrove29 · 07-03-2007, 09:46 AM

I was going to say I will have to put tire chains on my bike, but since I am in the South it may not be an issue!!! :-)

Just have to avoid those pesky lightning bolts for now!!

JC

OH Juli · 07-03-2007, 09:54 AM

I'm thinking I'm going to be inside working out at a gym. I'm planning on hiring a trainer though, to keep me motivated.

Juli

hoosierpoms · 07-03-2007, 10:24 AM

Well, either walk outside until it is just too cold, or join the gym in town. I liked going there, and maybe by than, the machines will be eaiser with some of my weight off, and I would like to tone over the winter....
key is staying motivated...for sure!!!!

CrochetGranny · 07-03-2007, 11:35 AM

Well, my first big bike excursion (after several months of little or no exercise) lasted all of two minutes, yes I mean 2 minutes, before I was huffing and puffing. Next one four minutes, four minutes of rest, then four more riding. I have a cheapy Walmart 7 speed that looks similar to the giant with big handlebars and big tires. If and when I get a little better I hope to get a better one. I wanted a Giant to begin with but wanted to make sure I would use it first (which I didn't to begin with). There is a Landrider showing on TV infomercial right now that is an automatic transmission - anyone heard of it?

Well, I am going to try for 10 minutes today!! I live in the country and can't go far without going up and down some minor inclines. I have coronary artery disease as well as a right knee replacement a couple years ago. The knee is doing fine but have to take it easy on the old ticker to get it built up gradually. My second excursion (8 minutes) took me a total of approximately 1 mile, so those who say they started at 3 miles - I am jealous! Of course, I'm also an old fart of 59 so maybe you younger ones have an advantage there. EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES - I know I need to just get out and DO IT!!

OH Juli · 07-03-2007, 11:38 AM

Go Granny Go!!!

Sorry, had to.

It's about doing itty bitty pieces and adding to it. You are a great example and should be proud. Report back about your successes! You know we want to know!

areellady · 07-03-2007, 12:40 PM

Oh that is just great. The first time I went out I think I might have gone two miles and thought I was going to die!!! Juli is so right, little pieces put together, equal lots of success!!!!
I started out with a 7 speed and ended up upgrading in a month....so glad I did, we live in a hilly area. I don't think there is one road in my area that is flat without some kind of incline to it. That makes the workout so much better though. Congrats to all who are just starting biking and those who are going to start!!! Good luck and be safe.

jcgrove29 · 07-03-2007, 01:05 PM

This may sound like I am being a smarta$$ but it is true.

This past weekend I was excercising and trying to give myself one of those internal pep talks for not riding as far as I felt I should have.

I was getting down, then I recalled that it was not long ago that I used to hem haw around about putting on my SHOES!!!!!, because of the effort and the loss of breath from my stomach trying to push my lungs out of the way I also had to grab the hem of my pants leg and heave my leg up (could not cross my legs without help). I now am able to put my shoes on standing up and can actually bend down and tie the laces!

My point is you have to start somewhere and two minutes is two more minutes than you were doing and four minutes is twice as much! You are doing great because you are doing something!

Keep up the good work.

btw all my northern friends could start training to ride your bikes to Florida for the winter. Just a thought! lol

JC

lizrbit · 07-03-2007, 01:28 PM

lol jcgrove...no....from maine to florida is just too much a jaunt! for now...
hahahahahahahhaah.
you make some great and valid points there...we all start somewhere. its wierd to think about a few months ago, to realize that im already taking some things for granted that i just couldnt do before. When it gets cumbersome to do the morning rides, i use the bike as literal transportation to get from point a to point b. Trips to the grocery are fun on a bike and ive learned how to carry big bags on the handlebars.
it is a bit tricker on a varied terrain.

I think its smart to build up from somewhere. even if its just getting on the bike, peddling to the end of the block, and walking it back, its somewhere and a good start.
if you cant do the end of the block, the end of the driveway? to the other side of the garage?
it all counts. even if its just a small step, its an entire step better than the day before.