Has anyone taken up Bycyling?

MaryumC · 07-03-2007, 02:02 PM

HI! I just found this thread and I'm excited b/c I've become addicted to biking since I got my band. I had been hiking and walking about 4 miles and then I got the bike and my first couple rides were 4 and 5 miles. Then the bike broke and I just got a new Schwinn that I rode today - what an amazing ride.. I'm already excited about going again!

I use a gel seat and it really helps b/c I have a big tushy. I only walked up 3 hills today out of 4 miles. I live by a trail in Georgia that wraps through and around Arabia Mountain - it's absolutely beautiful.

At first I was concerned about how I look and now I just love the ride. The folks that look at me strangely can only look for a few seconds because I like to go as fast as I can.

MaryumC

OH Juli · 07-03-2007, 02:23 PM

Lizrbit and maryumC

Howdy! The biking thing is fantastic. I'm peddling past corn fields mostly. They have their beauty but it's not GA or ME, for sure!

OH is for Ohio, not like Oh, I'm so surprised or for Obesity Help...I had no idea I grabbed their tag.

Anyway, I'm off for a big ride tonight only to learn that it might be slim pickings with the other riders because my town is having thier big fireworks display tonight. I don't know the roads they ride, so I'll be sticking to the trail if no one shows. :(

Regardless I'll be out on my bike :)

areellady · 07-04-2007, 09:54 AM

Welcome to all the new people to the thread!!! JC...Idaho to Florida...hmmmm ...how long you think THAT would take???? Better start NOW!!! Deanna

OH Juli · 07-04-2007, 11:16 AM

Deanna-
I did 23 miles yesterday! This weekend I plan to kick my rides up to 30!!!

This rocks.

J

jcgrove29 · 07-04-2007, 02:36 PM

All right I set the bar high this week! 50 miles on the Wthlacoochee trail, then went straight to the track and alternated walking a lap then jogging a lap 1/4 mile laps @ 2 miles walked 4 jogged 4! It is 3:35pm I just got home. I have already turned my Air conditioner down to artic freeze. I am going to take a shower and pass out! Someone please call a psychiatrist for me please!

JC

hoosierpoms · 07-04-2007, 05:15 PM

Well, thank you for all the support from this thread! I ended up purchasing a Schwinn Hybrid bike today!! I am so excited. It was reasonable in price, and is a wonderful change to the single speed old fashioned brakes on my comfort bike. I knew if I wanted to push myself in the near future to go farther and longer, my other bike would not do the trick. My husband is adjusting all of it for me and hoping the rain holds off so I can get some riding in this evening. He is actually thinking about getting him one similar to mine. It is totally amazing how we have become more active and are moving, AND HOW GOOD WE FEEL!!!!!!!

Just wanted to share!!!!

jcgrove29 · 07-04-2007, 07:14 PM

Deanna, if you average 50 miles a day it should only take about 50 days. lol

23 miles way to go Juli!

Hoosierpoms, congratulations those hybrids look cool. Let us know how it works out.

JC

jcgrove29 · 07-04-2007, 07:37 PM

I almost forgot, Lizrbit, it should only take about 30 days to ride to Florida. LOL

JC

hoosierpoms · 07-05-2007, 07:06 AM

YOU SEEM TO KNOW ALLOT ABOUT BIKES AND YOUR WEIGHT LOSS SHOWS IT. WHEN I BOUGHT THE BIKE YESTERDAY AND BROUGHT IT HOME, THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMED TO BOTHER ME LAST NIGHT WAS HOW MY KNEES CAME UP HIGHER THAN THEY NORMALLY HAD, WHICH CAUSED MY KNEES TO HURT SOME. DO I NEED TO RAISE MY SEAT, OR HANDELBARS, OR BOTH. MY HUSBAND THINKS IT IS BECAUSE THE DISTANCE BETTWEEN THE SEAT AND THE PEDALS ISNT FAR ENOUGH...
I JUST AM CURIOUS. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO RIDE LONGER, AND GET MORE OUT OF MY RIDE, BUT I ALSO DONT WANT TO HURT MYSELF.

THANKS!!!!:help:

OH Juli · 07-05-2007, 07:09 AM

Hey my cycling buddies.

I'm heading up to Michigan tomorrow. We are planning on riding Friday, Saturday and Sunday. My poor girlfriend, I'm really pushing her limits. I was like, "Let's do 100 miles over the course of the three days!" I'm ready to kick it up to the 30's for my rides. Yesterday she called and said 20 is still kicking her ass...so it looks like we'll not be doing 100...

But that's okay, really, as much as I want to push things I don't want to burn out either. So I'll be reporting back, let you all know.

JC-You are certifiably insane.

Hoosier-there is a 164 mile one day ride called RAIN, Ride Across INdiana. Maybe that could be a long term goal???? :)

OH Juli · 07-05-2007, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierpoms

YOU SEEM TO KNOW ALLOT ABOUT BIKES AND YOUR WEIGHT LOSS SHOWS IT. WHEN I BOUGHT THE BIKE YESTERDAY AND BROUGHT IT HOME, THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMED TO BOTHER ME LAST NIGHT WAS HOW MY KNEES CAME UP HIGHER THAN THEY NORMALLY HAD, WHICH CAUSED MY KNEES TO HURT SOME. DO I NEED TO RAISE MY SEAT, OR HANDELBARS, OR BOTH. MY HUSBAND THINKS IT IS BECAUSE THE DISTANCE BETTWEEN THE SEAT AND THE PEDALS ISNT FAR ENOUGH...
I JUST AM CURIOUS. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO RIDE LONGER, AND GET MORE OUT OF MY RIDE, BUT I ALSO DONT WANT TO HURT MYSELF.

THANKS!!!!:help:

I know you asked JC, but I'm going to give you my opinion.

Your leg should be nearly fully extended when you push down, with just a slight bend (very very slight, so as not to lock your knee or hyper extend it.)
You should have a slight bend in your elbows when you are seated and grabbing the handle bars.

Did you get your bike at a bike shop? If so they should be fitting your bike to your body.

HTH.

Julianna Christine. I'm a JC too. (My last name is starts with C as well) ;)

hoosierpoms · 07-05-2007, 07:17 AM

thanks!!! May need to get up to 20 miles a day before I can get to 164!!!! LOL
there is also one called hilly 100. It takes place in October. You can choose the 2 day trip or just the one. I would LOVE TO get conditioned for that, but we will see. My new bike kicked my butt last night. Having trouble getting use to the gears knowing when to switch and when not too, and my knees seem to be coming up to high? Not sure if my seat is needing to go higher or what the issue is....But it was allot easier than riding the comfort bike, and I was riding on a gravel road in front of my house. Heck with the rain, we only got in under 3 miles...but it was better than nothing..planning on getting more in tonight...I am addicted!!!!!

hoosierpoms · 07-05-2007, 07:20 AM

NO...I didnt get it at a bike shop....I bought the Schwinn Hybrid at Target. It was within my budget for now, and It felt comfortable when I was riding it in the store, just thought seat needed to be adjusted. I will tell my husband what you said, and hopefully we can get it adjusted tonight. The bike may end up being my daughters if I cant get it adjusted correctly...

OH Juli · 07-05-2007, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierpoms

thanks!!! May need to get up to 20 miles a day before I can get to 164!!!! LOL
there is also one called hilly 100. It takes place in October. You can choose the 2 day trip or just the one. I would LOVE TO get conditioned for that, but we will see. My new bike kicked my butt last night. Having trouble getting use to the gears knowing when to switch and when not too, and my knees seem to be coming up to high? Not sure if my seat is needing to go higher or what the issue is....But it was allot easier than riding the comfort bike, and I was riding on a gravel road in front of my house. Heck with the rain, we only got in under 3 miles...but it was better than nothing..planning on getting more in tonight...I am addicted!!!!!

Okay, I could write a book.

About shifting gears I'm trying to really learn that as well. To go long distances, I was told, the goal is to control your cadence, so that you are always peddling, but not killing yourself by using too much effort or be too jerky by not having enough resistence. It's something to work on, but it makes sense.

Also another tip: make sure you are drinking plenty of water while you ride. Practice drinking and riding at the same time. :)

The hilly 100 sounds like a blast. I'm falling in love with hills. Crazy but true, but going 35 mph downhill on a bike kind of set the hook! I like the challenge of going up too!

OH Juli · 07-05-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierpoms

NO...I didnt get it at a bike shop....I bought the Schwinn Hybrid at Target. It was within my budget for now, and It felt comfortable when I was riding it in the store, just thought seat needed to be adjusted. I will tell my husband what you said, and hopefully we can get it adjusted tonight. The bike may end up being my daughters if I cant get it adjusted correctly...

You can take it to a bike shop and see if they can help you out too. Really, many people buy bikes at the big box stores and then take them to bike shops to get them fine tuned.

Good lucky.