Introductions - First bike in 11 years.

Greetings all.

My name is Jim. I am from San Diego, CA. I went for my first bike ride in 11 years (since my last bike got stolen from my High School). I asked my parents for an iPod for Christmas, as I was planning on buying a bike (the two just go together IMHO.) Well, it turns out they bought the bike, and I bought the iPod. I am really out of shape, and I had the idea of riding to work (10 mile round trip) instead of driving, in order to fit some exercise into my daily life.

My parents bought me a Raleigh Venture 3.0 `06 (http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=6&itemid=306&childid=508). The bike is fairly comfortable, although I have had some trouble with the handlebars already. The bolt came loose and the handlebars fell forward on me. I have since tightened it up, however the threads look stripped. I can probably blame my overweight body, however I get the feeling it could have been defective. I am taking it to a Raleigh dealer as soon as my Dad mails me the receipt (he bought it from a local bike shop near his house, about 100 miles from where I live). He said it was $300.

I had no idea getting my bike ready to make a round trip to work was so expensive. After some research on this forum, I bought a Krytonite New York 3000 U-lock (should arrive tomorrow), and krytoflex 7' cable to lock up my accessories. Tomorrow, I am going to ride down before work and get a NiteRider TrailRat 2.0, and a rear LED light. The guy at my local bike shop highly recommended the NiteRider, although it is a little more money than I wanted to spend. I get off work at 10pm, and it can get fairly dark on some of the streets I will be riding home on. I still have to buy some gloves, as I can remember riding to school without them, and how cold my fingers would get (even in southern California).

I know I should buy a helmet, though I just spent money on new headphones which would get in the way. I should have looked for a pair of headphones that wrap around the back of the neck, but I settled on the Sennheiser PX-100. It is an open ear design, so I can still hear cars without trouble. If I can find a pair of wrap arounds that have decent sound, I will buy them so I can get a helmet as well.

Do any of you have any opinions on Raleigh in general, or the Venture 3.0 (http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=6&itemid=306&childid=508) specifically? Even with the comfy seet, my rear end is sore from my first ride (I either need to adjust it, or I am just too heavy to be comfy.) I took the bike down to work on my day off in order to time how long it will take to get there. The bike feels very tiring to ride, although that could just be because I am so out of shape.

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself, and thank you guys for the information I have received so far (which lock to get). Riding is something I have to do, as I haven't really received much exercise since I aged-out of drum corps in 2000.

If you have any comments, I'm all ears.

Jim,
San Diego, CA

Welcome Jim..........
Probably out of shape due to fact I was. Each ride got easier and now I am doing things that I thought I never would. It is about conditioning point blank. Keep riding and I promise you will get over that hump where you just want to quit and riding will be enjoyable from that time on!

Welcome to BikeForums and welcome to the wonderful world of bike commuting.



I know I should buy a helmet, though I just spent money on new headphones which would get in the way.
Ditch the earphones when riding. You'll need to devote your attention to traffic sounds, sounds your bike is making, and what's happening on and what's in the road ahead. Plus the sounds of birds, the wind, blowing leaves, etc. are always better than anything on the iPod.
GET A HELMET! It will protect your head when you fall, and you will fall. But not when you're expecting it.

Don't forget a pump, patch kit, spare tube, and multitool for repairs to the bike and flat tires.
Check out the stickies in the Commuting forum for great advice for a newbie commuter.

Riding is a lot easier in proper cycling clothes, because they move with your body and dont resist your motion. Dont worry about how you look, because your enjoyment is the only thing that matters. The Raleigh bikes at that price are OK - no better or worse than any of the bikes in that price range from the other big bike manufacturers. You must have the seat at the right height for easy pedalling, many new riders set it for an easy reach to the ground, which makes pedalling hard. If the seat doesnt get more comfortable in the next few weeks, get another one. Make sure the shop will take the new one back if it isnt better. There is no way to find a seat that fits you other than riding on it. You should also get a rack to carry things on the back of the bike - much more comfortable than on your back. Good luck.

Greetings all.

My name is Jim. Even with the comfy seet, my rear end is sore from my first ride (I either need to adjust it, or I am just too heavy to be comfy.) I took the bike down to work on my day off in order to time how long it will take to get there. The bike feels very tiring to ride, although that could just be because I am so out of shape.

If you have any comments, I'm all ears.

Jim,
San Diego, CA
Jim, that full 10 mile commute may be a bit more then your body is ready for 5 days a week at first. Consider riding part way at first, two or three days a week. Or maybe just Wednesday and short rides on the weekend. I've gotten in and out of shape a few times and recover like this. I do a short ride like 5 miles on an easy route and see how I feel. Then 10 and up until I find one that hurts. Sounds like 10 was a bit over for you. Then I go for the comfort distance 3 days a week. If that works I start increasing the distance about 10% per week until I reach the weekly distance I want or need. That appears to be 50 miles for you. When you can handle 10 miles without pain then start commuting. Nothing can ruin your cycling future fasterthen burning out your knees, other joints, muscles, and sense of fun then starting too fast.

All the gear mentioned is nice. I commute 100 miles a week and have most of it. Most of it can be bought as you can afford it. Aside from the bike the helmet is not optional. Get one before your next ride. Then lights, patch kit and pump, shorts, etc, etc, in something like that order. I still do not have fancy bike shoes.

Check out a secure place to leave the bike, preferably inside. Sound out the company on bike commuting,
heck browse BF abd use your own judgement. Gook luck