Introductions - HOWDY from Tennessee

Howdy from Tennessee. New guy on the block here, 43, haven't really ridden a bike much since I was a teen. Having a crappy childhood, biking was a great "release" for me and I always looked forward to escaping on my 10 speed. Got married/kids/school/jobs etc. Now..new job, kids are older and I have a new, close buddy who is re-opening my eyes to the joys of biking.
I am not sure what kind I want. No hurry. We camp and there will be some riding on/off road in the campgrounds. I have a PeeWEe Herman-looking cruiser that I can take for roaming round the campground.
My buddy is MAJOR cyclist. 60 mile on Sat am kind of stuff. I do believe I'd dig that. IT's funny...still looking for that "release" I had as a child.
Safety first. Must get helmet.
He's gonna borrow a bike from a friend to see if I enjoy the road type. I've looked at hybrids and mountains. I want the road to work. I did get on one, but it was ill fitting. I felt so incredibly stupid and violated. Didn't even know they don't have kickstands and the bike seat, well...lets just say for a moment it was a real experience till I pulled my nutz outta my butt.:eek: Must be like wine..takes some getting used to. Kevin Costner makes it look so kewl and easy in American Flyer, that I've watch 100 times.
I need a good fit. I'm 6'3 1/2 inches tall. 225 lbs (clydesdale, I hear I am). I could loose a few pounds, but I'm pretty muscular by nature. Buddy says I have a great physique to be a good cyclist. I dunno, not aiming to Armstrong anything, but I want to be efficient and have fun.
So, I just wanted to say Hi. I'm taking my time, but on a beautiful day like today, SOMETHING NEW inside me wants to get out and turn some tires on some pavement. Must be the lil boy in me stirring up. :p
Cya'll
Bikentn

Where abouts? I moved to NYC from Nashville/knoxville for school. Hope you find the bike/ride you want. It's a really tough decision.

Howdy from Tennessee. New guy on the block here, 43, haven't really ridden a bike much since I was a teen.
My buddy is MAJOR cyclist. 60 mile on Sat am kind of stuff. I do believe I'd dig that. IT's funny...still looking for that "release" I had as a child. He's gonna borrow a bike from a friend to see if I enjoy the road type. I want the road to work.
I'm taking my time, but on a beautiful day like today, SOMETHING NEW inside me wants to get out and turn some tires on some pavement. Must be the lil boy in me stirring up. :p
Welcome to BF. :beer:

If you really want to drool, drive down the road a few miles to Chattanooga and look at the Litespeed and Merlin bikes. They will definitely convert you to being a roadie. :)

New guy on the block here, 43, haven't really ridden a bike much since I was a teen.

Welcome to Bike Forums!

I just started riding last summer at age 44. It may take you a couple of months to get back into it, but it's definitely do-able.


. . . . I am not sure what kind I want. No hurry. We camp and there will be some riding on/off road in the campgrounds. I have a PeeWEe Herman-looking cruiser that I can take for roaming round the campground.
. . . . He's gonna borrow a bike from a friend to see if I enjoy the road type. I've looked at hybrids and mountains. I want the road to work. I did get on one, but it was ill fitting. I felt so incredibly stupid and violated. Didn't even know they don't have kickstands and the bike seat, well...lets just say for a moment it was a real experience till I pulled my nutz outta my butt.:eek:

My advice is to take your time, think about what kind of riding you want to do, and then choose a bike that fits your riding style. A lot of people will try to convert you to their kind of riding/bike, but you should feel free to decide for yourself. There's nothing wrong with being a roadie, if that's what you want, but many of us have found that we have other goals. I myself am more of a utility cyclist, so the my hybrid bike works well for me. I don't need to go 25 mph, but I do want to be comfortable, and the wide seat and wide tires help--but that's just me. Others have different opinions. (I've even been looking at recumbents!)

(The whole pro-kickstand/anti-kickstand debate has been raging over on the Commuter forum. I'm not sure why this issue is so controversial, but it is.)

Happy riding!

Thanks folks! I'm in the flatlands of west Tennessee. I am glad to take my time, because I absolutely do NOT know what kind of biking I want. I know that my PeeWee herman bike I have is kewl for round the campsite/parks. My "feeling" is that if my buddy is right and I might be built right for a roadie, then I might go that route and then use my Herman bike for camps.
As for the roadie thing, I believe, even though I havent' done it yet, that I would enjoy the camraderie with the other guys. a few of them I already know. So, that in itself is a driving factor. I'm an RN and some of these guys are doctors/nurses and PT's.
So, there's more to this decision than just one or two things.