Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Prayers and well-wishes welcome.......

Well, guys, I finally did it. No turning back now.

After a 25-year hiatus, I went and bought myself a bike a couple of hours ago; 2007 Cannondale F5. Not the most expensive bike, but a trusted brand from a fantastic LBS. It's on order, and I should be riding this time next Saturday. Didn't want to go whole-hog on a big$ bike until I'm sure this is what I WANT to do, but gotta start somewhere.

Happy trails, all.......

Oooh, nice. Welcome back! I test rode the old F400 and F500 (the F500 I think being equal to the new F5), and LOVED them. Ended up with a Specialized after MUCH debate.

Enjoy it, and welcome back! I was on a 10 year hiatus, and now I basically can't get off the bike.

Welcome back. I just finished my first year on the bike after a 25 year hiatus. I have enjoyed the ride.

Well, guys, I finally did it. No turning back now.

After a 25-year hiatus, I went and bought myself a bike a couple of hours ago; 2007 Cannondale F5. Not the most expensive bike, but a trusted brand from a fantastic LBS. It's on order, and I should be riding this time next Saturday. Didn't want to go whole-hog on a big$ bike until I'm sure this is what I WANT to do, but gotta start somewhere.

Happy trails, all.......

Welcome to the club, I quit riding when I was 24, bought a car, D'oh.
Started riding again at double sail boats (20 year hiatus), and before you go like nuts on your new bike, visit the April 2006 archives on my blog (see below).

While you never forget how to ride:D , you don't forget how to crash either:eek: :mad: :cry:

Do look at mine as well!

Especially the early entries where I am just getting back to riding when I got healthy enough to do it!
http://theamazingshrinkingman.blogspot.com

I've been back on the bike for a year and a half now, after a 20 year hiatus. Found an 80's Summit (Japanese) road bike at a yard sale for $40 that got me back into it (after I spent a year or so looking at it, thinking "I should really start riding that thing"). Went from 6'3" 275 to 250, where I seem to have plateaued (room for improvement in my diet), but my legs are solid muscle and my spare tire is more like a barely inflated tube at this point.(I'll never be "skinny"--years ago I had some disc problems, and the orthopedic surgeon who was reviewing my MRI and Xrays said "I can't tell if these bones belong to a large man or a small horse".) I ride 15 miles every morning before the sun comes up because I can't imagine life without riding at this point. Another plus is that I haven't caught a cold since I started riding again, which I think has at least something to do with cranking up my circulatory, digestive, lymphatic and nervous systems every AM. For my 50th birthday last December I bought myself a used Klein Quantum, which I've upgraded with DA components (bought used off Ebay) and a set of Velocity Deep V wheels. If you didn't buy a cycloputer with your new bike, I highly recommend it. I just added one (a Blackburn Delphi 3.0--works OK, but beware the moisture intake design flaw on the mount bracket that causes the speed and cadence displays to flip out when you ride in the fog) and being able to monitor my cadence has pushed the intensity of my rides up a couple of notches. I've got my average cadence up to 90, not bad for a guy who's always been much more a masher than a spinner. I'm trying to work out what combination of the two works best for me.

Visit this forum frequently--it's a great source of attitude free inspiration, as has been mentioned in several threads over the past week. I read the road forum but am frequently turned off by the "I'm THE most badass biker/hippest person in the universe" rants often found there. Here in Clydeland its a brother and sisterhood, and what's not to like about that?

Your first couple or few weeks back in the saddle may require some patience--don't go too nuts with distance and climbs at first. My ride was 7.5 miles for my first year, just trying to do it a little better every day. After about 2 weeks I noticed that the (very modest/almost not a) climb that initially left me panting, wheezing, and swearing wasn't so hard any more, and then I was hooked--I knew that if I just stayed on the bike my cholesterol, heart rate, and blood pressure would all stay nice and low. So far, so good....

Well, guys, I finally did it. No turning back now.

After a 25-year hiatus, I went and bought myself a bike a couple of hours ago; 2007 Cannondale F5. Not the most expensive bike, but a trusted brand from a fantastic LBS. It's on order, and I should be riding this time next Saturday. Didn't want to go whole-hog on a big$ bike until I'm sure this is what I WANT to do, but gotta start somewhere.

Happy trails, all.......

Congrats, you're starting on the right foot finding a good lbs and not overspending on your first bike. My advice, ride ride and ride some more. When you've ridden enough to start noticing things you'd like to upgrade, DONT. Instead, ride more. When you feel you're really being hampered by the bike, buy a new bike that'll suit your needs, fitness level, and budget at that time. Repeat forever.

Thanks to all for the advice so far. Yes, from what I have read around here so far, this is the most realistic and nonjudgmental group of folks.

As for waiting on upgrades, considering my last bikes were a Huffy Thunder Road and a Sears Free Spirit 10-speed (both circa 1979-80), EVERYTHING on this bike is ALREADY an upgrade!! :) Fortunately, I'm a frugal person when it comes to mechanical things, and I have a tendency to upgrade only when the current component has failed beyond reasonably affordable repair. As for the miles computer, for now (early training) I've already identified a good 2.5 mile loop in my subdivision to get started. One long hill; a couple of short ones, but mostly flat riding; don't want to get myself burned out too soon on the hills. Plus, I'm not gonna go whole hog spending money on this right away; would rather "treat" myself with bike goodies along the way.

Oh, and the wife loves the helmet - says it reminds her of "Speedy Alka-Seltzer"!! :D

Hey congrats on getting back. I just started in not too long ago myself. Best of luck!

What is it about getting 40ish that makes people get back on a bike? Congratulations and good luck. I'm 4 months back on a bike, about to go out for my evening ride.
Steve

What is it about getting 40ish that makes people get back on a bike? Congratulations and good luck. I'm 4 months back on a bike, about to go out for my evening ride.
Steve
I just want to be a strong contestant on "Beat The Reaper". Also, I don't want to be one of those old guys whose conversations consist of litanies of health problems.

And I want to look good naked....:eek: