Brooklynites; Prospect Park Riding

[hawk28]

Hey, I live near the park and I've decided to start biking again for my cardio workouts. I understand that the road in Prospect Park is about 3.3 miles around. Is that about right? My goal is to do about 20 miles a day, at least five days a week.

Because I'm into performance, I've been looking at road bikes, but decided that flatbar is the way to go due to my lower back pain. So far, the Jamis Coda Sport is the leading candidate. Just wanted your feedback as to how riding in the park is after 6 p.m during the week, and if the Coda Sport is suited for what I'm looking to do.

Thanks

[slvoid]

A properly set up road bike can accomodate your back too.
Being on the tops of the bars or even the hoods is almost the same as the flat bars, plus the drops give you 1 more position, just in case.

[hawk28]

Thanks for the info, but are there decent road bikes out there at the Coda Sport's pricepoint ($600).

[Stacy]

I think the Road forum has a thread devoted to road bikes under $600.

Price can also depend on what time of year you decide to purchase or the exact model. Bike stores often discount the current year's model beginning around late summer when next year's models come in. You may be able to get an even heftier discount on a leftover 2006 or 2005 model

[geo8rge]

If you want exercise get a bike that is easy to store, maintain, and transport. I suggest a xooter.com swift. You might also consider either a fixed/single gear bike, a bike with an internally geared hub, and folding bikes.

A performance bike is not for working out, it is for going fast with the fewest calories burned.

"lower back pain" Consider working on that with indoor exercises. Try a recumbent bike. Go to a bike shop and have the bike fitted properly.

Riding after they close off the auto traffic is best, I think that is 7, not sure.

[hawk28]

Thanks for the advice from all, but a few points of clarification are needed here. I weight train everyday during lunch at work, which leaves little to no time for my cardio. Therefore, I decided to bike in the evening so as not to compromise my weight training. The back pain is not a result of any weak muscles (far from it), but a degenerative disc in the lumbar area which pressess against the sciatic nerve every now and then. It requires surgery which I have been putting off.

Performance is my interest and desire because of my competitive nature. I've been an athlete all my life, and I always push myself, regardless of what it is that I do. Although I have no desire to compete in races, I have challenged myself to be able to roll with some of the faster riders that race in the park, regardless of my age. Just my way of setting persoanl goals, challenging myself and having fun while getting my cardio in. So, while I appreciate the advice, I do't believe the xootr, or whatever its called, is for me.

[slvoid]

There are quite a few road bikes around $600.
The usual suspects are specialized allez, the giant ocr3, and the trek 1000.

They're all pretty much the same and they'll serve you well into probably Cat 3-4 racing category. It's mostly the motor anyway. I mean sure you can spend more money and it'll be a few percent faster or more comfortable but where it really matters is still you.

[hawk28]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into those bikes today.

[geo8rge]

"Performance is my interest and desire because of my competitive nature."

The question is how you allocate limited $. Weight, strength, maintainability, ease of storage/transportation, ability to tolerate risk of theft and damage. Poorly maintained bikes do not get ridden. I suggest you look at xooter.com swift as the best all around bike for NYC.

If you want to blow by people in PP consider a recumbent.

[slvoid]

Being a new rider, and the fact that you're in nyc, and the fact that it can get pretty crowded here, and the fact that you should have something that's easy to whip around, I would highly recommend against a recumbent.

[Recumbomatic]

Hey, I ride a bent and I manage to get around. But yes, riding a recumbent in NYC does present some special challenges. For the record, I'm not that fast.

[geo8rge]

I suggested a recumbent because the poster was looking for an edge over other riders.