Newbie with new bike.

[Planenutok]

First off i have been lurking around here for quite a while reading and learning thanks for supporting this great wealth of information.

I'm 22 years old and weigh 310lbs. Ive been trying several ways to get back into shape and lose a few pounds. I tried the gym thing, not my cup of tea. Running is to high impact so the Dr. said try swimming or cycling. I found this Clydesdale's forum here at BF and became inspired by all the people here who are big like me and are doing something about it. I'm glad a found you all.

The past week I've been hitting up all the local bike shops and been test riding everything i can get my hands on. Yesterday was payday and today i made my final selection. A Trek 7100. I hope to ride the wheels off of it this year.

Ill be keeping in touch here on the forums about my weight loss and riding adventures.

http://www.bicycledoctor.co.uk/graphics/trek7100.jpg

[KingTermite]

Good decision...on cycling and the bike. Good luck and hang out in here with us to share your ride stories. :)

[JumboRider]

Nice looking bike. Glad you joined us. Make sure you talk to Tom about his weight loss deal!

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Welcome aboard! Pull up a chair and sit a spell....this is Liberty Hall!

I have a weight loss database online if you'd like to join, just PM me your email address and I'll send you the invitation! If you have an aol address, there are issues with the invite getting through, by the way.

[FryeGuy]

Welcome aboard. Nice bike..

[cohophysh]

Good bike choice and welcome, we are about the same weight

[Planenutok]

Thanks alot guys. I wish it was raining outside now so i could get a couple of miles in. Oh well maybe tomorrow.

[adrien]

you can ride when it's not raining, too...

Seriously, assuming you meant "wish it wasn't"...many folks ride in the rain, especially commuters. Just a new set of challenges and comes with other stuff (fenders, need to clean the bike more, careful re cars, etc.).

Ride lots.

[Planenutok]

oops i meant not raining. Its been storming like crazy outside the past few hours. I wouldnt mind light rain but lightening is a whole different ballgame for me.

[bdinger]

I'm with you on lightning. Rain I can deal with, thunderstorms I avoid like the plague.

Good choice on the bike! You may see if they will swap out that suspension seatpost for you, everyone I know who has had one disliked it after awile. Aside from that.. ride the wheels off!

[Chris in WCVA]

Nice bike! Good luck! I got started in April, but work really got in the way last month, and I'm basically starting over again. Are those adjustable shocks? If they are, set them on high (stiff) unless you are riding off-road. I'm a big guy with a KHS moutain bike, you can really bottom out those shocks and waist energy when peddling hard. Adjusting them helps alot. Good luck!

[Planenutok]

I just completed my first ride on the new bike. I was able to get about 2 miles in between storms. Oklahoma weather sucks. I feel great. At first my wrist starting hurting a little then i relized that i was gripping the bars way to tight. Once i relaxed a little everything went smooth except the weather. If there is a break later i might just take it out around the block again.

[Sportute]

I bought my wife a very similar model. Good starter bike and welcom aboard.

SU

[Bill Kapaun]

If you haven't been riding, don't push too much the first few days.
I'd keep it under 3-5 miles the first day. See what hurts tomorrow.:)
Work your way up slowly.
If you overextend yourself, it ceases to be fun quickly!
Don't push too hard on the pedals. You save your knees & stamina by spinning faster, then pushing hard!!!!!! When in doubt, pick the easy gear.
Have fun!

[jaxgtr]

Nice bike. The top tubes on these bikes sure have changed compared to my 2003 model. Like these better.

[Planenutok]

Thanks for the advice Bill. I rode another 2 miles tonight and i know ill feel it a little tomorrow. Ive noticed that bike riding is using alot of the same mucles that i use at work walk mowing golf course greens. I walk about 7 miles every morning doing that so im dont want to make myself so sore that i cant work. Anyways Thanks everybody for all the good comments. Im sure ill have plenty of questions for you all soon??

The picture i posted is almost excatly like mine just a little different. Mine has a silver seat post and silver pedals. I grabbed that pic off the net somewhere. Ill get some pics of mine when i find my camera.

Brian

[Planenutok]

Just an update for you guys. Ive been riding everyday that the weather permits. Yesterday i did 7 miles. Been slowly adding more and more every time out. As soon as i build a little more strength i am going to try to ride to work, about 8 miles. Since i last posted i've added another water bottle to the bike and a cheap wally world computer to help better calculate my mileage and speed. I'm slow as can be now but i am getting better.

Also been watching what i eat more. I need to go get a decent scale so i can start to see if this is doing me any good, but i feel better so i guess its worth it. Any suggestions for a decently priced house scale that works good with Clyde's??? My dad told me to go to work and use the scale they use to weight semi trucks, i bout knocked him silly for that. lol


Thanks

Brian

[bdinger]

Brian - check out Target. They have some good scales, and many are rated 300+ these days, but I don't think you'll be 300+ for long with those workouts. I personally lucked out and was given a real doctor's office grade health-o-meter digital scale. Pays to work for a healthcare distributor, I tell ya :).

[JustBarno]

Great looking bike! Might I ask what you paid for that? You can PM me if you'd like.

[Planenutok]

at the LBS that i bought it from i walked out the door with the bike, 2 polar bottles, 1 cage, a tire kit, pump, and free tuneups for $360.

[neilfein]

Welcome! Looks like a fun bike.

[(51)]

Welcome to the Super Clyde Club. I'm not sure what the difference is, but I ride a Trek 7200. I haven't had too many issues with it. First spoke popped at 2,000 miles. SO when you change your tires, you might as well have the wheel rebuilt as well.

[ledbetter10]

I am a newbie (and Clydesdale) around here as well and have been reading here and looking at bikes recently. The guy at my local shop recommended this bike for basic riding - glad to hear you're enjoying it - might be picking one up myself!

[Bill Kapaun]

"I need to go get a decent scale so i can start to see if this is doing me any good..."
You don't need a scale. Just watch how soon your pants fall off without a belt!:)

[JoeMetal]

Hey Planenutok,

I'm also 22 and I just started riding as well. :) I was 261 as of this morning and would love to make that number go down. I'm glad to hear that we are in roughly the same boat and hope that everything works out well for you. :)