Introductions - I want to be a biker!

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knit-r-ride
10-01-07, 10:12 PM
I first came to this forum because I saw a reference to the carfree thread on the Simple Living Network forum a long time ago. There is so much info on this site that I am spending way too much time here!
I am a 45 yo married woman with three grown kids. We live in Kentucky in a rural area. I am out of shape and overweight and have read that the key to sticking with an exercise program is to find something that you like to do. I loved riding a bike when I was a kid but then life happened, got married, and had kids and riding fell by the wayside (not funny, I know). Lately, I have been really wanting to ride again. I have been trying to figure out what kind of bike I need for a while but I am still in the research stage (and still very confused!). I told my husband that I wanted a bike and he told me to get one so I smiled and told him that I was not talking about a $79 one from one of the marts! He asked how much a bike was and I told him that, from what I could tell, from a few hundred bucks to several thousand! He has decide to ask more questions before being so nice from now on!
I also have recently taken up knitting hence the user-name knit-r-ride....I am really not good at making these up!!!
maximan1
10-01-07, 10:51 PM
Welcomes. You will have a good time here. And visit foo.
East Hill
10-01-07, 10:53 PM
Hello KRR, I don't think Foo is something that you quite need at the moment...more substantial fare is in your future.
Welcome to BF!
East Hill
maximan1
10-01-07, 10:55 PM
Yeah. Listen to East Hill.
Hard to beat her advice
knit-r-ride
10-02-07, 01:17 PM
Thanks for the invite to foo...I had no idea what that was at first so of course I had to find out. It was a bit scary for me.......but I might have learned something....not sure.... Well, anyway I am learning substantial stuff too!
East Hill
10-02-07, 01:19 PM
You won't learn much about cycling in Foo. Lots of other stuff about life, yes. But not about cycling :D .
East Hill
KingTermite
10-02-07, 01:44 PM
Be careful with your labels....motorcycle riders call themselves "bikers" too.
I once talked to a guy who owned a bike shop who said some big bikers got really angry at him for calling his shop "<something> bikes" when he had no bikes, just bicycles. :rolleyes: I think he (biker dude) was not the sharpest knife in the cookie jar.
knit-r-ride
10-02-07, 02:38 PM
That would be a great way to start...tick off bikers LOL! We had a motorcycle once so maybe an ex-biker future cyclist (as not to upset the other cyclist that could plainly see that I have no idea what I am doing, yet)!
MrMiracle
10-02-07, 03:07 PM
Don't discount the $80 mart-special just yet. Other than a comfier $15 seat, I'm pretty happy with my Huffy right now. Besides, its nice to have a beater to practice and get comfortable on before moving on to something that might take a little more skill (and expense). I'll probably move on to a more capable road-bike next year, but for now I'm just getting in better shape and exploring what I can reach at 10 mph.
knit-r-ride
10-02-07, 03:33 PM
MrMiracle I had considered that and am glad to here you are happy with yours. This makes me want to get one tonight! There is not a very big selection in our small town one local bike shop, k-mart, and wal-mart. The marts are not always well stocked but with the holidays getting closer they might have a better selection. I think I might go that route and check the marts, flea markets, yardsales anywhere for something to ride as soon as possible then learn more before I spend$$. I will learn something and can pass it on if I decide to get another and I do need to get in shape a little more before I worry about going to far or too fast.
Bill Abbey
10-02-07, 04:16 PM
Welcome! You are going to enter a great new aspect of life. I started abouut 6 years and many thousands of happy miles ago. You will be successful. The ONE defining line and common characteristic is 'I always loved riding when I was younger, but..." So, welcome.
May as well go to the Local Bike Shop (LBS) and see what she/he has in the back room. It is in their best interest to get you started comfortably. BTW. Take notes on sizes and dimensions for later.
I went for a ride with my sister in law yesterday and she had been complaining that she could not get a hill. She explained that she liked to be in "2 up front and 5 in the back" because it felt right. you guessed it, she would not shift down when she begain to go up a hill. So, shift early, breathe harder as you excercise and when you top the hill, do not say 'I'm too tired' rather "I made it hooray for me".
Anything that makes you breathe hard, get warm and smile is good.
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