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09-22-08, 05:58 PM
Hi all,
My name is Bill and I recently (Sept. 1) retired from law enforcement after 30 years of service. Cycling is something I done as a kid and the last bike I owned was 35 years ago. I had plans to take up cycling again after I retired (now that I have time) so I bought a Trek Navigator 3.0 at the local bike shop. Boy I didn't know how out of shape I was! My first ride, last Sat., was around the block a couple of times and that wore me out. Today I rode 11 miles (mostly level). I am tired but I feel like I am making progress. If I can get used to the seat that will be a major accomplishment. I am not looking to compete in the Olympics I just want to lose a few pounds and get into better shape. When I ride I find a gear that is not toooo hard to pedal but has enough resistance that I can really feel it it my legs and I am getting some cardio workout. Then I try to get into a rhythm pedaling and maintain it. Am I approaching this in the right way or am I doing too much too quick? When I get home my legs feel rubbery and shaky. It's funny, when I was a kid (in the 60's) I rode a single speed bike (yep, metal flake purple with a wide "racing" slick on the back, white vinyl rolled & pleated banana seat, sissy bar, extended forks, ape hanger handle bars with tassles and baseball cards pinned to the forks so the spokes made a motorcyle engine sound) I rode all day and into the night and never got tired. I guess being 12 and skinny may have had something to do with it.
At any rate I welcome tips and pointers from you folks who have been riding a while.
Thanks
B
My name is Bill and I recently (Sept. 1) retired from law enforcement after 30 years of service. Cycling is something I done as a kid and the last bike I owned was 35 years ago. I had plans to take up cycling again after I retired (now that I have time) so I bought a Trek Navigator 3.0 at the local bike shop. Boy I didn't know how out of shape I was! My first ride, last Sat., was around the block a couple of times and that wore me out. Today I rode 11 miles (mostly level). I am tired but I feel like I am making progress. If I can get used to the seat that will be a major accomplishment. I am not looking to compete in the Olympics I just want to lose a few pounds and get into better shape. When I ride I find a gear that is not toooo hard to pedal but has enough resistance that I can really feel it it my legs and I am getting some cardio workout. Then I try to get into a rhythm pedaling and maintain it. Am I approaching this in the right way or am I doing too much too quick? When I get home my legs feel rubbery and shaky. It's funny, when I was a kid (in the 60's) I rode a single speed bike (yep, metal flake purple with a wide "racing" slick on the back, white vinyl rolled & pleated banana seat, sissy bar, extended forks, ape hanger handle bars with tassles and baseball cards pinned to the forks so the spokes made a motorcyle engine sound) I rode all day and into the night and never got tired. I guess being 12 and skinny may have had something to do with it.
At any rate I welcome tips and pointers from you folks who have been riding a while.
Thanks
B