Introductions - Hello from Lawrenceville, GA

My name is Dawn. I am a 35 year old female and I will be getting a Trek 3700 WSD for Christmas. I am very nervous to start riding. I have not rode a bike in years. My husband cycles and loves it. I have over 100 pounds to lose and I am hoping I will be able to do this with riding. Does anyone have any ideas?

Dawn :)

Welcome to BF.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/3_series/3700/

Nice Bike.
Don't worry about the 100 lbs.
That will keep the wind from blowing you over.

Welcome. My only advise is don't push it too hard too fast. Start slow, and increase your riding a little at a time. Even during riding season, 10% per week is about the maximum you should aim for. And in winter, you'll just have to pick days you can ride. I started a few years ago, and now ride over 100 miles per week (with some commuting to work and back). Just enjoy it!

Great advise. thanks

Hello & welcome!

I'm new too. I also have some weight to lose, about 50lbs, but have lost about 9 already with about 3 mos of riding. Honestly I hadnt seen any real weight loss until my wife an I stopped eating out so much, and Ive cut back on the beer and wine. Now i'm losing weight AND saving money!

Like the others said, take it easy at first. I started by doing 10 mile rides, and trying to sustain 15 mph (riding my road bike on the local, uninterrupted bike path), but currently I am doing 16 mi rides at 17 mph. My wife has been doing 8 mile rides at 12-13 mph.

Dont get discouraged and be persistant. When you first start it may be a chore, but there will be a day soon enough where you will wake up looking forward to going on a ride. Just today took my newly converted fixed gear to blow off some steam; Christmas stress, woohoo!

Anyhow, good luck!

Nice bike. What bike does your husband ride? Put a bag on the bars, or a rack on the back, so you can use it for little errands,

Hi Dawn and welcome.

Stop by the Southeast Regional subforum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=234) and introduce yourself to the locals in the Atlanta/Decatur thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=234331). There are a few regulars in the Lawrenceville area.
We'll tell you all about the group rides in the area that can be found on the Southern Bicycle League's ride calendar.

Once you start riding the weight will start falling off. I weighed ~245-250 when I started riding in 2000. I got down to the low 180s in no time at all.
You'll find people of all ages and abilities here so have fun.