Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Rain, Ride or Rake?

How about a little bit of all three!

In my efforts to HTFU I decided to say "eff u" to the weatherman. His 70% chance of rain was taking all day to happen. So rake be da*ned, I threw responsibility to the wind, mounted up and went for a ride! (Of course it's only 60 degrees, so I still didn't have t be very "hard" to go out.)

Of course, I'm still a newbie so I only did about 5miles. Hey, I'm a N00B, what do you want!?! But, I hadn't been on the bike for a couple of weeks, and I didn't have to get off and push or walk at all. The seat is still not very friendly to my hind parts, but that is from lack of saddle time. Or maybe I new a one... seat, not hind part.

When I got home I did some raking, and then it started raining. So I didn't have to finish that. :) Instead I get to come and start eating.... again.

Biking and I are gonna get to be really good friends if it helps postpone yard work.

Yeah, don't pay attention to the weatherdude. If I did, I'd be at home all day making whoopie!:D...It's always a good workout to do both. I did this ride 30 mile ride last Friday, then immediately after drove across to the otherside of the ghetto to do my Dad's yard. Front and back with my little old time hand mower. Dad's cheap and won't spring for a decent mower so I use mine rather than fighting with his yradsale rejects. Plus I save water taking one shower for two events:p

I'm an old dude and if I can do it, so can you!

What kind of bike and saddle do ou have? One of the biggest factors is getting used to the seat and saddle time. Breaking in your butt and saddle. If it's a stock seat, might invest in a better one. The more you ride, the easier it is on the hiney providing you use a good saddle and decent bike shorts IMO. I've use PI Ultrasensors for $100. Found the lower end to work just as well (Quest model for $45)

30 miles then off to Dad's to do the yards!:thumb:
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Yeah, I try to not listen to the weatherman...espically this time of year. The only thing he's good for is getting the temp right.....

I got in a nice 20 miler today with my ride partner across the street. We got in just as it got dark and started to chill off. We went by the local BestBuy/Target/PetSmart and there wasnt a car in sight really odd looking for such a large shopping area!!!

Keep up the good work Delusional.....saddle time will cure the sore taint, along with some good/decent shorts. Also try some Chamois Butter...prevents chaifing. As for a seat, If you have a Performance Bike nearby they usally have some decent deals on saddles, and you can easily exchange them if it's not working for ya. Maybe your LBS will work with you as well, most are good about this. The WTB seats are nice and maybe worth a try. For some good shorts try Aerotechdesigns.com, they have a wide range of sizes, excellent build quality and are quite comfy; there also made in the USA....PA if I recall correct.

Keep up the good work....the milage will come with time.....Im still working at it as well!!!!

Thanks for the input.

The bike is a Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo bought at a yard sale. :) I don't know the seat name, but I'll check. I also have a Giant Sedona. When I first started riding I got used to that seat pretty quickly. It is wider.... and ironically, harder. I may go get one just like it and see how that works out.

As for getting the mileage up... I just need to find roads I'm comfortable with. And get more time sharing the road with vehicles to get past the paranoia. I'm gonna have to do it so I can earn Sarah's respect first, and to impress her Papa.:roflmao:

Thanks for the input.

...As for getting the mileage up... I just need to find roads I'm comfortable with. And get more time sharing the road with vehicles to get past the paranoia. I'm gonna have to do it so I can earn Sarah's respect first, and to impress her Papa.:roflmao:

Is there no MUP in your area? They are a great way to get some mileage in... doesn't have to be 100% roads to count! Opelika is near Auburn isn't it? Should be some people interested in riding in that area... what with the education industry and all.

Best of luck from an Alabama expatriate!:thumb:

You have wandered across one of the larger ironies of cycling. Soft seats bad, hard seats good.

I think the soft seats don't really support your sit bones, and allow you to sink in. This puts unnatural pressure on places that shouldn't have pressure..........

Your doing great. Doesn't matter if it's one mile or 100 miles, your getting heathier every time you turn the pedals. Getting used to the road thing is something you just have to eventually do. I don't really have any sage advice other than probably finding a low traffic area and giving it a go.

I don't really have any sage advice other than probably finding a low traffic area and giving it a go.

As far as I can tell, that is sage advice. And so far it is working. Confidence is growing more and more.


Is there no MUP in your area? They are a great way to get some mileage in... doesn't have to be 100% roads to count! Opelika is near Auburn isn't it? Should be some people interested in riding in that area... what with the education industry and all.

Opelika is extremely close to Auburn. So much so that if you wanted, you can stand with one foot in each city! There are plenty of bike lanes and a couple of MUPs in Auburn. They even have a city bicycle committee! I am trying to improve my bike handling skills, strength, and endurance on the scarcely traveled streets and roads near my home before venturing into arenas carrying bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic.

They have organized group rides all the time. Some of them are "no rider left behind" rides. The routes are published and I even know some of the people who do the rides. I am working up to doing the distance solo then I can try to join them. I never want to have to wait for a SAG wagon on a casual group ride!

Come shovel my driveway then go for a ride! We have lots of nice low traffic roads (cuz cars cant make it through). And no one gets left behind!

Good luck on finding a seat Delusional. I bought about 10 on ebay before I found one that worked well. I also gave in to buying bike shorts. I am glad I'm wearing them now. It's not so necessary for short rides, but as the mileage increases, so will the need for good bike shorts.
Oh, and don't worry about the miles, the important thing is you are out there riding! The miles will come naturally as your strength increases and the addiction grows! ha!
One more thing - tell the new coach I have my fingers crossed if you see him!