Introductions - Just got a bike & think about riding all day now!

Hi Everybody! This website is spectacular! After realizing my need to start exercising, I started riding a very old 'garage sale' bridgestone road bike my uncle gave me, and after about 3 weeks of riding and feeling great (other than some sore knees) found myself at the LBS looking for something newer. I was finding that because of my time restraints, 6-12 miles about 5 days a week was a good fit. I originally wanted a mtb in case I wanted to hit a trail once in a while, but found the ride to rough for the streets, so I ended up with a Trek Navigator 200 since I had <$400 to spend. At 31 yrs old, I'm beginning to think I'm the youngest Navigator rider out there, but I love the thing and it sure beats a huffy, right? I keep it between 13 -18 mph, and it's pretty confortable- I knowingly traded speed for slighty more relaxed ride and a better look at the scenery (which is beautiful along Lake Michigan!)

Anyway, I just don't feel 'right' (physically or mentally) if I don't get on the bike, even though it's only a few, slow miles compared to alot of you guys. I'm falling in love here guys! I used to think y'all were crazy, now I'm beginning to catch the craziness.

Thanks everyone here for providing a great, onformative, supportive website!
-jeff
Muskegon, MI

Welcome to the club. Being crazy is ok - it keeps you from going insane. -;)
Joe

BRIDGESTONE??!!! I hope you still have it!!! All their frames were nice, and some were just unbelievable! Anyways welcome and glad you have a bike that fits you and your style, and who cares how old you are right? Comfort bikes are well, comfortable... so keep on keepin' on. If you ever wanna do a longer ride I highly recommend the Musketawa trail that goes from Muskegon to just north of Grand Rapids. Lots of little towns and spots along the way to explore, and some good scenery.

Oh and a Michigan hello to you... I'm from Grand Rapids, here in Tx for school.

Welcome!

Just so you know, you should start saving for your road bike now. At 31 I have a feeling you will outgrow the comfort bike by years' end.

Keep on truck'in,

ehenz

Tell us more about the Bridgestone, please.

Thanks for the kind welcome guys!

Seely -nice to see someone else right away from West Michigian. What school are you attending it TX?

I'll try to get more info on the Bridgestone and post again tomorrow. It actually handles really nice and the frame's in good shape; it just needs new tires, and a serious tune-up, maybe replacing a few components (chain, rear gears).

Ehenz - I already feel "the need for speed" a bit sometimes, and therefor have taken out the Bridegstone for a ride once in a while. If you guys are saying good things about Bridgestones, I may take it into the LBS and throw a few bucks into it. Then I'd have a comfort bike and decent road bike :) That would be cool.

Let me say again...... :)
Thanks again for the kind welcome.
-jeff

Thanks for the kind welcome guys!

Seely -nice to see someone else right away from West Michigian. What school are you attending it TX?

If you guys are saying good things about Bridgestones, I may take it into the LBS and throw a few bucks into it. Then I'd have a comfort bike and decent road bike :) That would be cool.

-jeff

I'm here in Waco attending Baylor University... as for the Bridgestone, I have like a 1989-ish Paramount that I recently upgraded to a more modern STI shifter (brake lever shifter combo as is common now days) and a 9 speed setup. Investment was fairly minimal and the bike rides/handles great with some better gearing. May be worth it to throw some money into the Bridgestone if it fits you well and you are happy with it.

Welcome to BikeForums.



... and after about 3 weeks of riding and feeling great (other than some sore knees) found myself at the LBS looking for something newer.
Sore knees? Shift to an easier gear and pedal faster. Your cadence (pedaling rpm) should be about 75-95. Pedaling too slowly is hard on the knees and may cause problems down the road.

Welcome to BikeForums.



Sore knees? Shift to an easier gear and pedal faster. Your cadence (pedaling rpm) should be about 75-95. Pedaling too slowly is hard on the knees and may cause problems down the road.

Yeah, that and make sure you are getting full leg extension... if you aren't you put too much pressure on the knees!

Thanks for the advice on the knees guys. I know I started out my first week or two of rides (before I got the new bike) without doing the proper homework and pushed my knees really hard :eek: I should have known better - my knees aren't that great to begin with & I'm hoping bicycling will strengthen them IF I DO THINGS RIGHT, that is! I've just been trying to stay on level ground for the most part, which is pretty easy to do around here, but it's been really windy here for the past week (35mph gusts), so I've been keeping it in low gears and doing a few less miles until my kness get strengthened a bit more. I was just debating lifting the saddle 1/2" last night and I think I'll give that a try & make sure I keep my cadence high which I've been trying to be concious of.

Thanks for all the advice for a newbie guys! Seely-I'm gonna do the Musketawa trail with a buddy and my dad later this spring. Man, I'm really thinking about doing the "Bike the Drive" in Chicago end of next month. It's a short run, but I love Chicago, and since I'm just getting into riding, it would probably be a great experience for me.

Quick (& stupid) question-what negative effects does riding in the rain have on my bike (assumming I take care of the computer, lights, etc)? Anything I should do before/after taking the bike out in the rain?

Btw, the Bridgestone is simply labeled "300" and I'm guessing it's 20 yrs old(?)
Watched a night of bicycling on OLN last night (focusing on Lance)- it's amazing how much I learned just watching that show! By the time it was over at 11:00pm, made me wish I had a better headlight system so I could get back on the bike!! :)

Thanks again guys!
-jeff

Welcome Thone..The addiction only gets worse..They will have to make a 8 day work week for you , so you can ride more. Some start keeping a mileage log..I just hate to see the white space on the calendar, where no miles are inserted.Seems like a wasted day and not adding to my yearls mileage tally.
Muskegon..Used to live in that part of Michigan..Allendale..In the right season, you have great bike paths.
THe one leading down along the Lake, Grand Haven to Holland and beyond.Surrounded by woods..You are lucky..When I saw that trail, I just wished I had my bike..I could travel along that lake shore from one end to the other. Great scenery.

i had a Bridgestone. they are good, reliable bikes. grant petersen, the guy who runs rivendale used to be the product manager for bridgestone.

Bridgestone RB-1's are classics. i few inexpensive upgrades and you'll be fine for a while.

Jeff,
If you are thinking of selling the Bridgestone 300 road bike I would be interested. I had my Bridgestone 300 road bike stolen from my house in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mine was red with some silver areas it. If you are interested, you can send a Private Message to me and we can talk. I am interested in the size, from the center of the bottom bracket (cranks) to the center of the top tube. I would also be interested in pictures (frame and decals). I do not care what shape it is in. It would be cool to get a 300 back in my hands!

If you are not interested in selling it, enjoy the bike!

Todd
Minneapolis, MN

PS: I would be willing to drive to pick it up or pay to have you package and ship it to me.

No, I'm the youngest guy with a Trek Navigator. 29 Years old and I've had it for about a year. Didn't take too long before I realized I got the wrong bike. I plan on getting a Fuji Touring bike or a Trek 520 real soon so I can do some loaded touring.

JC Witte...ANything with two wheels is meant for going...Touring is the ultimate...
I enjoy my Fuji tourer...Long time now my touring bug is big enough..Might upgrade the Fuji for some really serious tours...Why restrict your touring to one country...?

Welcome Jeff,
Ride in rain all you want, just dry the bike off good when you come back and keep everything lubes well. And keep the old road bike. Have an old Schwinn -love it !

Joyce