Introductions - Short and sweet

When I first thought of using that as a thread name I was going to just leave a short intro. I probably still will. Then I realized it also describes me. I am currently in Elizabethtown, KY. I grew up as an Army brat in the 70's and early 80's till Dad went to the public sector. We continued to move even then.

As a kid I rode all the time. I managed to get Dad to buy me "monkey bars" after my banana seat became obsolite for me. I actually took him to the LBS, though my bke ended up comming from Toy-r-us.

It has been at least 15 years since I did any real cycling and I am getting back into it for health reasons.

I would be interested to hear from anyone, especially people in my area. I am looking at hybrids right now since I do not feel comfortable or confident enough to do a road bike. I am a bariatric patient so I don't expect to do any competative cycling. I know, I know, many people are against it. It saved my life and I would do it again without hesitation (as the saying goes) despite only being 1 month out.

I will not debate the issue of WLS, but will talk to anyone wanting to understand why so many people are turning to it. I know obesity is an epidenic in the USA and many people think we "couch potatoes" simply need to get off the couch. I am not a couch potato and never have been.

Sorry for going on, but for some reason I suddenly felt like I was on the defensive. It is odd since there was no reason to. Sorry about that. :o

Well, I hope to get fit by using cycling for aerobic fitness along with some weight training.

Later dates
Jenn

Well, here I go evangelizing again! you might look into a recumbent. They put less stress on the body and are generally a very comfortable ride. Most likely any bike that fits you well and feel safe and comfortable on will fill the bill. (Or even a recumbent trike).

'bent Brian

I have thought about those, but don't feel I have the balance. They are very neat bikes. I am also dealing with a bad riding location. I have to ride on a 4-lane divided country highway because it is the safest where I live--and the flatest, which I need.

Actually from what I've been able to find out a recumbent is no less difficult to ride than a DF (diamond frame) bike. It is just different. Once you are up to speed they are very stable. After I got used to the characteristics of my 'bent I found it handled very well, just differently compared to the road bike. The hardest part for me was learning to relax and totally unlearning most of my "roadie" balance skills, and perfecting the "launch". Try a recumbent if you are able (more than once I might add), then if balance is still an issue consider a recumbent trike. They are quite fast and ride well. The recumbents with low bottom brackets (low pedal height) like the Tour Easy are supposed to be easier to ride. Burley also makes some nice long wheelbase bikes that are supposed to be stable and easy to learn. My bike is a Rans Tailwind, a compact long wheelbase bike. Some rate the handling as "twitchy". I say it is "responsive" a lot like the way my Trek road bike handles. So for me it is somewhat familiar. I'm short, only 5'4" and finding a bike that I could commute on and be able to handle was a prime concern. Since I got the 'bent the road bike has not been out of the garage! Since spring I've ridden far more than I've ridden in the past 5 years. Incidentally I've found that in traffic vehicles are more courteous, give me more room and a wider berth when passing as compared to when I'm on my road bike. YOU WILL WANT A FLAG AND HELMET! Anything to increase visibility. Shop around. The most important thing with whatever bike you get is that it fits you well and you are comfortable and feel safe on it. Stay away from department stores and patronize the local bike shop (LBS). You might pay a bit more at the LBS but if something needs attention they can take care of you. Enjoy your search!

'bent Brian

I am a bariatric patient


I will not debate the issue of WLS, but will talk to anyone wanting to understand why so many people are turning to it

Welcome

Help me out here. I do not know what you mean?

Bariatric deals with the stomache primarily. I have had a Roux-en-y, commenly known as a gastric bypass.

Bariatric deals with the stomache primarily. I have had a Roux-en-y, commenly known as a gastric bypass.

Okay - thanks

and "WLS" that you will not debate?

WLS is weight loss surgery.

I won't debate it because it was the answer to me and saved my life. If someone doesn't agree with it I won't debate it, but there is another thread in another forum where I go in deapth on understanding how it is a last chance at life for some and that just because you have it doesn't mean you are a sit at home all day stuffing your face fool.

WLS is weight loss surgery.

I won't debate it because it was the answer to me and saved my life. If someone doesn't agree with it I won't debate it, but there is another thread in another forum where I go in deapth on understanding how it is a last chance at life for some and that just because you have it doesn't mean you are a sit at home all day stuffing your face fool.

OK

No controversy with me!

Glad you found an answer.

Weight loss is much more complex than most people will admit or understand, IMHO.

WELCOME, AGAIN!

Thank you. I wish everyone could understand that.

I a relative newbie here myself and I add my welcome to you. also You need not be on the defensive about anything here. I a litle overweight myself and bicycling has help me lose some of it. I can't help but believe riding a bicycle will help you feel better becaise it certainly does me. I am losing some weight in the process and that makes me feel good too.
Not to long ago I purchase a new Cannondale mountain bike because I like riding off road much more than I do roads. However since I ride almost daily I have to ride roads in order to ride as much as I want to. So I am in the process of looking for a bicycle more suitable for road riding when I have not other choice. The recumbent are interesting and wish could ride one for a few miles to see how I would like it and to compared it to a traditional road bike.
That one thing I like about this forum as it does provide good information that help making that important decision on what bike to buy.
You are doing what you feel is best for you and that is what counts. You have no rason to be defensive about that. I for one only cares what a person is like on the inside not the outside.

Sandlapper, glenghillie,

Don't feel apprehensive about wanting to try a recumbent. They are comfortable, quick, and FUN. I was a former "roadie" and just switched after about a 5-6 year layoff of bike riding. When I started riding again (for health reasons) this spring I found I couldn't ride more than 15 minutes without something hurting or going numb (wrists/hands). After a short ride I felt beat to death. I switched to a recumbent and now do limited commuting of 15+ miles a day, pain free, with a smile on my face.

A recumbent uses different muscle groups. It will take some time before you get conditioned and "up to speed". Once conditioned you should be able to ride at about the same rate as you would on a road bike. Faster on the flats and down hills but a bit slower on the climbs. They are heavier but despite that with good gearing you should climb easier, albeit slower. They do have a learning curve which will vary from individual to individual, by they are no means difficult to learn, just "different".

In my commuting I've found that for some reason traffic is more considerate and accepting of me when I'm on the 'bent. They don't seem to crowd me as much.

You might want to think of trying one, or perhaps several, there are many types to choose from.

As a warning though there are a couple of health risks to riding a recumbent. The first is this big silly grin that permanently contorts your face. The second is the addiction that is more powerful than the strongest narcotic known to man. You start wanting miles, more of them, faster, longer rides, you can't wait to get on your bike and ride! I don't think that even the Betty Ford clinic can help with this.

No matter what type of bike you eventually get make sure it fits you correctly, you are comfortable on it, and you feel safe. Have fun with your search!

'bent Brian

P.S. On this forum I've been referred to as the recumbent evangelist. Just call me "reverend", He, He.

okay, Rev, what is the price range of a bent? I am looking at under 400 for the bike and then I have to get all the extra's I need. More money there.

Cycle Genius starts right at about $400 something (just under $500?). I've heard they have a good entry level recumbent. You can also check out Tour Easy (Sun bicycles). I think they have entry level models starting in about that price range. I paid about $1050 for my Rans Tailwind. After getting a new helmet, rear view mirror, cycle computer (first one I ever owned), Power Grip pedal straps (work like toe clips on the pedals), and flag I was about $1200 poorer. Yeah, I know, sticker shock! But I just love the Tailwind!

This was my first new bike in about 13 years and I figured I could spend the money. (last new bike was my Trek road bike). With gas at $2 a gallon and my wife and daughter driving me to work every day I figured I could do some limited commuting at least. I needed the exercise and biking is something I enjoy. Round trip commute is 36 miles by car and just under 32 miles by bike. (slower secondary roads). I do a one way commute, hitch a ride in then bike home.

If you already have a helmet then that is fine, but the must haves are the mirror (helmet mount or bike mount), helmet, and the flag. Price will vary. I paid about $17 for the handlebar mount mirror and about $8 for the flag. The helmet I got was a closeout, about $27. The nice thing you will not have to invest in fancy cycling clothes (padded shorts and jerseys with pockets), and shoes. Just wear whatever is comfortable and go! You can even ride in sandals! I put my stuff in a back pack and sling it over the back of the seat. Don't need panniers. There is a pocket in the seat of the Tailwind that I sometimes throw a windbreaker in if I'm travelling light and just out for an evening cruise.

If you are going to stay with an upright type bike, I think Trek and others have decent ones in your price range, check out a few of the bike shops around you. In any case get something that makes you happy, is comfortable, fits you correctly, and is safe. Stay away from discount stores, (*Mart and Wally World, etc.). The stores do not service the products they sell and a lot of times the bikes are even incorrectly assembled. Have fun on your search!

'bent Brian