Introductions - Another Long Beacher

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View Full Version : Another Long Beacher


surfkitty
02-27-11, 07:13 PM
Hi, I joined a couple weeks ago and just lurked a bit but figured since I'm utilizing the awesomeness of this forum, I should introduce myself a bit at least.

I'm from Long Beach, lived here most of my life, used to bike a lot in my younger years both for fun and commuting to work, but gave it up for a car and a boring desk job about 20 years ago. :(

Twenty some odd years later and a WHOLE LOT fatter, I've been back on the road to getting active and healthy again for about a year now, been walking, and in the summertime, swimming, but I'm finding I need something new/more intensive that I can do year round to burn more calories because it's taking longer to lose the weight than I'd like (partly because of high blood pressure meds which keep my heart rate too low grrr) anyway, doctor says biking is OK to do and I really enjoyed it in my younger days.

Only bad thing is I don't have a bike! Haha so I lurk and lust until I can gather up enough funds to buy a decent bike or get lucky and find a cheap decent used one that'll fit my short but plump self. Oh, and I'm unemployed too which doesn't help the funding problem. :cry:

Anyway, nice forum here, lots of nice pics/videos of rides that I've been enjoying until I can get a bike myself and hit all the trails in the lovely Long Beach and surrounding areas.

(And yes, I will try my hardest to resist the temptation to buy an x-mart bike ... been there, done that before and it never worked out right, although I did learn a lot about bicycle maintenance.)


10 Wheels
02-27-11, 07:22 PM
Welcome to Bike Forums.
Craigslist and garage sales are good places for you to look.

longbeachgary
03-01-11, 03:16 PM
Welcome. Craigslist is probably the best bet. Any idea of what size and style you're looking for?


surfkitty
03-14-11, 07:47 PM
I was originally thinking of a mountain bike (not for dirt trails though, just to ride on local bike paths) but after visiting a bike shop I think something like the hybrids they sell is more suited to my needs. If I could find one of those old "10 speeds" from the 70's and 80's in my size and rideable condition for less than $100, that might work.

Unfortunately I'm not having much luck finding anything at garage sales, thrift shops, or used bike shops, and Craig's List and ebay I'm a bit wary of, but even there so far I've not seen anything cheap enough that might fit me that's close enough to go look at.

Size wise, I'm a "jumbo sized shrimp" (barely 5' 2" but about 50 lbs heavier than I should be.) At the bike shop they had a 13" women's hybrid that is just my size, but I could probably go up to a 15"; they had a men's hybrid there in 15" that I think would be doable. Unfortunately they were all out of my price range for now.

I do NOT want a cruiser (hate the style, don't want a single speed.) I used to have a 10 speed when I was in junior high/high school that I LOVED (I like to go fast and prefer a less than upright position) but I'm old and fat and out of shape now, so I need something sturdy and comfortable to "get back into it."

Eventually when I get a job I'll probably buy a hybrid, I really liked the FX line by Trek. Affordable enough (if I had a job) and I liked the style/fit, didn't test ride one yet though.

I'll keep looking though, I'm not in a huge hurry, just thought bike riding would be a fun way to help bump up my exercise a bit with the warmer weather coming up. :)

NCMTBIKER
03-17-11, 05:42 AM
Yep craiglist...welcome!