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03-06-11, 04:56 PM
After an extended hiatus from an admittedly spotty fitness routine, I'm getting back in the saddle, hehe.
I've basically been forced to address my fitness as I'm approaching 27 years old heavier than I've ever been without a well-fitting article of clothing to spare. :( On another forum of which I'm a member, I was encouraged to revisit my goals of finishing a triathlon--even if I had to walk during the run portion--and I finally realized that starting something is better than planning everything and doing nothing.
I have to say that my biggest hindrance has been the bike shopping process; a couple years ago I made my first attempt with an ancient rusted $25 MTB from Craigslist I'd intended to upgrade. :rolleyes: Of course, having no knowledge of bicycles beyond my feeble Internet research (especially for a project as extensive as this one), I was quickly resigned to buying a new bike but had no idea where to start. I was also (to say the least) somewhat apprehensive about being a fat girl traipsing around in fit guys' bike shops. Needless to say, the new bike idea was all but abandoned.
After being nudged to pursue the triathlon, however, I broke down and got a gym membership (something I'd up to this point fervently avoided) and decided to grab a pair of cycling shorts so I could at least get some pedaling in and shed a few pounds via spin class. Once I found myself inside a bike shop without the pressure of shopping for a bike, I was like a kid in a candy store.
The shop I visited mostly carried Cannondales, and the Quick CX the guy showed me immediately grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. I went home and began looking up comparable bikes (I knew from my research a couple years back that I wanted a hybrid, which was what I was attempting to build from that old heavy MTB), and it seemed every single Google search led me to this site. I figured since this seems to be where all the info is I may as well join the party. :D
So here I am! Please forgive my long-winded post, as I believe some of you all's passion for the sport is beginning to rub off on me. I look forward to soaking up all I can here.
I've basically been forced to address my fitness as I'm approaching 27 years old heavier than I've ever been without a well-fitting article of clothing to spare. :( On another forum of which I'm a member, I was encouraged to revisit my goals of finishing a triathlon--even if I had to walk during the run portion--and I finally realized that starting something is better than planning everything and doing nothing.
I have to say that my biggest hindrance has been the bike shopping process; a couple years ago I made my first attempt with an ancient rusted $25 MTB from Craigslist I'd intended to upgrade. :rolleyes: Of course, having no knowledge of bicycles beyond my feeble Internet research (especially for a project as extensive as this one), I was quickly resigned to buying a new bike but had no idea where to start. I was also (to say the least) somewhat apprehensive about being a fat girl traipsing around in fit guys' bike shops. Needless to say, the new bike idea was all but abandoned.
After being nudged to pursue the triathlon, however, I broke down and got a gym membership (something I'd up to this point fervently avoided) and decided to grab a pair of cycling shorts so I could at least get some pedaling in and shed a few pounds via spin class. Once I found myself inside a bike shop without the pressure of shopping for a bike, I was like a kid in a candy store.
The shop I visited mostly carried Cannondales, and the Quick CX the guy showed me immediately grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. I went home and began looking up comparable bikes (I knew from my research a couple years back that I wanted a hybrid, which was what I was attempting to build from that old heavy MTB), and it seemed every single Google search led me to this site. I figured since this seems to be where all the info is I may as well join the party. :D
So here I am! Please forgive my long-winded post, as I believe some of you all's passion for the sport is beginning to rub off on me. I look forward to soaking up all I can here.