East Hill

Hi Darla! Sometimes it's more fun just to ride and enjoy the better health, than to worry about losing weight. And, because you're in Anaheim, you can ride year round!

(Welcome to BF and the C/A forum )

East Hill

SandraL

Name: Sandra
Age: 48
Marital Status: Married
Height/weight: 5'3" /200 lbs
What bike do you currently ride: Road bike
How long have you been riding?: Two years
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Hard question. I would like to eat less food. I bought smaller plates with the hope of reducing my portions. That worked very well. But what I have to stop are the snacks every 1 or 2 hs.
What is your ultimate goal?: If I'm not emotionally strong enough to loose weight, I do want to be as healthy as possible. I would like to loose some 10 pounds by spring. Actually, I don't even believe myself
For riding, I would like to participate in the RAGBRAI tour this year. Or any other not so far from Winnipeg. hummm. I have to start some training very soon.
How often do you ride and for how long?: In Spring Summer, I have been riding 4 to 5 times a week around 22 miles. Max distance in one day 28 miles.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: I feel free. I like the wind in my face, the freedom to go almost wherever I want. I just bike and love it

cyclokitty 

I just bought my first set of clipless pedals and road shoes!!

Of course I have no idea how to ride with cleats and pedals... and I'm a klutz... and I hate pain... gosh, an adventure! I can't wait until it's mild and snowless enough to go outside and try them.

Here is my plan to hurt myself as little as possible with my new clipless pedals:

1) I chose double sided pedals. One side for cleated shoes, the other for regular shoes. This way I don't exhaust or frustrate myself into not riding my precious.

2) I will practice at the park near my home. It'll provide a soft cushy place to land, rather than asphalt and traffic.

3) I'm practicing at first wearing one shoe with cleats (I'll start wearing it on my right since I tend to stop with my left), and the other foot wearing my usual skateboard shoe.

4) Then I'll switch to wearing a cleated road shoe on my left foot and the regular on my right. This way I have a "safe" foot to land on.

5) After I develop a feel for wearing, clicking in and out of the pedals with each foot (and turning the little screws on the pedal for tension) I will ride in my neighbourhood wearing both road shoes.

I will bring whatever size allen keys for adjusting the tension screws and the cleats on the shoes, my regular shoes for whenever I am sick and tired of practising, and a nice snack. Oh, and a first aid kit.

Wish me luck!

cohophysh

I just got a set to. make sure to practice clipping in and out on a trainer to get used to how it feels. Looks like you have a good system ready to go

moonshinegrrl

Tina
Never married
43 5'5" 240#
1 son 20 yrs
I got the Schwinn Le Tour I bought myself for graduation and going to try commuting to work when I get used to riding again. Its only 3 miles each way. But I will need head/tail lights so I would like suggestions for someone with limited funds.

Tom Stormcrowe

Walmart, the bell Lighing system. A Headlight for about $9.00 and tail for around the same.






That's the Bell LED/Krypton bulb Headlight and Cateye LED Tail

Wogster

There are two kinds of front lighting, be seen lights and to see with lights. If you ride in areas with good street lighting, then often you can get away with a be seen light, this is mounted up high, typically on the handle bars, most battery powered LED lights will work well enough for this, best is to look where you can try different lights, a bright light with an easy to use with gloves on switch is best. Also look for a light that can use AA or AAA batteries, get two sets of rechargeable NiMH batteries, as batteries to operate a head light can far exceed the cost of the light if it's used often for longer periods of time. This is not a requirement for tail lights, some of the button cell tail lights can go 100 hours or more on a single battery.

If you ride in dark places without street lights, like a trail or unlit path, then you need to-see-with lights, these are ideally mounted much lower, often just above the axle, in order to reduce annoying shadows some folks will operate with a light on each side, these can be similar lights, but need to mount on the fork, some folks will operate locomotive style, one light high on the bars to be seen with, one down on each fork, all connected to a central battery pack, commercial systems can be expensive, but there are plans on the internet for home brew systems. The reason for the low mounting, road imperfections will show up much better, with lower lights.

IamFluff

Name:Christine
Age:34 later this week
Marital Status: married, three kids 10, 8, and 4
Height/weight: 5'11 with the hair, around 190 (no scale in the house)

What bike do you currently ride: until a week ago, a Trek 7200. Just upgraded to a Kona Dew Deluxe

How long have you been riding?:Rode a lot as a kid. Loved it in high school until my bike got stolen. Then I learned to drive, so cycling wasn't as interesting. Decided to get back into it a few years later and bought a Rocky Mountain Whistler. The fellow at the bike store insisted that the 18" was my size (it was the only one they had in stock), but it always felt too small. It has sat in my basement mostly unridden for the last 10+ years. A few years ago I once again decided to get back into riding. I wasn't sure how serious I'd get about it so I didn't want to go all out on a bike. Got the Trek (a 20" this time) and a trailer for my youngest, and have been riding as much as I can since.

Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Aren't we all? I'm not too fond of riding in the cold wet winters we have here, so I try to log as many hours as I can in the summer to lose as much as possible, then try not to gain it all back in the winter. I have a bit of an uncontrollable addiction to chocolate and pastries. I'm working on it as well, but I'll take a danish over a salad any day of the week.

What is your ultimate goal?: I'm down about 20# in the last two years. Ideally I'd love to lose 30 more. I'm not sure that that is going to happen soon (see the last bit about the pastries). I've just gone down from a size 36 jean to a 34 and would be ecstatic to get down to a 32. I've not been a 32 since high school! My long term goal is to get in shape enough to go trekking on the Great Wall in China for my husband's 40th. Mind you, we have to get our debt in shape by then too .

How often do you ride and for how long?: I ride as much as I can. It can be difficult because I have to take my kids with me once school is out for the summer. I've been making them ride to swimming lessons, and all our grocery, library, and shopping trips as well. I've been going to school part time in the evenings (it's my ME time) and I like to ride there most of the year as well. Unfortunately I can't even contemplate coming up the hill on the way home so I usually bus it. Only now the city has new buses that have lights incompatible with the bike racks so they won't take bikes after dark. I plan on tackling that hill this summer!

What is your favorite thing about riding?: My calves. They are rock hard. Love that. I admire them all winter long - it's incentive to get me back on the bike in the spring. I also love making my bike go fast. Not downhill, but when I'm the one providing the power...

wild animals

Name: Laura

Height/weight: 5'8", 220

What bike do you currently ride: I just paid for a Jamis Aurora, but I won't get it til later this week. Maybe tomorrow!

How long have you been riding?: I rode a lot as a kid, a bit as a teenager, and off and on for a couple years as an adult, until i got my first "nice" bike in '05 i think (maybe '06--one forgets!). i rode that bike compulsively for a few months until i had to quit for physical reasons. now i am trying again. i still have pain but i am going to work it out.

Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: i am between attempts. i intend to lose weight once i have the bike. it's a lot easier to eat fewer calories when i think about how hard i have to work on the bike just to burn off like 400 measly calories. it's hard to drink pop when you think of it that way--plus you crave water more than anything else. i lost about 15 pounds in 3 months before when i was riding my bike a lot. i found it easier to think of food as fuel.

What is your ultimate goal?: TOTAL FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. my goal weight is about 150. i don't see that happening, but i would like to be 170 again someday.

How often do you ride and for how long?: not at all! i should be back at an hour every day or two when i get the bike. my favorite route is about 13 miles and it takes about an hour.

What is your favorite thing about riding?: the splendor and majesty of nature. haha. really though. i like the animals.

phototron

Hello!


Name: Robin
Age: 24
Marital Status: attached but not married.
Height/weight: 5'10" / 300-320lbs.
What bike do you currently ride: Custom 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker, a 1978 Centurion Super Le Mans and a 2002 Specialized Hardrock Uno
How long have you been riding?: Always Loved to ride. I learned as a girl at a small airfield with my dad when I was older I rode miles around out rural home. Moved to the suburbs and got harrased for being fat on a bike and stopped riding. After about a 4 years I had to start riding again and got the Specialized did a lot of MTB moved to Portland and started road ride again. So if you counted when I first learn I've been riding for 18 years.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: I feel being healthy is far more important that being a certain weight so I eat health food and ride my bike all over town if I loose weight awesome but I don't wont to subvert my passion for riding with feeling like I have to go faster or eat less. Food is my riding fuel I just want to make sure I put in the premium grade. That being said I am not looking to gain any weight either.
What is your ultimate goal?: I would like to ride cross country by summer of 2010. And after that maybe get involved in cyclocross, not win but just because it's so fun.
How often do you ride and for how long?: I bike commute 4 to 5 miles each way. Most my longer ride are about 30 miles but I will be going farther after I get out of school for the summer.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: It's fun. The freedom of using my own body power to go long distances. Feeling myself becoming stronger and breaking previous barriers.

phototron

Find somewhere in your house or at the park where you can prop yourself up and practice clipping in a out a bunch so you can get used to the motion. then try it moving. The park isn't a bad idea. I road with cage/clip pedals before I went clipless and I found it much easier.

cyclokitty 

Welcome to Athenas, Phototron!

cohophysh

Welcome ladies, I see phototron lives in my neck of the woods

phototron

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yes we are cohophysh.

solveg

bump

timetostart

Thanks for the "bump" up the postings, Solveg. Read this when I first found the BF, meant to post, but forgot..
So here goes now

Name: Cathy
Age: 50
Marital Status: Married. Mum to 12 rescued cats
Height/weight: 5'3" almost. 212lbs (down from 223 Nov 07)
What bike do you currently ride: Marin Juniper Trail
How long have you been riding?: Rode a little as a kid. Ancient bike, no gears. Husband persuaded me to start again late last year, but the weather put me off (big time) so really just started this month. He needs endless patience, as I do a lot of "Yes, but...."s
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: I suppose so. Never really worried too much about my weight as I eat pretty healthy (vegetarian) food and felt pretty healthy. 50th birthday and weight creeping up more worried me enough to start to do something about it. Just trying to cut back on the amount of food I eat and enjoying cycling.
What is your ultimate goal?: Stay happy, feel more capable.
How often do you ride and for how long?: With the nice weather we've had here the last few weeks, have been out about 3 x a week, couple of hours a time, but having fairly regular breathers! Hope to up that as I get more confident.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: Feeling I have achieved something I never thought possible.

solveg

Scotland! I would so love to ride my bike in Scotland!

timetostart

It is ideal, if you can ignore the slightly unpredictable weather and (in some parts) the midges!

amd1976

Hello! Glad to join in!

Name: amd1976
Age: 31
Marital Status: Married
Height/weight: 5'10" / 228 lbs.

What bike do you currently ride: Hybrid for now.

How long have you been riding?: Rediscovered the joys of riding quite recently. I was working with a stationary bike in the beginning of the year and after going all those miles only to go nowhere I decided to use the real thing.

Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: I'm actively working on it for the first time. I've lost almost 70 pounds since January! I count calories and try to eat 'clean'. Mainly whole foods, lean proteins, limit the sugars and garbage.

What is your ultimate goal?: To improve my fitness, not be so limited by my body, I want to ride a hundred billion gijillion miles, I want to join cycling clubs someday, to become a lean, mean racing machine!

How often do you ride and for how long?: I try to ride every day, weather permitting (and sometimes not). Rides are generally about 2 hours per day. I'm fortunate to mainly work from home and am able to neglect work for a few hours each day.

What is your favorite thing about riding?: It's perfect! It's exhilarating! It's fun! It makes me feel powerful!

nscrbug

Name: Linda
Age: 42
Marital Status: Married
Height/weight: 5'6" / 140 lbs. - I know I'm technically not an "Athena" by definition, but I used to be (highest weight was 215#. I feel way more comfortable posting on the Clyde/Athena forum than any of the others...hope you guys/gals don't mind.

What bike do you currently ride: 2007 Trek 2100 wsd
How long have you been riding?: Just recently got back into riding after a long hiatus from it. Never quit working out, just stopped riding for a while. I've been at it now for about 3 months.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: I'm just about at my goal weight (135lbs), so I'm not trying quite as hard as I was in the past. My method of getting and keeping the weight off is simple...lots of exercise. I'm at the gym 6-7 days a week doing a combination of cardio/strength training.

What is your ultimate goal?: I would eventually like to do a century ride at some point. But first, I will try and tackle a metric century on June 1st. I'm also training for my first triathlon (sprint distance) on June 22nd. If I do well in my first tri, I would like to shoot for an olympic distance triathlon next summer.
How often do you ride and for how long?: Not nearly as much as I'd like to! I try and commute to gym a few times a week (weather permitting), and then also try and squeeze in some longer rides (20-40 miles) on the weekends and on my days off from work.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: I just enjoy being outdoors, smelling the flowers and trees, feeling the sun on my face, and all the while getting a decent leg and heart workout.

cohophysh

bump

Missbumble 

Name: Sue
Age: 44
Marital Status: Single
Height/weight: 5'7" / 214 lbs and losing .
What bike do you currently ride?: Looking to buy a good road bike - Will take all advice...off to LBS in a week.
How long have you been riding?: Not much - Went riding with the ex -beau about 15-20 miles for fun.. Now that I am single thougth I would take this up to make friends , lose weight and have fun! Oh and evenutually look awesome in spandex.
What is your ultimate goal?: Now you are getting personal. My number 1 goal - meet man of my dreams whom I can be a true friend and partner, 2) Lose the weight and maintain... 3) maybe a 100 miler?
What is your favorite thing about riding?: Feeling like I have accomplished something. The outdoors and the experience.

Ok hey just saying hello - Anyone form Atlanta that would like to ride?

magoolc1

Bump...ive been trying to get my wife..the woman who started this thread on her bike but she has not done so yet..ill keep trying.

Yano

I have just joined this site. I want to renew my love of bike riding. I almost bought a gently used Giant Revive. It is one of those hybrid bikes. It has small wheels, like a child's dirtbike and a back on the seat and you sit high like a regular bike. Then I test drove a Giant Suede Womens bike. I really like everything about it. Now I'm torn over which bike to get. The Revive is $300.00 and the Suede is $369.00, new. I am 5' 9" and 250 pounds. (I think) I used to love to ride with my transister radio taped to the handle bars. Looking for that great feeling again. Don't want to race, just keep up with the kids. There are a lot of hills on our bike paths and streets.

andrelam

The Revive is one seriously radical looking bike. I found some reviews on line and most owners were quite happy. The only complaint was some lack of gear range for getting up hills. You mention that you live in an area with lots of hills, so that could be a consern. The Revive was also mentioned as being tricky to work on so that may add some maintenance costs in the future. The problem with a used bike is that you have to be sure you fit the bike properly. You are definitely on the tall side so and "average" bike might be to small.

the Suede comes in many different flavors. Since you live in an area with hill avoid the 3 speed version at all cost. I grew up on 3 speed bike, and they worked well where I lived (Holland), but that is because it is FLAT. The only hills I ever enountered with bridges, viaducts, and a small climb to get out of a Polder (all of 10 to 20 foot elevation change. With anything more severe than that 3 speeds will quickly take away all the fun of riding. The 7 speed internal gear might work ok, but a standard derailer 21 to 24 speed drive trane will definitely give you enough options to allow you to enjoy the ride.

Go ride the bikes and find out what feels most comfortable to YOU. There is no right or wrong in the various different bike styles that are available on the market, you have to find out what works with your body.

Happy riding,
André