Oy... first ride in almost 30 years
08-10-07, 06:20 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Far West Suburban Chicago, IL
Posts: 25
Bikes: '95 GT Talera, '75 Schwinn Continental
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oy... first ride in almost 30 years
I'm beat... and it was only a short one! (Just under 2 miles) But it's a start!
I think the trick is going to be to find a fixed route so I can compare my progress and start extending as I get into better shape.
Ooohf.
I think the trick is going to be to find a fixed route so I can compare my progress and start extending as I get into better shape.
Ooohf.
08-10-07, 06:26 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 461
Bikes: 2007 Raleigh Venture 4.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Way to go! The first ride is by far the hardest. My first ride in June (1.5 miles) wiped me out too, I could barely imagine what I thought was an ambitious goal of 10 mile rides by summer's end. Now my typical ride is 10-12 miles, and I'm going for 20 soon! You'll get to the distances you want, and quicker than you think.
08-10-07, 08:16 AM
#3
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,056
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
Absolutely outstanding! For the record, MY first ride in many years was 1/4 of a mile and I was on the verge of physical collapse at the end of it. Ya done good! Now all we need is a pic of ya riding!
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
08-10-07, 08:32 AM
#4
Genetics have failed me
In a year you'll be smiling and feeling good about your progress. First step into a better lifestyle! Congrats!
__________________
Gelato aficionado.
Gelato aficionado.
08-10-07, 08:43 AM
#6
Perma-Clyde
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Suncoast, FL
Posts: 931
Bikes: Trek Hybrid 7200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My first ride was not that far either. I tooled around the neighborhood, came home crying like a baby and slathered my knees in Flexall 454. A few months later I was going 25 miles with no problems. You'll get there, just be consistent!
Last edited by (51); 08-10-07 at 03:12 PM.
08-10-07, 08:55 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 81
Bikes: Electra Townie 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Way to go! I'm 3 months past my first ride (in more than 30 years) and like BeckyW, I can now handle 10-12 miles easily and I'm thinking about 20.
Enjoy the rides!
Enjoy the rides!
08-10-07, 10:12 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SWMO
Posts: 3,185
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1400 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That is just outstanding Ken, you have taken a huge first step, we are all pulling for you to stick with it. Soon you will be breezing around the neighborhood and thinking "Sheesh! time to get back home already? I wish I had more time..."
__________________
It's all downhill from here. Except the parts that are uphill.
It's all downhill from here. Except the parts that are uphill.
08-10-07, 12:31 PM
#9
Dyslexics: untie!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Phila, PA
Posts: 15
Bikes: schwinn ATB bought cheap via Craig's List
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, my first couple rides were only about 1-2 miles, a little over a month ago-- but my last ride was 4.5 miles, and I could've gone a little farther if I'd pushed it. Getting on the bike is hardest part, and you did that! You'll be racking up more miles faster than you think . . .
08-10-07, 01:00 PM
#10
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,056
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
Good form you too, Tabby! Excellent job!
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
08-10-07, 01:50 PM
#12
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,056
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
Well, Ken, we've all been there!
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
08-10-07, 02:21 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 562
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One "trick" is to find places you enjoy. It could be a park with lots of pretty landscaping, a ride in the country with fields, ponds, and livestock, or perhaps on a beach with lots of ...
If you enjoy being there, you will want to ride more.
08-10-07, 02:51 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,990
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, been there myself... just a shade over a year ago.
Started riding April of last year after a 20 year hiatus.
I could go around the block with stopping 3 times.
There's a 1/3 mile false flat... I was in a pretty low gear and could barely get over about 6 or 7 miles an hour. Well, I just kept at it and the miles -and my gear ratios- started increasing pretty quickly. Now I do 20-25 mile rides without much thought.
I also might point out that a year ago I weighed 225lbs -a lot for my 5'10" frame- and now I'm holding pretty steady at the mid-190s looking to drop at least another 10.
You've taken a good first step -starting- now keep on keeping on.
You'll find a tremendous amount of support here.
Started riding April of last year after a 20 year hiatus.
I could go around the block with stopping 3 times.
There's a 1/3 mile false flat... I was in a pretty low gear and could barely get over about 6 or 7 miles an hour. Well, I just kept at it and the miles -and my gear ratios- started increasing pretty quickly. Now I do 20-25 mile rides without much thought.
I also might point out that a year ago I weighed 225lbs -a lot for my 5'10" frame- and now I'm holding pretty steady at the mid-190s looking to drop at least another 10.
You've taken a good first step -starting- now keep on keeping on.
You'll find a tremendous amount of support here.
08-10-07, 03:22 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ohio
Posts: 140
Bikes: 76 raleigh grand sport, 1970s motobecane grand record and,a peugeot.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
as you can see,almost all of us have been there.just keep on pedaling.
08-10-07, 04:05 PM
#17
Really Old Senior Member
Just add distance/speed as your comfort level increases, which WILL be a lot faster than one expects. Just don't push too much, too soon! Sore muscles ruin the fun
!
I think you want to feel it in your muscles JUST BARELY ENOUGH to know you did something positive.
Ride every day, even if it's just around the block. Seriously! It helps to keep one from "regressing".
Good job "climbing on that horse"!
!I think you want to feel it in your muscles JUST BARELY ENOUGH to know you did something positive.
Ride every day, even if it's just around the block. Seriously! It helps to keep one from "regressing".
Good job "climbing on that horse"!
08-11-07, 06:52 PM
#18
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Far West Suburban Chicago, IL
Posts: 25
Bikes: '95 GT Talera, '75 Schwinn Continental
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ahhh. Another two.
I need to do this in the morning - it's too freaking hot during the evening!
I need to do this in the morning - it's too freaking hot during the evening!
08-11-07, 08:02 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,872
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 763 Post(s)
Liked 1,731 Times
in
1,008 Posts
Congrats and a job well done. I typically do my rides after 9:30 pm due to the heat, if you plan to ride in the dark, make sure you get good lighting front and back. You want to be seen.
