GreenRiver

Hello Austin.

I graduated from SIU (way) back in 1978. I had a 10 speed Schwinn bike that was my primary mode of transportation. The campus and Carbondale were nicely set up for cycling back then. Back in those days the C'dale police dept. mandated that all bikes be registered with the city, and issued little license plates for them. They paid attention to cyclists too - I got pulled over for speeding on Walnut St. once. Thinking back, the speed limit couldn't have been more than 25 mph. Back to the subject - get yourself a bike and enjoy life in Carbondale. In my case, weight loss was achieved by burning up more calories than I consumed. I used this tool when I was training for my first MS150 https://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ . Take a look at the Harris Benedict Equation link on the page (a formula that uses your BMR and then applies an activity factor to determine your total daily energy expenditure (calories). I would also recommend getting a heart rate monitor (I'm spending your money here,aren't I) - this will let you keep up with the calories that you burn with each workout as well as help you set goals. The short version here is A) Spend your calories wisely B) Exercise. It will take a while before any results start showing, but when they do, well, thats where the fun starts. Good luck with it. Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions.

Austin in So IL

Thanks for the advice Tom. I try to remember that.

GreenRiver, SIU is still set up pretty well for cycling and now you must have the bikes registered but they issue stickers instead of plates. I'll try that BMR Calculator. Also, thanks for the advice.

dscheidt

If you're worried about durability, go triple butted. These have the thickest bit at hub end, and have better hub hole to spoke fit. Spokes have rolled threads, not cut threads, so unlike common bolts and screws, the threads are larger than the nominal diameter of the wire. To fit through the hole, the hole has to be at least as large as threads. Double butted and straight gauge spokes then have a fairly large gap at the hub hole. Single and triple butted spokes have the hub end of a larger gauge, so they more closely fit the hub hole, which reduced fatigue failures. Triple butted are also thinner in the middle, which means they can bend slightly to absorb localized shocks, like a clyde hitting a pot hole.

wrk101

+1 Bike you choose is really not that important. Just ride. Some of us are big fans of steel framed bikes, others like other types.

I would get the first one used (thats always my recommendation). One reason, that way, if you really get into riding, you can upgrade/change/ or whatever without taking a large hit on resale.

Also, if you get into it, you will probably join the N+1 folks (people that always add just one more bike, and then repeat). So again, buying the perfect bike just isn't that important.

The first bike I bought late last year was a Trek 800, rigid mountain bike, used. It turned out to be a poor choice for me. No problem, I resold it for more than I paid for it, and picked up another (and another). But it got me started.

+1 I am a big fan of the steel, rigid mountain bike. Install street tires (slicks) and you are ready for the road. I really like my older Trek 950. I am into the vintage bike thing...

B Rubble

As another Saluki Alumni, I add that focusing on the miles ridden is the way to go.
One thing that comes with miles ridden is a gnawing hunger.
Of course, this being Carbondale, there are plenty of fast food places, and bars.

With Diabetes and high blood pressure in your family, check with the school physician to make sure you don't cause a heart attack. Also, see with him/her on setting up a healthy diet.

Austin in So IL

Thanks again for the all the help guys. I highly appreciate it.