After a few false starts, I'm up on two wheels again!!
 

I bought my first bike in many years back in February, but have only recently begun to ride it with any regularity. Most of the problem is laziness on my part, as well as the wet, cool/cold spring we've had here in middle TN, but mostly me. After a few attempts to ride in my hilly neighborhood, only to be nearly run over by my distracted, clueless neighbors, I decided to get a car carrier and haul my bike to a nearby park that doesn't allow cars anymore.


Armed with my new-found ability to carry my bike anywhere I want, I loaded my SU200 up at 0630hrs today and set off for a ride. I have switched out the pedals since I bought the bike with an inexpensive set of toe-strap pedals by Eleven81, and I find they make hill-climbing much easier, or at least smoother. I also switched out the stock nut-crusher seat with a better saddle, and "the twins" are very thankful. Since I am quite a bit out of shape I decided to take it easy starting out.


The ride was very peaceful, and the only sounds were the occasional bird chirping... and the sound of my heavy breathing as I struggled up a rather steep hill just after starting out. I narrowly avoided planting my face in the road when I couldn't get my foot out of the strap quickly, which is the reason I will be wearing a smooth-soled shoe the next time instead of my knobby-tread New Balance trainers. A few quick adjustments to the straps and I was on my way. Reaching the top of the hill, I had planned on coasting down the other side back to my car, only to find the road closed due to repair. I had no choice but to coast back down the way I came, and this is when I found that my disc brakes are AWESOME! They slowed me quickly when a walker's dog darted out in front of where I was headed, without skidding or grabbing. Riding back to the car I found a greenway I hadn't noticed before, so I followed it to the end, around 2 miles or so, then turned around and headed back to the car.


A few questions: What is the recommended air pressure for a hybrid? My tires felt a bit squishy, especially compared to my last bike, a mid-90's Giant Perigee.


http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...U200&Type=bike

Bikepedia says the tires are 26"x150" Bontrager Satellite Plus semi-slicks. Should they be road-bike hard?

Also, what is a good, inexpensive, pair of gloves? My palms are a bit sore due to the tackiness of the grips. All in all it was a good morning. It's been brutally hot here in Nashville for the last week, so it was nice to ride so early in the morning.

Kudos! Keep riding!

Can't speak to the PSI on a hybrid, I ride a roadie generally.

As for gloves ... I just ordered a pair of Pearl Izumi's from Nashbar. $24 and free shipping through today on anything by PI.

They're replacing a previous set of PIs and have more than 1,000 miles on them :)

The tires' recommended pressure range should be either printed on their label, or molded into the sidewall. Most Clydes need to max that and then some, assuming you're riding on pavement. That will keep you rolling smoothly and lessen the chance of "snakebite" flats and damage to rims if you hit something nasty, although it will be at the expense of some degree of ride comfort.

Gloves are a personal preference thing. About all I can offer is to say that the less expensive versions are usually those with crocheted cotton backs instead of lycra. Not that there's anything wrong with the crocheted kind - it used to be that was all there was, many years ago, and they're still my preference. I think if you can find a local shop that sells them, regardless of brand you'll probably find them to be about $15-$20 a pair. You can try the usual web or mail order places, too.

Most 26x1.5 tires I have come across have a max psi of 80. However, like CraigB stated, look on the sidewall. One of the first purchases with a bike would be a home floor pump with gauge

As far as gloves go it is kind of a personal choice. It doesn't look like you are buying them for comfort, so I figure the cheapest with least amount of padding should work fine.

I can't help you as far as motivation, only you (and those closest to you) can help you with that. As you get more comfortable venture somewhat out of your comfort zone. For someone new, riding in traffic can be a bit overwhelming. Just be as predictable and visible as you can. Just like you have to get used to riding in the road, so do drivers need to become aware of your presence.

I have a floor pump and I use a dial gauge I had for work when I was checking the pressure on 18 wheels every day. As for gloves, preventing 'hot spots' on my palms is the biggest issue I want to address.