chefisaac

Hello all! I just moved to NJ from Seattle (humidity is killing me) and I started road riding a bit. Took my first ride on Sunday for 13 miles and felt great. Took a ride last night and could barely do 10 miles. grrrrr.

I am a big guy at 324 pounds and looking to use road riding to help lose weight, get fit, and have fun.

Yesterday I felt embarrased becasue I did a class D ride and could only do 10 miles and they had to wait up a lot for me.

I have a ride I signed up for in PA on Saturday.... 25 miles with 7 stops at farms for a 20 minute break and to see and learn about the farm. I am wondering if I should do this ride. Humid and hot are in the forcast.

I always wanted to ask if you all felt the same way when you started your journey on your bike?

Neil_B

Sure. Do it. Expect to feel beat afterward.

Or, since you were coming to PA anyway, if you want to ride on a nice flat trail instead, contact me and I'll ride with you. I'll do my best to make sure the ride is a fun one.

DaninTexas

I think my first ride ever was maybe a mile.

My first recorded ride was 4 miles and that took me near 30 minutes to do. lol - That was with stopping and taking a break. I would love to be able to ride as long as you can. But I just get so butt sore and wore out.

I am still a noob around here - but I think the general suggestion is not to worry about it to much. Push yourself just enough to do a bit extra every day. But at the same time don't burn yourself out to fast - I know I am in the same boat and just got off taking to many days off cause I was pushing it to much.

Have fun riding and welcome to these forums.

chefisaac

neil: just dropped you an email. I would love to meet up with you.

nutmegTN

My first rides were only a mile or two and they exhausted me. Now, 2 months later my longest ride is still only 14.5 miles. But I feel myself getting stronger each ride, I have already lost inches from my hips and stomach, and lost almost 10 lbs.

Don't be too hard on yourself! Enjoy riding and you'll keep doing it.

CraigB

25 miles with 7 intermediate stops is eminently doable, for just about anyone, IMO. Just go at your own pace, and don't get caught up in the group-ride enthusiasm. If you aren't ready for that, it's real easy to go out faster than you can sustain, and end up limping home.

Neil_B

Replied.

jagraham

Frankly, I'd take Neil up on his offer to ride the trail. You could set your own pace, avoid the blistering paved streets, and have a nice touring companion to boot.

I don't know what the weather will be like there other than "HHH (hazy, hot and humid)", but here, today, the heat index is in the dangerous level -- especially for those of us who have asthma and/or heart issues. If you decide to "push the envelope" by doubling your mileage in under a week, in less than optimal conditions, PLEASE be careful.

Don't be embarassed because you can't make your body do what you want it to right now. We all need to start somewhere... and that's usually near the beginning of the learning curve. I've recently returned near the beginning myself (not by choice, as a matter of fact), but I'm just happy to be there.

Judy

chefisaac

taking neil up on his offer. Thank you neil!

wfournier

Enjoy it, it's a nice trail. I might even see you guys out there I was planning on trying to hit the trail on Saturday (and again on Sunday).

dcrowell

I was in very poor shape when I started. For the first few days even one mile was too much. Fitness came pretty quickly though.

exile

Glad to hear you are doing the ride with Neil_B. Just make sure to bring plenty of water. Today's high was 99, tomorrow I think will be 96, and Saturdays 92. Without knowing where the ride is (except PA) I figure the weather will be pretty similar.

Neil_B

Schuylkill River Trail. I once did a scorching 3 mile 37 minute time trial there. :-)

fast89fox

The heat and humidity here in Va. is kicking my butt too. I would give it a shot though if I were you. Keep hydrated and take breaks as needed. I've had to start riding at night here, but its still pretty hot and humid.

wfournier

Rode 10 miles after work today (99 when I left), it was pretty brutal. The SRT is nice because there is a good bit of shade at least for the first 7 or so miles.

XR2

Start hydrating for Saturday now! It makes riding so much easier when you're not trying to catch up on it. No cramps,dizzyness or other hideous nonsense. Just a nice ride on a hot day.

chefisaac

I cant wait to ride. This will be a lot of fun!

Neil_B

I agree. If it weren't going to be, I'd not have invited you. :-)

GeoBigJon

I would say go for it. I think with all the stops and the distraction from riding learning about farms might make you forget your riding. I find when my mind wonders the next thing I know I am done, riding for me is relaxing.

Mithrandir

My first ride of the season, after 4 months of daily spinning on an exercise bike indoors... was 10 miles. And I felt beat to death.

13 miles on a first ride is great. Don't sweat it, you'll get your bike legs soon enough. I'm regularly doing 30+ miles a day now, with the occasional weekend excursion up to 65 miles.

BHOFM

Most have heard this story, my first real ride, had the bike a couple weeks, four miles to Lowes.
Took two hours to get there. Two hours on the return ride and I was still nearly two miles from
home and totally beat. Rested about half an hour and started walking the bike home, rode a
block or two and walked a block or two. Two hours later I was home. I fully intended to return
the damn bike and get my money back, I was not able to ride it like I wanted..
Didn't ride for several days. Went out a couple times, mile or so, then two, then five,, then,, then..

I ended the first year of biking at 12,002 miles, wore the $88 Wally mountain bike completely out.
Got a Schwinn Avenue, rear wheel failed, minor crash. Found an old Trek at a yard sale, $40,
spent over a hundred on parts to rebuild it, started riding it on April 23, now has over 3600 miles.

May 27, 2010, 288lbs. July 17, 2011, 201lbs. I turned 65 in April and I feel better and am in better
shape than I was at 45!!

chefisaac

thats freaking awesome. Gret job!

Going out riding in the morning with Neil in PA. Happy has heck.... scared a little since my last ride was tough on me but I feel like a little kid in a candy shop! .... all gitty

BHOFM

Thanks, you just have to want to do it..

My grand daughter is eleven years old and will be in the ninth grade this fall.
Some one said, she must be real smart, No I replied, she is hard headed like
her grand dad, she has made up her mind to do it, and God help any one that
gets in her way..

You just have to want to do it!!! Then go out and do it.

pallen

Stick with it, you are doing fine. You will be surprised at how fast your body can adapt and improve if you stick with it.

Neil_B

Dude did 24 miles with little to complain about. Wfournier met us at Norristown and rode back with us. Chefisaac was ready to do a couple more miles but he held back because he didn't want to overdo things.....