wannabeclyde

First for the brand new bike picture -

2012 Cannondale Synapse 105

And the inaugural ride -

I had very realistic expectations going into it, and felt like I could have easily made another loop. My sister (ironman finisher super-fitness woman) gave me the advice to just let it be, and if I feel good to ride again tomorrow, no point in pushing anything at first.

Scales said 326.6 this morning, looking forward to 299.9 as my first milestone. Done it before, it's time to do it again and forever!

I was a blank canvas with little feedback to give during my fitting... he must have asked me how it felt at least a dozen times. Unfortunately, my honest response was "well, it doesn't feel comfortable at all, but I'm pretty sure that's me not being comfortable on any road bike". After riding I felt a lot of weight on my hands between my thumb and fingers, but a few tips and I was able to make my butt hurt instead :-P I'm assuming this is normal? Any tips from the clydes?

PhotoJoe 

Congrats! NICE BIKE. First step in an amazing journey. 299.9 will be here before you know it!

Fangowolf

I'll spot ya 3 and race ya to 299.9

magohn

Congrats - pretty bike.

I had and still have numbness and pressure on my hands (2+ yrs of riding). I figure its because Im still in the 280's. Anyways, as far as the saddle is concerned, when I first got my road-bike I would almost be in tears with the butt pain. I tried many saddles and the following two are the only ones that took the pain away:

Brooks B17 - instant relief but you have to watch for getting it wet etc.
https://www.brooksengland.com/catalog.../B17+Standard/

Titanico X - a recent acquirement and Im impressed. As comfy as the brooks and also weather-resistant. Plus it a little more sporty looking:
https://www.selleanatomica.com/produc...ico-x-details/

I'd be happy with either. I have the most mileage on the Brooks but only because Ive had it longer. Ive ridden back to back centuries (miles) on the Brooks and by the end everything hurt but my butt

Chitown_Mike

Very nice bike! My goal next year is to drop some cash on a bike, but for now I ride old steel in the form of an '82 Continental.

As for pain, I had a balance of learning how to "settle" into a long ride. I would get saddle sore quick early on, but found over time the more I road the less pain in the butt I had. The hand pain for me was because of a HB that was too close and too low. I just got a new stem (shout out to pastorbob!) and some aero brake levers and that "stretched" me out some to make a more comfortable ride. But if a bike shop fitted you, try going back in after some miles on it and let them know what you are feeling and where.

And main thing, RELAX! I had a tough time relaxing on a bike at first, so I was so wound up that my muscles would cause me discomfort over the actual bike because of my riding position. I have learned that on longer rides I need to shift around every so often, nothing drastic, and also stand up from time to time.

If I have a lot of pain, I hop off and go for a stroll with my bike rolling next to me. Someone on here has it in their sig, but I don't look at it as a walk of shame, I look at it as cyclocross.

Enjoy the journey and share your story, I have benefited a lot from people on here and their stories and motivation.

vesteroid

Your sister gave good advice. And dont worry about the fitting. when I did my first one, I just told the guy to set it up how he thought it should be. then I would adapt. that way I assumed (and it worked) that if I had pains, I would simply have to ride enough for them to go away.

they did go away. My hands would go numb in about 10 minutes at first, and my but hurt like no tomorrow. It all got better. My hands still get numb on long climbs but it doesnt matter, I just take one hand, hold it down, and shake for 30 seconds and its all good again.

Just go ride, and have a good time...dont start trying to adjust everything or buy all new parts until you do realize what it is supposed to feel like.