Going for my first ride tomorrow
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Going for my first ride tomorrow
I've been a long time lurker, but this is my first post here. As the title says I"m going for my first ride tomorrow as an adult. I'm pretty nervous. I weigh about 215 right now, not in good shape. The wife and I started walking 2 miles a day last week. I did okay with that so I thought I would try the bike tomorrow. My biggest concerns are the traffic and hills.
I live about 5 miles from town. My goal is to get comfortable enough on the bike that I can ride to the library and store instead of driving. Here is to hoping that tomorrow is the start of a new stage in my life.
Regards,
Paris
I live about 5 miles from town. My goal is to get comfortable enough on the bike that I can ride to the library and store instead of driving. Here is to hoping that tomorrow is the start of a new stage in my life.
Regards,
Paris
#2
Just Keep Pedaling
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Good luck! Tell us how it went.
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got the climbing bug
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don't be too nervous, just follow the traffic laws as if you were driving and stay to the right as far as you feel comfy with, doesn't mean ride 3" from pavement to dirt. Give your self some room, most of the glass & rocks will be right next to the curbs in the gutter.
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Enjoy your ride....it's a whole new world from the seat of a bike. Tell us how it went.
Karen
Karen
#5
LET'S ROLL
Have fun, be safe! Try to find other folks to ride
with. That would make cycling even more fun
with. That would make cycling even more fun
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You can do this. A comfortable 6-8 mph, faster down hill will get you there. Let us know. By the way 215, not so big. We are pulling for you!
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I've been a long time lurker, but this is my first post here. As the title says I"m going for my first ride tomorrow as an adult. I'm pretty nervous. I weigh about 215 right now, not in good shape. The wife and I started walking 2 miles a day last week. I did okay with that so I thought I would try the bike tomorrow. My biggest concerns are the traffic and hills.
I live about 5 miles from town. My goal is to get comfortable enough on the bike that I can ride to the library and store instead of driving. Here is to hoping that tomorrow is the start of a new stage in my life.
Regards,
Paris
I live about 5 miles from town. My goal is to get comfortable enough on the bike that I can ride to the library and store instead of driving. Here is to hoping that tomorrow is the start of a new stage in my life.
Regards,
Paris
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Trikeman
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That first ride is great, but it was the rides after that I had to push through. I was sore and my butt hurt, and 1 mile rides were physically challenging. Now, just after 2 weeks I am doing 5 miles with little trouble and it FEELS so GOOD! So stick with it and have FUN!!
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I've been a long time lurker, but this is my first post here. As the title says I"m going for my first ride tomorrow as an adult. I'm pretty nervous. I weigh about 215 right now, not in good shape. The wife and I started walking 2 miles a day last week. I did okay with that so I thought I would try the bike tomorrow. My biggest concerns are the traffic and hills.
I live about 5 miles from town. My goal is to get comfortable enough on the bike that I can ride to the library and store instead of driving. Here is to hoping that tomorrow is the start of a new stage in my life.
Regards,
Paris
I live about 5 miles from town. My goal is to get comfortable enough on the bike that I can ride to the library and store instead of driving. Here is to hoping that tomorrow is the start of a new stage in my life.
Regards,
Paris
As a lurker, you're probably already aware of all the inspirational stories that are posted here. These are a great group of people; I've learned quite a bit and have gotten lots of motivation from reading / posting here.
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I managed to ride 2 miles, before I had to call the wife to come get me. Not as far as I wanted to go, but further than I did last week. It was 36 degrees when I left. After 2 miles I felt like my ears and hands were going to fall off from cold. I also think my seat might be too low. I'm going to play around with the seat height this afternoon.
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I managed to ride 2 miles, before I had to call the wife to come get me. Not as far as I wanted to go, but further than I did last week. It was 36 degrees when I left. After 2 miles I felt like my ears and hands were going to fall off from cold. I also think my seat might be too low. I'm going to play around with the seat height this afternoon.
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It was 36 degrees when I left. After 2 miles I felt like my ears and hands were going to fall off from cold. I also think my seat might be too low. I'm going to play around with the seat height this afternoon.
Good luck with your future rides.
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Winter riding is whole new set of challenges.
Parka, balaclava , goggles , really good gloves, 3rd sock.
Parka, balaclava , goggles , really good gloves, 3rd sock.
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Congrats on getting that first ride out the way, especially with it being so cold. Good luck with your progress and keep us informed!
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“I'm going to play around with the seat height this afternoon.”
Getting the seat height right can be the key to a comfortable and painless ride. I followed a recommendation that stated in stocking feet your leg should be straight with your heel on the pedal. With shoes on and the ball of my foot on the pedal, I had a slight bend at my knee. This measurement was almost spot on. I later tweaked the height less than a quarter of an inch.
Have fun!!!
Getting the seat height right can be the key to a comfortable and painless ride. I followed a recommendation that stated in stocking feet your leg should be straight with your heel on the pedal. With shoes on and the ball of my foot on the pedal, I had a slight bend at my knee. This measurement was almost spot on. I later tweaked the height less than a quarter of an inch.
Have fun!!!
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Congrats!
To help keep you inspired to ride your bike more, check out the very sensible and entertaining bike advocacy from Mr. Money Mustache, here are some of my favorites related to biking:
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/...ch-with-bikes/
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/...-bike-trailer/
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/...t-have-a-bike/
Also some above mentioned cold-weather gear. Specialty biking clothes can get pretty pricey. One tip I learned that you might be able to use: toes especially get cold on a bike, since feet sitting still on the pedals is not much different than feet sitting still on the sidewalk (except there's more wind!!) There are neoprene booties you can buy, but (a) they look really dorky, and (b) did I mention you have to pay money for them? You can go a long ways towards keeping your tootsies toasty by putting on warm socks, then sticking your stocking feet into regular plastic grocery shopping bags (who doesn't have too many of those floating around!), then slide that mess into your shoes, and quickly scissor off the bag that is sticking out. (Or, for that classic homeless look, let your freak bags flap in the breeze!)
To help keep you inspired to ride your bike more, check out the very sensible and entertaining bike advocacy from Mr. Money Mustache, here are some of my favorites related to biking:
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/...ch-with-bikes/
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/...-bike-trailer/
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/...t-have-a-bike/
Also some above mentioned cold-weather gear. Specialty biking clothes can get pretty pricey. One tip I learned that you might be able to use: toes especially get cold on a bike, since feet sitting still on the pedals is not much different than feet sitting still on the sidewalk (except there's more wind!!) There are neoprene booties you can buy, but (a) they look really dorky, and (b) did I mention you have to pay money for them? You can go a long ways towards keeping your tootsies toasty by putting on warm socks, then sticking your stocking feet into regular plastic grocery shopping bags (who doesn't have too many of those floating around!), then slide that mess into your shoes, and quickly scissor off the bag that is sticking out. (Or, for that classic homeless look, let your freak bags flap in the breeze!)
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