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Borrow a bike to commute?

Old 08-10-09, 09:27 PM
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Borrow a bike to commute?

I dont have my own bike yet but im wanting to commute. Should I borrow my brothers or neighbors bike to try commuting to the town 8 miles away? I want to try commuting on a bike really bad. If the bike is sturdy enough for my weight 270 should I try commuting on it?
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Old 08-10-09, 09:33 PM
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I havent been on a bike since I was a kid.
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Old 08-10-09, 09:41 PM
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Do it.
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Old 08-10-09, 09:48 PM
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I vote no. I mean, go ahead and borrow the bike, and ride around on it as long as you can. Then borrow it again the next day and ride it a little longer.

But there's little chance that a 270 pounder (unless he's 8 feet tall) is ready to jump right into a 16 mile round trip commute. Start small and work up to it as quickly as you can.
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Old 08-10-09, 09:57 PM
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Build up my leg power?
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Old 08-10-09, 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by slipknot0129
Build up my leg power?
Well if you're carrying 270 pounds everywhere you go, your legs are probably already pretty strong.

But you will build strength as you ride more. You really need to strengthen your heart and lungs if you haven't been exercising much lately.
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Old 08-10-09, 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by slipknot0129
I havent been on a bike since I was a kid.
Prepare for your commute first, by just getting out on the bike and riding. If you do it cold turkey you might make it once, maybe three; however, you also may be super sore and be subject to cramping.
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Old 08-11-09, 09:17 AM
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It took me two attempts to make it all the way to work when I first started commuting. However, I had a mechanical issue with my bike on my first attempt.

I did only go to work, and got a ride home. On the third attempt I rode both ways.
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Old 08-11-09, 09:52 AM
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I started out commuting at 235 pounds. It took me about a week to get to where I could ride two miles to the local transit station and back at night. Within about a month I was riding the 11 miles home once a week. It took about five months before I could make it every day. I didn't take enough days off while I was building my fitness, so I probably could have done it quicker if I had only ridden a few times a week early on.

I think borrowing a bike to try it out is a good idea, but don't be discouraged when you see how hard it is at first. You'll progress quickly and you would not believe how much your health can improve.

I started out as a sedentary, obese 37-year-old. Since then I've lost 50 pounds, my blood pressure went from pre-hypertension to usually around 115/65, my cholesterol dropped about 60 points and my cardio-vascular fitness, according to a fitness test I took at work a couple of weeks ago, would be above average for a 21-year-old.

The only reason I'd hesitate to say you should borrow the bike to start with is that it reduces your level of commitment. On the other hand, some people don't like biking and end up with bikes collecting dust in their garage. This is more likely if they started out with a low-budget bike. Borrow the nicest bike you can and keep in mind that better bikes are available.
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Old 08-11-09, 11:33 AM
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I have to say it, I am about 200pounds and bicyclig has never helped me lose weight. Not even when I was riding 20mi per day.
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Old 08-11-09, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Robert C
I have to say it, I am about 200pounds and bicyclig has never helped me lose weight. Not even when I was riding 20mi per day.
That can happen. I actually do have to watch what I eat to lose weight. The other health benefits come more directly.
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Old 08-11-09, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Robert C
I have to say it, I am about 200pounds and bicyclig has never helped me lose weight. Not even when I was riding 20mi per day.
Ive lost a total of about 80 pounds over the years that I have been commuting. I started out around 260 a while back and am currently at 210.
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