Haven't ridden in forty years!
 

Wife and I just bought two new Trek 7200 bikes. We are both in our early sixties. Plan to carry them with us in/on our RV and use them for exercize and fun on the road. We have the bikes and have also purchased helmets. That's it. Would appreciate any advice re: additional equipment and/or what to expect. Thought we would truck the bikes down to a local vacant parking lot and get use to riding them there before we hit the road. I use to ride a bike when I was a kid but....that was long ago.
Thanks for your help.

Hi,
padded shorts, good saddles, bike gloves.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1140
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120

Saddles are tough. No matter what you use, your butt's gonna be sore for a while. But if you actually ride you will likely want a better saddle. Go to a good bike shop, tell them you need a saddle. If they're good, they will take it back when it doesn't work for you. A good cheap saddle is the WTB Speed V. My family only uses Brooks, but they are more expensive.
http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/singl...ngsaddles.html
Take a look at the B67.

Don't bother with shorts/gloves until you find a need for them. Saddles are personal, no one can tell you what would be good. If the one you have now sucks, change it out until you find the one that fits you.

Welcome back to cycling.

I think first thing the beginners run into is the saddle problem. It's not a big problem if you ride in short distance, but once you get used to cycling and the distance increases more and more and find your saddle uncomfortable, you'll start looking into other options. You may find some useful information in the past threads.

Other things are pretty much as you go basis, depends on how much you are into it. For example, clipless pedals and shoes are nice thing to have but not quite necessary. People in this forum are tend to be serious cyclists, so what we suggest in here may not suites your needs. It helps if you let us know how much the level of your activity, what you willing to do, when you ask questions.

You already did the hardest part, deciding to get back to cycling. The rest is easy.

Try finding routes on quiet roads. These are often easier than cycle trails, which are often crowded with undisciplined riders, dogs at the end of a long leash etc. Try planning routes that pass good eateries - enjoy, enjoy!

Yeah--just have fun. You'll figure out more about gear as you go along. You probably should have stuff to fix tubes and/or spare tubes, and a pump is kinda important. Dealing with punctures is not that hard. I am a total klutz at mechanics but even I can replace a tube and inflate it.

Agreed. Get yourself a seat wedge (small bag that goes under the saddle) for one or both of your bikes. In it, carry a set of tire levers, a patch kit and a spare tube. Get a small tire pump that attaches to your frame and familiarize yourself with fixing a flat and/or replacing a tube before you venture too far.

I'd also recommend a multi-tool -- sort of a Swiss Army knife with a selection of Allen wrenches and screwdrivers that will tighten or loosen just about anything on your bike.

Enjoy your bikes.

Does anyone else think that carrying a tube patch kit and a spare tube is like wearing a belt and suspenders? If I got two flats on the same ride I would probably take a bus. :)

Welcome back to the bike! You won't regret it.

I agree with Operator. Every butt is different and you need to find the saddle that fits yours.

On a related topic, make sure your bike properly fits you. If you didn't get fitted when you bought the bikes, go back and make them do it. It may require some adjustment or even swapping out some small parts like the stem and such. But an ill-fitting bike is an uncomfortable bike is a rarely ridden bike.

On the patch/spare tube issue: I carry a spare tube and a packet of Park glueless patches. The packet is tiny and the patches are good enough to get you home.

We trucked the bikes down to a large vacant parking lot last evening and rode them around for about an hour. It was great. We really enjoyed it. I think I have a problem with this "saddle". My butt feels like I have been sitting on a fence rail. Actually, I noticed it right away. Thanks for the advice on this. I am going to go in and see if I can get a better (bigger?) saddle before we head out for Memorial day. I suppose I could just tough it out and hope that my butt adjusts.....

Good idea on tire pump and patch kit. Thanks.

We are looking forward to riding. Thanks for all the great advice.

Is it a soft squishy saddle? I hate those.

JEgan712, It might be the saddle, if you are dealing with a decent bike shop have them check to alignment of saddle and handlebars. Your seat might be tilted as well and that is causing more discomfort than it should. As you have already seen, there are plenty of saddles to choose from once you are sure the seat is in the right place.

I think a spare tube, patch kit, pump and a multi-tool are all good initial investments. As the year heads into fall you might consider a light that can clip on to your helmet so that when the ride you start to enjoy the evening turns pitch black you can still see. Since it sounds like you will be riding only when you feel like doing it for fun you can skip fenders and racks, which won't be of much value to you. As you ride further and longer you can worry about all the other add-ons as you feel you need them.

Enjoy the riding and the exploration posibilities a bike opens up.

I thought so too. Last week 3 flats on one ride within 17 miles. Didnt' even have my cell phone. :mad:

The original post said:

Plan to carry them with us in/on our RV and use them for exercize and fun on the road.

That cahnges a lot of things. When you are out with the RV you are far from home may have to do it all yourself. It also adds a few other things you might like.

Equip each bike for flats. Pump (and co2 cartridge if you like) patch kit AND at least one spare tube. A patch kit is difficult to use if the puncture is close to the valve stem and worthless if the valve is damaged.

One of the best things about a bike when camping is a quick trip top the store is just that. No parking problem or major production moving the RV. But how to get the stuff back. Invest in some paniers to carry stuff safely. You do not need an expensive set. But something that keeps the weight low and safe would help. Of course a quick trip to the market followed my a missing bike when you come out is not fun. Get a lock for each bike. Then picture dinner and you are out of butter (or something). Oh, but it is getting dark. Get a light. Again you do not need something super expensive. You do not plan to go fast and long, but enough to see the road at slow speeds and to be seen is really a help. Also reflectors in back and on the sides.

I always have a few spare tubes. I then usually wait until I have several punctured tubes and patch them at the same time. For camping I would also advise having a few spares. Who wants to have to hunt for a store in a strange city instead of enjoying the outdoors you came for?

Depending on what you plan on when camping you might want ot add leg warmers and jackets. Most useful if you will be going to things that end after dar, e.g. where it will be cold when you retrun to the RV.

Nope, don't think so at all. Been there, and nearest bus stop was blocks away.