Pre-Newbie Clydesdale just starting to shop around in Alexandria, VA
07-28-15, 07:50 AM
#1
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Pre-Newbie Clydesdale just starting to shop around in Alexandria, VA
Hello from Alexandria, VA!
I haven't touched a bike for 18 years except for a one-day rental (Townie, 21d) a couple of months ago. I rode about 11 miles on the southern end of the Mt. Vernon trail. I thought I was going to die, but I soldiered through and felt great (and sore) afterwards. I did it for my girlfriend, (possibly soon to be fiance), who is an avid cyclist. Since then, I've been thinking about how much I enjoyed the ride and how good it would be to bike to work (4 mile round trip) instead of hopping in the car every morning.
The final push over the edge to bike shopping? I recently hosted my 5 year old godson for a week. Trying to keep up with him made it quite clear that, if I'm going to have kids of my own some day, I need to get in better shape. So, the last time I accompanied my gf to her LBS I decided to start pricing and fitting.
I found these forums while conducting research into various clydesdale-friendly hybrids. I'm impressed so far by the warm welcomes and the friendly advice. I have to admit that, from the outside, cycling culture seems intimidating. Anonymous reading on this site, however, has removed that concern for me.
I'll post my specific info and what I'm shopping for on one of the appropriate forums. I look forward to reading your opinions and your support as I start this crazy ride.
Best,
Rich
I haven't touched a bike for 18 years except for a one-day rental (Townie, 21d) a couple of months ago. I rode about 11 miles on the southern end of the Mt. Vernon trail. I thought I was going to die, but I soldiered through and felt great (and sore) afterwards. I did it for my girlfriend, (possibly soon to be fiance), who is an avid cyclist. Since then, I've been thinking about how much I enjoyed the ride and how good it would be to bike to work (4 mile round trip) instead of hopping in the car every morning.
The final push over the edge to bike shopping? I recently hosted my 5 year old godson for a week. Trying to keep up with him made it quite clear that, if I'm going to have kids of my own some day, I need to get in better shape. So, the last time I accompanied my gf to her LBS I decided to start pricing and fitting.
I found these forums while conducting research into various clydesdale-friendly hybrids. I'm impressed so far by the warm welcomes and the friendly advice. I have to admit that, from the outside, cycling culture seems intimidating. Anonymous reading on this site, however, has removed that concern for me.
I'll post my specific info and what I'm shopping for on one of the appropriate forums. I look forward to reading your opinions and your support as I start this crazy ride.
Best,
Rich
07-28-15, 08:03 AM
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welcome to the forums. Congrats on the decision to make a difference in your life.
07-28-15, 10:10 AM
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07-28-15, 10:17 AM
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Hey Rich,
Welcome to Bike Forums.
Get a bike and start pedalling.
Your First bike is a Learning bike.
Welcome to Bike Forums.
Get a bike and start pedalling.
Your First bike is a Learning bike.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
07-28-15, 12:51 PM
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Welcome to Bike Forums, Rich!
07-29-15, 06:45 AM
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Thanks folks! I'm leaning towards a Townie to get me started, with the full knowledge that I might just go ahead and sell it off when I'm ready for something more aggressive.
ColaJacket, my GF rides a Redline commuter.
ColaJacket, my GF rides a Redline commuter.
07-29-15, 11:49 AM
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07-29-15, 11:57 AM
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Since your GF has a city bike, you might want to get something similar. A townie or some type of hybrid would probably be a good choice. If you plan on cycling the Mt. Vernon trail a good bit, then you might want to look at bikes with either a compact crank or a triple crank. Try to get a bike where the ratio front to rear is no higher than 34 - 32, and if you can find one with a 1-1 or <1 ratio, that might be good for a starting bike.
GH
GH
