Check out this loser on the bike, bwahaha!
 

....wait, that's me. oops.:rolleyes:

I said that because I am a new rider and the two times I've ridden so far have left me a sweaty pulp in a helmet. I'm pretty out of shape (27 yrs., 5'8, 193 lbs.) so the riding is hard but depsite all that, I love it very much and want to continue. I live outside of San Antonio, TX towards Boerne and there are a ton of road bikes out here all the time. But I wanted to do a little more than just road, so I got a TREK 3700 mostly because it was the cheapest entry level mtb available with a seemingly above average build-quality.

I have a lot to learn about my bike and about cycling itself, and this site looks like it will help me along the way. Any advice for me or on my bike is greatly appreciated. Take care.

-M

Welcome aboard!
Check out our mountain biking forum, and we have a Texas regional as well!

Hello Manfred, don't feel alone out there, my husband has a Trek 3700 and it seems sometimes that I can't pry him off the thing. It's not that he doesn't have other bikes, he just really likes that one.

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Thanks for the warm welcome. :) I also just got some gloves and a water-bottle + cage. I haven't been able to ride this week because we've been cleaning our house for our daughter's birthday party.

When does everyone prefer to ride?? Early morning? Afternoon? Evening??

Whenever I can get free. :D

I ride in the morning before work

You've certainly got the right attitude, Manfred. Welcome!

... Brad

I get off work at 4.30 am. That's when I do my riding :eek: .

East Hill

Welcome to BikeForums. There are lots of Texas members around, 3 of us are even moderators!

Welcome los... umm, I mean Manfred. :) It seems like you have a good sense of humor and a love of cycling, which is all you'll need to fit in here. I think you might especially like the Foo forum, but I'm kind of biased!

Went out riding today. Felt great. Rode all over for 30 minutes and did about 15 minutes of flat riding to wind down. Tried out the new gloves-- they are nice and help a lot. I've been trying to loosen the "death-grip" on the handle-bars too.

Another noob question here: I notice that I ride with my arch of my foot on the pedals. Should I be trying to keep the toe part of my foot there?

Thanks again!

Hehehe, yes, the death grip. I still do that going uphills, don't ask why.

You should try to keep the ball of your foot on the pedals. Eventually, if you go to clipless, that's where your foot will be positioned anyway. It's also the most efficient place for your pedal stroke.

East Hill