nubiennze

After an extended hiatus from an admittedly spotty fitness routine, I'm getting back in the saddle, hehe.

I've basically been forced to address my fitness as I'm approaching 27 years old heavier than I've ever been without a well-fitting article of clothing to spare. On another forum of which I'm a member, I was encouraged to revisit my goals of finishing a triathlon--even if I had to walk during the run portion--and I finally realized that starting something is better than planning everything and doing nothing.

I have to say that my biggest hindrance has been the bike shopping process; a couple years ago I made my first attempt with an ancient rusted $25 MTB from Craigslist I'd intended to upgrade. Of course, having no knowledge of bicycles beyond my feeble Internet research (especially for a project as extensive as this one), I was quickly resigned to buying a new bike but had no idea where to start. I was also (to say the least) somewhat apprehensive about being a fat girl traipsing around in fit guys' bike shops. Needless to say, the new bike idea was all but abandoned.

After being nudged to pursue the triathlon, however, I broke down and got a gym membership (something I'd up to this point fervently avoided) and decided to grab a pair of cycling shorts so I could at least get some pedaling in and shed a few pounds via spin class. Once I found myself inside a bike shop without the pressure of shopping for a bike, I was like a kid in a candy store.

The shop I visited mostly carried Cannondales, and the Quick CX the guy showed me immediately grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. I went home and began looking up comparable bikes (I knew from my research a couple years back that I wanted a hybrid, which was what I was attempting to build from that old heavy MTB), and it seemed every single Google search led me to this site. I figured since this seems to be where all the info is I may as well join the party.

So here I am! Please forgive my long-winded post, as I believe some of you all's passion for the sport is beginning to rub off on me. I look forward to soaking up all I can here.

10 Wheels

Get the Quick CX and start pedalling.
Welcome to Bike Forums.

10 Wheels

Check in here for some new friends.

https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...-(200-lb-91-kg)

nubiennze

I'm actually leaning more toward the Specialized Sirrus Elite now, but believe you me, the minute the IRS cuts my check I'm on some wheels. For the time being I just have test driving to look forward to.

Thanks for the welcome!

10 Wheels

Cool, your first bike is a learning experience.
Have fun with it.

nubiennze

Looks like our posts crossed--thanks for the link as well. Another excuse for not wanting to ride--that I'd be too heavy to enjoy it! Looking forward to gleaning some inspiration here.

nubiennze

Ooh, and there's a triathlon thread too...*swoon*

StephenH

Howdy and welcome to the forums.

Long ago, we lived up in Fort Collins and I did lots of hiking in a local county park. The main users of the backtrails of that park were mountain bikers. But what I noticed was that it seemed the first time we got a half inch of snow, everyone put their bikes up and you didn't see them again until next spring. In the meantime, we'd have days of lovely weather that they all missed.

Here in the Dallas area, it's too hot to ride. Or too cold, or too dark, or too windy, or too rainy. But if you wait for the "perfect" day, you can narrow it down to about two days a year when you actually ride.

Moral is, get out there and ride, ride when it's nice, ride when it's not.

nubiennze

Very true! I love the thought of being "hardcore" enough to ride rain or shine...one of these days.