Hello from Florida!

[kash]

Hello, all! My name is Kyle and I live in Florida. I learned how to ride a bike two years ago, when I was 20-years-old, and am still a bit shaky on it (I don't practice often, but I mean to change that!)

I used to be almost 300 pounds at 5'11" and have worked my way down to around 220 pounds (goal weight is 165). I've recently decided to begin cycling to work, and I was hoping for some advice. Obviously, since I still crash into bushes when I go for a bike ride, I need to practice more. My balance is great, but i've got issues with steering, and my forearms are usually very tense (I assume out of fear) when riding.

I will eventually be riding 7 miles to work, and 7 miles back, and was wondering if anyone had any tips and tricks? The plan i've started to formulate is to ride for an hour every other day on the bike, and also to bike on a stationary to get my body used to the motion. 7 miles should only take 30-45 minutes on a bike, so i'm assuming that practicing for an hour should suffice.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

[RonH]

Welcome to Bike Forums.
Ease up on the tension in your arms, and I'm guessing your neck and shoulders. Pay attention to your arms, neck, and shoulders when you're riding. If they seem tense or stiff, practice relaxing them while you're riding.

The folks in the Commuting forum can give you lots of good advice about riding to work.

[1nterceptor]

Hi Kash! Are there other people you can ride with?
Riding with a group is a good learning and motivational
tool. Which city are you located, perhaps there are
organized rides by you.

[cbtim]

Hello, all! My name is Kyle and I live in Florida. I learned how to ride a bike two years ago, when I was 20-years-old, and am still a bit shaky on it (I don't practice often, but I mean to change that!)

I used to be almost 300 pounds at 5'11" and have worked my way down to around 220 pounds (goal weight is 165). I've recently decided to begin cycling to work, and I was hoping for some advice. Obviously, since I still crash into bushes when I go for a bike ride, I need to practice more. My balance is great, but i've got issues with steering, and my forearms are usually very tense (I assume out of fear) when riding.

I will eventually be riding 7 miles to work, and 7 miles back, and was wondering if anyone had any tips and tricks? The plan i've started to formulate is to ride for an hour every other day on the bike, and also to bike on a stationary to get my body used to the motion. 7 miles should only take 30-45 minutes on a bike, so i'm assuming that practicing for an hour should suffice.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi,

I live in Florida also and own several bikes. But the one that I enjoy riding the most is my Catrike Road recumbent trike. With it you should have no problems with balance or steering. Riding it is like sitting in a lawn chair and riding down the road. I am 67 years old and weigh around 200 pounds and I can hit 25 MPH if I don't have my cargo trailer hooked up with my 3 dogs in it. Best of luck.