First Time On A Bike For Over 35 Years!
10-13-07, 03:26 PM
#1
time to start - again!
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First Time On A Bike For Over 35 Years!
I did it! I stayed upright, not very far - just down the lane, u-turn and back again. But you've no idea how pleased I am with myself to even have got this far. With the support of my husband and this forum I've overcome my fear of being thought completely ridiculous and made a start!
I realise this is where the real work begins but for me to be thinking "Yes I will do it" rather than "No-way can I do that" is a pretty major achievement for me. I've had a pretty rough year and I've never been very good at trying things without being sure I could do them for fear of seeming foolish, so.... I'm chuffed to bits.
Thanks all for your support and encouragement. Now the hard work starts!!
I'll keep you posted - I find just "writing" this down helps, maybe I should start a blog too...
I realise this is where the real work begins but for me to be thinking "Yes I will do it" rather than "No-way can I do that" is a pretty major achievement for me. I've had a pretty rough year and I've never been very good at trying things without being sure I could do them for fear of seeming foolish, so.... I'm chuffed to bits.
Thanks all for your support and encouragement. Now the hard work starts!!
I'll keep you posted - I find just "writing" this down helps, maybe I should start a blog too...
10-13-07, 03:53 PM
#2
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
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Yes, start a blog! It's an excellent tool to keep yourself motivated. Don't write in it for anyone but yourself, though. Putting it out there on the net is fantastic as a motivator! 
Congrats and it only gets better!
Congrats and it only gets better!
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
10-13-07, 03:53 PM
#3
Lanky Lass
Congratulations! You do look quite pleased . Oh, and your bike looks good too! Keeping a blog would be brilliant...
East Hill
. Oh, and your bike looks good too! Keeping a blog would be brilliant...East Hill
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
10-13-07, 04:21 PM
#5
Perma-Clyde
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Great start and WELCOME!
Don't forget to drop into the "Athena's" thread up above and introduce yourself to the ladies.
Don't forget to drop into the "Athena's" thread up above and introduce yourself to the ladies.
10-13-07, 04:21 PM
#6
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
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Means she's extremely pleased!
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
10-13-07, 05:02 PM
#7
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Congrats and welcome! I've just started riding again myself after many moons and have found the folks in this forum to be very welcoming and encouraging!
And nice bike!
Definitely start a blog, it's great to have something to look back on as you progress.
And nice bike!
Definitely start a blog, it's great to have something to look back on as you progress.
10-13-07, 05:22 PM
#8
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That is a nice bike! I'm a big fan of the bomber!!!
Welcome to our community of cyclists!
Welcome to our community of cyclists!
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10-13-07, 07:21 PM
#9
This Space For Rent
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Congrats! I too think that is a sweet looking ride. Always remember that as soon as you get on the bike and turn that first pedal revolution, you are way ahead of most people!
10-13-07, 09:20 PM
#10
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Very nice. Every mile or kilometer start with the first stroke of the pedal. Today the driveway, tomorrow the world. Keep it up and you will be doing the ride across Scotland one day.
10-14-07, 10:50 AM
#13
Really Old Senior Member
Way to go. Don't try to do too much at first. Small steps DO add up QUICKLY! (you will amaze yourself)
Keep it FUN!
Keep it FUN!
10-14-07, 06:14 PM
#14
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Congrats timetostart, well done!! I just started to ride myself after a 30+ year hiatus and that feeling of accomplishment is still fresh in my mind 
10-14-07, 06:46 PM
#15
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Awesome. Blogging or just mileage journals with notes on the ride is definitely good to do. Someday sooner than you think you'll hit a mileage you didn't think possible and you'll look back to these first rides with some amusement.
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just being
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10-14-07, 09:50 PM
#16
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Sharing your joy & excitement with us makes me feel cheery. Very snazzy looking bike. Just keep riding no matter what the distance.
10-14-07, 09:58 PM
#17
On my TARDIScycle!
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Hip Hip Hooray!!!!timetostart....did the bike shop check that bike's fit for you? I may be wrong, but the saddle looks awfully low compared to the handlebars. If it feels uncomfortable in any way, I'd take it back and have the shop fit it to you properly.
10-14-07, 10:51 PM
#18
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Congrats!
What part of Scotland are you from? I was stationed @ RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and visited Melrose & Edinburgh
What part of Scotland are you from? I was stationed @ RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and visited Melrose & Edinburgh
10-15-07, 04:50 AM
#19
time to start - again!
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Thanks for all your comments, I really appreciate your encouragement!
FireDawgStew - We live in Angus, it's known as "The Gateway to the Glens" - can't wait to get out there now I've conquered my fear! Next thing is to improve my ability!!
King Termite - thanks for your observations. You're right. The guys in the shop had it set higher but said to move it lower for just a wee while so my feet readily touch the ground while not confident - I am very short legged(!) and a scaredy cat
- then raise it back ASAP to where he set it to have a more comfortable ride.
FireDawgStew - We live in Angus, it's known as "The Gateway to the Glens" - can't wait to get out there now I've conquered my fear! Next thing is to improve my ability!!
King Termite - thanks for your observations. You're right. The guys in the shop had it set higher but said to move it lower for just a wee while so my feet readily touch the ground while not confident - I am very short legged(!) and a scaredy cat
- then raise it back ASAP to where he set it to have a more comfortable ride.
10-15-07, 09:01 AM
#20
On my TARDIScycle!
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King Termite - thanks for your observations. You're right. The guys in the shop had it set higher but said to move it lower for just a wee while so my feet readily touch the ground while not confident - I am very short legged(!) and a scaredy cat - then raise it back ASAP to where he set it to have a more comfortable ride.
- then raise it back ASAP to where he set it to have a more comfortable ride.
10-15-07, 07:15 PM
#21
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That's a nice bike! My advice is to work into it gradually, and then stick with it. After the initial enthusiasm wears off you will probably experience days when it seems too much trouble to get on the bike, and you let yourself talk yourself out of going on a ride. I've done it many times. But, hopefully, you'll discover that if you force yourself to go, once you get out on the road you'll be loving it, and feel grateful that you didn't allow yourself to wimp out. Keep in touch via this forum!
10-15-07, 09:04 PM
#22
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I took my dad on his first bike ride in about 25 years this weekend. I feel guilty that we did 27 miles, but he did well, and besides his butt, he wasn't as sore as he expected. I wasn't trying to kill him (we took a lot of breaks) but he was very proud. I have pictures, but don't know how to post them...any help?
10-15-07, 10:02 PM
#23
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
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I took my dad on his first bike ride in about 25 years this weekend. I feel guilty that we did 27 miles, but he did well, and besides his butt, he wasn't as sore as he expected. I wasn't trying to kill him (we took a lot of breaks) but he was very proud. I have pictures, but don't know how to post them...any help?
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
10-16-07, 11:49 AM
#25
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Congrats! I remember how hard it was to start up again last year after a decade off. I notice you've lowered your seat down quite a bit on that contraption. I would strongly suggest you look into a cruiser or "comfort" style bike to get you started again. You seem to be naturally trying to adjust it along those lines--with the handlebars up higher than the seat. There's nothing wrong with this, but a rock hopper isn't really intended to be ridden that way. I started up on an Electra cruiser and moved gradually to a Marin Redwood, which I've slowly turned into more of a hybrid bike. Only now, after a year, am I shifting to a mountain bike again. Here's the redwood:
https://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2...s_redwood.html
As you can see, the bars are up a few inches over the seat. This allows you to stay at a higher angle and was easier on my old bones. On the down side, it limits your ability to use your larger muscles for powering over obstacles and up slopes. It also means you're hitting more wind. But for starting out I found this was not a big deal.
If that one works for you, you're ahead of the game. But you should at least try a cruiser or a Redwood style bike. The cruisers are particularly nice because they're incredibly stable and the Electras allow you to always have a foot down on the ground if needed.
https://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2...s_redwood.html
As you can see, the bars are up a few inches over the seat. This allows you to stay at a higher angle and was easier on my old bones. On the down side, it limits your ability to use your larger muscles for powering over obstacles and up slopes. It also means you're hitting more wind. But for starting out I found this was not a big deal.
If that one works for you, you're ahead of the game. But you should at least try a cruiser or a Redwood style bike. The cruisers are particularly nice because they're incredibly stable and the Electras allow you to always have a foot down on the ground if needed.
Last edited by Cosmoline; 10-16-07 at 11:57 AM.