mikepoole

Hey Rick, sounds like you're pretty close to the off-road trails at Hamilton Creek Park, as well as the Stones River Greenway- the one in Nashville, as opposed to the one in Murfreesboro. The Stones River Greenway is _almost_ connected to the greenway leading to Shelby Bottoms (just one highway bridge crossing at Lebanon Pike for now, until next year). Either would be a good start for non-road riding...

Have an xtra on order, would love to see yours sometime.

tommy gayle

thanks john
I picked another bike at a yard sale and it is a nest for $5 and it is in good shape
but it is no comparison to my nishiki but I am slowly trying to get into some kinda shape to ride more
I have several health issues and looking forward to feeling like a person again
you know when we are young we don't know that our actions we do at the time we will pay
for later in life
still loved playing football and would do it again
best to all
tommy

JohnKScott

Sounds like good plan to get moving again. I have a similar story. I played HS football & basketball. Started in both sports. Did track through Jr. High as well. I used to be able to knock off a 10 mile run in under an hour or under and not even think much of it. I weighed 140-145 lbs when I graduated from HS.

Fast forward to about age 34 or so where I peaked out at around 250 lbs. I had health issues start to develop. Borderline high blood pressure. Sciatic nerve & lower back issues. I started slowly moving again (jogging at that point) and it was painful but I slowly made progress. I actually worked my way down to about 200 lbs and was feeling a lot better by the time I was 36.

Life changed. Moved to Nashville, first (and still only) child, new job etc. I stopped being as active again. Slowly worked my way back up to about 230 lbs at age 43. Started walking. And then swimming and worked down to about 220 and then started cycling at age 44 in April, 2007. Now at 45 official weigh in last Saturday was 175 lbs. On my way to 170 before I re-evaluate (I'm 5'10" with a slightly more than medium build). I'm thinking somewhere between 160 & 170 is the weight I will want to settle on in the end.

I just went out and ran for the first time in years this morning. Thought I'd give it a try. Knocked off a 5K in 29:54. Not exactly fast, but better than I thought I might do. My cardio fitness was fine. Felt like I could have gone 10k easy there. I just have to get used to the different muscle useage compared to biking. Certain parts of me will likely be a little sore tomorrow .

I might want to try my hand at some cycle racing and triathlons in the future (still have a lot of work to do in both areas though)

I love this. I'm in better shape than I was when I was 25. My BP is strongly in the normal zone. My resting pulse is somewhere in the mid-upper 40s. Never started taking it until I was into cycling for a while but it's a pretty good bet that it was up in the upper 60s low 70s at my peak. My back hasn't hurt for a long time. No sciatica. I just plain feel awesome! My only regret is that I would have started 10 or even 20 years ago. But it's never too late!

Good luck on your goals

Velo Vol 

Nice story.

tommy gayle

john
I played in hs and college, my playing weight was 300 lb was a pulling guard, I did not quit playing sports of some kind till I was 45
problem is the weights I lifted in hs and in college were so massive that has damaged my joints
I have three bad disk and I lose the nerves my right leg from time to time and I have a cyst
growing in the nerve channel I think I might have a couple of bones that did not get broke
but I am on the rite side of the box so it is time that I did something that would make me more limber again
so I try bike riding
I sorry that I can say that I'm in better shape then I was at 25
I was able to pick up a 9 foot railroad tie and run a mile before putting it down
but my body has gone down hill and I have abused it a bit to much
but enough war stories
tommy

overloaded

Tommy,
Since your in H'ville, check out the FOGBEES at

https://fogbees.blogspot.com/

tommy gayle

thanks overloaded

Richard1967

Hello, I just getting back into riding and plan on commuting to work again which should be easy it is only 5.4 miles. The only issue I have noticed is that the cage runners seem to take up a lot of the road and not leave much room to ride. I have plenty of lights on my X. It is that I have been run off the road by people for no reason and it tends to make you a little nervous. But I would still like to meet others to go riding with on my days off. And if possible bike camping would be great. I have two bikes 1. Diamondback Outlook, 2. Xtracycle, on a mountain bike frame. If I can figure out how to load photos I will put a couple on here. Thanks Rick

PS I think I figured it out. I hope LOL

Richard1967

Anytime you want just drop me a line. I took it out riding last wed at Perry Preist dam. Was going to ride in today but it is raining, and I have flat found that out last night. It is a fun bike I finaly got everything for it. So she is set up even jurry riged some neon for saftey I like to be seen late at night after work.

bakerjw

Just started riding again (2 1/2 months) and am in the best cardio shape since I was in my teens. I can't run due to joint pain, but I can ride.

I live outside of Johnson City in Austin Springs. I'm always riding out toward Elizabethton, Bluff City, Shady Valley, etc... There are some very beautiful rides in these mountains. We have the pink ribbon ride this weekend, but the weekend after might see me riding out to the town of Roan Mountain and into N.C. From my doorstep it looks to be a 60 to 70 mile round trip.

Gavush

welcome aboard!

CollectiveInk

Hey Bakerjw... welcome to the forum from another Johnson City resident. I didn't get to do the pink ribbon, but did get out to Gray>Sulphur Springs>Jonesborough>JC for a ride before the rain came in. Not sure what your pace is, or schedule, but if you feel up to a ride sometime, give me a shout.

Tim

Gavush

Anyone else doing Jack and Back this weekend?

CollectiveInk

I am - well rather I am attempting it. This is the longest ride I've ever been on. We're heading out Friday afternoon.

Do you know what kind of route it is (hilly, steep, flat, etc.)?

Gavush

No, I haven't done it before - but my neighbor says there is one really steep hill that's pretty tough. (the 50 mile option skips it)

it will be the furthest I've ridden as well.

HandsomeRyan

I just heard about this ride when a friend said his girlfriend and he were doing it. Looks like a good time, maybe I'll try to participate next year.

I'm looking at trying the "Assault on The Carolinas" again this March. Last year it essentially got rained out (we still rode part of the course but it was VERY wet). Hopefully it'll be nicer in 09 and I'll get to complete the course. I took my hybrid bike last year but maybe I'll have my single speed cyclocross-esque bike in time to use it this year.

eogie

Just stumbled upon the regional section of bikeforums and had never seen it! I'm in Nashville, TN right next to the entrance of the Natchez Trace Parkway . Glad to see so many other people from the area! I probably see some of you guys occasionaly.

Gavush

Jack and back was an amazing event... I was very impressed. I highly encourage everyone to try it one year....

some pics I took:

https://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../JackandBack08

VolGirl

Hey all,
I just registered and now I've found this! I live and ride in Lebanon, about 30 miles east of Nashville. I've been riding regularly for over 3 years now.

HandsomeRyan

VolGirl... ...from Nashville?

I thought everything west of Cookeville was strictly Titans country?

VolGirl

I've got the degree on the office wall. There are lotsa folks in this area that have season tickets.

Vols on Sat. Titans on Sunday.

JohnKScott

I probably ride by you most Saturdays. Many of my Saturday routes include the Trace.

Welcome!

eogie

Very cool, I'm on Temple Rd right across from the Publix on Hwy. 100. I haven't been doing much leisure riding. I'm usually commuting so I rarely get on the Trace.

I did find a nice loop starting at Temple Rd, to Old Natchez, to Old Hillsboro, out to Leipers Fork and then hopping on the Trace and riding back to Loveless Cafe area. It's about 30 miles. I'm excited to try it.

Say hi next time you see me . I'll be riding a red, mid 90s Giordana and wearing a red jersey. Good luck.

HandsomeRyan

I went to TTU (until I dropped out) but my wife has a BS and is almost finished with a Masters from UT.

For me it's more like

Bike on Saturday, [if you your bike and/or body aren't broken from Saturdays ride] bike again on Sunday.

VolGirl

I just hafta ride very early on weekends!