dervilfal

I do try to dive in with both feet on something I'm serious about! I used to ride in high school and my BF decided we needed something we could do together, so he has been driving the - back to biking feeling in our home. I am greatly enjoying it though!

Thank you for the welcomes!

lovetheduns

Name: Christina
Age: 31
Marital Status: Single
Height/weight: 5'3" /275 lbs
What bike do you currently ride: Trek Navigator 2.0 WSD (brand new as of today-- no modifications)
How long have you been riding?: I used to ride all the time when I was a kid before I got my driver's license. Until today-- it has been probably been about 15 years. I have been riding well for a total of 5 minutes.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Yes definitely trying to lose weight. I am trying to lose weight by exercise, watching what I eat, etc. I am not trying to do crazy diets. I want something that is sustainable for my entire life. I did the Atkins induction and lost 11 pounds-- I am a member of the YMCA but I plan to use that for only weight lifting and water aerobics when summer comes. I HATE riding the bike or doing any cardio at the gym. The bike was so I could feel the wind in my face and enjoy myself (and get cardio at the same time).
What is your ultimate goal?: Weight anywhere from 150-160 I guess. Actually I just want to be able to go into any clothing store and buy a size-- I mean I would take a 14 at this point! My other goal is to be able to lose enough weight to be able to ride my horse again. I would say if I could get down to 200 I would feel comfortable enough to get on my horse. Less would obviously be more ideal.
How often do you ride and for how long?: Well, seriously I actually just picked up my bike today! I rode for god, maybe 5-7 minutes--- I have to say at the gym I would always do around 35-45 min of recumbant biking-- but lord!!! it is a heck of a lot harder actually going out on the street and climbing even moderate hills. I biked for about .80 of a mile. *LOL* I guess you have to start somewhere. I want to be able to get on my bike at least for that long EVERYDAY-- at this point I want to make it a daily routine-- and then go from there.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: The wind in my face and hair-- I can't believe I remembered how to ride a bike after all of these years. It felt so light and fun--- plus the jelly thighs afterwards was nice feeling.

Fantasminha

I can't believe I never saw this thread before! What a terriffic idea.

Welcome to BF lovetheduns. This is a great group with loads of great tips. I agree with you that doing any cardio (except jazzercise) in the gym is horrible. I just don't get the same high doing the cardio in the gym as I get out in the great outdoors--even if the weather is crummy!

When I first started, i could only go about 2 or 3 miles, but I was quite determined. You know what they say--persistance beats resistance--and that's certainly true here! If you keep at it, you'll be surprised how far you're able to go in a very short period of time.

Name: Samantha
Age: I believe you're only as old as you feel, and I definately don't feel like 42!
Marital Status: Married
Height/Weight: 5'4" /210 lbs (down from 239 one year ago)
What bike do you currently ride? I have 4: My commuter is a Giant FCR named Ginger, my aluminum roadbike is a Fuji Newest 3 named Piccachu, my CF road bike is a Scott CR1 Team named Calypso, and my mountain bike is a DiamondBack. Oh, and I almost forgot that we just bought me a folding bike (yet to be named) for travel!
How long have you been riding? As an adult, just over one year. I always had bikes as a kid though.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it? Since my mid-twenties, sometimes with better luck than other times. Mostly I'm cycling and eating the same diet as my diabetic husband has to follow. I lose about a half a pound or so a week.
What is your ultimate goal? I don't have a weight goal. I want to look and feel healthy and wear a size 10!
How often do you ride and for how long? I try to ride every day, but I don't always get very many miles. The most I've ridden in a day would be 100k or about 66 miles. I get all in a funk if I don't get at least 10 miles a day. It's like my drug!
What is your favorite thing about riding? It takes my mind off everything except the road in front of me (ok, and the cars behind) and puts me in intimate contact with my environment. I can smell pollution now-a-days. I love to see the local wildlife up close, even when it takes me by surprise. Also, all-would-not-be-right-with-the-world if I didn't have either mud in my hair or a skint knee--or both!

lovetheduns

Thanks Samantha-- I am very happy to be here!

drbec

Name: Rebecca
Age: 31
Marital Status: Married
Height/weight: 5'2" /188 lbs
What bike do you currently ride: Schwinn World Ladies ('89ish? bought it used, not sure)
How long have you been riding?: 2 weeks! (unless you count as a kid)
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: yup. I'm trying to exercise almost every day, either walking with the husband and strolling the toddler, or biking, of course. Plus our county health department is sponsoring a "Get Movin'" initiative in which you track your activity for 8 weeks (goal is 30 mins daily). I've made all of my employees and partners sign up as a team. We start on May 1st.
What is your ultimate goal?: 135-140 lbs. Also, I'd like to do a 32-mile ride on my 32nd birthday (a year from yesterday). And I'd love to bike as a family, but the husband has to acquire a bike, and then we'd have to get a trailer or toddler seat, too.
How often do you ride and for how long?: 30-40 mins so far, 2-3 times/week.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: Speeding down the hills, and the accomplishment of making it up the big ones!

gotls1

Welcome Rebecca! I bet you'll be doing a 32 mile ride well before your birthday if you want to.

K8drums

Name: k8
Age: 32
Marital Status: Single
Height/weight: 6'0" 230? not sure - I dont have a scale
What bike do you currently ride: Outfitters 2600 XC hybrid (I think its a Ross / Rand X-mart special...but its got decent components, 700 wheels and a light frame) - "The Commuter", Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2 - "Gertie", and a fixed gear I built from a Nishiki frame - "Johnny Cash"
How long have you been riding?: as a kid I was really into "dirt bikes" nothing organized, just me and friends racing around, then I always rode my bike to school up through college, little bit of mtn biking. Gertie was my first road bike
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Changing my lifestyle was key, also lots of small meals verses larger ones. I also run and swim (Well, I tread water)
What is your ultimate goal?: I want to enter a race and not look like a jackass and to stop shopping at Lane Bryant
What is your favorite thing about riding?: everything!

natashaface

Name: Natasha
Age: 23
Marital Status: in relationship with a guy who's around on these forums somewhere.
Height/weight: 5'2" 207lbs (lost 10 lbs in the last couple months)
What bike do you currently ride: '09 Specialized Dolce Comp
How long have you been riding?: rode a bunch as a kid, but recently started with a stationary bike in the middle of May and then got my sexy new road bike a week ago.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Yes, mostly have been working on exercise and cycling. I have been paying some attention to diet, but not strict. Probably would do a lot better if I counted calories and chose healthier foods.
What is your ultimate goal?: My weight goal is around 135lbs, but more importantly I would like to be healthy and have fun being energetic. My ultimate cycling goals is to do the Ride the Rockies tour within the next 5 years. For those of you who don't know, the Ride the Rockies tour is a 6-7 day 380 mile tour of different areas of Colorado. The course changes every year, but always contains a few challenging climbs.
How often do you ride and for how long?: I try to do 4-5 days every week at about 45-60 minutes a time, usually 10-15 miles. Right now I'm trying to recover from some saddle soreness and bruises from the new bike. Yes on the first ride I crashed! Crazy bridges that jump out and get you. Went 18 miles the longest I've gone with my boyfriend this last weekend, so that was exciting.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: The freedom of the whole experience and the beautiful country and scenery you can see.

gotls1

Welcome Natasha! Enjoy your new ride and good luck with your goals. You gotta watch out for those attack bridges though - they can be sneaky.

turtlewoman

Name: Kate
Age: 51
Marital Status: partnered
Height/Weight: 5'5" /236 lbs
What bike do you currently ride? Don't laugh----it's a 1975 Peugeot UO-18. I just got it at a biking collective here in town.
How long have you been riding? Not been riding for the last 15 years. And I am just within a few days of having started this time.
What is your ultimate goal? 170
How often do you ride and for how long? I haven't been riding for long enough to answer that.
What is your favorite thing about riding? Just getting out there and doing it!

Kel15233

Wow I didn't see this thread before in my wanderings around.

Name: Kelley
Age: 36
Marital Status: divorced, very single
Height/weight: 5'6", about 262 :-(
What bike do you currently ride: used Giant Boulder - no idea about any specs and such
How long have you been riding?: Had a bike when I was young but was never allowed off our block (even when in high school...). Recently started riding again after oh 20+ years.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Am half-arsed trying.. downfall is I have this phobia of veggies so eating healthy doesn't work well.
What is your ultimate goal?: I'd like to get down to a size 14 but will take being in better shape and more toned and just looking better.
How often do you ride and for how long?: Not very often :-( am dealing with, well a lot of stuff and I have a severe lack of motivation coupled with extreme embarrassment about how fat I am (even tho I apparently carry it well as people are shocked when I admit my weight). The longest I've rode was about 15 miles several weeks ago on the trail near my workplace.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: The feeling.. the wind hitting my face, being able to enjoy the scenery.

Would love if there were more 'Athenas' here in Pittsburgh to get a support group/ride together.

Rhodabike

Name: Rhoda
Age: 50
Marital Status: live common-law 21 years
Height/weight: 5'8", 209
What bike do you currently ride: 30 lb Rocky Mtn. Metropolis for commuting, older road bike w/ Reynolds 531 tubing for weekends
How long have you been riding?: Started in high school (too broke for a car), commuted on and off before joining a touring club in the 80s, raced road and track for a few years in late 80s and early 90s. Stopped for a few years after a car accident damaged my knees.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Have always eaten healthy, but the weight I gained after the accident doesn't look like it will ever come off. Not willing to starve on an extreme diet.
What is your ultimate goal?: Getting back down to 160 would be nice, but I'd settle for 180 and being able to do both sides of Highwood Pass (total 120k) again.
How often do you ride and for how long?: Two or three times a week. I'm mainly a swimmer, currently training for open water. In winter I try to keep my saddle callouses with wind trainer rides and a spin class once a week.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: Not having to take the train to work on very hot summer days. Smelling lilacs and wolf willow along the river path in early June. Trying to chase down another cyclist on 2nd street and feeling my heart pound with the effort. (Once a trackie, always a trackie )

delmalpz

Name: Delma
Age: 45
Marital Status: Single, no children
Height/weight: 5'6", 242
What bike do you currently ride: a heavy, clunky cruiser/leisure-type thing, I've ridden other types of bikes (they're much easier) so I figure I'll keep this one around for training purposes -- it makes me work hard!
How long have you been riding?: Started as a child and teen, but then quit. Rode for about a year back in the '90s, but this go round, I just started about a month ago.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?:Trying to eat sensibly and not go completely crazy over the weekend -- riding the bike is pretty excellent exercise for an otherwise sedentary person.
What is your ultimate goal? : I'd like to someday ride the MS150 from Houston to Austin. And I'd like to get to a healthier weight (whatever that might end up being).
How often do you ride and for how long? : Three times a week for 1.5 to 2 hours each ride, so far.
What is your favorite thing about riding? : How free it makes me feel: it's like recapturing a little, tiny bit of my childhood, which is great.

GirLie_GaVush

Name: Kellie
Age: 33 (as of today)
Marital Status: Married with 4 children
Height/weight: 5'6", 221- the highest in about 4 years.....
What bike do you currently ride: a brand spanking new Trek 3900 that I got for my birthday, but can't ride for another week when I am released from the doctor's care (just had baby number 4 three weeks ago--not to mention the neck surgery I had 3 days ago....)
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Of course! I want 55 off by April--I am drinking water and I stop eating when full--and if it's something bad for me (like fast food--I only eat half and throw the rest away...immediately.)
What is your ultimate goal? : To weigh 170 and over all be healthy.
How often do you ride and for how long? : Can't ride for another week--but last summer we rode 3-4 days a week for an hour....
What is your favorite thing about riding? : it's something we can do as a family....

Tom Stormcrowe

I don't chime in the ladies corner very often...I like to leave you your space.

Girlie, congratulations on the new baby and welcome to the forum.

GirLie_GaVush

Thank you--with it being the fourth girl--we are done. My hormones and the wallet can't take another one (girl that is)

Ruby Doom

Name: Crystal
Age: 25
Marital Status: Single
Height/weight: 5'10'', 300
What bike do you currently ride: A Trek 700 "Multi-cross". I bought her after my birthday bike (A Redline R510) was stolen from my patio. Her name is Bianca. We have had a bit of a rough start together. She is a little more worn than she would like to let on. I am taking her in and making her beutiful again.
How long have you been riding?: I had a bike when I was younger, but never really considered myself a cyclist. I have been trying to ride consistently for the past month or so but there have been forces working against me.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: I am trying to make minor adjustments to my lifestyle in general. Listening to my body when it is full, drinking more fluids etc.
What is your ultimate goal? : Making cycling a part of my lifestyle. Relying less on four wheels, keeping fit, standing up to let others know that just because you are bigger, doesn't mean you just eat powdered donut holes and watch Maury. I also have a vision of doing a race/tour of some kind. I can not stay away from competition.
How often do you ride and for how long? : I have set my current goal to commute to work at least 3-4 days a week. I am working on bigger fish to fry.
What is your favorite thing about riding? : It is that same feeling I get when I skate really fast. You kind of feel like a superhero.

Just wanted to say hello after lurking on the forums for a week or so.

Crankaddict

Name:Tracy

Age:47

Marital Status: Married 16 years

Height/weight: 5'6" 230 pounds UGH!

What bike do you currently ride: Surly Cross Check in Bean Green! Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra.

How often do you ride and for how long?: 3 or 4 time a week for 22-25 miles. 5 Years ago it was almost impossible to get me OFF the bike. It was nothing for me to ride a 22 mile loop 4 days a week then head out on a Saturday morning and click off 75 miles. unfortunately, my husband became seriously ill (brain tumor). I quit riding because I didn't want to risk being 20 or more miles away if he needed me. I have started riding again because his Dr. has told me he is fine and I need to quit worrying about him and take care of me. Over the past 5 years I gained 70 pounds from the stress and the inactivity. I have lost 10 since I started back riding regularly in June.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: There is nothing I don't like about riding. It is my favorite thing.

Here is my problem: 5 years ago when I was riding all the time I was at 170 pounds and wore a size 8. I never bought padded shorts because I have Brooks saddles on both bikes and I was always comfortable riding in regular Aerotech Designs compression / recumbent shorts. Now, I'm not so comfortable. At the 20 mile mark I am pretty much in agony. I know it is from the weight gain. I am thinking of buying a pair of classic shorts from Aerotech Designs to see if they will help keep my parts from feeling like they are being shredded with a razor. I know saddle time will improve everything, but as it is now, I can't get in the saddle time due to the pain. Any thought or suggestions?

Tom Stormcrowe

Do get some padded shorts. Also, remember to stand the pedals from time to time to restore the blood flow and relieve pressure. That helps regardless of your plumbing style, male or female.

Pezzle

Name: Brittany

Age: 21

Marital Status: Legally Single, Dating for 3 years

Height/weight: 5'7" 230 lbs (Down from 280)

What bike do you currently ride: Raleigh Detour 3.0 Hybrid (I like it except for the seat)

How often do you ride and for how long?: Right now, about 3 times per week about 3-6 miles a ride. It's not much, I know. Between ice hockey and low stance focused martial arts, my thighs are pretty killer - but also kill me. Feels like no matter where I go in this part of New Jersey, I'm always going uphill.

What is your favorite thing about riding?: Wind in my helmet -claps- but I hate my seat.

Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Zig-zagging calories, drinking plenty more water and riding my bike every day, hopefully. Also, I'm playing ice hockey now and such.

What is your ultimate goal? To reach 160 lbs and join the Army.

Here is my problem: After about 3 miles, it hurts to ride. I need to get some padded shorts, I think. Adjusting the angle of the seat helps (Upward to level with the ground so almost none of the pressure goes on my girly bits), but I don't actually like those big squeaky compression shocks in my seat. I'd rather have a sturdier Terry or Specialized saddle with the cut out. It makes riding no fun after a while. Especially when all I hear is 'squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak' when I pedal.

magicalpup

Name: Jenna
Age: 28
Marital Status: Single
Height/weight: 5'5" 243lbs
What bike do you currently ride: Specialized hybrid
How long have you been riding?: Just starting again after 4 1/2 years of sitting on my behind.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Yes, trying to eat more whole foods and less junk food. Starting cycling to help weight loss.
What is your ultimate goal?: To be able to keep up with my cycling friend and to get my weight down to around 150.
How often do you ride and for how long?: Right now, not often. First ride in 4.5 years was on Saturday, 14 miles round trip. From now on, I'm planning on 2-3 short rides during the week and a longer one each weekend.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: Coasting, finally having a reason to eat flying insects, and being outside.

isara

Name: Perian
Age: 33
Marital Status: Riding solo
Height/weight: 5'6" er... somewhere around 270, I'm guessing?
What bike do you currently ride: Trek 7.3 FX, named Clarice
How long have you been riding?: most recently, about 3 months. Some extended periods in the past, but nothing for fun or exercise.
Are you currently trying to lose weight, and how are you going about it?: Not specifically, but I hope that the lifestyle change will make me lose some.
What is your ultimate goal?: Get up those hills, ride the AIDS Ride, and have a great time!
How often do you ride and for how long?: I do little 10 mile rides around the nice, flat Island about 3 times a week. Trying to go out more on the weekends for longer, more challenging rides.
What is your favorite thing about riding?: Going down hills and doing something I never in a million years thought I could do.

xyntiacat

Hey there.

First post, and I'm SO glad that I found you all.

Here's my stats:

Name: Jennifer

Age: 42

Marital Status: Happily Single

Height/weight: 5'8/297

What bike do you currently ride: Townie 21 700cc. Okay, so it's not a REAL bike (according to some on the forums), but I'm in love and it's great for an Athena just starting out.

How long have you been riding?: Like most, I rode a lot as a kid. Even tried a stint on a cycling team for a while. But it's been a good 20+ years.

Are you currently trying to lose weight: I'm not focused on this.

How often do you ride and for how long?: I've been trying to commute regularly. I live 4.5 miles from work, and it's a beautiful ride through suburban neighborhoods.

What is your goal?: To be able to ride consistently.

What is your favorite thing about riding?: Being able to see all the stuff that you don't see whizzing by in a car.

isara

Ohhh, I love Townies! they're so freakin' cyute!

My first bike was similar to a Townie (not nearly so stylish), and it certainly got me up and going, anyway.

At my local bike shop, my friend Dave (a mechanic at the shop) convinced the owner to start stocking them and other feminine bikes. They've noticed a marked increase in new female bicyclists coming into the shop now.

Rhodabike

Arrgh!!! I HATE bike snobs! These people probably put more people off cycling than they ever inspire to ride.
I can totally see the appeal of the Townies. They appear to be user-friendly, unintimidating, and come in very cheerful paint jobs. While it's not the bike for me, I'd recommend it to someone just starting out.