Went out for my second ride on my new bike today. This was also my second ride in about seven years. I was very sedentary during those years, so I'm not EXACTLY in the best shape I've ever been in.

There's a 3.5 mile loop in town that I decided to try. I ended up riding it twice, and I felt as though that was enough given my state of conditioning. My quads were feeling like telephone poles.

Near the very end of the loop, the bike trail crosses a street, and traffic was pretty heavy. I dismounted the bike and waited for a break in traffic.

A couple of drivers decide to stop and allow me to cross. I noticed that both drivers were pretty young ladies so I begin to go through my middle-aged man mental checklist:

Smile...check.

Gut sucked in...check.

Polite wave of thanks...check.

Then I begin to walk my bike across the crosswalk and it happens: I have about as much control of my legs as I do the outcome of an NFL playoff game. Wobbly, numb, totally goofy-legged. I was a scene from a Monty Python movie. You know the one...the ministry of silly walks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZlBUglE6Hc

And of course this is being witnessed by both young ladies and the lines of traffic behind each one.

I eventually make it to the other side and cannot help but burst out laughing. I have no idea if I looked as goofy as I felt, but I must have been a sight to see.

It's going to be fun getting back in shape.

Wait until you join club tombay. That always happens in front of young women.

Unless you are a long-time lurker, you don't know about club tombay yet. Stick around, you'll learn.

And welcome - many of us returned to cycling and initially had little strength and stamina. With time, it comes. Just keep enjoying the rides.

Twice round a loop and what do you expect. After only 7 sedentary years I would have expected at least 3.

But wobbly leg syndrome shows how much work you have to do yet however one good point was that you noticed that they were young ladies. Shows you still have something in reserve for when Your capabilities exceed your expectations.

Keep riding.

Good job...keep riding.

You probably looked fine but it is good to have a sense of humor about it even if you didn't. Time to go clipless and tip over like a falling tree in front of the corner crowd. You are a retired Marine. Get back out and HTFU

OP Get back In shape first then think about the girls.

Believe me, your one of the masses,,, you made no lasting Impression on anyone you wobbled In front of.

Start some deep knee bends, squats and get some of those ankle weights.
Find a curb,,get your toes on the curb and hang your heels off,,,Calf push-ups feel so good

As for the gut,,your goal is the Grand a week club,,thats 1,000 sit-ups weekly..
spread em out for less pain. morning and evening,,start at 10 twice a day,,,70 2 times daily will come.

If your a geezer or a geezer In training like me,
get a wrist worn heart rate monitor, so you can make target zone consistantly.

Can I relate? Yes.

Keep riding. You'll get there.

Semper Fi!

Pat yourself on the back for doing seven miles on your second ride. After getting back into cycling, my legs felt that way on my second ride, but that was only a one mile ride. Just keep on riding and it will all go away.

Good for you, USMCRet, in getting into cycling. It is a fantastic sport for getting back in shape.

Yep, you are going to experience the "wobbly leg syndrome" in the days and weeks ahead, but it will be worth it. Just keep at it and you will soon notice improvement in your fitness and overall health. Good luck and have fun!

From one "Ex" Royal to a marine--You have plenty of pain to come so get used to it.

Expect one of your next post's to be about the best saddle to get or how to get lower gearing.

Those women? They are not thinking about us in the way you'd like to believe they're thinking about us.

Sshhh!

But we can dream. It's one of the things that keeps some of us old, out-of-shape geezer pedaling.

Gots the t shirt.

I think that is a great start and will give you the incentive to continue. Before you know it you will be doing 20 miles or more with no problem. Post pics of the new bike.

If it weren't for my imagination, I'd have nothing to live for.

The end result isn't necessarily going to be any different, but the rides will get longer and you will go faster.

You know damn well you are never an Ex-, we are always Marines, Royal or U.S. and don't forget it again mate.

Good job Top, Bravo Zulu for the rides and the floor show too. Don't sweat it, they probably thought you were cute anyway. Laugh it off, you done good.

Bill