Noob, how to start out
 

Ok I been away from Cycling for over 10 years. Loved it as a teen logged many road miles. I let my weigh go and have been loosing it since the first of the year. I was kinda concerned about getting a road bike as I didn't know if my knees and back could take it. I tryed some hybrids with shocks didn't like them. So I picked up a Trek 7.2FX since it has a solid frame and fork this last weekend. I went to look and ended up bringing that home. I know its nothing special but should work to get me back into some type of shape and let me see if I really enjoy riding as much as I used to. If I do I will upgrade to a Road bike.

That said can anyone give me an idea or point me to some information on how I should start getting back into shape to ride the bike? I have been walking a lot since the beginning of the year when I went on a my diet. I took the bike out twice this weekend. The weather was awful 30mph crosswind. I did about 20 minutes of flat and hilly road near my house Saturday the day I got the bike. Then I did about 15 minutes on the same terrain Sunday. Oh man I am out of shape and my rear sure was sore yesterday. I don't want to overdo it right off but I don't want to slack to much either.

Thanks for any input,
Blake

Just keep riding the amount you've been riding until your rear stops hurting! It takes a few weeks to get used to the saddle again. Once you've toughened up that bit of your anatomy, go for longer rides.

You may discover that you need to change the saddle (and there are all sorts of threads about that), but for the first few weeks just try to ride every day.

Come back in about a week and give us an update on how you're doing, ok?

Oh, and Welcome to BF!

East Hill

I got the same bike last summer. I swapped the stock seat for a padded split seat - I'll probably go back if I get some bike shorts. One or the other might be worth a try for you. Otherwise, I don't know what to say except keep riding. I'm getting a lot of use out of mine. Got up to 30 miles in a day and looking to do more this spring.

Just relax and don't expect results overnight. Take trips you can handle and gradually increase your miles. You're butt will be sore for the first week or so as you get used to riding, if the pain continues after that have your local bike shop (LBS) help you to adjust the saddle position. If problems continue after that, you might want to shop for a new saddle. Browse around here in BF, there are probably literally hundreds of threads that deal with bike fit, saddles and saddle position.

East Hill,

What's with the changes to your avatar, and what is the meaning of O.G. initials? I assume it is something related to a forum I don't participate in.

...and once your butt stops aching, and you've doubled your distance, and your calves will be a mess, and that'll heal, and your hands'll ache, and you'll be at 40 milers, and you'll start obsessing over KOPS, then you'll buy clothes you never expected to, and the inside of your left knee will feel a twinge, and you'll spend 3 days adjusting fore/aft seat position, then it's clipless shoes and pedals, and your at 75 miles, and starting to think of updating your bike, and....
IOW
Your doing fine, just keep doing it.

[QUOTE=chipcom]Just relax and don't expect results overnight...

+1 Remember you've been away from cycling for ten years, the good thing you've starting riding again. I'd advise slowly increasing your mileage each week. Soon you'll be wanting to join a bike club and kicking ass in local races.

At this point, if you are more than a little sore, you should back off. It shouldn't hurt.

It's an inside joke--I'll be back to my regular scheduled programming as soon as I can remember how to make my avatar work (I can't quite seem to get the URL correct for some reason...)

East Hill

Well you're already riding. You're apparently not such a whale that your weight should be an issue for your poor knees. Just get going, you seem to be fine.

Maybe check out the advances in cycling clothing. I cannot believe I waited so long before trying cycling shorts. That was a eureka moment for me and I've never gone back.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the replys. Nicodemus I got the bike shorts and a relaxed riding shirt the day I bought the bike.

Yesterday was the first day I Was able to ride since last weekend. I broke got one of my headlamps and wore it under my helmet and got in about 20 minutes last night. Felt much better my rear didn't hurt as bad then or today and I Was felling better hope to get in some 30 minute rides this weekend. Need to find a better place to ride then my hilly gravel road. I think thats part of my pain from being bounced around so much.

cycling should not hurt your knees one bit. REPEAT: cycling should not hurt your knees. If it does likely your seat is too low. This is the most common error people make when riding a bike. Your ability to touch the ground is irrelevent. You need to have your leg almost straight on the down stroke. To stop at an intersection, just hop forward off of the seat. It will become second nature.

slowandsteady, so far no problems with my knees they actually are felling pretty good. My rear needs some tuffening up but my hands are whats taking the worst beating. Even with gloves. I posted in the rec board but you may have some suggestions in here. I Was thinking about some barends. Any suggestions? the bike is a Trek 7.2 Thanks, Blake

You may have too much weight being supported by your arms, wrists and hands. I suggest going back to your LBS and have them do the following:

1. Ensure the saddle height and fore/aft are adjusted properly.
2. Perhaps fit the bike with an adjustable stem, to be swapped out once you find a position that is most comfortable for you, with your weight spread more evenly between your butt, legs and arms.

Bar-ends might help since they will give you more hand positions.

Ok chip since you brought up an Adjustable Stem. I need the pros and cons. I see lots of folks that don't like them. Is it simply a weight issue or something else.

They creak and flex. I don't like them for a permanent solution, but they are useful for figuring out what stem angle/height works best for you, or if you have a need to change the stem position for different riding applications.

most fitters i "trust" say the same thing, they are the lazy person's way of getting the right fit.

i insisted on an adjustable stem on my first 2 bikes. my thinking was, i wanted the option of moving it based upon need, etc. what i found was, once they were in a comfortable position, i never considered adjusting them again.

from now one, i'm going fixed. why add one more junction between movable parts that can fail or loosen or whatever.... if the first stem isn't comforatable, i'll go back to my lbs and swap it out.


for those considering weight...i suppose that could be an issue as well.