Hey everyone! New to the forum here and just picked up my first bike this past weekend.

Giant Escape 3. Really looking forward to getting into cycling. Still trying to get used to the saddle but overall really happy with my purchase.

Congratulations! Great choice, and be sure to post lots of pictures of the cool places you go with it in the "Where Did Your Hybrid Take You Today?" thread.

Nice bike. Get some cycling shorts, they make a world of difference. You should check out your local cycling club, they will probably have group rides that are great for keeping your motivation up! Our club has rides for everyone from little old ladies on beach cruisers to folks training for races.

Congratulations, that's a really great looking bike.

I just started riding last September at 43 rys old, bought a entry level hybrid because I didn't know if I'd like riding on the road or trails or if I'd even like riding at all. Turns out I love it, after about two months I replaced the x32 all terrain tires for x28 road tires and now I'm fixing to buy my 1st road bike. Just waiting for the next 25% sale at Nashbar.

Nice bike. Giant makes a good bike. I have the Escape 1 and I love it. You'll figure out what kind of riding you most like to do by the end of the summer and that will tell you how to customize the bike and what accessories to add - or not. Have fun.

Congrats on your new bike. I'm researching what brand and model I'm going to get. There are so many options.

The Giant Escape gets a lot of love here. Trek and Specialized often charge more for the brand name, but Giant makes great bikes too. I was disappointed that I could not find and LBS that carried higher end Giant road bikes within reasonable driving distance.

Start out riding every other day and try to get a brisk walk and stretching on the off days. Give your muscles and sore parts a chance to recover. Work your way up to more miles and daily rides.

Congrats on the ride!

Congrats! Nice bike.

You made the best decision for your well being, i find cycling to be very rewarding on both physical and state of mind level. It really allows you to see the world near and far from a different lens. Happy Riding

Welcome to the forum.

That is "N",
soon you will understand N+1.
(Number of bikes you own, + the one you NEED).

Put lots of miles on that Escape, great ride.

-Snuts-

This was my first type of bike as well and every since been addicted to biking. Best addiction I've ever had. That's a fine bike I had trek fx just because it felt slightly smaller easier to manuver. I miss it alot cant manuever the same on drop bars of my new hybrid. Might have to get a nother..

I have the Escape 1 and it took me at least two months to get used to the saddle especially after riding the cushy saddle on my Giant Cypress. I have been very happy on the Escape.

Thanks everyone for the welcome!

I went on my first legit ride today (it's been a crazy past couple weeks). Nothing insane, but a nice ride after work to exercise and clear the mind.

I did learn some important things really fast though lol...

1) Although you may know an area, you don't really know it. I did not realize how terrible some roads are and had a few hairy moments.

2) Always bring water, even when you don't think you'll need it lol

3) I have a long way until I am in bike shape haha. I went for what I think is a short ride and my legs were dead after 45 minutes lol

All-in-all though the bike and ride was great! Loving the hobby so far

45 minutes is a megaride when you aren't in shape! Getting to the point where you are riding every other day with a rest day in between is a good place to be. Stretching will help as will a brisk walk to loosen muscles on off days is also good. It will take time to build up core muscles and endurance. Keep up with the riding and you'll get there!

Congrats on the new Escape. I have an older Roam 2 that I'm in love with. Great affordable bikes.