gdmercad

Got into biking with a Specialized Ariel Sport Disc for my wife and a Crosstrail Sport Disc for myself. We picked up the bikes after being fitted to them from our LBS and then it was out to Danville, Va Riverwalk Trail for our first ride. It wasn't long before I noticed that my wife was no where to be seen, so I ended up doing a little over 9 miles looking for her. Temp were mid to upper 80s and I was starting to feel it (no water in an empty water bottle). I headed back to the car and shortly after, she showed up. We both were elated with our new bikes and decided to head on home. We both were soaking wet from sweating. Stopped in the LBS and gave our first ride report. All good. On our approx 30 mile car ride home, we decided to hit another trail that was en route for more riding. We first stopped at a convenience store and bought two bottles of water. Quick lesson learn from our maiden ride. We headed to the Dick and Willie trail in Martinsville, VA. This is when I started to notice butt soreness-BIG time. The trail is approximated 9 miles total. Halfway into the ride, I was feeling it (butt pain). The exercise felt great, but I felt a bit worn. My wife wanted to add on another mile, but I couldn't. We decided to go home after a total of 18.10 miles riding. Both of us have not been up on bikes since in our 20's and now both approaching 60. Brought the bikes into the house and gleamed over them for a while. Looking forward to the next ride. Definitely going to love this new venture. Hopefully, the butt will quickly get accustomed to the seat. I plan on riding through the pain.

gdmercad

Here is a photo of our bikes.

Trek51

Very nice bikes and welcome back to riding. Think about a good pair of biking shorts, the investment will pay off in improved comfort.

xoxoxoxoLive

Nice Bikes.. Welcome to the forum.

Rak73

Wonderful and inspirational story! Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your new hobby!

Jimbojo

+1

MikeRides

Congrats on your new bikes and your first 18 miles in ~40 years. You'll be riding your first half century in no time

Your seat may be too hard or too soft, you may want to try exchanging it at your LBS. Also check to make sure your butt is properly aligned on the seat, a bad position can cause soreness. My seat is stock and I don't wear padded shorts and never had butt soreness on my many 10-35 mile rides, but I may be an exception in this case.

treadtread

I'd say the opposite - don't set yourself for a new saddle yet. First ride in 60 years, give yourself and the saddle some time to break in

ChiefTJS

You guys are doing great!! That kind of a ride for a first day is pretty amazing!! I'd personally just ride it for a few weeks and see if you don't settle in to it before I started changing things out. Good luck.

Wanderer

And, try it with a pair of real cycling shorts............................

levijd

Man that's a kick in the butt! first time i started biking again, just a few days ago, I could only get 6 miles in! And I had only been not riding for about 6 years

dhunley1

Nice looking bikes!

Rogan

Nice story and nice bikes, thanks for sharing.

Now.... Approaching 60 and 18 miles for your first ride in almost 40 years, with no water ********** You two are tough hombres !

I would be embarrassed to tell you how long my first ride was a few weeks ago after not riding my entire adult life. I am now 65.

MRT2

Each of you should start your ride with two full water bottles in the summer. And, refill them every chance you get.

ChiefTJS

Absolutely true on the water!! The more you drink the better off you are. I've only been back to biking for a few months and I've had to train myself to drink more and I've found the rides are easier when I drink more. Water that is, I tried riding after a few beers and the result was less than satisfactory.

romeplows

Cheers!

Fastfingaz

sounds like you two will have a lot of fun riding and no matter what your seat is made of if you haven't ridden in years then you'll have to condition your BUTT, riding shorts will help but some people just don't like the look, anyway when you go out take two bottles! one with water the other Gatorade, also a little bag of salted peanuts they're great to have on long rides ! so ya'll get out there and condition that BUTT

MRT2

I will say careful with the sugar laden sports drinks. IMO, best to stick with water unless you are going for more than 3 hours.

GTryder

Nice bikes - great way to get back into cycling together

b1g bleu

You have to build up the muscles in yer butt just like anywhere else that gets tension/pressure. If the seat is aligned then take a few more rides. Worse comes to worse get a seat with coil springs till you acclimate. As long as you're sitting on it no one will see it.