Howdy from Texas
08-13-17, 06:21 AM
#1
G*tti*g B*ck o* Ro*d
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Howdy from Texas
After a 9 year absence from being able to ride, I have two brand new alloy knees and I'm anxious to get back on the road. I was over-obsessed with speed from 2002-2008 (low to mid 60's mph top speed downhill, able to hit 40 mph on flat ground whenever I wanted to and hold it for a while, no fear, idiot maneuvers around traffic, and all that at age 44), but I'm hoping to turn over a "new leaf" and not be that guy.
I'm still 30-45 days out from being able to pedal for any amount of time, so I'm going to be searching for advice on how to ease back into this. Plus I have 35 lbs to lose. And I need a bike. And stuff.
I'm still 30-45 days out from being able to pedal for any amount of time, so I'm going to be searching for advice on how to ease back into this. Plus I have 35 lbs to lose. And I need a bike. And stuff.
08-13-17, 06:29 AM
#2
Inoxidable Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
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Welcome to Bike Forums!
08-13-17, 06:39 AM
#3
Life is good
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
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Welcome to Bike Forums. Sounds like you might be over 50. If so stop by the 50+ forum and ask your questions of the other old timers. 
Have fun.
Have fun.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
08-13-17, 02:17 PM
#4
Super Moderator
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Welcome! Lots of Texans on the board.
__________________
Dennis T
Where there is a will, there's a way. Where there is no will, there's an excuse.
Where there is a will, there's a way. Where there is no will, there's an excuse.
08-13-17, 03:21 PM
#5
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
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Welcome back. Texan here too.
I was away from cycling for 30something years. Just got back in the saddle two years ago this month. It was a long slow grind getting back into shape. A car wreck and spine injuries slowed me down a bit.
First year I rode a heavy comfort hybrid. Took almost a month to ride three miles without stopping. Averaged 9 mph for the year, usually riding 10-15 miles at a time. On the one year anniversary of riding I rode my age, which happened to be close to a metric century with a few extra miles tossed in. It's now semi-retired to errand/grocery bike duty and handles that well a couple of times a week.
Decided I was ready to tackle a lighter, rigid frame/fork bike. Had to add riser bars to accommodate my neck. Average ride increased to 20-30 miles per ride, around 12 mph.
This weekend I put the flat bars back on the hybrid. Took a year to get the back and neck into good enough condition for that. Feels a little more efficient. Average speed is closer to 14 mph on the hybrid now.
This summer, two years back in the saddle, I finally got a drop bar road bike. It was just painful the first two weeks but I kept working on conditioning. After two months I'm enjoying it again. Finally pushed my average speed to 16 mph, with lots of interval training rides. Progress is slow but coming along.
I'll never be fast but I'm enjoying the ride and able to put in a few more miles per ride and explore more places in a day.
I was away from cycling for 30something years. Just got back in the saddle two years ago this month. It was a long slow grind getting back into shape. A car wreck and spine injuries slowed me down a bit.
First year I rode a heavy comfort hybrid. Took almost a month to ride three miles without stopping. Averaged 9 mph for the year, usually riding 10-15 miles at a time. On the one year anniversary of riding I rode my age, which happened to be close to a metric century with a few extra miles tossed in. It's now semi-retired to errand/grocery bike duty and handles that well a couple of times a week.
Decided I was ready to tackle a lighter, rigid frame/fork bike. Had to add riser bars to accommodate my neck. Average ride increased to 20-30 miles per ride, around 12 mph.
This weekend I put the flat bars back on the hybrid. Took a year to get the back and neck into good enough condition for that. Feels a little more efficient. Average speed is closer to 14 mph on the hybrid now.
This summer, two years back in the saddle, I finally got a drop bar road bike. It was just painful the first two weeks but I kept working on conditioning. After two months I'm enjoying it again. Finally pushed my average speed to 16 mph, with lots of interval training rides. Progress is slow but coming along.
I'll never be fast but I'm enjoying the ride and able to put in a few more miles per ride and explore more places in a day.
08-13-17, 05:16 PM
#6
Senior Member
Welcome to Bikeforums from another Texan bicyclist. I would suggest your doctor's instructions control your pace. Those metallic knees need care if you crash. Enjoy the rides.
08-13-17, 05:24 PM
#7
G*tti*g B*ck o* Ro*d
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Thanks... and yeah
Originally Posted by texbiker
Welcome to Bikeforums from another Texan bicyclist. I would suggest your doctor's instructions control your pace. Those metallic knees need care if you crash. Enjoy the rides.
