medic75

Okay, as a newb, I have been lurking here for a couple of months, learning all about new technology. Between 2002 and 2017 I didn't ride a bicycle. I had a 1997 GT Palomar that sat in the basement collecting dust. I got it out last spring as my kids began to get a little more interested in biking. This spring my son decided he wanted a new bike for his 10th birthday. Knowing that he is getting older and that I want him to have a positive experience, off to the LBS I went. He ended up with a small Trek 820. It is a bit big for him, but he is big enough that he will likely outgrow any 24 inch bike that I get him before summer is up. In addition to that, he had a bad experience with a grip shifter on his Walmart kids mountain bike, so he demanded that his new bike did not have grip shifters. All of the available 24" bikes had grip shifters. When his sister found that he was getting a new bike, she was upset and wanted one also. I naturally said "for your birthday" and she argued that her birthday is in the fall and she would lose out on the entire summer. This was a valid argument, so she got her birthday present early. She despises any riding surface that is not perfectly smooth, so she ended up with a Trek FX. Then, after a couple of trail rides with my son, I realized exactly how old and heavy my GT was. So, I was off to get a real mountain bike. After some research, I found a used Trek 4500 for a decent price. Some new tires and a tune up at the LBS and I was riding. It didn't take me long to realize that my used Trek was not ideal for riding tarmac with my daughter. So, off to searching for another bike to allow me to ride with her. I had originally hoped to find an end of season sale on a Trek FX or wait until Black Friday, but then I happened to find an almost new Raleigh Cadent 2 in my size. I told myself that I would begin to commute on the bike whenever possible - to justify the cost. In addition to this, I was diagnosed as a diabetic 2 years ago and have since gone from 270 lbs down to 190 lbs just by eating responsibly. Adding a regular biking routine into my life will surely assist with my efforts to live a healthy life. As of current, I have ridden the bike to and from work all but one day in the last 3 weeks. While I don't find it to be as fun as riding mountain bike trails, getting out with my daughter and teaching her that biking can be fun and free transportation makes it worth it.

RonH

Welcome to Bike Forums. That's a great story.
Enjoy riding with the kids and bike commuting too.

cb400bill

Welcome to Bike Forums. Congrats on the weight loss!

medic75

Thanks, but I have to say it was easy. I have no will power and have considered dieting many times, but never followed through. It was fear that gave me the drive to live a healthier lifestyle. When my blood sugar level (which had been slightly elevated for years) suddenly shot up to dangerous levels in matter of 6 months, I knew I had to do something. I have been in the medical field for more than 25 years and I have seen what diabetes can do. I knew I was quickly headed down a very dark path and only I could change that. I didn't need will power, just a whole bunch of experience based fear. Three months after the diagnosis, I returned to my doctor 24 lbs lighter with significantly lower blood sugar levels. He told me "I had planned on putting you on insulin today and referring you to a dietitian, but that won't be needed. I don't know what you're doing and I don't want to know, just keep doing it"

mattbur

Welcome to the site and great job on the weight loss. And you already know we have some great bicycling in our corner of the state.

Oliviageorge098

Welcome dear

Trsnrtr

Wilmingtech

Spending time with your kids at this point in their lives is so important. Congrats on taking your life back. Itll be a legacy your kids have to remember as they get older.

EddieDussault

Welcome abroad buddy.