Panda Phil

Hi all, justt hought I'd take a second to say hello. I can't really call myself a major bike junkie or anything. My bike is a bulky and fairly inexpensive offroad model that I mainly use for commuting to work, getting around town, and getting some exercise. (thank goodness buses come with bikeracks here in Seattle!) But since I don't know anyone else who rides, I figured I needed a place to get info and advice about keeping my ride healthy and happy.

ahuman

Welcome to the forum
when I moved to New jersey I did not see anyone riding either.
then I started riding on weekends in the mornings, then I found a bike club,
well now I'm hooked .. keep riding you will see them they are there! try to find a bike club. it will change everything for you.. get a road bike.. good luck
have fun ... keep riding

Panda Phil

Thanks for the welcome! Actually there are a fair number of people who ride here in town. Mainly just kids and homeless people though. I live in a semi-rural, real whitebread small town where everybody just loves their pickups and SUV's.


I've considered picking up a road bike, but I'm not sure I can really budget hundreds of dollars for one. *sigh* As things are now, a serious bike club would probably laugh me and ol' Bessie off the road...

Also, being a bit heavy ( 5'11, 240lbs) those lightweight bikes and narrow tires make me kinda nervous. I have this awful mental image of cruising down the road and havign the whole thing fold up on me. Okay, so I'm paranoid.

pcsanity1

If they would laught you off the road they are not a serious bike club - they are a bunch of snobs. They should know that the only way to get people more serious about the sport is to welcome them with open arms and help them develop.

I know my clubs cruiser group and Fitness Groups both have a few people on comfort / hybrid bikes. No laughter other than people joking that they love to draft behind them in a stron headwind.

Metal Cowgal

Welcome to Bike Forums, Phil!!

Ditto what PCSanity said....The biking group I belong to not only bikes together, but is a volunteer group to maintain the local rail-to-trail. The folks who belong are a wide variety of ages, riding ability, and interests. Actually, there are no "elite-rider types" in this group, although many of us can handle century plus rides and several day tours. Maybe you could find a similar group in your area?

I'm a little chubby too, and feel the same as you about the road bikes. I'm not as much worried about it crumbling, but the geometry of hyper-extending my body doesn't give me as much riding control as a mountain/hybrid type bike. Also, I use slick tires on my hybrid occasionally and feel similarly -- just don't have as much control.

Ride what feels comfortable for you and you will ride more and become more proficient in your cycling technique. The day may (or may not) come when a road bike feels right for you. I've been riding seriously for about seven years, and the hybrid still feels the most comfortable and controllable to me. I can do long road rides with it and have had the experience of snobby riders making comments or snide looks but guess what, I'm keeping pace.....

On an MS150 ride once, I was at a rest stop and some guy was mumbling something nasty, looking down at the ground, about "all these g****d**mn fat people". He looked up and stumbled into me. I laughed to myself....we were at the rest stop the same time as him, which meant, we were keeping the same pace. And I kept running into him at each stop and dinner.....the ole saying "You can't judge a book by it's cover" is what I live by.
I may be chubby, but I was every bit as fit as that "snob."

Just enjoy your bike and find some folks who enjoy theirs.

Keep coming back and hanging around Bike Forums. Lots of nice folks here with TONS of information. I've learned SO much in the short time I've been hanging around here.

Mary Ann

DnvrFox

Quote:

I've considered picking up a road bike, but I'm not sure I can really budget hundreds of dollars for one. *sigh* As things are now, a serious bike club would probably laugh me and ol' Bessie off the road...

Hey, I am about 5'11.5 and weigh about 230 and ride one of those road things with no problem at all, and even beat a fair number of folks from some of the local bike clubs - and I am 63yo to top it off.

No one laughs at me - whether or not I am riding my road bike or my old mtn bike - the one with the rear panniers and rack - the one I usually ride in Levis and a sweatwhirt .

So, don't be afraid or embarrassed. I've got 7,000 miles on the road bike with absolutely no problem, and about 7,500 miles on the mtnbike. Neither has fallen apart as I ride them.

Welcome to the group. Enjoy.

Panda Phil

Thanks for all the reassuring replies guys. Guess I tend to be a little too self-conscious sometimes.

Oh, another quick question. Is there a FAQ or glossary of terms here on the forum somewhere? I've been browsing around the Bike Mechanics section and don't understand half the things being talked about!

RunYun

Welcome to the forums. There are a lot of great people here. If you like to pedal you are welcome here. Have fun.

RunYun

DnvrFox

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/

There is so much info here, including a tremendous glossary, it will take a week to read it all!!

RonH

Welcome to BikeForums.

There are also a fair number of folks from Seattle here on BikeForums. Very friendly folks. :thumbup:

I'm 6' and my "winter weight" sometimes approaches 220.
I ride only road bikes. My commuter has 700x25 tires and my weekend bike has 700x23 tires. Never had a weight-related tire or wheel problem so you shouldn't either.

slotibartfast

Hi from across the state, Phil! You'll like it here - lots of help and friendly folks, as you have already seen. Don't be self-conscious - by the sound of your self-description, we could be twins - right down to the type of bike we ride. If you get over to Spokane this year, bring your bike and contact me and we'll go for a ride or two. Enjoy the forums.

Panda Phil

Hey thanks for the greeting man! Nice to meet a fellow Washingtonian! I'd like to make it over to Spokane sometime. I'm sooooo bored of Auburn!

greg360

Welcome, Panda Phil!
Auburn... wow... that is a tough row to hoe!
Well, the camaraderie here will lift your spirits, so you can escape from there!