Stickyrunner01

Hello, My name is Tom and I am a runner for a college here in Indianapolis. I was injured last fall and ended up going through a lateral release procedure.

I have had some trouble getting back into running because I am so far out of shape. My idea was that if I purchased a bike it would help me get some movement back into my knee along with help me to improve my fitness. I've been biking for about two weeks now on my brand new Bianchi Virata (05?). I had biked last summer in addition to my higher mileage weeks to further improve my fitness and loved it. I figured if I liked biking on that crappy old bike then I would love it on a newer bike. So I dove right in.

Right now, I've been kinda struggling to find places to ride on the western side of town. I also don't know much of anything about biking. So my riding time has been limited to 45-60 min ~5 times a week.

I just wanted to stop by and say hello and that I look forward to learning more!

Siu Blue Wind

Good luck to you Stickyrunner. It will take time but with persistance you will find yourself improving every day. Take your time and do more each day. Don't push it for it may be harder for you.

Welcome to BF, I'm looking forward to seeing you post about your progress.

East Hill

Hello Tom, you should visit the Great Lakes regional forum and ask the locals about places to ride.

Good luck, and Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Stickyrunner01

thanks for the advice. ive got a few 26 milers under my belt. figured out that my bike shorts i got were too big. and i have figured out some courses through routeslip.com. biking is alot more expensive than what i was expecting but im handling it alright.

Siu Blue Wind

As time moves on you will find your needs. Also, if you check out our other threads there are a lot of tips from the other members. Steps on how to get started to go slowly. Just don't over do it, because you will get frustrated and not like starting over again.

East Hill

It can be as cheap or expensive as you like! There are ways of cutting down the cost--learning how to do your own wrenching, for example, and checking out bikes on the local Craigslist/shopping at Salvation Army or Goodwill. Garage sales can be a fertile place to find some wonderful older steel bikes that have a lot of life left in them too. It takes a few dollars to get started, but it amortises well.

Depending on your location, you may have a community bike repair shop around as well, which can really help save money in not having to purchase tools, and also get you to meet some of your fellow bicyclists. Actually, I would expect that your college itself may have such a thing--you may want to ask about it.

East Hill

Stickyrunner01

yeah, once i get everything that i need, i expect it shouldnt be too hard to keep up with it (clothing wise). And I think my college has a decent cycling program, its just a little bit harder during the summer when they are all back at home... (Marian College)

East Hill

Oh, that's true--it is the start of summer school. Still, there may be someone who can give you a hand--the Great Lakes regional forum is a good place to ask if anyone in IND knows about a place like a 'Bike Kitchen'.

East Hill