I hate cars...
06-10-08, 12:15 AM
#1
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I hate cars...
Hi. Just joined the other day and like the forum so far.
I used to be car free about 10 years ago as I was able to bike everywhere I needed on my mountain bike. But then of course, times changed and I got a car and then I was self employed and drove 60k miles a year. I changed careers last year and no longer drive as much. My car, a 1998 Ford Taurus, sits out in the parking lot right now with 186k miles on it. When the thing finally dies, I'm not replacing it.
My wife has a car and we work together and can carpool in together.. at least for now.
For several reasons I recently got my bike fixed and I'm riding it again. Some of them health related, others economical.
I go to the bank, store, library, etc. on my days off on bike.
There are some days where scheduling doesn't allow for us to carpool, so we have driven separately. Well, last Thursday I said the hell with it and biked (on a MOUNTAIN BIKE) 13 miles in 90 degree heat.
That may sound like very little compared to some of you, but considering about six weeks ago I weighed 280 pounds that was quite a feat (I now am down to 255 due to cleaning up my diet along with now biking everywhere.)
I told my wife I want to get a road bike for the long trips... but she doesn't understand the different types of bikes. My goal is to be car-free within a year. (She can keep hers).
I do have a few questions:
1) What is a good road bike to get? I want to keep it fairly reasonable in price. Should I wait until I'm in better shape?
2) What gear should I get? At this point I don't even have a helmet or gloves. I do have a backpack.
3) Is it a conceivable goal to do a 250 mile trip?
4) What is a good diet to follow to build muscle? Right now I am eating about 90% vegetarian.
5) When you pass the cheapest gas station in town and cars are lined up to fuel up, is it wrong to point and laugh?
I've already taken a pro-biking stance. I even went to a city council meeting (there are few sidewalks where I live and it's out in the country) and spoke about needing sidewalks or a bike lane. It turns out there are plans in the works for a bike trail around town.
I used to be car free about 10 years ago as I was able to bike everywhere I needed on my mountain bike. But then of course, times changed and I got a car and then I was self employed and drove 60k miles a year. I changed careers last year and no longer drive as much. My car, a 1998 Ford Taurus, sits out in the parking lot right now with 186k miles on it. When the thing finally dies, I'm not replacing it.
My wife has a car and we work together and can carpool in together.. at least for now.
For several reasons I recently got my bike fixed and I'm riding it again. Some of them health related, others economical.
I go to the bank, store, library, etc. on my days off on bike.
There are some days where scheduling doesn't allow for us to carpool, so we have driven separately. Well, last Thursday I said the hell with it and biked (on a MOUNTAIN BIKE) 13 miles in 90 degree heat.
That may sound like very little compared to some of you, but considering about six weeks ago I weighed 280 pounds that was quite a feat (I now am down to 255 due to cleaning up my diet along with now biking everywhere.)
I told my wife I want to get a road bike for the long trips... but she doesn't understand the different types of bikes. My goal is to be car-free within a year. (She can keep hers).
I do have a few questions:
1) What is a good road bike to get? I want to keep it fairly reasonable in price. Should I wait until I'm in better shape?
2) What gear should I get? At this point I don't even have a helmet or gloves. I do have a backpack.
3) Is it a conceivable goal to do a 250 mile trip?
4) What is a good diet to follow to build muscle? Right now I am eating about 90% vegetarian.
5) When you pass the cheapest gas station in town and cars are lined up to fuel up, is it wrong to point and laugh?
I've already taken a pro-biking stance. I even went to a city council meeting (there are few sidewalks where I live and it's out in the country) and spoke about needing sidewalks or a bike lane. It turns out there are plans in the works for a bike trail around town.
06-10-08, 05:32 PM
#3
Lanky Lass
Hmmm, let's see if I can help a bit.
What's a good road bike? Well, one you'll ride. But if you are interested in riding 250 miles, that's getting close to touring, so you may want to look into getting a touring bike. Check out the Touring forum for that. No, you don't need to wait until you are in better shape.
For gear, the Touring forum can help you with that, and also check the Commuting forum.
Is it a conceivable goal to ride 250 miles? Absolutely. The Long Distance forum folks do it all the time
.
A good diet to follow? Out of my league--check in with the Nutrition forum people.
Laughing and pointing? Well, it's best to do it discreetly
.
Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions !
East Hill
Forum Moderator
What's a good road bike? Well, one you'll ride. But if you are interested in riding 250 miles, that's getting close to touring, so you may want to look into getting a touring bike. Check out the Touring forum for that. No, you don't need to wait until you are in better shape.
For gear, the Touring forum can help you with that, and also check the Commuting forum.
Is it a conceivable goal to ride 250 miles? Absolutely. The Long Distance forum folks do it all the time
.A good diet to follow? Out of my league--check in with the Nutrition forum people.
Laughing and pointing? Well, it's best to do it discreetly
.Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions
!East Hill
Forum Moderator
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
06-12-08, 02:51 PM
#4
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welcome to the forum. where youre going you dont need side- what?.......sidewalks. oh those are for WALKING.
you dont need trails. Roads where made for bicycles before they were adjusted to accommodate the automobile.
the good news is, there's already all the roads you'll ever need. its your right. so exercise it. dont worry, there was a time when you were probably also afraid of driving a car on the road, so being afraid of driving a bike on the road is not something you cant overcome.
GOOD LUCK
you dont need trails. Roads where made for bicycles before they were adjusted to accommodate the automobile.
the good news is, there's already all the roads you'll ever need. its your right. so exercise it. dont worry, there was a time when you were probably also afraid of driving a car on the road, so being afraid of driving a bike on the road is not something you cant overcome.
GOOD LUCK
06-12-08, 02:59 PM
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If you have at least $700 you should get your first road bike soon.
If you are not ready to commit that much you could look into purchasing a used or vintage road bike.
If used does not jive well with you, and you can do some maintenance you could start with a bikesdirect dawes lightning. They go for about $200 to $250
If youre still not ready to take the plunge you can put some thinner slick tires on that mountain bike ($20-$60), and maybe some used cheap aero bars ($30 tops) that resemble elbow rests. they will allow you to get the feel for being in a more bent possition. Then adjust the bike as best you can for your personal geometry.
If you are not ready to commit that much you could look into purchasing a used or vintage road bike.
If used does not jive well with you, and you can do some maintenance you could start with a bikesdirect dawes lightning. They go for about $200 to $250
If youre still not ready to take the plunge you can put some thinner slick tires on that mountain bike ($20-$60), and maybe some used cheap aero bars ($30 tops) that resemble elbow rests. they will allow you to get the feel for being in a more bent possition. Then adjust the bike as best you can for your personal geometry.
