Hey everyone - I joined over the winter but I never actually started riding until now so I'm still a newbie. 42 years old, I bought a cheap Diamondback mountain bike (or hybrid, not sure) 8 years ago and it saw more milage in just the last month. I started riding in June to help lose 20 lbs of fat by new years eve and it is already becoming more of a drug than just a cardio workout. I go out 3 times a week (I do weights on alternate days) and my area is out in the country with lots of hills. I feel them to be getting easier each time I ride them. But what I just noticed this past weekend was after doing 40km on Saturday, I've been on this "high" and it's still there. It could be a combination of riding, not drinking alcohol and eating healthy, but I went on this health kick last year as well except I did the elliptical and stationary bike instead and I didn't feel the way I do now (even though I lost 31 lbs in 8 months). The last time I experienced this was after hiking 77 km on the West Coast Trail back in 2001.

So I'm going to tough it out with the cheap mountain bike for now and let all the experienced cyclists pass me on the highways. But to reward myself, I'm going to get a proper road bike for next year. But all I can say is that I dread the day it is too cold to ride and have to go back to the stationary bike for the winter. I could never stand being on those damn things for more than 30 minutes!

My goal for this year is to do 100 km in one day but judging by how easy it was to do the 40 km last Saturday, it might get modified to 150 or maybe even 200.

take care everyone
pli99

Nice intro,welcome

Hi PLI99...I have to agree with you, got into biking over in England in 1995 at age 31 as a fitness thing and to lose weight like yourself. At first I was so unfit I really struggled up the smallest hill. But as you say things improve and you get better and I just got hooked. I used to weight train and had stationary trainer for the bike but these just dont give you the "rush" that being out on the road does. Not really had the chance to do any sort of mountain biking but I assume it would be really cool. When I moved to Ottawa I had to leave my bike at home and was really lost without it, took me a while to find another and got a used Bonelli Kootenay of Kijijii. It might not be a top flight bike but I absolutely love it, could do with higher gearing but it gets me where I want to be (including biking to work) and gives me that "high" you are talking of, done 900km in 2 years. Anyway keep on biking and ENJOY!

Howdy and welcome to the forums!

Welcome to the forums!