Getting back into cycling

mister b said:

Hi everybody, I am 43 years old, 6' 1" tall and weigh 215 lbs. I used to ride heavily in the 1980's, but stopped in 1990. I used to race amateur criteriums and rode a lot of century's. In those days I weighed in at 150 lbs. I have a few questions:

• Am I now too heavy for my old Trek 660?
  
• Is a weight of 190 lbs still too much?
  
• I ride a mountain bike (with street tires) now, and feel great after 8 to 10 miles.
  

This forum is great! I think being able to post and read here will get me going again.

Welcome back!

You sound a lot like me a few years ago, except I was older and not quite as tall.** Today I'm back at my college weight, 40 pounds lighter, and feeling great.

Not much I can say about your bike sight unseen, but it can probably hold up to the stress from your weight, provided it's roadworthy - no broken parts, cracks, corrosion... Have it checked at your LBS?

On the other hand, if you want to invest you should go for it. A new bike is a great motivator.

** I'm still older and shorter than you, even today.

Mister b,
we are in the similiar situation, im 38, 6'2 230lbs. I rode in the late 80's and early 90's and now just got back into it also. I bought a road bike and if those little 700cc tires can hold me, you have no worries. I'm noping to drop down to 200lbs by the end of the year and will start riding to work a few days a week when the weather here in AZ cools down a little. Good luck to you, its akward at first, but after a few rides, you'll be ok. Take care.

Thanks for the info! The Trek 660 is a 1984 and is in great shape. I raced on it from '84 to '88 and had the frame repaired by Trek in '88. I bought a Cannondale SR900 in '88, so the Trek has basically sat since then. I think I am going to begin training on my Specialized MTB (with street tires) until I am a little more farmiliar with training again. I will go full time on the Trek in a month or so.

• Any suggestions on diet? When I raced in the 80's is ate junk. I can no longer do that.
  
• What motivates you? I took a ride with my brother a few days ago and had a great time, that hooked me.
  
• I would love to buy a new bike, but I am happy with what I have right now.
  

mister b said:

Thanks for the info! The Trek 660 is a 1984 and is in great shape. I raced on it from '84 to '88 and had the frame repaired by Trek in '88. I bought a Cannondale SR900 in '88, so the Trek has basically sat since then. I think I am going to begin training on my Specialized MTB (with street tires) until I am a little more farmiliar with training again. I will go full time on the Trek in a month or so.

• Any suggestions on diet? When I raced in the 80's is ate junk. I can no longer do that.
  
• What motivates you? I took a ride with my brother a few days ago and had a great time, that hooked me.
  
• I would love to buy a new bike, but I am happy with what I have right now.
  

Find some local club rides in your area. If you go to a shop they should be able to tell you about a few. Riding with a group of other people that are addicted to bikes is a great motivator. They will also be a lot of help when it comes to equipment and training questions.

I belonged to a club back in the day, but that is long gone. I was thinking of training solo, but you are right, I should get involved with other cyclists. I will head down to the local bike shop and ask around. If there is no road bike club, I can put up a flyer and start my own. I do need to ask around where it is safe to ride here. All of my old training routes are clogged with cars.