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New member introduction

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01 / Original postNew member introductionrykoala · 6 May 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–11Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #11rykoala · 9 May 2004

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Bike Cafe
Published
6 May 2004
Last activity
9 May 2004
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rykoala
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CommutingNight riding

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  1. Original post
    rykoala
    Archived post
    #1

    Hello all, I just found this forum and thought I'd introduce myself. I live in Sparks NV USA (next to Reno). I work in the IT industry as a systems admin and tech support slave.

    I had a Trek 820 about 14 years ago, and I beat that bike to death. I was a teenager then. Now I'm 27, overweight and sick of it. I've cut calories down to less than 2000 per day, and have been excersizing for 3 months. I started at 340lbs and I'm down to 314lbs. Progress! I'm 6'3" so my goal is around 230lbs. I think I'll be there by the end of the year, or thereabouts.

    Not really caring about quality, I went to walmart when it was time for the family to get bikes. Ya gotta admin, they're way cheap. But, you get what you pay for. Its full suspension, and the front is already giving out in that it doesn't compress half the time. Oh well.

    I started riding it every night (or every other night at the very least) this week and am up to 3.5 miles per night in under 20 minutes.

    I work only 6 miles from home, and its mostly flat land so I am working up to being able to ride 6mi in under an hour without stopping, so that I can commute that way.

    My only problem is that I'm required to carry a laptop with me so I need a great way to carry it. My back is too weak for a heavy backpack, and a basket on front is too small/awkward. I'm going to build myself a rack on the back of the bike.

    I'm also going to switch to a Schwinn bike I was given. It works great but someone stole the saddle and post off of it. I just need a new post so I can put the saddle from my other bike on it. Its got no suspension but its a much higher quality bike.

    I'm also having a metal-working friend of mine build me a recombent bike as shown on the website www.recycledrecombents.com. We'll see how I like it.

    Anyway if anyone has any suggestions for me, a free seat post 😄 LOL or any ideas or good places to do some reading, let me know! I look forward to hearing from other members here.

    Thanks,

    Rykoala

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  2. tcklyde
    Archived post
    #2

    Welcome Rykoala, and congrats on your progress!

    Cyclings makes a great obsession, from the equipment, to the riding, to the great health benefits.

    There's so much you can read and watch and do, I hardly know where to start. Head out to the bookstore and check out some cycling magazines. Read through the forum, too. There's lots of silly debates that are too much fun.

    Just remember, a good cycling obsession can get pretty expensive. It's probably a good idea to stay away from bikes at Walmart, but, on the other hand, you don't need $5000 (or even $1000) to buy a good bike.

    Ride and have fun and post now and then to share your experiences.

    Cheers.

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  3. Brunswick_kate
    Archived post
    #3

    Welcome Rykoala...and congrats on starting on your biking bit. Like you, our family started out on inexpensive bikes and once we got into it, it seemed way more sensible to buy higher grade. I don't have any problem now spending what used to be thought of a megabucks on bikes or bike equipment because we use it. It's really a primary form of transportation in our household, so I always have to compare the price of what cycling gear I'm doing up with the cost of running a second vehicle. With gas pushing a buck a litre here, I can justify a lot of bike gear.

    It's been great for us physically as well. My husband, also an IT guy who spends too much time flying a desk, has lost quite a bit of weight. I'm a diabetic and the increased exercise has done wonders from my glucose management issues.

    Most importantly, we're having fun. More that the money, or the health benefits or the environmental considerations, we're out having fun as a family and that alone is pretty important in this day and age.

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  4. SLS
    Archived post
    #4

    Welcome aboard- cheep seatpost, huh, how about the one off the Walmart special??? (Assuming it fits) Like you I am in IT & the bike does help out with the weight issue, now about them cokes... I see you luck out where you live heat wise, but remember to always bring plenty of water with you. 90 degree + days are nothing to sneeze at - you can overheat in those tempratures easy enough. When you get your recumbant don't forget to attach a flag. Being lower to the ground - you are not as visible as you are on a regular bike. Again welcome aboard & keep up the good work

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  5. rykoala
    Archived post
    #5

    Thanks everyone for the nice words. Its much appreciated! I'm getting ready to go out for my nightly ride here in a few minutes. I can't wait! 😄

    Come to think of it, next years taxes and bonus were going to go into a 4x4 for off-roading but I think I'd be better off to invest in bike gear. Cheaper too 😉

    Thanks again everyone!

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  6. jhuskey
    Archived post
    #6
    Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by rykoala
    Thanks everyone for the nice words. Its much appreciated! I'm getting ready to go out for my nightly ride here in a few minutes. I can't wait! 😄

    Come to think of it, next years taxes and bonus were going to go into a 4x4 for off-roading but I think I'd be better off to invest in bike gear. Cheaper too 😉

    Thanks again everyone!

    Cheaper Too? You may be in for a shock if you really get into it, but its worth it. Good luck on your training and don't let up.😎

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  7. SLS
    Archived post
    #7
    Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by jhuskey
    Cheaper Too? You may be in for a shock if you really get into it, but its worth it. Good luck on your training and don't let up.😎

    Trust me compared to real 4 Wheeling this is a cheap sport and better for you. But yes this can get expensive real quick if you really get into it.

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  8. rykoala
    Archived post
    #8

    Indeed, in the 4x4 world $1000 is considered cheap for things like double-low gearing, or new ring and pinion gears. Yes a nice bike can cost as much as a cheap 4x4 but you're talking about the top end of this hobby and the bottom end of the other. Been there, Done that. I just sold a 69 Toyota Land Cruiser wagon, so I know that of which I speak 😉

    Take care and thanks again!!

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  9. jhuskey
    Archived post
    #9
    Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by rykoala
    Indeed, in the 4x4 world $1000 is considered cheap for things like double-low gearing, or new ring and pinion gears. Yes a nice bike can cost as much as a cheap 4x4 but you're talking about the top end of this hobby and the bottom end of the other. Been there, Done that. I just sold a 69 Toyota Land Cruiser wagon, so I know that of which I speak 😉

    Take care and thanks again!!

    Sure but how many people go to Europe to go 4 wheeling.
    Cycling can be expensive.

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  10. SLS
    Archived post
    #10
    Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by jhuskey
    Sure but how many people go to Europe to go 4 wheeling.
    Cycling can be expensive.

    Huh??? When did Nevada join the European Commision & leave the US? I have to watch the news better if I missed that.

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  11. rykoala
    Archived post
    #11

    haha you guys crack me up! Believe it or not there ARE people who go from the US to Australia and what not for the wheeling experiences there.

    Bikes are also infinitely SIMPLER even in their most complex forms.

    Well I just put some road tires on my wal-mart special, and I am planning on replacing the shock with a bit of metal that'll make it solid, to get rid of the rear suspension. Gotta find a suitable piece though!

    Take care,

    Ryan

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