Dear Lord it's another noob.

[poop_007]

Not to bum you guys, but I'm a complete noob. I saw the Tour de France and was amazed and want to get into it myself. I am a little bit overweight, and do not have any gear really, and my bike isn't the right kind. (I'm saving for a new one.)

Please help me out and give me some tips. Sorry for my ignorance.

-Jamie

 

[rule62]

Just get on your bike and ride.

 

[Powerful Pete]

Welcome! And, as the other poster said, ride, ride, ride.

If possible get riding shorts (with padding, if you are a bit self conscious they have ones with baggy over shorts over the lycra bit), a helmet and a pair of sunglasses.

Do a search about riding+weight loss on the training section of the forum, improve your eating habits, and the weight will melt off. Newer and better looking you, attractiveness to the opposite sex, and being involved in the greatest sport in the world all rolled into one!

Once you are sure you are hooked you can begin to look into upgrading!

 

[elswhere15]

Not to bum you guys, but I'm a complete noob. I saw the Tour de France and was amazed and want to get into it myself. I am a little bit overweight, and do not have any gear really, and my bike isn't the right kind. (I'm saving for a new one.)

Please help me out and give me some tips. Sorry for my ignorance.

-Jamie

Hi Jamie - I first posted here as a newbie without a clue, had loads of helpful tips/encourgement for training for my first big ride and there's lots of good info here too. I've got the bug now I'm afraid and the 'big ride' is 13 days away, I suggest that you route (no pun intended!) out a ride in your area to give you a goal to aim for on the days when you don't think you can face the bike (invariably once you're out - it's all OK ). Mines a 57 mile charity ride and I know that the £££ per mile I'm raising will help get me up the last big hill

Off out riding now! Good luck & enjoy...

 

[RC2]

Get a decent pair of bibs (99% of folks who try bibs never wear shorts again). Same with clipless pedals and cycling shoes (vs. toe clips). If you end up getting a new bike, shop around several LBS's and get a feel for how much time they'll spend fitting you in addition to feeling out different bikes (getting fit properly is a Big Deal!!). And what the other guys said: ride, ride, and ride.

 

[jaguar75]

Not to bum you guys, but I'm a complete noob. I saw the Tour de France and was amazed and want to get into it myself. I am a little bit overweight, and do not have any gear really, and my bike isn't the right kind. (I'm saving for a new one.)

Please help me out and give me some tips. Sorry for my ignorance.

-Jamie

Welcome Jamie...

Lots of great advice here already...I would not, however, run right out and get clipless pedals yet...You need to get a lot of saddle time mastering the bike as it is before clipping in...It does not matter what type of bike you have...just spend every moment you can in the saddle and just have fun and when you start getting to that point where better and newer components will benefit you then start upgrading...

One day you will look at your progress, the definition in your muscles and the inches off your waist and just smile...

Riding is also about goals...set realistic ones and you will find how much accomplishing each one will furthur fuel setting and achieving harder ones...and remember...Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up...Unless you are seriously injured always finish your ride even if you are dragging ass...no matter how much it hurts you you will smile and thank yourself for not quitting...

 

[Goosebeak]

Welcome! And as the saying goes, hitch your wagon to a star...

 

[p38lightning]

Lots of good advice already. Your present bike may not be the right kind but it will serve well on wet weather days, commutes, chained up at the mall etc.
Everyone needs a "beater". It will also serve well as a training ground for you to learn cycle maintenance. http://www.parktool.com/ This link will get you to the Park Tool website which has an extensive well written maintenance manual. Give it a shot on your oldie. Lube and adjust you hubs, adjust spokes and true the wheels, these are skills that will save you money, keep you safe, maintain you performance, and are not risky since you're doing them to your old bike. Ride, ride ,ride, and once in a while "wrench".