New Bike

Hi,

First off, welcome back to cycling. You already done the hardest part, getting started.

Second, with regards to fitness, as many have said here, if you want to get better at riding your bike, ride your bike. Don't worry too much about running or weight training. Your body is really good at adapting to what you make it do. If you want to go faster, try riding slightly faster. If you want to go farther, start riding farther. Good things will come to you.

Third check out Nashbar for a computer. Any of these should work for you.
nashbar.comresults.cfmOpen ↗=
You bike shop should also have plenty of choices that will work. No need to spend a lot of money if all you want to know is how many miles you've gone....

Good luck and keep going!!!
L

wiggles said:

Hey everyone! I'm glad I found this site. As of 2 days ago, I purchased my first bike in close to 15 years. I had a couple of reasons for getting back behind the handlebars - gas prices, short commutes every day, I've been losing weight (I've lost 40 pounds since december!), and plus I love driving... so I figure why not take up biking (they can't be THAT different, plus biking can let me go places where I would never dream of taking my jeep).

So, the first day I got my bike, I picked it up first thing in the morning. I got a beautiful new Blue/Silver Trek 820 mountain bike. The guy at the store reccomended that one because I plan on using it primarily for commuting, but I also want the option to take my back in the woods and ride some of the canal paths we have around here in town. The steel frame is a touch heavy compared to my old bike from when I was a kid.

I figured I would ride my bike to work that day.. just a short trip, with maybe 1 or 2 small hills. Well, I stepped on the bike for the first time in almost 15 years, I put the peddle down, and I promptly almost fell over. I laughed about that with my friends, got back on, and started peddling around the block a few times just to get myself used to handling the bike again. I wasn't holding my weight properly so my arms started shaking, twitching, and eventually jerking (plus I was gripping the handlebars waaaay too tight). Because of that, and almost dumping 3 times, I figured I would just use my jeep one last day and ride to work today.

Today rolled around, and I just got on my bike, and rode to work. My weight distribution is already improving. I even was able to do partial bunny hops over some of the more nasty sidewalks that we have here. It felt great.. I made it to work injury and incident free. However, I'm noticing now that my butt is extremely, EXTREMELY sore. Like, ouch.

Is there any way around that? Should I look at getting a new seat? Or is it just because I'm so unused to riding? I mean, I have a rather large posterior (like I said, I'm losing weight, I'm about 240 lbs atm). I can deal with the pain so long as it'll go away eventually.

I was also curious, the first hill in town didn't give me much trouble. However the second hill was a bit more formidible (its about a 20 degree angle). I tried to hit the hill with a little speed, I made it about 40 feet up and then I switched down to my lower gears. I made it about half way up the hill before I got so winded that I had to put my feet down, and finish walking until the grade got a little bit less difficult, and catch my breath. I think I'll be able to do better next time. Can anyone reccomend any exercises besides running that might help me get a bit better at tackling these hills? If you have any other advice on these hills, please share.

Finally... I'd really like to be able to substitute my bike for my car as much as possible. My goals are both weight loss and commuting. So, can anyone reccomend anything besides practice to help me get a bit better faster than just practice (weight lifting, etc). Plus I'd really like to work on building up my endurance.

Finally, this is a bit off topic, but does anyone know what a very cheap, basic bike computer is? I'm considering investing in one just so I can track my progress. Thanks so much guys! 🙂

Make sure your bike is fitted properly for you - like as not it won't be! That will reduce saddle soreness. Keep working at losing weight by other methods of exercise also. Swimming and walking are cheap and good. Not running until you are a bit slimmer. Gym is good as they can write a comprehensive program.

Little Jackie said:

Make sure your bike is fitted properly for you - like as not it won't be! That will reduce saddle soreness. Keep working at losing weight by other methods of exercise also. Swimming and walking are cheap and good. Not running until you are a bit slimmer. Gym is good as they can write a comprehensive program.

I just adjusted the saddle up a bit, I think that may have been the problem. The quick release I think might be a little loose, it appears to be sliding down. I locked it, and was able to push the saddle back down with my bare hands. I'll have to fix that later tonight.

As for losing more weight, I've actually been sticking with a regimen using a videogame called YOurself Fitness, which is basically a virtual physical trainer.