Got my first bike - after 25 years !!!

[IceBoy]

Hi All,

Firstly, thanks for all you help and replies to my posts over the last week or so.

In the end I went for a Carrera Vulcan - Disc spec. Cost £300 and TBH, suits me perfect, easy to ride, fairly light and looks really well made.

I've not taken it off road (proper off road) yet but will do next week.

Thanks once again!
IceBoy

[American iv]

Wear gloves. It hurts less when you fall off (or rather you don't rip your hands to shreds)

Good Luck!

[yellowjack]

Yes! Wear gloves. Get some with knuckle protection - I use 661's. Also, if you are going off into the woods, where the branches and brambles etc are close to the track, for fs sake wear some eye protection and a helmet. I can put up with being shredded on my arms and legs, but I won't risk my eyesight for anything. Decent eyewear is essential - not bling/brand decent, but safe/sturdy decent, and it needn't cost the earth. You can save a lot of cash buying from your local safety equipment/clothing shop rather than bling bike shop brandsluts.

[IceBoy]

It has been wonderfull !

Been a long time but being back in the saddle took me back to my childhood!

cycled for a total of 3 hours with a couple of short brakes in-between and loved every sec.

Bike handled well on and off road and the fact I can lock off the front suspension as well as adjustment was excellent, especially for road riding.

I guess I must have only covered about 2 miles off road, and about 3 miles on road..........I have serious saddle sore/bum ache !!! LOL.

I'm getting right back on, for a short trip into town, I guess that is the best remedy for saddle soreness ???? The seat is a bit firm though????

IceBoy

[robpearson]

You might want to add padded shorts on to your must buy list. I dont like doing anything more than riding to the pub without them.

[Rob_T]

IceBoy said:

cycled for a total of 3 hours

IceBoy said:

I guess I must have only covered about 2 miles off road, and about 3 miles on road

am i reading this right? 5 miles in 3 hours? that's 1.67 mph average. how did you keep your balance at that 'speed'?

[IceBoy]

LOL That includes, stopping off at my sisters house, pint at the pub for refreshment purposes and chatting to dog walkers, lunch !!

LOL
IceBoy

[Digga]

IceBoy said:

Been a long time but being back in the saddle took me back to my childhood!

^This, I like.

I remeber digging my old Rockhopper out of the garage, reinflating the tyres, fettling gears and brakes (it had been over 10 years unused and I'd moved house twice with it) and heading out for my first ride.

Sometimes, I have to remind myself of how good it is - I've got used to being on a bike - but it's not hard to remember really. The feeling of freedom and fun is, as you say, a direct link back to very happy childhood memories.

P.S. liking your slow steady and chilled approach to a few hours on the bike!