Woke up and decided to start cycling...
Discussion
First post in this area.
So, trying to start some form of fitness regime. Haven't exercised in a long time, and thinking of getting into cycling for leisure in the evenings, maybe 2-3 times a week to start with.
I have an old bike from when I was a kid...something like this...
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$T2eC16VHJH...
Am I going to look like a complete idiot cycling around in the evenings on something like this!?
Also, what sort of advice would you give me in terms of finding a decent cycle route and how far to cycle to start with? Was thinking maybe 5-6 miles to start with. Which I am guessing would take me 30-40 minutes. (But my fitness may be shocking so could take me even longer than that!)And, also would this actually make any difference to my fitness!?
Thanks in advance and look forward to continuing to post as I progress (hopefully).
So, trying to start some form of fitness regime. Haven't exercised in a long time, and thinking of getting into cycling for leisure in the evenings, maybe 2-3 times a week to start with.
I have an old bike from when I was a kid...something like this...
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$T2eC16VHJH...
Am I going to look like a complete idiot cycling around in the evenings on something like this!?
Also, what sort of advice would you give me in terms of finding a decent cycle route and how far to cycle to start with? Was thinking maybe 5-6 miles to start with. Which I am guessing would take me 30-40 minutes. (But my fitness may be shocking so could take me even longer than that!)And, also would this actually make any difference to my fitness!?
Thanks in advance and look forward to continuing to post as I progress (hopefully).
Thanks. very good advice!
Just what I needed!
No, it isn't a kids bike. When I say I was a kid when I bought it, I was more like 14ish, but bought an adult size. I will start out on it, and see how I go. It was quite a decent bike at the time, Raleigh Max, Y-frame. Full suspension, etc. Just that I haven't seen many of the type these days on the road. If I manage to get into the cycling, I will get myself something more suitable.
Just what I needed!
No, it isn't a kids bike. When I say I was a kid when I bought it, I was more like 14ish, but bought an adult size. I will start out on it, and see how I go. It was quite a decent bike at the time, Raleigh Max, Y-frame. Full suspension, etc. Just that I haven't seen many of the type these days on the road. If I manage to get into the cycling, I will get myself something more suitable.
zebedee said:
It probably wasn't a decent bike at the time in all honesty. Full sus tends to be a liability rather than a benefit unless you are spending an awful lot of money, otherwise all you are doing is making your ride much heavier and less responsive. Most of the type have been thrown away or were never used (but they keep selling kids bikes looking exactly the same!)
As I said, you already have it though so don't make barriers and it will get you out and about and if you like it, then you'll love it on something more lively and functional.
HA shows what I know! As a teenager I thought it was the dogs!As I said, you already have it though so don't make barriers and it will get you out and about and if you like it, then you'll love it on something more lively and functional.
I will try it on this bike for a while. If after a 2-4 week period, I am continuing to ride, I will be asking all of your advice as to best bike to buy.
I'm kind of excited about the whole thing now!
I did download an app - BikeBrain. Anyone used it? don't have a mount on the bike, so not sure how useful it will be. Although the bike does have a computer, but pretty sure, after I dig it out and dust the cobwebs off, it won't be working!
BliarOut said:
Don't overdo it at first, your ass will hurt and it'll put you off going out on the bike again.
This is my one big worry about buying a 'proper' bike. The seats I have heard are most uncomfortable. Whereas the one I currently have I don't think is too bad from what I can remember. Black can man said:
Porkupine said:
BliarOut said:
Don't overdo it at first, your ass will hurt and it'll put you off going out on the bike again.
This is my one big worry about buying a 'proper' bike. The seats I have heard are most uncomfortable. Whereas the one I currently have I don't think is too bad from what I can remember. Be warned , if you get the bug it can become expensive
ps Don't worry - I am good at wasting money! This would be an investment anyway!!
LOL - this looks like the kind of saddle I would need!!
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/vavert-men's-memory-fo...
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/vavert-men's-memory-fo...
BoRED S2upid said:
Find yourself a couple of different circular routes from your house one that takes 30 mins one that takes 45 etc... then if your feeling good starting on the 30 min one you can add an extra little 1 mile route on towards the end, worst thing I find is to be doing 3 miles in one direction only to turn around and cycle the same route back.
Will have to re-evaluate the route I planned then. Mine was literally 3 miles one way, then back. Dug out my old bike and it doesn't look fit for road! So am trying to arrange borrowing one this weekend. If I can get myself into a nice routine over the next 3-4 weeks then the hunt will be on to buy one!Update on this.
Got my bike out, dusted off the cob webs. But it was in a state. Not fit for riding I would think.
So have borrowed a bike from a relative, which is relatively new, but not being used.
It is a specialized hardrock sport. I really like it, compared to my old one. Waiting for the weather to calm down a bit and will give it a go. If all goes well next few weeks, I will be on the hunt for a new bike of my own.
Got my bike out, dusted off the cob webs. But it was in a state. Not fit for riding I would think.
So have borrowed a bike from a relative, which is relatively new, but not being used.
It is a specialized hardrock sport. I really like it, compared to my old one. Waiting for the weather to calm down a bit and will give it a go. If all goes well next few weeks, I will be on the hunt for a new bike of my own.
Well I did it!
Was a LOT more difficult than I imagined. I planned a route and thought should start small. So my route in total was 2.5 miles. I thought would be easy. It was ok up until half way. Didn't break a sweat. On the way back though, uphill, and I was destroyed! I was very very close to stopping for a rest, but managed to complete it.
Shows just how bad my fitness is, my legs were burning. Total ride time was 21 minutes, shocking I know, for only 2.5 miles!
Whilst I was riding the words kept echoing:
The bike felt quite hard on the bumps, I guess I have not ridden for a while, and the kids style bike I had before was a lot more BOUNCY! And my arse hurts slightly today!
On a positive note:
Had a good night's sleep too!
Will update when I get out again!
Was a LOT more difficult than I imagined. I planned a route and thought should start small. So my route in total was 2.5 miles. I thought would be easy. It was ok up until half way. Didn't break a sweat. On the way back though, uphill, and I was destroyed! I was very very close to stopping for a rest, but managed to complete it.
Shows just how bad my fitness is, my legs were burning. Total ride time was 21 minutes, shocking I know, for only 2.5 miles!
Whilst I was riding the words kept echoing:
zebedee said:
try and keep it flat too until you find your feet - a big hill will expend as much energy as a couple of miles of flat
Oh, how I should have took more notice of this. The experience of yesterday almost makes me not want to do it again! But I will! The bike felt quite hard on the bumps, I guess I have not ridden for a while, and the kids style bike I had before was a lot more BOUNCY! And my arse hurts slightly today!
On a positive note:
pablo said:
have a go with an app called strava....
it records your routes so you can see how far/how fast etc but all over the country people have created sections of varying length so you can compete with other people who have ridden the same section...
Great advice. I used the app and love it. Shows all kind of detail. Told me my elevation difference was 82 feet. I am now in process of trying to find a less hilly route and will try again in a couple of days. it records your routes so you can see how far/how fast etc but all over the country people have created sections of varying length so you can compete with other people who have ridden the same section...
Had a good night's sleep too!
Will update when I get out again!
I'm thankful for all the replies on this thread. I actually am finding it quite motivational. So lets hope I can continue!
I went out for my second red yesterday morning. It felt a little easier. But I think reason for that was because I did not go all out and peddle hard on the outward half as it is mostly down hill anyway. This meant the way back was very slightly easier. Overall I did in the same time (well 10aecs slower actually). I think this must be due to being slower on the first half.
Anyway, the other thing that may have slowed me down is because the bike seems to be stuck in a pretty low gear. This happened at the end of my first ride. So this slowed me down on the first half of my ride this time where I would have shifted to a higher gear. Will try sort this before my next ride!
I went out for my second red yesterday morning. It felt a little easier. But I think reason for that was because I did not go all out and peddle hard on the outward half as it is mostly down hill anyway. This meant the way back was very slightly easier. Overall I did in the same time (well 10aecs slower actually). I think this must be due to being slower on the first half.
Anyway, the other thing that may have slowed me down is because the bike seems to be stuck in a pretty low gear. This happened at the end of my first ride. So this slowed me down on the first half of my ride this time where I would have shifted to a higher gear. Will try sort this before my next ride!
OK...so my previous exploits did not go so well!
I completed about three rides and gave up. The bike I borrowed is still in my garage...
So, I have managed to lose some weight in the last couple of years, and think I would be in a lot better place to give this a go.
Am going to sign up for the Palace to Palace ride in September. I feel this will give me something to aim for, and of course it is for a good cause.
Any advice on how I should start to train, and when? From my above posts, you can see I struggled with 2.5 miles previously!
It is a 45 mile ride, which at this moment, sounds very daunting to me!!
I completed about three rides and gave up. The bike I borrowed is still in my garage...
So, I have managed to lose some weight in the last couple of years, and think I would be in a lot better place to give this a go.
Am going to sign up for the Palace to Palace ride in September. I feel this will give me something to aim for, and of course it is for a good cause.
Any advice on how I should start to train, and when? From my above posts, you can see I struggled with 2.5 miles previously!
It is a 45 mile ride, which at this moment, sounds very daunting to me!!
Is the specialized hard rock a mountain bike? Sounds like a silly question (well it is silly) but I see it more of a professional type of bike than I had when I was younger, which was a true mountain bike!
I really have been giving the commuting some thought. My commute is 15 miles, and it takes me 1 hour by car due to traffic. If I get fitter and stronger on the bike, I will perhaps try to incorporate at least a part of the route by bike...this may or may not be possible, due to various issues to work around (where to park, does the bike fit in the car, where to shower).
I think I need to get out there in the next few days. Will report back on how I get on...
I really have been giving the commuting some thought. My commute is 15 miles, and it takes me 1 hour by car due to traffic. If I get fitter and stronger on the bike, I will perhaps try to incorporate at least a part of the route by bike...this may or may not be possible, due to various issues to work around (where to park, does the bike fit in the car, where to shower).
I think I need to get out there in the next few days. Will report back on how I get on...
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