Cycling! How to get started?

(Meeping up the Science!) #21

I will absolutely do that. I am still obese so I would not buy an expensive bike anyway, probably.

(Richard Morris) #22

I wore shorts until maybe September this year. But now I have 2 pairs of shy shorts which have an outer waterproof black short, and an inner Lycra short with padding.

bikeshorts.jpg768Ɨ844 174 KB

(Meeping up the Science!) #23

I will pretend I understood what that meant without googling it.

(Richard Morris) #24

I googled it for ya

http://www.netti.com.au/netti-super-shy-shorts.html

(Meeping up the Science!) #25

Haha.

If I order shorts from Australia, do they come with a free snake?

#26

Yes. A trouser snake. :smile:

(Meeping up the Science!) #27

lol, I didnā€™t even think of that. I am innocent for once! I will revel in it.

(ianrobo) #28

Like with Keto though it is what you make it, start cheap on items etc, as I said cheap bike etc and then see how it goes.

The great thing about cycling over say running and other things is it puts little pressure on your body. I switched to biking from running because my hammy and calf bust. found my way to a very good level now but took over a decade !

(Meeping up the Science!) #29

I am about 300lbs still and need a knee replacement, so that is a big part of why I am definitely interested. I used to weigh over twice that, and I want to have a daily very active hobby that does not destroy my other joints. I am a-ok with slowly getting into it.

I am very grateful for everyoneā€™s help here:)

(ianrobo) #30

then if you want to go a way it is either swimming or cycling, the thing with cycling is the awesome feeling of completed your first 10 miler, your first little climb etc !! before long you will be climbing proper mountains !

(Meeping up the Science!) #31

I must admit, cycling seems pretty amazing. Iā€™d also like to replace as much driving as possible, too, actually. That would be awesome to be able to bike everywhere if I can. I am turning into a health nut and a hippieā€¦

(G. Andrew Duthie) #32

Donā€™t spend more than you need toā€¦BUTā€¦donā€™t go super-cheap, either.

If you buy a good quality bike, you should be able to sell it when youā€™re ready to move up to something better. While that may be true of lower-quality bikes, the resale value may be considerably less.

The other consideration is that as with most sporting equipment, thereā€™s a quality point at which going cheap can be a detriment to the activity, either by making it more difficult (heavy or poor performance parts) or from potential safety issues.

Iā€™d look for something at the lower end of one of the bigger-name bike brands (Trek, Cannondale, Giant, etc.) and as others have suggested, get a fitting at a local bike shop. May even be worth buying from a local bike shop, as many of them will throw in free adjustments for the first 6mo to a year you own the bike. That can make a big difference in comfort, as you get used to the bike.

(Meeping up the Science!) #33

I used to study martial arts pretty intensely so I have a $2000 sword. I get what youā€™re saying.

Iā€™m concerned about damage to the bike at my weight, however I think the benefits of riding sooner outweigh (ha) waiting. Even though I decided to start now. In the middle of the Illinois winterā€¦ yep, Iā€™m smart. At any rate, I assume itā€™s more a rim issue than a bike frame issue. We have very good bike trails here, but I eventually want to replace all short trips with a car, as well as take extended rides later, of course.

I will definitely check out lower end bikes for those brands. I actually prefer buying local when I can, too.

(Larry Lustig) #34

In that case, I know how you can get the bike for free. . .

(Meeping up the Science!) #35

But my baby!

I should sell her. She isnā€™t worth as much since sheā€™s been used for practice, but still a good chunk. Itā€™s often been my motivation for success.

If itā€™s anything like computers, itā€™s not the bike that costs, but those damn widgets sure add up fast.

(Larry Lustig) #36

No, using my method you end up with the sword, the bike, and possibly 5-10 years of free room and board. . .

(G. Andrew Duthie) #37

So when you started the topic by saying:

you really meant it! :smile:

Iā€™m here all weekā€¦try the veal!

(ianrobo) #38

yeah add in the bike compute the castelli, the cleats, etc :bicyclist:

(ianrobo) #39

I would mention that of course doing more exercise of any kind allows more freedom in number of carbs you can eat ā€¦

(Meeping up the Science!) #40

I have an eating disorder so Iā€™ll probably always restrict the types of carbs, anyway. Iā€™m not too worried about that yet. Weā€™ll see how it goes.