The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: deborah on January 07, 2015, 11:31:30 PM
-
I look in dismay at the cycling challenges here. MMM says we should all ride our bicycles. Well, I have got one, but when we moved here more than a decade before I retired, we put the bicycles at the back of the junk room, so I haven't reached Step 2 - where the steps are:
Step 0: Research what bicycle you want and how to obtain it (added courtesy of nzmamma)
Step 1: Obtain a bicycle.
Step 2: Locate a place to store it so that you can access it easily to ride every day.
Step 3: Ensure that the bicycle is rideable (including in roadworthy condition)
Step 4: Ensure that you have the minimal appropriate gear to ride your bicycle (helmets if they are compulsory where you live, footwear, trouser clips (could be rubber bands)...)
Step 5: Practice riding your bicycle somewhere safe
Step 6: Start riding it each day - You are a WINNER!!!
Please advise if there are more steps to go from beginner to winner.
Thanks to jordanread and Kmp2 see http://bikeyface.com/2013/05/08/small-steps/
which includes the following (for steps 5 and 6):
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/8718709629_c734179b1d_b.jpg)
So I figure that there might be others like me who have not made it to step 6, and I wondered if anyone was up to a challenge to get to step 6 by the end of the year?
-
I'm in. Still on step 0. Will have to start researching... maybe find a good New Years sale to be taken advantage of?
-
I'm in. Still on step 0. Will have to start researching... maybe find a good New Years sale to be taken advantage of?
Try craigslist, the real everyday low pricing.
-
Well, I'll join. I have a bike, but I probably need step 1b: make sure said bike is in roadworthy condition and find the bike pump. Its been a while. I've been meaning to start but keep putting it off.
I have a dream of an electric bike so I can do my shopping ( at the bottom of a big hill), but refuse to get one until I am riding more regularly.
-
Thanks for posting this challenge!
I am somewhere around Step 4.5 :-)
-
I'm in. Still on step 0. Will have to start researching... maybe find a good New Years sale to be taken advantage of?
Try craigslist, the real everyday low pricing.
Good thinking. We don't have Craigslist here in New Zealand but I am always selling things on our equivalent site... never buy. Will start a watch list now. Now at Stage 0.10 perhaps? ;-)
-
Once you all kick ass on this challenge, I can't wait to see you join in the monthly cycling challenges. However, one of the best resources for step 0 - 1 comes from our very own Bakari. Check out Buying bikes from Craigslist (http://biodieselhauling.blogspot.com/2012/01/buying-bikes-from-craigslist.html).
-
I'll follow the thread if folks need advice/encouragement. :)
Cycling is awesome. My best advice to get from step 5 to step 6 is "pretend your car is broken". When the car isn't even an option is when the mindshift really occurred for me.
-
I don't own a bike, mostly because I don't feel comfortable riding one in a city setting. I DO ride a stationary bike at the gym - I do about 10 miles per session, 5 days a week. At most, I might feel a part of this thread in a most peripheral way.
When I think of it, pedalling away furiously for a "theoretical" 10 miles and actually go nowhere seems pretty ridiculous. It IS boring as hell, no matter how good the music in your headphones might be.
-
I don't own a bike, mostly because I don't feel comfortable riding one in a city setting. I DO ride a stationary bike at the gym - I do about 10 miles per session, 5 days a week. At most, I might feel a part of this thread in a most peripheral way.
When I think of it, pedalling away furiously for a "theoretical" 10 miles and actually go nowhere seems pretty ridiculous. It IS boring as hell, no matter how good the music in your headphones might be.
What about riding in a city bothers you? And even if you don't want to ride in traffic, a good trail can be loads more interesting than a gym. BC should have plenty of good trails and bike lanes, yes?
-
Certain parts of Vancouver are very bike friendly. Though I love my area, it is not very enlightened when it comes to accommodating cycling. Minimal bike lanes and the drivers are almost universally terrible. Lots of trails yes, but I am just as happy to hike them as bike them.
-
All right future cycling challenge participants... How are you all doing with this gauntlet? Is there anything we can do to help? It's check in time!!
-
My bike is hanging up in the garage -- ugh!
-
I have a dream of an electric bike so I can do my shopping ( at the bottom of a big hill), but refuse to get one until I am riding more regularly.
I live at the top of a big hill. I ride my bike to the shops and halfway home, and then get off and push it up the hill. Every time I get just a teensy bit further, and one day I'll make it all the way up.
Just get on your bike and ride, girl!
http://youtu.be/xt0V0_1MS0Q
Link deliberately NOT embedded - NSFW. ;)
-
I started last April as a very occasional biker to work, but definitely left the bike at home if the weather forecast showed a chance of rain or cold. But my occasional perusing of the bikers photos (like the one of Kmp2 in the Dec2014 challenge) and bikers comments like Primm inspired me to commit to bike every day to get to work, which I've been doing since the beginning of December. I was very apprehensive at first, started small, but am now very happy to get on my bike every day. Kinda surprised myself. So, go thru the steps and you may surprise yourself too! Good Luck!
-
I love this! My brother gave me a used bike for Christmas. I got it out of the car and put it together last weekend, but I couldn't get the nut on the seat to turn, so I sprayed it with WD40 and let it rest. I need to get proper wrenches to adjust things, I made do with my pliers. It is supposed to warm up well above freezing this coming weekend, so I hope to take it for an inaugural spin.
What do I need? I've got a helmet sitting in my amazon shopping cart, I'm just being a tightwad and not spending the money. I've got leather driving gloves that I would hate to ruin biking, but might be the only way I can handle chilly weather.
Anyone have advice on where to start with the very basics? Right now I expect to just bike for fun and health. Long term commuting sounds great, but I'm starting slow.
-
I love this! My brother gave me a used bike for Christmas. I got it out of the car and put it together last weekend, but I couldn't get the nut on the seat to turn, so I sprayed it with WD40 and let it rest. I need to get proper wrenches to adjust things, I made do with my pliers. It is supposed to warm up well above freezing this coming weekend, so I hope to take it for an inaugural spin.
What do I need? I've got a helmet sitting in my amazon shopping cart, I'm just being a tightwad and not spending the money. I've got leather driving gloves that I would hate to ruin biking, but might be the only way I can handle chilly weather.
Anyone have advice on where to start with the very basics? Right now I expect to just bike for fun and health. Long term commuting sounds great, but I'm starting slow.
Don't bother with driving gloves. If you are worried about the cold, just use something windproof (even plastic bags could work). My suggestion is to just take it out, and feel it out. Don't bother buying gear until to can find your weaknesses. The latest cycling challenge has some good discussions about gear too. We've got some other people just starting out there too.
-
Thought about riding my bike up and down my little street today. That's as far as I got :-P
-
And why didn't you do it? What stopped you? Fix that, and get out there tomorrow and change it!
-
And why didn't you do it? What stopped you? Fix that, and get out there tomorrow and change it!
Hmmm ... pure laziness, I think. <sigh> I really should do it tomorrow and will try my level best and commit to reporting back here:-)
-
Hahaha! Honesty. I like it. :)
Yes, report back tomorrow.
-
Step 5!! Just got back from riding my bike for a 15 minute ride around our neighbourhood! Yay! Thx for the motivation! It was even spitting rain and cold out but I went anyways--and it felt great! Got 2 boys t get my bike down from the hooks on the garage ceiling so I wouldn't have that excuse. Left it down for tmw! Hope others will give it a try like this overweight almost 48 year old mama!
-
Step 5!! Just got back from riding my bike for a 15 minute ride around our neighbourhood! Yay! Thx for the motivation! It was even spitting rain and cold out but I went anyways--and it felt great! Got 2 boys t get my bike down from the hooks on the garage ceiling so I wouldn't have that excuse. Left it down for tmw! Hope others will give it a try like this overweight almost 48 year old mama!
Hell yeah!!! You are rocking it. Doesn't that feel great?
-
I have a dream of an electric bike so I can do my shopping ( at the bottom of a big hill), but refuse to get one until I am riding more regularly.
I live at the top of a big hill. I ride my bike to the shops and halfway home, and then get off and push it up the hill. Every time I get just a teensy bit further, and one day I'll make it all the way up.
Just get on your bike and ride, girl!
http://youtu.be/xt0V0_1MS0Q
Link deliberately NOT embedded - NSFW. ;)
Hehe, um well I laughed at that clip, so I think the link is embedded. Not sure I will get on my bike in the same state O-o. Once you can use the bike as meaningful transport it does become easier since it becomes embedded in daily life, and that won't happen until I can get up the hill. Anyhow the big hill is just an excuse, I just need to get on the flipping bike and ride around up here. Today?
-
Hey Happy,
There's a big hill between me and a Walmart Supercenter :-/
I am planning on practicing on my own streets, with one gentle hill, until I can totally do that little hill without huffing and puffing like I did today.
Looking forward to reporting back in a few months. Its my dream, right now, to be able to ride to walmart and put a few groceries in my white basket.
Plus, its practically a free fitness program.
I have to admit that even though it was REALLY hard to bundle up and go outside today and ride by myself for the first time (in 25 years!), I felt wonderful! The wind on my face was invigorating. The smell of the trees was intoxicating. That 15 minutes or so will carry me through the rest of today.
Tremendously motivating!
-
Hey Happy,
There's a big hill between me and a Walmart Supercenter :-/
I am planning on practicing on my own streets, with one gentle hill, until I can totally do that little hill without huffing and puffing like I did today.
Looking forward to reporting back in a few months. Its my dream, right now, to be able to ride to walmart and put a few groceries in my white basket.
Plus, its practically a free fitness program.
I have to admit that even though it was REALLY hard to bundle up and go outside today and ride by myself for the first time (in 25 years!), I felt wonderful! The wind on my face was invigorating. The smell of the trees was intoxicating. That 15 minutes or so will carry me through the rest of today.
Tremendously motivating!
I just mentioned this to someone in a text today: "Even a bad day riding beats the hell out of a day driving"
Way to go!! I'm a bit drunk, so I don't have the words to properly describe how awesome you are. Will update tomorrow.
-
Step 5!! Just got back from riding my bike for a 15 minute ride around our neighbourhood! Yay! Thx for the motivation! It was even spitting rain and cold out but I went anyways--and it felt great! Got 2 boys t get my bike down from the hooks on the garage ceiling so I wouldn't have that excuse. Left it down for tmw! Hope others will give it a try like this overweight almost 48 year old mama!
Woohoo! And were you smiling? During and afterwards?
Riding my bike makes me smile.
-
Yes I was smiling!
And I am now too!
Thanks for the encouragement, primm and jordanread!
-
Yes I was smiling!
And I am now too!
Thanks for the encouragement, primm and jordanread!
Awesome. Keep up the good work, and know that if snags come up you've got a huge community knowledge base to lean on :)
-
Yes I was smiling!
And I am now too!
Thanks for the encouragement, primm and jordanread!
Hell yeah!! You've got this!
-
2 days in a row! Wahoo!
Had another 15 minute ride today -- made it up my own driveway (hill) which I couldn't do yesterday!
We need progress reports from other beginner cyclists!
-
That's brilliant! And yes, yes we do.
-
I keep my bike in the living room next to the front door. I don't care if people think that's tacky because I ride it 90% more of the time than when I had it locked outside.
I would not force yourself to ride everyday. Start out with short trips to run errands and don't be afraid to take it into stores. Most don't mind, especially if you tell them you are concerned about it getting stolen and if there is not a bike rack.
-
I keep my bike in the living room next to the front door. I don't care if people think that's tacke because I ride it 90% more of the time than when I had it locked outside.
I would not force yourself to ride everyday. Start out with short trips to run errands and don't be afraid to take it into stores. Most don't mind, especially if you tell them you are concerned about it getting stolen and if there is not a bike rack.
If there is no bike rack, I always take my bike inside, and then have one of the employees watch it. Like punishment for not having a bike rack. :-)
-
If there is no bike rack, I always take my bike inside, and then have one of the employees watch it. Like punishment for not having a bike rack. :-)
Love this!
-
Just got a bike. Went for a 20 km ride tonight. It was great.
Used to bike commute to school/work in the US and China, but never got a bike when I moved to Singapore. I'm terrified of drivers here, but there's a park with long bike paths near my place.
Anyone ever commuted in a tropical place (~10-12 km) without access to a shower? I'd like to try, but not sure if it's feasible in a place where it doesn't go below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with 80-90% humidity, even in the middle of the night in the coolest part of the year.
-
I'm very uncertain whether to go by bike or by foot to work monday. I don't have a car for the next week or so, and DH's very nice electric bike is ready for use in the garage. But the weather forcast is +/- 0 deg C, and I don't have spiked tires. Walked the kids to school the other day, and it was quite icy in the morning. Maybe I'll walk the bike to work, and ride it back home?
The electric bike is genious for lazy people like me. Get a little bit of excercise, but not enough to get sweaty and uncomfortable. Even the steepest hills are no problem.
-
I'm in. After not riding my bike for about 10 years, I need to ease in to this one though. Step 1 for me is cancelling my monthly transit pass. (Check, just did this!) Step two is getting my bike in shape and ready for riding. Step three will be making sure my gear is passable, which it should be. Step four -- ride!
However... Caveat time... I won't be doing steps two to four until the weather gets nicer. I need to ease into this in the spring. I am not procrastinating here, but its my way of making sure I can stick to it rather than try it once in minus twenty weather and say no effing way.
-
Anyone ever commuted in a tropical place (~10-12 km) without access to a shower? I'd like to try, but not sure if it's feasible in a place where it doesn't go below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with 80-90% humidity, even in the middle of the night in the coolest part of the year.
Not helpful but letting you know I feel your pain. I'm in Brisbane but I have a shower at both ends (work and home). I always finish my ride absolutely dripping with sweat though, so I don't know that it would be feasible. All the advice that states "just take a pack of wet wipes and a change of shirt" is obviously from people who have never ridden in the tropics / subtropics. :)
-
I love this! My brother gave me a used bike for Christmas. I got it out of the car and put it together last weekend, but I couldn't get the nut on the seat to turn, so I sprayed it with WD40 and let it rest. I need to get proper wrenches to adjust things, I made do with my pliers. It is supposed to warm up well above freezing this coming weekend, so I hope to take it for an inaugural spin.
What do I need? I've got a helmet sitting in my amazon shopping cart, I'm just being a tightwad and not spending the money. I've got leather driving gloves that I would hate to ruin biking, but might be the only way I can handle chilly weather.
Anyone have advice on where to start with the very basics? Right now I expect to just bike for fun and health. Long term commuting sounds great, but I'm starting slow.
Don't bother with driving gloves. If you are worried about the cold, just use something windproof (even plastic bags could work). My suggestion is to just take it out, and feel it out. Don't bother buying gear until to can find your weaknesses. The latest cycling challenge has some good discussions about gear too. We've got some other people just starting out there too.
I did it! whew. I ended up working this weekend, so things got put off. I did get a wrench Saturday and fought with the seat, but it was dark and icy. Today is warm and spring like. I finally got that seat wrestled down. Did some reading and measuring about what height to set it at. It felt pretty good. I walked down to the park with a railroad bed trail and tried things out on the level ground. The handlebars are those curved "racing" ones. Things felt all awkward. I remember loving that style as a teenager. I rode a mile and a half. Maybe two miles. I practiced braking. I couldn't get the gears to change! I need to do some reading up. It's a different kind of shifter than I had as a kid, it's down on the body of the bike, not on the handlebar. That felt awkward too. I couldn't see anything moving in the mechanism when I tried shifting while walking the bike.
Still a success. I worked up a sweat and got my heart rate up! Thanks for the encouragement y'all.
-
I love this! My brother gave me a used bike for Christmas. I got it out of the car and put it together last weekend, but I couldn't get the nut on the seat to turn, so I sprayed it with WD40 and let it rest. I need to get proper wrenches to adjust things, I made do with my pliers. It is supposed to warm up well above freezing this coming weekend, so I hope to take it for an inaugural spin.
What do I need? I've got a helmet sitting in my amazon shopping cart, I'm just being a tightwad and not spending the money. I've got leather driving gloves that I would hate to ruin biking, but might be the only way I can handle chilly weather.
Anyone have advice on where to start with the very basics? Right now I expect to just bike for fun and health. Long term commuting sounds great, but I'm starting slow.
Don't bother with driving gloves. If you are worried about the cold, just use something windproof (even plastic bags could work). My suggestion is to just take it out, and feel it out. Don't bother buying gear until to can find your weaknesses. The latest cycling challenge has some good discussions about gear too. We've got some other people just starting out there too.
I did it! whew. I ended up working this weekend, so things got put off. I did get a wrench Saturday and fought with the seat, but it was dark and icy. Today is warm and spring like. I finally got that seat wrestled down. Did some reading and measuring about what height to set it at. It felt pretty good. I walked down to the park with a railroad bed trail and tried things out on the level ground. The handlebars are those curved "racing" ones. Things felt all awkward. I remember loving that style as a teenager. I rode a mile and a half. Maybe two miles. I practiced braking. I couldn't get the gears to change! I need to do some reading up. It's a different kind of shifter than I had as a kid, it's down on the body of the bike, not on the handlebar. That felt awkward too. I couldn't see anything moving in the mechanism when I tried shifting while walking the bike.
Still a success. I worked up a sweat and got my heart rate up! Thanks for the encouragement y'all.
Outstanding!! I have some basic bike maintenance links somewhere, but I'll have to dig them out. You might want to take and upload a picture and attach it to get more help.
-
I did it! whew. I did get a wrench Saturday and fought with the seat, but it was dark and icy. Today is warm and spring like. I finally got that seat wrestled down. Did some reading and measuring about what height to set it at. It felt pretty good. I walked down to the park with a railroad bed trail and tried things out on the level ground. The handlebars are those curved "racing" ones. Things felt all awkward. I remember loving that style as a teenager. I rode a mile and a half. Maybe two miles. I practiced braking. I couldn't get the gears to change! I need to do some reading up. It's a different kind of shifter than I had as a kid, it's down on the body of the bike, not on the handlebar. That felt awkward too. I couldn't see anything moving in the mechanism when I tried shifting while walking the bike.
Still a success. I worked up a sweat and got my heart rate up! Thanks for the encouragement y'all.
I hear ya, @PMG! Biking felt weird and awkward to me too. I feel unsteady and unsure of myself. I forget how to gear up/gear down and find myself thinking "Lower numbers = easier pedalling" and things like that. Also, with braking, I keep forgetting which hand is on the front brake and which one is on the rear brake. I thought the old saying was how you never forget how to ride a bicycle! haha!
Anyhoo, way to go! I should get out there today while its sunny, too!
-
I'm currently sitting at step 3. I have a nice road bike, but I need to replace a shifter before I can ride it.
-
Mad at myself for not getting out on my bike today since it was nice out. But we ended up with surprise dinner company so I spent the better part of the afternoon cleaning up the house and preparing a nice meal.
-
Have biked to work two out of two days this week. Need to get some gloves, but otherwise there were no problems. There was a cm or two of snow on the ground this morning, so I walked the bike down the steepest hills. But it was ridiculously easy. I have never had such a short way (less than a km) to work before, and it is a delight.
-
I started last April as a very occasional biker to work, but definitely left the bike at home if the weather forecast showed a chance of rain or cold. But my occasional perusing of the bikers photos (like the one of Kmp2 in the Dec2014 challenge)
Yay! So glad I took the time to figure out how to post a picture! And yes I think I owe Jordan another one... but we've been having this lovely warm January weather!
One thing that has worked wonders for me as I moved from a 1/year biker for bike to work day in the summer to a crazy year round one - is packing up to bike and getting everything ready the night before. I have a bike ready outfit all set up, work clothes in my bag already (if I'm going far enough), my badge/purse are in the bottom pocket of my bike pannier... it kind of means it would be more work to dig all that out and put it back in my purse to walk or take the train/bus.
With a little bit of practice, locking up, dressing for biking, putting my lights on etc... take almost no extra time at all now. It's soo much fun :)
-
I'm just starting to look for a bike. I am having a hard time deciding what type of bike to get though. I'm thinking of buying a road bike because I want to ride it longer distances. What is everyone else have/looking at?
-
I'm just starting to look for a bike. I am having a hard time deciding what type of bike to get though. I'm thinking of buying a road bike because I want to ride it longer distances. What is everyone else have/looking at?
It all depends on what you are going to use it for. Are those long distances nice and paved? Is that the only place you are going to ride? A road bike is specialized, so it will limit you somewhat. A hybrid, as the name implies, is good for any kind of general riding. I personally have a hard-tail mountain bike that I use for everything. It's a hell of a workhorse, but not as fast as other options. If I was to do anything with it, I'd try to get lockouts for the front suspension. I do need it on occasion, but not all the time. You can also choose to borrow a bike (or find a cheap one on Craigslist) and ride it around to figure out how it feels to you, and the things you would want to focus on. That would give you a better idea as to what would suit you. Long term goals are great, but if you get limited right off the bat, it's something to be avoided.
-
I have a hybrid commuter bike that I use to carry loads & a toddler, bike to and from work, and for a leisurely bike around town. (Distances of up to 30km)
I also have a road bike, which I used pre-baby occasionally for Triathlons and lovely road rides around the foothills, unfortunately I can't install a rack, or carry heavy loads. And it's hard to find a babysitter for a Saturday afternoon road ride...
That being said it is alot of fun to ride :)
If I were to do it again, I would have bought a touring bike instead, it would've doubled as a race bike, commuter bike, and would handle the weight restrictions on my toddler seat, and would've been nicer for an occasional camping trip than my commuter. (Which I'm just starting to dream about)
-
Hybrid!
Assuming it's got all the necessary mount points for fenders and racks, of course.
Can't beat a hybrid for a first bike purchase. Depending on your area, you can find good used models for a few hundred. Best models include Trek FX, Giant Escape, and Specialized Sirrus.
-
This is my bike:
http://www.electrabike.com/bikes/townie/original-21d?g=ladies
We bought it new in July. I feel really comfortable and stable and safe on this bike -- those were the things that were really important to me. YMMV (literally!)
-
And I always thought a bike was a bike was a bike - although I do know about racing bikes and mountain bikes. What are all the others and WHY?
-
Deborah,
To answer your question, I chose this bike because regular mountain bikes put a lot of strain on my wrists and lower back from leaning forward. When I started researching bikes, I stumbled upon an article about Dutch bikes and that eventually led me to a local bike shop that sells the Electra Townie. I liked the idea of a cruiser bike, where you are sitting more upright, but most cruiser bikes don't have gears. That was another selling point for me on the Townie, which I could get with 21 gears. It also had a lower price point than many of the Dutch style bikes. I looked at what I would be using the bike for, as well. I assumed that I would ride for 1/2 an hour to an hour, tops. I am a stay at home mom, so I won't be riding to work or anything, and really just hope to ride to the grocery store and maybe ride around with my young kids on their bikes someday.
Hope that helps!
-
Deborah,
To answer your question, I chose this bike because regular mountain bikes put a lot of strain on my wrists and lower back from leaning forward. When I started researching bikes, I stumbled upon an article about Dutch bikes and that eventually led me to a local bike shop that sells the Electra Townie. I liked the idea of a cruiser bike, where you are sitting more upright, but most cruiser bikes don't have gears. That was another selling point for me on the Townie, which I could get with 21 gears. It also had a lower price point than many of the Dutch style bikes. I looked at what I would be using the bike for, as well. I assumed that I would ride for 1/2 an hour to an hour, tops. I am a stay at home mom, so I won't be riding to work or anything, and really just hope to ride to the grocery store and maybe ride around with my young kids on their bikes someday.
Hope that helps!
I just wanted to throw out there to other readers of this thread - these upright style bikes are more comfortable for short distances (those that are covered by an hour, maybe an hour and a half? - I'm not quite sure where the threshold is exactly). Which is great for 1967mama's use case. But if you're looking for a bike that you'll use for longer distances, you generally speaking don't want such a bike, because you're not as efficient. You will feel more comfortable, but that comfort gain tends to be washed out by the fact that you're expending more energy to get where you're going. (Now if you have back problems that prevent you from getting into a tucked aerodynamic position on a road or hybrid bike, then that's a different story).
-
I'm just starting to look for a bike. I am having a hard time deciding what type of bike to get though. I'm thinking of buying a road bike because I want to ride it longer distances. What is everyone else have/looking at?
It all depends on what you are going to use it for. Are those long distances nice and paved? Is that the only place you are going to ride? A road bike is specialized, so it will limit you somewhat. A hybrid, as the name implies, is good for any kind of general riding. I personally have a hard-tail mountain bike that I use for everything. It's a hell of a workhorse, but not as fast as other options. If I was to do anything with it, I'd try to get lockouts for the front suspension. I do need it on occasion, but not all the time. You can also choose to borrow a bike (or find a cheap one on Craigslist) and ride it around to figure out how it feels to you, and the things you would want to focus on. That would give you a better idea as to what would suit you. Long term goals are great, but if you get limited right off the bat, it's something to be avoided.
So a "road" bike is what I used to call a racing bike - one that is skinny and has skinny wheels compared to a "normal" bike? I think I know what a mountain bike is - a fat bike with fat tires that you ride through the bush.
I have a hybrid commuter bike that I use to carry loads & a toddler, bike to and from work, and for a leisurely bike around town. (Distances of up to 30km)
I also have a road bike, which I used pre-baby occasionally for Triathlons and lovely road rides around the foothills, unfortunately I can't install a rack, or carry heavy loads. And it's hard to find a babysitter for a Saturday afternoon road ride...
That being said it is alot of fun to ride :)
If I were to do it again, I would have bought a touring bike instead, it would've doubled as a race bike, commuter bike, and would handle the weight restrictions on my toddler seat, and would've been nicer for an occasional camping trip than my commuter. (Which I'm just starting to dream about)
So is a "hybrid" a normal bike? Or is it something different? Or maybe a "touring" bike is a normal bike.
Hybrid!
Assuming it's got all the necessary mount points for fenders and racks, of course.
Can't beat a hybrid for a first bike purchase. Depending on your area, you can find good used models for a few hundred. Best models include Trek FX, Giant Escape, and Specialized Sirrus.
So, what types of bikes are there, and what is my normal old bike (SO got it for me in the 1980s when a bike was a bike - although there were racers around), but it was a new-fangled bike at the time as it was a unisex bike with 10 gears, and it was a good bike, as it was made in one of the best bike shops in Australia at the time. It replaced my old bike which was stolen (which was a normal bike with one gear)
And should I just get it "fixed" (once it is out of the junk room - SO is going to get it out, he is being reminded) - it probably needs new tubes, and the cobwebs taken off, but I was assuming that it would be OK once it had been to the bike shop for new tubes and an oil. It has a leather seat, so that won't have perished, and will just need an oil too.
-
Here is a good guide that might give you a bit of reference for the terms we're using:
http://centurycycles.com/buyers-guides/bicycle-types-how-to-pick-the-best-bike-for-you-pg9.htm (http://centurycycles.com/buyers-guides/bicycle-types-how-to-pick-the-best-bike-for-you-pg9.htm)
-
Thanks for that jordonread. It may have really confused me, but it answered my question about the types of bicycles. However, I still need to know whether to give up on my existing bike or not.
Also, I have this fantasy of (once I have started to ride again and ride each day) going on some of the bicycle tracks in Australia. Last year while I was at the Flinders Ranges, and I learnt about the Mawson Trail, and I would love to do it. I expected (being old and naive) that I could do it on my existing bike, but it sounds like I shouldn't. Although when I appeared at Cameron's Corner in my little Mazda 121 and every other car there was more than twice the size of mine, it appeared to me that a lot of people expect that they need more vehicle than is necessary to do the job. (Cameron's Corner is where the NSW, Queensland and South Australian borders meet, and is several hundred kilometers of dirt road from anywhere, but all the dirt road to it is 2WD - I think it's technically in South Australia, but because three different time zones meet there they celebrate New Year three times, walking from one state to another, through the dog proof fences).
-
Thanks for that jordonread. It may have really confused me, but it answered my question about the types of bicycles. However, I still need to know whether to give up on my existing bike or not.
Also, I have this fantasy of (once I have started to ride again and ride each day) going on some of the bicycle tracks in Australia. Last year while I was at the Flinders Ranges, and I learnt about the Mawson Trail, and I would love to do it. I expected (being old and naive) that I could do it on my existing bike, but it sounds like I shouldn't. Although when I appeared at Cameron's Corner in my little Mazda 121 and every other car there was more than twice the size of mine, it appeared to me that a lot of people expect that they need more vehicle than is necessary to do the job. (Cameron's Corner is where the NSW, Queensland and South Australian borders meet, and is several hundred kilometers of dirt road from anywhere, but all the dirt road to it is 2WD - I think it's technically in South Australia, but because three different time zones meet there they celebrate New Year three times, walking from one state to another, through the dog proof fences).
Why don't you upload a photo? That would be useful in identifying it. You can also try taking it to a local bike shop and seeing what they think (or a clinic if you have one around there).
-
Thanks for that jordonread. It may have really confused me, but it answered my question about the types of bicycles. However, I still need to know whether to give up on my existing bike or not.
Also, I have this fantasy of (once I have started to ride again and ride each day) going on some of the bicycle tracks in Australia. Last year while I was at the Flinders Ranges, and I learnt about the Mawson Trail, and I would love to do it. I expected (being old and naive) that I could do it on my existing bike, but it sounds like I shouldn't. Although when I appeared at Cameron's Corner in my little Mazda 121 and every other car there was more than twice the size of mine, it appeared to me that a lot of people expect that they need more vehicle than is necessary to do the job. (Cameron's Corner is where the NSW, Queensland and South Australian borders meet, and is several hundred kilometers of dirt road from anywhere, but all the dirt road to it is 2WD - I think it's technically in South Australia, but because three different time zones meet there they celebrate New Year three times, walking from one state to another, through the dog proof fences).
Deborah, I'm no bike expert but it seems to me what you are trying to discern is what is good enough, and what is techie bullshit. A normal bike (pretty sure I know what you mean - I have one) will do most riding along type things. I'd get your old one out, clean it up, and see what it needs to take your for a ride. If its not too much $, it could do you until you are ready for a more specialised ride. For example in the 1970 I took my brothers "racing bike" (you'll know I what mean by that it) on country tours with my friend that included dirt roads, carrying our camping gear and food on the bike. A racing bike is not really the bike for that…but it did fine on tarmac ( where I was ahead of the pack), but was woeful on the quiet dirt roads - skidded a lot, and picked up a lot of thorns = punctures. But at the end of the day it worked fine in that it got me there, maybe a bit more sweat than necessary if I'd had a more purpose built bike but you know it did OK. So i'd just use your old one, UNLESS its going to cost a lot to fix up. Once you get going, you can specialise.
If you are going to properly 4WD, the right equipment is essential, but yeah its majorly overkill if its a 2WD road. (also the key is having a winch, not just a big 4WD) Heh, Ex hubby and I drove his Ford Laser through the Newnes river at night following out friends "directions" (yeah we gottum wrong). No worries mate. Until we drove round and found all the vehicles on that side of the river were 4WD and folks were giving us the look over. Eventually someone ambled up and asked if it was one them new 4WD Laser's (it wasn't). The full enormity of the situation was revealed next morning in daylight when we looked at what we had to drive back through to get out. Holy crapola! Hubby drove ( Iwas too scared), I "pushed" and for the second time we forded the river, above the bottom of the doors, with the bottom full of foot high boulders, and up the very steep muddy bank on the other side. Stilll can't believe we did it. So you gotta wonder.
PS LEt me read up on the Mawson track. Maybe I could come with you?
Munyana, Munyana. I WILL GET BIKE OUT 2Morrow.
-
Spot on Happy! SO has said he might get the bike out of the junk room on Monday (it is in the back, and the room contains all his stuff, so I am not allowed to get it out)! And, if he doesn't, he will probably get it out soon.
I would love to do the Mawson track with you! It is very long - and goes through the Barossa Valley and the Flinders Ranges - fantastic country! A lot of it is back roads, but there is also a fair bit of national park and fire trails.
-
The trend at the moment up here (SEQ and northern NSW) is to "renovate" the old railway lines (which have had the tracks pulled up) and turn them into rail trails. Awesome for cross country cycling as they join towns with straight tracks with very little incline - great for beginners as a consequence. There's a longish one from Ipswich to Somerset Dam, and they're talking about doing the one from Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads soon as well.
-
The trend at the moment up here (SEQ and northern NSW) is to "renovate" the old railway lines (which have had the tracks pulled up) and turn them into rail trails. Awesome for cross country cycling as they join towns with straight tracks with very little incline - great for beginners as a consequence. There's a longish one from Ipswich to Somerset Dam, and they're talking about doing the one from Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads soon as well.
Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads would be awesome!
-
The trend at the moment up here (SEQ and northern NSW) is to "renovate" the old railway lines (which have had the tracks pulled up) and turn them into rail trails. Awesome for cross country cycling as they join towns with straight tracks with very little incline - great for beginners as a consequence. There's a longish one from Ipswich to Somerset Dam, and they're talking about doing the one from Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads soon as well.
Lots of that in the States as well. They call it "rails to trails".
-
Had to share, the breakdown on developing a bike habit is excellent!
http://bikeyface.com/2013/05/08/small-steps/
-
Had to share, the breakdown on developing a bike habit is excellent!
http://bikeyface.com/2013/05/08/small-steps/
I've been doing a lot of random browsing. I opened this link earlier when I read your comment, but had no idea where it came from. My first gut reaction was to post it here...AWESOME!!
I suggest everyone read this. A good summary is below...taken from the exact same article.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/8718709629_c734179b1d_b.jpg)
-
Okay, I'm at an odd combo of Step 2 and Step 6. Far too icy and snowy to ride my road bike outdoors in New England at the moment. But I'm committed to getting it set up on my trainer so that I can ride it most days in preparation for spring riding. Would like to be able to commute to work on it shortly after spring break week (mid-March). It's 27 miles each way, but I consider that totally doable.
Thanks to the OP for helping me to move forward with my biking plan!
-
Thanks for that jordonread. It may have really confused me, but it answered my question about the types of bicycles. However, I still need to know whether to give up on my existing bike or not.
Also, I have this fantasy of (once I have started to ride again and ride each day) going on some of the bicycle tracks in Australia. Last year while I was at the Flinders Ranges, and I learnt about the Mawson Trail, and I would love to do it. I expected (being old and naive) that I could do it on my existing bike, but it sounds like I shouldn't. Although when I appeared at Cameron's Corner in my little Mazda 121 and every other car there was more than twice the size of mine, it appeared to me that a lot of people expect that they need more vehicle than is necessary to do the job. (Cameron's Corner is where the NSW, Queensland and South Australian borders meet, and is several hundred kilometers of dirt road from anywhere, but all the dirt road to it is 2WD - I think it's technically in South Australia, but because three different time zones meet there they celebrate New Year three times, walking from one state to another, through the dog proof fences).
Why don't you upload a photo? That would be useful in identifying it. You can also try taking it to a local bike shop and seeing what they think (or a clinic if you have one around there).
Photos attached - I have moved forward one step - it is out of the store room! Now to get it fixed.
-
Ok, mine's still under the house. Will be another 2 weeks before I get to it at least, but I will do it
-
Okay, I'm at an odd combo of Step 2 and Step 6. Far too icy and snowy to ride my road bike outdoors in New England at the moment. But I'm committed to getting it set up on my trainer so that I can ride it most days in preparation for spring riding. Would like to be able to commute to work on it shortly after spring break week (mid-March). It's 27 miles each way, but I consider that totally doable.
Thanks to the OP for helping me to move forward with my biking plan!
27 miles each way...that is bad ass!!
Photos attached - I have moved forward one step - it is out of the store room! Now to get it fixed.
Okay, that looks like a decent all around rig. It strikes me as more of a cruise than a hybrid, but you are probably right in that it was designed before all of the differentiation in bikes. I'd say move forward and get it fixed. Oil up the chain, put the new tubes on, check the tension in the cables, and check the brake pads. Super simple, but your bike shop will be able to walk you through it. One thing that has been mentioned, but I don't know if it's been mentioned in this thread, is that your local bike store is not like a mechanics shop, surrounded by magic and mystery. A good one will let you watch (or even do it yourself with them supervised) the repairs. I look forward to hearing about your first ride!!
-
I live about 4 miles from two of the quaintest neighborhoods in the city (they are right next to each other), where I am often meeting friends and family. There is a bike path along the main road all the way to that area. It is also just an extra .5 miles to either my parents house or the farmers market (which I rarely go to because parking is a b*tch) from the same main road. My goal is to ride my bike anytime I am going to those areas during the day.
Question for experienced bikers - I currently have a Trek Hybrid bike, although I haven't sat on it in years. I never rode it much because it caused discomfort in my shoulders - a biker friend of mine said the handlebars were probably in the wrong position/height for me. Is this something that could be fixed?
Also wondering if I can get some sort of storage option on it - would be nice to be able to put a milk crate or something along the back for farmer's market visits.
Am hoping I can just modify the current bike vs. having to buy a whole new one.
-
Not sure about the shoulder pain.
Even better than the milk crates would be a metal wire rack that either mounts to the handlebar or the Wald collapsible wire baskets on the rear. The trouble with the milk crate in the rear is getting a rack long enough to attach the milk crate without being right up against the back of the saddle.
-
I'm on step 0.1
I know kinda what I want to get, but I live in a very hilly area (read Texas hill country). So what I am doing is going to the gym and using the stationary bikes to get into a better shape first.
Still keeping it Mustachian because I take the bus to the student rec center, so no more cost to me than I already have.
-
Anyone ever commuted in a tropical place (~10-12 km) without access to a shower? I'd like to try, but not sure if it's feasible in a place where it doesn't go below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with 80-90% humidity, even in the middle of the night in the coolest part of the year.
Not helpful but letting you know I feel your pain. I'm in Brisbane but I have a shower at both ends (work and home). I always finish my ride absolutely dripping with sweat though, so I don't know that it would be feasible. All the advice that states "just take a pack of wet wipes and a change of shirt" is obviously from people who have never ridden in the tropics / subtropics. :)
Primm,
Thanks for the comment. I think I'll hold off for now...and just get back into biking by going out at 11 or 12 at night and biking on the empty (relatively, anyways) bike lanes in the park by my apartment. A good 25 km ride is a roundtrip to the airport next to the runway - I can watch a bunch of the nighttime Singapore Air A380s and 777s bound for Europe taking off then head back home. It's fun racing a plane...you don't stay in the lead for long
-
Question for experienced bikers - I currently have a Trek Hybrid bike, although I haven't sat on it in years. I never rode it much because it caused discomfort in my shoulders - a biker friend of mine said the handlebars were probably in the wrong position/height for me. Is this something that could be fixed?
Also wondering if I can get some sort of storage option on it - would be nice to be able to put a milk crate or something along the back for farmer's market visits.
Am hoping I can just modify the current bike vs. having to buy a whole new one.
Yes, usually you can adjust the height and rotation of the handlebars. You can usually also adjust their distance horizontally to allow you to sit more upright or more stretched out. I'd take the bike to a bike shop that does fittings (most should). For a small fee (or sometimes free if you buy something), they'll set the bike up on a trainer in the shop and watch you ride it. Then they can adjust whatever is needed to make it fit you better. Sometimes, some small part can be swapped for a different size one to adjust the fit as well.
If the bike doesn't already have a rack on the back, these are pretty cheap and will give you lots of options for panniers.
-
I think I did this challenge is one step, going from not thinking this whole bike thing would work to cycling 6 miles to the office every day and basically everywhere else for that matter.
I way overestimated the difficulty and underestimated the advantages. If you're on the edge, just go for it!
How fit you are is basically irrelevant. Even a hilariously unfit person could cycle at 6-8mph and that will get you almost anywhere within one city in a reasonable amount of time. I see overweight elderly people cycling in my town; sure people overtake them but they have no problems just chugging along.
-
How fit you are is basically irrelevant. Even a hilariously unfit person could cycle at 6-8mph and that will get you almost anywhere within one city in a reasonable amount of time.
Mmm I woudln't say that per se. I bike to Hmart, a Korean grocery store, that is just inside the highway loop that encircles Atlanta (we call it the perimeter down here, which is an odd term to me but whatever). I would still consider it a part of "Atlanta" because it is still inside the perimeter, even though it is technically in Doraville.
This is 13 miles away, 26 miles RT. At 7 mph, that's 3.7 hours round trip. I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't consider that a reasonable time frame.
I agree with your overall sentiment though, cycling is really not that hard.
-
I way overestimated the difficulty and underestimated the advantages. If you're on the edge, just go for it!
How fit you are is basically irrelevant.
Thank you for this .. very encouraging to me. I'm so afraid to venture beyond my own little neighbourhood <sigh>
-
Great thumbs up for all of you who just started cycling!
Where I live, cycling is just a normal thing to do, but the more I read about cycling / cycling advocacy in the US, the more I understand how difficult it can be.
Keep it up, cycling will make you happier and healthier, save you money, and make your city a nicer place to live.
Some nice vids ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn2s6ax_7TM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqkDiExIEiE
-
How fit you are is basically irrelevant. Even a hilariously unfit person could cycle at 6-8mph and that will get you almost anywhere within one city in a reasonable amount of time.
Mmm I woudln't say that per se. I bike to Hmart, a Korean grocery store, that is just inside the highway loop that encircles Atlanta (we call it the perimeter down here, which is an odd term to me but whatever). I would still consider it a part of "Atlanta" because it is still inside the perimeter, even though it is technically in Doraville.
This is 13 miles away, 26 miles RT. At 7 mph, that's 3.7 hours round trip. I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't consider that a reasonable time frame.
I agree with your overall sentiment though, cycling is really not that hard.
Fair enough!
But I did say almost, and that's a lot way to go for a unique shop in a particularly large city...
-
How fit you are is basically irrelevant. Even a hilariously unfit person could cycle at 6-8mph and that will get you almost anywhere within one city in a reasonable amount of time.
Mmm I woudln't say that per se. I bike to Hmart, a Korean grocery store, that is just inside the highway loop that encircles Atlanta (we call it the perimeter down here, which is an odd term to me but whatever). I would still consider it a part of "Atlanta" because it is still inside the perimeter, even though it is technically in Doraville.
This is 13 miles away, 26 miles RT. At 7 mph, that's 3.7 hours round trip. I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't consider that a reasonable time frame.
I agree with your overall sentiment though, cycling is really not that hard.
Fair enough!
But I did say almost, and that's a lot way to go for a unique shop in a particularly large city...
Haha true. Basically everywhere I go is within 20 minutes.
It's the only place I can get Korean food (I'm Korean) so it's well worth it to me. It also leads to feelings of badassity - I've dragged my entire body weight on the way back before!
-
Finally got my bike. It's a specialized cyclocross. I just need to get the brakes and front deraileur tuned up. I'm going to see if I can figure it out with youtube. It was $300 on craigslist.
-
\
Some nice vids ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn2s6ax_7TM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqkDiExIEiE
Thanks for posting these videos -- I really enjoyed them! Motivating! Haven't been on my bike in 3 or 4 weeks...ugh!
-
I took my bike to the bike shop. They were drooling over it! "A Hillman!" - "Genuine custom made in Australia" - "Don't see bikes like this these days"- "wow, your seat is still worth more than most bikes these days!" - "the tyres are pretty good - you must have stored it indoors"...
After feeling that maybe I should get another one, from the comments in this thread, I am much happier!
-
Came back from holidays and collected the bike. Bought a helmet (compulsory where I live) and a pump. Found my bike chain and lock and keys. Now to work out where to store it and to practice riding.
-
Came back from holidays and collected the bike. Bought a helmet (compulsory where I live) and a pump. Found my bike chain and lock and keys. Now to work out where to store it and to practice riding.
Not sure why the helmet being a legal requirement has anything to do with it. It's a $20 or so device that drastically reduces your chance of head injury in crash.
-
Came back from holidays and collected the bike. Bought a helmet (compulsory where I live) and a pump. Found my bike chain and lock and keys. Now to work out where to store it and to practice riding.
Not sure why the helmet being a legal requirement has anything to do with it. It's a $20 or so device that drastically reduces your chance of head injury in crash.
That just means she is ready to rock. Nothing holding her back. Bike is secure, head is secure...She's gonna be ready to graduate to the Cycling challenge thread soon. Way to go Deborah!!
-
This is a great thread! Just what I needed to help me get going, especially after the bad winter we've been having in Massachusetts. I ordered a new bike and am waiting for it to arrive. :-)
-
Right now I'm still trying to get my bike in riding condition. I got the brakes and rear derailleur figured out, but the front derailleur needs some major adjustment. I also found out that the spacing on the fork and headset is messed-up. I got a friend to help me get some spacers for the headset, but now I just need 1 very small one for the fork. The other issue is my lowest front gear is slightly bent and will catch the chain if I use it. So far I've spent an additional $40 on the bike. The bike is a bit of a modge-podge, but if I can get it working it should be worth a good $500+. So, I consider my paying anything under $500 a good deal. Also, a bit of a learning experience.
Hopefully next time I will know what to look for on a craigslist bike. Ughh. I wish I had had someone who knew something about bikes when I went to go buy it, but there is only so much I can ask of friends.
-
So a TImberland bike is a cyclo-cross? Huh. 30$ three years ago seems like an awesome investment right now.
MUST. GET. OUT. OF. GARAGE!!
-
My new bike arrived! DH and I picked it up two days ago. It is an electric bike, so is it okay for me to be part of this challenge? (I have heart trouble and can get very tired, very fast, so the power assist will help me get home if that happens.)
My car died and I decided to get a cargo bike so I can do errands, ride to the library, commute to work. I hadn't been on a bike for more than 20 years, so it's pretty intimidating. The first task was to make an outfit that would keep me warm enough. With that accomplished, I rode up and down my street a little today, wobbling a lot. I am not able to go around a curve yet without putting at least one foot on the ground. I went to the end of the street, which connects to Route 110. The cars there were going so fast, it was very scary. I see the racing bikes go that route, so I hope I can conquer my fear when I stop wobbling so I can ride to the local farm stand. My big audacious goal is to be able to ride to the supermarket. But, first I'll have to conquer the wobbles :-)
-
I'm on step 5 and I managed to get out two days in a row earlier this week. Then I kind of stalled out and haven't been out in two days. I know someone mentioned that you don't have to be in very good shape to ride a bike, but man those hills are killing me. Also, having not been on a bike in 10+ years, I'm kind of sore from the saddle. Should I expect that to last for a while?
Any suggestions or thoughts on appropriate increases in time/distance/effort to get into commuting (7-9 miles full of Pittsburgh hills) shape? Right now I'm just riding around my neighborhood and it seems like I'm either climbing a hill or coasting down one. Is finding a flat-ish trail and going for distance best?
I want to stick with this and not wimp out and get discouraged.
-
I'm on step 5 and I managed to get out two days in a row earlier this week. Then I kind of stalled out and haven't been out in two days. I know someone mentioned that you don't have to be in very good shape to ride a bike, but man those hills are killing me. Also, having not been on a bike in 10+ years, I'm kind of sore from the saddle. Should I expect that to last for a while?
Any suggestions or thoughts on appropriate increases in time/distance/effort to get into commuting (7-9 miles full of Pittsburgh hills) shape? Right now I'm just riding around my neighborhood and it seems like I'm either climbing a hill or coasting down one. Is finding a flat-ish trail and going for distance best?
I want to stick with this and not wimp out and get discouraged.
Saddle soreness is something you get used to as you go. A consistent week or two of riding usually makes that ease up. As far as getting ready for the commute, I've found that riding as far as you can on the route, and turning back is a good way to up your speed. Pick a spot on your route that matches your current distance. Do it, and then the next time pick a farther spot. By the time you can ride to your job and back, you will be more than ready.
-
I'm on step 5 and I managed to get out two days in a row earlier this week. Then I kind of stalled out and haven't been out in two days. I know someone mentioned that you don't have to be in very good shape to ride a bike, but man those hills are killing me. Also, having not been on a bike in 10+ years, I'm kind of sore from the saddle. Should I expect that to last for a while?
Any suggestions or thoughts on appropriate increases in time/distance/effort to get into commuting (7-9 miles full of Pittsburgh hills) shape? Right now I'm just riding around my neighborhood and it seems like I'm either climbing a hill or coasting down one. Is finding a flat-ish trail and going for distance best?
I want to stick with this and not wimp out and get discouraged.
Unfortunately, the soreness will likely last a little while. It's a catch-22 that getting in shape nearly always presents. Just gotta look at the big picture and tough it out for a while. Make sure your bike is fit to you properly and make sure your saddle is the right size as well.
As far as the Pittsburgh hills - I used to live in San Francisco. There was tons of information online that mapped out routes to gt from Point A -> Point B with the fewest amount of hills. While it adds distance to the ride, it eliminates most hills thus allowing you to go faster. Surely, Pittsburgh residents have posted similar information online.
-
Thanks Jordan and Coach, I figured the soreness was just going to be a fact of life, but I feel better having that confirmed.
I'm taking baby-steps on getting ready for the commute. I've never ridden my bike with traffic before so I'll probably avoid my actual commute route for a while until I feel more comfortable with things. Geez, everything I type sounds like a complainy-pants! Oops! I guess the solution is just to suck it up and keep riding as frequently as I can and eventually things will work out.
I have seen some maps of the area with recommendations for roads to avoid or favor. For my commute it seems like to avoid the heavy traffic/unfavorable roads I end up on hills. I guess I'll just be in really good shape!
-
I'm on step 5 and I managed to get out two days in a row earlier this week. Then I kind of stalled out and haven't been out in two days. I know someone mentioned that you don't have to be in very good shape to ride a bike, but man those hills are killing me. Also, having not been on a bike in 10+ years, I'm kind of sore from the saddle. Should I expect that to last for a while?
Any suggestions or thoughts on appropriate increases in time/distance/effort to get into commuting (7-9 miles full of Pittsburgh hills) shape? Right now I'm just riding around my neighborhood and it seems like I'm either climbing a hill or coasting down one. Is finding a flat-ish trail and going for distance best?
I want to stick with this and not wimp out and get discouraged.
Unfortunately, the soreness will likely last a little while. It's a catch-22 that getting in shape nearly always presents. Just gotta look at the big picture and tough it out for a while. Make sure your bike is fit to you properly and make sure your saddle is the right size as well.
As far as the Pittsburgh hills - I used to live in San Francisco. There was tons of information online that mapped out routes to gt from Point A -> Point B with the fewest amount of hills. While it adds distance to the ride, it eliminates most hills thus allowing you to go faster. Surely, Pittsburgh residents have posted similar information online.
Google Maps will also tell you the elevation change along your route, so you can play around with it to find a route that has less hills.
-
I am getting so many predictions of gloom and doom from just about anyone I tell that I am starting up bicycling again. My husband insisted I get a flourescent orange helmet. I told him my ultimate goal was to go grocery shopping with the bike and he said, you'll never do it. My children are admonishing me to be careful I don't get killed. A work friend told me his is going to take out an insurance policy on me (I assume so he'll profit when I get smushed). Brother-in-law told me to get flashing lights and a flag. Only my sisters have said, good for you, which is what I need to hear. Dear sisters.
So all this negativity is getting through to me. With all the difficult and dangerous things I have done in my life, why is bicycling getting such a reaction? Is this just me or are you getting it, too?
-
Yes, I've been told I have to start off very gently - must do it several suburbs away, and not in our street or over the road in the park. Our street has about 5 cars per day!
-
Yes, I've been told I have to start off very gently - must do it several suburbs away, and not in our street or over the road in the park. Our street has about 5 cars per day!
5 cars per day sounds very manageable! It's sad to think we can't share our new fun adventure with friends without the negativity. I'm glad we can talk about it and get support here.
Today is starting off depressing because we have been plunged back into the deep cold where I live. Weatherman says April will be better.
-
I am getting so many predictions of gloom and doom from just about anyone I tell that I am starting up bicycling again. My husband insisted I get a flourescent orange helmet. I told him my ultimate goal was to go grocery shopping with the bike and he said, you'll never do it. My children are admonishing me to be careful I don't get killed. A work friend told me his is going to take out an insurance policy on me (I assume so he'll profit when I get smushed). Brother-in-law told me to get flashing lights and a flag. Only my sisters have said, good for you, which is what I need to hear. Dear sisters.
So all this negativity is getting through to me. With all the difficult and dangerous things I have done in my life, why is bicycling getting such a reaction? Is this just me or are you getting it, too?
It's natural to be afraid of something you've never done before - that's just what they're experiencing. You're also threatening their preconceived notion that it is dangerous to bike on the road, and that it is necessary to drive to work.
I live in a pretty bike unfriendly city - Atlanta - and many people are impressed/shocked when I say that I don't use my car very much. Then they doubt me. Then I say I haven't filled up my car at all this year (which is true. I haven't filled up my gas tank since 12/19). They then sort of believe me (although I'm sure some of them just say yea sure and don't).
Ignore them. Yes, there will always be drivers who are assholes and cut you off because they think you belong on the sidewalk. But that's just a part of being a cyclist on a system designed for cars.
Yes, I've been told I have to start off very gently - must do it several suburbs away, and not in our street or over the road in the park. Our street has about 5 cars per day!
5 cars per day sounds very manageable! It's sad to think we can't share our new fun adventure with friends without the negativity. I'm glad we can talk about it and get support here.
Today is starting off depressing because we have been plunged back into the deep cold where I live. Weatherman says April will be better.
Five cars per day is nothing. I probably have five or more cars pass me per minute on a normal ride.
-
Yes, I've been told I have to start off very gently - must do it several suburbs away, and not in our street or over the road in the park. Our street has about 5 cars per day!
5 cars per day sounds very manageable! It's sad to think we can't share our new fun adventure with friends without the negativity. I'm glad we can talk about it and get support here.
Five cars per day is nothing. I probably have five or more cars pass me per minute on a normal ride.
Yes, I really couldn't understand why I was told I need to go somewhere else to practice. It will be much easier around home, because it is difficult to put the bike in the car. Anyway, the cat is away for the weekend so this mouse will be able to play (bike around home).
-
It's natural to be afraid of something you've never done before - that's just what they're experiencing. You're also threatening their preconceived notion that it is dangerous to bike on the road, and that it is necessary to drive to work.
I live in a pretty bike unfriendly city - Atlanta - and many people are impressed/shocked when I say that I don't use my car very much. Then they doubt me. Then I say I haven't filled up my car at all this year (which is true. I haven't filled up my gas tank since 12/19). They then sort of believe me (although I'm sure some of them just say yea sure and don't).
Ignore them. Yes, there will always be drivers who are assholes and cut you off because they think you belong on the sidewalk. But that's just a part of being a cyclist on a system designed for cars.
@johnny847, Well said! I'll follow your good advice.
mara
-
Yes, I've been told I have to start off very gently - must do it several suburbs away, and not in our street or over the road in the park. Our street has about 5 cars per day!
5 cars per day sounds very manageable! It's sad to think we can't share our new fun adventure with friends without the negativity. I'm glad we can talk about it and get support here.
Five cars per day is nothing. I probably have five or more cars pass me per minute on a normal ride.
Yes, I really couldn't understand why I was told I need to go somewhere else to practice. It will be much easier around home, because it is difficult to put the bike in the car. Anyway, the cat is away for the weekend so this mouse will be able to play (bike around home).
Way to go!! Don't let fear run you life.
On my side, my little sister (who continues to total cars, and now can't get it replaced), started biking, and is super stoked that she is hitting 10 miles a day. She hadn't ridden in years, but got a few good buys off of craigslist.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UY-vuQvEAw0/VQw53w2gyoI/AAAAAAAAABk/gC4pwXF0bQs/w1556-h875-no/2015-03-20.jpg)
-
I rode my new bike to work and home again today for the first time, a total of about 11 miles. It was thrilling and fulfilling, but I ran into quite a bit of rush hour traffic on the way home, which was a bit scary. There were no other bicyclists in sight on either trip. I did see a motorcycle on the way home. The rider looked very bundled up and not friendly, so I didn't wave.
I will commute by bike again, but think I should plan most of my riding for now to avoid rush hours when possible. It's cool to be a trendsetter, but the drivers here aren't used to commuters on bicycles. This was only my fourth time on a bike after no riding for about 20 years; there's no big rush. And I can carpool when I want with DH, who seems uninterested in riding his bike to work. We'll be moving our office back to the house in two months, ending commuting. I'm very excited about using the bike then for errands and fun outings.
-
Rode the Divvy bike from work to the train station yesterday! I got the wrong size helmet - it won't fit with my hat, and a hat is required apparently.
Colder today and I'm a wimp, so will walk to the train station instead of biking. But I know how to do it now!
-
Finished wrapping my handlebars, fine tuned my derailleurs, and calibrated my brakes.
I took my bike out for a 5 mile ride yesterday. It was glorious! I have never ridden on a bike that was so fast before. A nice bike really does take a lot less effort than a cheap one.
My plan is to start training almost every day so I can work my way up to riding all the way to work (15 miles).
-
This has been a great thread to read through. I have been recently venturing out of my neighborhood on my bike, trying to increase my road comfort and fitness so that I can take the plunge and ride to work. I do have a few questions if anyone can offer advice.
1) My commute will be about 12 miles each way, and I think it will take me about an hour to cover that distance. Is that considered a reasonable distance for a relatively young and fit person to cover, given that it is mostly flat? Is that far enough that I need to make special considerations for my comfort (arms/shoulders/back)?
2) My current bike was given to me by my father-in-law several years ago, when he bought something better. It is a 2006 Raleigh Passage 5.0 (http://www.bicyclebluebook.com/searchlistingdetail.aspx?id=10992). The bike is in great condition and the fit is comfortable. However, it feels like it was designed for my mother - big shocks, wide cushy seat, upright riding position. Given the 12 mile commute distance, should I try the bike and see how it goes, or invest a little more money in a a road bike or hybrid that is more similar to a road bike?
Thanks for the inspirational thread and any help you may have.
-
@ Hvillian
My current commute is 6 miles (12 miles round trip), it takes 30-40 minutes one way depending on the wind... don't underestimate wind! I am just getting back into the longer commute and after 2 days - so on my fourth ride I'm really dragging it.
- a 60 minute 12 mile commute is attainable, but you might not want to start off there, it may take a few days or weeks or months of getting faster.
- if you can park'n'ride in closer and work up to the full distance, or bike in one morning and bus it home, then ride home the next day... are a few good intermediate steps.
- the bike doesn't look too big or heavy compared to some. I would try it out, and it may become uncomfortable as you build mileage. You can then look at switching out the tires to a smoother skinnier set, seat, handlebars for more aerodyanmic position and comfort etc. or consider a new bike. (I recommend getting into the habit first, and then when you know you'll keep it up you can justify spending some money on comfort... but I have never done it this way, I always buy the gear first hoping to get into the habit...usually the guilt at the money spent is enough to spur me on though...) so do as I say, not as I do???
- when you are ready to try a test commute, try a weekend first, be prepared for the weather... nothing stops a new bike commuter faster than one really cold ride in the rain.
- if there are urban bike courses where you are, consider one of those. It'll help with handling, riding in traffic, route finding, gear and all sorts of other goodies.
Cheers, and enjoy!
-
I finally fixed by bike so I was able to complete steps 3, 4, and 5. I made 2 bike trips so far this week. I'm still walking to school everyday though. It's only 2 miles and I enjoy the time to think. It's nice to know I could take my bike if I was running late and needed to get there fast.
-
I'll follow the thread if folks need advice/encouragement. :)
Cycling is awesome. My best advice to get from step 5 to step 6 is "pretend your car is broken". When the car isn't even an option is when the mindshift really occurred for me.
This is what I'm trying on days I don't work... no available car so bike it. So far got my bike 2-3 weeks ago and I'm at 88 km done!I'm loving having the odometer to track things! I hope to eventually bike to work, but I'm building endurance so far. It's 30 km one way
-
Keep on keeping on everyone!! You are all doing a great job!! I am back now, and available to answer questions for people, like TGC.
-
I don't know how I missed this thread! Love it! I actually have that Bikeyface cartoon posted on my fridge already. :)
DH and I got bikes about three weeks ago (Giant Escape and Giant Liv Alight, respectively), and have gone out every day, almost. We've missed a day here or there to weather or time limitations. I took the first weekend to tidy up the garage to make bike storage more efficient. Now the second bay has all five bikes lined up at the door, just begging to be taken out for a ride. :)
Sometimes, DH and I will just tool around the neighborhood at lunchtime, but more often, I'm on an errand of some sort -- the bank, the Y, the post office. Today, we'll bike to lunch. Tomorrow, I'll head to the Y again. This weekend, I'm going to do some light grocery shopping. I'll probably have to go back with the car to get most of the food, but I really want to test it out. I'm considering stealing the most excellent Wald folding basket from my daughter's bike.
DH is finding that he likes getting off the road, so he's been finding little unpaved paths to ride on. I hadn't anticipated that we'd each prefer a different type of biking, but I think that's good.
Two of our three kids can ride, and the third is almost there. Looking forward to family bike rides. :)
-
@Kmp2
Thank you very much for the advice. I have been practicing on the bike, and have a strategy to build up to the distance. I will also be testing portions of the ride before I make the jump to biking the whole way.
-
I don't know how I missed this thread! Love it! I actually have that Bikeyface cartoon posted on my fridge already. :)
DH and I got bikes about three weeks ago (Giant Escape and Giant Liv Alight, respectively), and have gone out every day, almost. We've missed a day here or there to weather or time limitations. I took the first weekend to tidy up the garage to make bike storage more efficient. Now the second bay has all five bikes lined up at the door, just begging to be taken out for a ride
Just bought myself the Alight 2 (yeah for work fitness credit) I'm loving it!
-
I don't know how I missed this thread! Love it! I actually have that Bikeyface cartoon posted on my fridge already. :)
DH and I got bikes about three weeks ago (Giant Escape and Giant Liv Alight, respectively), and have gone out every day, almost. We've missed a day here or there to weather or time limitations. I took the first weekend to tidy up the garage to make bike storage more efficient. Now the second bay has all five bikes lined up at the door, just begging to be taken out for a ride
Just bought myself the Alight 2 (yeah for work fitness credit) I'm loving it!
Great bike! I've never had one that was big enough (I'm pretty tall), and the Alight comes in a large frame, so the difference in comfort and control is amazing.
-
I tried out an older Trek FX (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/) bike last night. Wow, it was so much fun. It felt like I was flying, even on some of the uphills.
Unfortunately, my left hand and wrist went numb then pretty sore after about 30 minutes. After poking around online, it was probably because I am not used to leaning so far forward on a bike, so I likely had my arms locked out and was putting too much weight on my hands. Hopefully a solvable problem because I really enjoyed the ride.
-
She is at again with more great beginner advice!
http://bikeyface.com/2015/05/15/two-mile-touring/
-
I have just started to get back on my bike after a long time away and I have been totally enjoying it. I was really a bit nervous at first, as the reason I stopped riding years ago was that I got hit by a car (no serious injuries but it hurt when I hit the road!!!).
I felt I was not ready to start riding to work (17km /10miles away), so instead I have started small. I have found that my local area is great for cycling. It is flat and situated between the beach and a lake, where there are many dedicated bike paths. This month I have challenged myself not to use the car for any local trips under 5km (3miles). So far it is going very well and it has had the added bonus of developing my 6 year old sons bike skills too. In just a few weeks we have transitioned to riding every day and our bikes have quickly become part of our daily life. Now they live under the stairs inside the house, as we use them so often.
-
I have just started to get back on my bike after a long time away and I have been totally enjoying it. I was really a bit nervous at first, as the reason I stopped riding years ago was that I got hit by a car (no serious injuries but it hurt when I hit the road!!!).
Me too! It's been, I think, 4 years since I last rode, which is when I got hit by a car that pulled out in front of me (failure to yield the right of way - technically, I hit them, but it was their fault). I think it scared me more than I realized even though I managed not to fall and wasn't injured.
Anyway, further back than that, I rode daily to and from work, about 10 km away. It was so good for me, and although I didn't ride in the winter, I rode in all kinds of weather spring through fall, and for all kinds of shifts at the group home. Luckily it didn't matter too much what it looked when I arrived at work.
A few years back, I planned to start again, got my bike tuned up, and promptly put my back out. Didn't ride that summer, or the next. Then I moved, only 5 km away from work (little more by car, less by bike through paths). Resolved that I was going to start riding most of the time. But didn't. Have been in this house just under 2 years, and hadn't ridden at all.
Until today :-)
When they tuned up my bike, they changed the seat for me and screwed up the adjustments, so first I had to lower my seat. I need to raise my handlebars too, but couldn't figure out how to do it. If it's the place where you put the allan key right on the top of the shaft and handlebars, then it must be seized. Couldn't budge it. Will try to oil it and try again. Anyway, didn't let that stop me, even though I'm shifted too far forward for comfort, it's only 5 km! So I hopped on and off I went. Gosh, I've missed that lovely feeling. And I can already tell, though I'm waaaay out of shape, that it's going to be a totally great ride. Mostly flat-ish, only a couple small hills (which I walked today, because my knees were complaining - they got messed up a little while ago and not fully back to normal yet). Not too far to be difficult, once back in the routine, but far enough to be worthwhile doing it. Slightly more downhill on the way home, which is always nice.
Favourite moment of the ride was going past a spot and noticing (because of the smell) a spot with a whole lot of lilac trees. Also, though I wimped out and rode mostly on the sidewalk on the way there, dismounting to cross at lights, on the way back I got brave and made my left hand turn at the lights from the normal turn lane.
-
Just made it in to work on my bike for the 2nd time!
Don't know when I got so old and out of shape - it should be an easy ride but it took a lot more out of me today than on the weekend. I guess maybe because I had a pretty physically active day yesterday, planting in the garden and mowing my hilly lawn. Anyway, I will persevere, and I'm hoping to get some help with adjusting my handlebars, from a guy at my church.
I will persevere!
-
I started commuting home this week. I hope this to be an almost everyday kind of thing. The commute is 15 miles, so the second day was pretty tough, but I did it!
-
I started commuting home this week. I hope this to be an almost everyday kind of thing. The commute is 15 miles, so the second day was pretty tough, but I did it!
Great job building up to the distance. I am still only riding one way per day as well, so you have my sympathies when it comes to getting used to riding a bike after years away from it.
I just look backed and that specialized cyclocross looks like a pretty sweet bike. Is it living up to your expectations?
-
I started commuting home this week. I hope this to be an almost everyday kind of thing. The commute is 15 miles, so the second day was pretty tough, but I did it!
Great job building up to the distance. I am still only riding one way per day as well, so you have my sympathies when it comes to getting used to riding a bike after years away from it.
I just look backed and that specialized cyclocross looks like a pretty sweet bike. Is it living up to your expectations?
It looks great, but it ended up being a being a bit of a mess. I needed to do quite a bit of work to get the bike in riding condition, (the fork wasn't compatible with the frame, the rear derailleur broke, the cables were worn out, etc.) but now it is working great. I have never had such a lightweight bike, or used integrated shifters before. It certainly is pretty too!