After reading inspirational stories here of people upping their biking games, I've decided I want to do it -- not for commuting to work (too far, and not possible in a rural area), but as a primary form of exercise in the great outdoors and as a way of limiting time in the car on weekends. I am 45. I would say I'm of above-average fitness for my age, but I'm not a page out of Fitness Magazine. I work out 5-6 days a week, and up until a couple of months ago was doing a lot of running -- training for half marathons, a marathon, and several shorter races. But then I burned out when I started having some hip flexor and hamstring problems. That's when I started lifting more weights again and got back on my bike. I enjoy punching out 15-16 miles on a weeknight after work, a few times a week. I would like to supplement it with more biking to "get around"... I kind of think of it as functional fitness -- not the core of my routine but that little extra that is like icing on the cake. I want to stay in decent shape, maybe lose a few pounds. I see no joy in endless indoor fitness classes or hours spent on indoor cardio equipment, except when required in the dead of January.
What I enjoy about outdoor workouts (including running) is the feeling that I'm getting somewhere. I enjoy the vistas, seeing birds and butterflies, wind and sun. Even strong winds or cold add to the badassity, which I rather enjoy if dressed properly.
I have a decent Gary Fisher hybrid bike (my hubs and I got them as wedding gifts) that's about 20 years old. I've paid someone else to maintain it, but have only forayed into more frequent biking the last 7-8 years. Over the years I have outfitted it with a basic bike computer, lamp (to help with riding at dusk), and small paniers/carrier on the back. I don't ride clipped in, and I prefer it this way when riding on trails with other people around who can be unpredictable. I have access to some semi-challenging paved trails in my neck of the woods and also prefer riding on said trails or on streets with bike lanes in town where people go 25 MPH, max. I don't want to venture on the highway.
I have pretty basic equipment -- a couple of pairs of padded bike shorts, helmet, gloves... flat shoes for riding. I've wondered about a more cushy seat, or if I am just a wuss.
Also, I see this is training for my FIREd life. I would like to think that I can someday use my bike to get groceries, go to the library, etcetera. Now I use it to go to the Farmer's Market. Hey - it's a start.
For the biking-initiated, what do you recommend for:
(1) Bike seats. Cush or no cush? How do you know when it properly fits your arse?
(2) Hauling stuff -- Bike trailer, or no?
(3) Taking onboard hydration units
I should add that the last part of my ride is a hellish hill -- the mother of all hills. I usually just get off my bike and push it. I used to feel bad about this, until last night I was passed by two of the cutest kids in the world and their mom and the little 7 year old said, "Getting up this hill is quite a chore, isn't it? That's why I walk my bike too." Such a little adult. Adorable!