Most of you know I'm a HUGE fan of cycling - mostly because I can afford to eat a lot more ice cream cones because you burn SO many calories but also because cyling is easy on the knees, shins, hips and joints.

Do you guys ride bikes? If so, what kind? What do you look for in a bike? What is most important to you when considering a new bike? Is there anything you wish bike manufacturers would do that you don't see on the market?

If you don't ride, how come?

Well, I'm sure trying! Thanks for all the support! I don't want fear to get the better of me with this. I tend to get nerves as a primary reaction to so many things (I am not exactly a daredevil) that I'm asking all these questions mainly to find out if I have my facts straight. Thanks tons, Linda

Mountaingirl,

It might be a smart idea to go to your local bike shop and talk to the owner or counter person. That person might be able to answer such questions and/or direct you to a local biking group who are always looking for people to join there groups (often no cost).

I happend to think upon reading your response to my comments, that you may live in an area that has more considerate drivers and not as many hills and turns as my area does. These would make huge differences.

As far as being "a real bike rider". You flatter me! I am, however, married to a real bike rider. I hope soon, I will be able to rejoin him. He was the one who originally cautioned me about riding in wet weather. I did find out for myself when I road GOBA 10 years ago. After months of no rain in central Ohio (and I didn't live here, then, I lived near Toledo), we decided the GOBA riders could hire themselves out as drought-breakers. It rained torrents just about everyday we were out. I still remember the first time I tried to brake. Very sobering experience.

Continued good experiences on your new endeavor. I'm tickled you are enthusiastic about this activity.

Thanks Linda, that is all really good to know. I have been seeing people out even on wet days, so I figured that it must not be that bad. It's good to know from a real rider that you avoid wet weather

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
One other question (in addition to what do I need to know about riding in wet weather): I got home today and had to sit down, and for 15 minutes I was nauseus and dizzy. Something about that seems not quite right. I got a banana with some peanut butter, because I figured I just needed some nourishment. I'm better now. Anyone ever had this happen??

I don't ride in wet weather if I have a choice, mountaingirl. The braking ability of the bike is greatly diminished in addition to having to contend with the idiots (ooops! did I say that?) car drivers who don't realize that traction on wet roads is not the same as on a dry road.

Also, unless you like a dark streak up your back, reminiscent of the skunk's white, you need a poncho or something to receive the splay of mud and wet up your back.

I'm assuming you know not to ride if there is thunder and lightening. That is too dangerous to even consider.

Be safe!

Linda

quote:

...i am a huge supporter of the Trek brand....

I Googled them, and see that their USA web site is at http://www2.trekbikes.com/

Well, today I had my first ride on wet roads. Once again, any advice on this is appreciated! We have had a very rainy week, and I let the wet roads scare me until today. I just figured I'd see what it was like and be ready to brake slowly.

What surprised me was that it wasn't the wet roads that were a challenge as much as my wet shoes and pedals. Slippery little suckers. I made it home in one piece and conquered another challenge. To those of you who ride, do you remember the first challenges? Talk about baby steps. I feel like a 5 year old!

One other question (in addition to what do I need to know about riding in wet weather): I got home today and had to sit down, and for 15 minutes I was nauseus and dizzy. Something about that seems not quite right. I got a banana with some peanut butter, because I figured I just needed some nourishment. I'm better now. Anyone ever had this happen??

Check out http://www.railtrails.org/ for a searchable list of rail-trails. These are old railroad beds that have been turned into bike paths. We have one here and I love it.

I wish cars were more considerate about giving space but you just have to watch out. Stick to low-traffic roads and you'll be fine. If you feel like you want to thanks someone for giving you room, smile. I find it is more often the cars that are the road hogs -- sometimes cyclists can't ride on the very edge of the pavement because of potholes, etc.

Excellent advice, Trigirl. I have been out twice and traffic is my most significant concern. I did choose the hybrid over the straight road bike specifically for the comfort. The bike man told me that even avid racers have to get used to the leaning posture every year all over again.

What I am trying to figure out now is a good loop that doesn't have significant traffic - its pretty hard to discern. I find myself looking at roads for ridability now!

Question: What is the appropriate way to thank a car for giving you space? Waving is a little awkward, but I want to show my gratitude because lots of people just don't care or they have an attitude because so many cyclists give the riders a bad rep by being road hogs.

quote:

Originally posted by TriGirl:
The biggest thing most cyclists should watch for is traffic -- the worst bike accidents are bike-car ones and the car always wins. Look for rails-to-trails or parks where you can get used to riding without cars around first.

...Good point, Jen. And please, please, please, newbies...
RIDE WITH THE TRAFFIC In other words, you should be riding on the same side of the road as the cars going in the direction you are.

Twice in the last three days, once with adults on a tandem, and once with kids on the way home from school, they were on the wrong side of the road. The people on the tandem were almost hit by my husband pulling out of Kroger's. The kids on the bike were almost hit by a car turning left.

Linda

quote:

Originally posted by rayray:
I also have been wanting to get back on a bike. I really enjoyed riding bikes when I was younger. But I feel like I might fall and break my wrist or worse. How do you get past this fear and what kind of bike is best if you are not really an athlete? I am looking to lose some weight.

For newbie bike riders, I would recommend a bike that is built more for comfort -- one that allows you to sit upright instead of a road bike which makes you bend forward. If you don't really care that much about speed, that extreme aerodynamic stuff doesn't matter... I might go for a "comfort cruiser" (more like the bikes they rode in the 60s before ten+ speeds were popular) or a hybrid.

If you're not flying along at 20+ mph, your chances of getting injured are less. The biggest thing most cyclists should watch for is traffic -- the worst bike accidents are bike-car ones and the car always wins. Look for rails-to-trails or parks where you can get used to riding without cars around first.

quote:

Originally posted by trekfan:
sorry my finger slipped.....
...anyways seek you local bike shop for advice on an upright bike with easy to operate brakes with a frame geometry that will be more upright and easier on your back. bikes now are designed to be comfortable and fun to ride without the feeling of being a racer.
http://trekbikes.com/
your local Trek dealer can help you.

Thanks Trekfan! I'm going to be in Columbus on Saturday and know right where a dealer is. I will check it out.

Linda

well you may have guessed, i'm an avid cyclist and its a very big part of my lifestyle. i am a huge supporter of the Trek brand. the company Trek Bicycle is very environmentally friendly and is a huge supporter of cancer research. they are strong supporters for cycling advocacy in our cities to help build more bike lanes and bike paths. the CEO spent 2 years as chairman for the Bikes Belong Organization - http://bikesbelong.org/site/intro.cfm
moreover, they have made a huge push towards the womens market, designing and selling a lot of clothing and assecories including a Womens Specific Design Bike platform that has been going crazy for the 05 model year. With the power of Lance Armstrong riding and racing the brand, the company has become very powerful and is known today as the Schwinn of old. Tour the factory at the world headquarters if you're in the Wisconsin area. Good people.
-J

sorry my finger slipped.....
...anyways seek you local bike shop for advice on an upright bike with easy to operate brakes with a frame geometry that will be more upright and easier on your back. bikes now are designed to be comfortable and fun to ride without the feeling of being a racer.
http://trekbikes.com/
your local Trek dealer can help you.

johnbol,
before you look at recumbents seek you local b

POOP!

That is not a command. That's my feelings after trying to ride my bike for the first time in three years! First time since the back surgery. Getting on the bike was slow, but I was patient as was dh. The problem was having to bend over to operate the hand brakes. That wouldn't do. I stopped the first time I tried to do that, at the corner.

I guess we're going to have to seriously look into a recumbant.

"How do you get past the fear...."

I can relate to this question. I too am not 'really an athlete' and I figure that I don't fool anyone when I'm out there. I know what athletes look like, and I'm not there yet. However, I also know that whenever I see anybody out moving their body, I respect them. And if I actually think most folks feel that way.

I was worried yesterday that I looked really stupid on my ride, then I figured that even if I do, it really doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm moving and having fun. I have been getting a bit too set in my excersizes, and I don't want to get bored before I'm at goal. So off I go!

Lynne

P.S. Welcome trekfan and rayray! So glad you found us!

Just a quick welcome to the two newbies posting in this thread today -- trekfan and rayray. Glad to see you. Keep posting! We'll be looking for you.

I also have been wanting to get back on a bike. I really enjoyed riding bikes when I was younger. But I feel like I might fall and break my wrist or worse. How do you get past this fear and what kind of bike is best if you are not really an athlete? I am looking to lose some weight.

I used to ride bikes a lot when I was a young teen. So long ago......

I would really like to get a bike and start riding again. BUT I get this picture in my mind that isn't so pretty. You know the one. An elephant sitting on a bicycle is a lot like that elephant in a thong.

Charlotte