The Newbies keep coming.... [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

Jasper

03-06-2005, 03:59 PM

Oh, what a joy it's been lurking on this forum for the last few days! I am new to the site, as well as new to the sport. There is so much wonderful information, and awesome energy from this forum. :)

I started biking last year on a hand-me-down hybrid. Now I'm anxious to hit the road on a "real" bike. I want a nice entry-level bike (hopefully have $$ left over for all the accessories :D ) and I think I've narrowed it down to the Trek 1200. I was so excited visiting the bike shops this weekend, that I went ahead and bought shoes and gloves. I now have a full set of attire, and just need the bike! My LBS is going to call me tomorrow to let me know if they can get me the 1200 in a 50 cm. Then all I'll need is for the snow to melt!

My biggest concern about biking is being able to get out on a regular basis. I'm a single mom of three boys so I can't just take off whenever I want. They will be starting baseball practice soon, and I hope to be able to get an hour ride in during their practices.

I have two questions for the group:

1) Any other single moms out there with ideas on how to get out on a regular basis?

2) Any recommendations for bike carriers? I have a mini-van and would like to take my bike to the ball park and ride from there. I have a hitch, so I'm looking at the hitch mount carrier, but worry about my new baby (the bike, that is) getting beat up on the back on my van.

Thanks again to all the women that make up this awesome forum. You inspire me!

BikeMomma

03-06-2005, 07:53 PM

Hi Jasper -

Welcome! :D I'm a (albeit, married) mother of three young 'uns (7, 4, & 2 yrs), work full-time 40+ hrs/week, go to night school (one class, but still...), have a small part-time business, ...and, oh yea, I ride! I just completed a 67-mile century this weekend, and plan two more in April. Soooo, you can do it, gurl!! Don't let anything stop you. I finally learned that.

My advice, and what has helped me get back into the sport (I raced approx 13 years ago) is get an indoor trainer. I have this one: http://www.cycle-ops.com/products/fluidsquared.htm. This allows you to ride whenever you want, however long you want, in whatever weather you want, whether it be the 10 o'clock news hour, for 15, 30, 90 (!) minutes, or during a NY snowstorm. You'll be surprised how and when you can fit it in to your busy life.

I've really found that the trainer has helped me in my outdoor rides, especially in the hills. Some evenings you may not be able to get to it, but if you hit it about 3x a week, you'll see an improvement. Go easy at first, though - I started out with 15-20 minutes a session, and am now doing about 1-1.25 hour (like I said, the 10 o'clock news hour...).

I wish you luck with your bike shopping and with the joy your machine will bring you...
- Kim :cool:

SadieKate

03-07-2005, 07:44 AM

Hi, Jasper and welcome. I have had a Yakima Hitchfork rack for year and years. Love it because the bike is held securely, no paint or cable is touched by the rack, they're locked on, easy to use, etc. Yakima racks are dern stout and the locks will take a lot of abuse if the bike liberation front shows up. You can fit 3 adult bikes on the rack.

CorsairMac

03-07-2005, 01:53 PM

Howdy Jasper and welcome to the board, the sport and a whole buncha new friends! If you get a chance, theres a thread called "getting to know you" in the open forum. It's a great read, gives you an idea who we are, and if you're so inclined, tell us some more about you!.........

cyclingnewbie

03-07-2005, 02:23 PM

Welcome to the forum! Great bunch of ladies here with really good ideas and advice. I'm a new rider too, and am also shopping for bikes. So far, the Trek 1200 is my bike of choice too! I'm going to look at Bianchi this weekend before I decide for sure. BikeMomma's advice on getting a trainer is right on. I have a trainer in my garage (w/ CD player, no TV) and it can be a little boring, but it's great to have. The first year I started riding again I not only couldn't get up the slightest hill, but I couldn't even stand up on the pedals. I practiced over the winter on the trainer and kicked butt on my challenge hill (which isn't much, but was more than I could do the year before) in the spring. 20-30 minutes a few times a week does make a difference. Don't push too hard at first because it's supposed to be fun! Enjoy and it will get better and better. :p

caligurl

03-08-2005, 01:21 PM

welcome! i'm still new! cuz i haven't been riding a year yet! but i've been riding my butt off! lol!

not a single mom.. not a mom at all (oh... well.. i'm a mom.. but to 2 dogs and 2 cats! and yes.. i think they.. especially the dogs.. don't like that i/we spend so much time riding instead of walking them!

this is the BEST forum for getting questions answered! there are others out there.. but sometimes you'll get ridiculous answers or snotty/snobby answers there.. not here! :D :D :D everyone here is wonderful and helpful!

AutumnBreez

03-09-2005, 12:36 AM

Got to start somewhere don't we???
Hello, I am new also, but I believe it is the beginning of a beautiful journey....

Take care, AB

LBTC

03-09-2005, 08:15 AM

newbie ladies! welcome! I'm pretty new to the board...and I remember my newbie cycling days with some embarassment and some delight. I'm so glad I was able to overcome spazziness and poor fitness. you can too!!

Namaste,
~T~

lyz2814

03-11-2005, 09:38 AM

Hi All,
I'm new to the boards, but I've been biking for 2 years. I have a hybrid (a specialized crossroads comp), and I just ordered a road bike! A Trek 1500 WSD. My bike store does the Fit Kit, and I'm definitely in need of a shorter top-tube/women's sizing. I like the shorter cranks too, as I need to work on getting my spin going.

Of course Trek's ordering system was off line, so I still don't know how long I have to wait til it comes :( But I didn't have to pay yet, and that's cool.

The good news is that the guy who helped me is a total cutie (and not so young I should be ashamed), so I'll have an excuse to call and find out where my bike is!

I can't believe the difference in riding a hybrid vs. road. The weight difference is incredible, and the man's version I was trying out was just --zoom--. I'm terribly excited, as you can see.

cyclingnewbie

03-11-2005, 09:53 AM

lyz2814 Welcome to the group! And congrats on the new bike!! I am in the shopping-for-a-new-road-bike process right now, and Trek is leading my list at this point. I agree with you completely about the hybrid vs. road. I started out looking at the touring and comfort road bikes. When I tried out a traditional road bike, I was hooked on the cool handling. Much quicker and responsive than my hybrid. On long rides my hybrid feels like a sled. I'm heading out Saturday (if the snow doesn't accumulate and prevent test rides :mad: ) and will hopefully make a final decision. Let us know when you get your new baby!!

Jasper

03-11-2005, 11:31 AM

I feel like a kid on Christmas morning, full of excitement, anticipation and very impatient!! My new baby arrived at the LBS today. I ordered the TREK 1200, and she's a beauty. (Even though it’s not a WSD, I can still call her a "she", right?). :p My LBS didn't seem to understand that I can't wait until tomorrow for them to put her together... I want her NOW. But since there is still 12 feet of snow outside, I suppose one more day won't hurt.

I also put a notice on a local web cycling group for a used trainer. I have had two replies and hope to pick one up this weekend. Hopefully, I’ll be spinning by Sunday. Woo HOO! :D

cyclingnewbie

03-11-2005, 12:30 PM

Did you get the Trek 1200 or the 1500?

jobob

03-11-2005, 12:55 PM

The good news is that the guy who helped me is a total cutie (and not so young I should be ashamed) LOL ! I love this board ! :D

brava lyz, and welcome, I like the way you think !

Dogmama

03-11-2005, 01:13 PM

My very first road bike was a Trek 1200 and I rode the wheels off of it. It finally retired when a guy I was dating ran into me and the crash caused a crack in the aluminum frame. It was a gawd-awful bright yellow with these black spider web things on it.

But, it was a perfect first bike. Keep posting & asking questions, ladies. You can learn lots here.

Jasper

03-11-2005, 04:47 PM

Did you get the Trek 1200 or the 1500?

I went with the 1200. I liked the 1500, especially the tires. But I figured I would put the money I was saving to good use with all the accessories I needed.

I received the call from my LBS and she's ready!! I'll be picking her up tomorrow.

Now everybody say it with me: "Be Gone @#*%* Snow!!"

Dogmama

03-13-2005, 03:53 AM

With the money you saved, buy a plane ticket to Tucson! It's been in the low 80's for the past several days! I have a sunburned face (yes, I use sunscreen!) and I'm getting the "biker's tan" already! :p

Of course, very soon you'll need to ride at 5AM and be back home by 8AM before it reaches 100 degrees... :( There's always a trade off.

lyz2814

03-16-2005, 11:03 AM

Howdy all,
I emailed my nice bike shop about an ETA on the Trek I ordered, and the owner emailed me back to say "early next month, or maybe sooner." Gosh I hope it's sooner!

In the mean time, I ordered 2 new jerseys--both from Primal Wear--the firebird, and the Columbine. I shall be very visible!

I also found out that my cutie bike-store guy has a Mazda RX8, so now I know what else to talk about w/ him--you know, once I'm done displaying my shameful ignorance of road bike stuff (like, how to you get off of a bike w/ the saddle that high, with falling down that is) --rotary engines! Shameless, I know :cool:

I have so much crap coming up w/ work and stuff--this is gonna be a nice reward!

cyclingnewbie

03-16-2005, 12:59 PM

my shameful ignorance of road bike stuff (like, how to you get off of a bike w/ the saddle that high, with falling down that is)

I had to figure that out too. If you are swinging your right leg up, over and off, step slightly to the left, put your weight on the left foot, and tilt the bike toward your left leg, which will bring the seat down a bit and make it easier to get your right leg over the top of it.

I hope your bike arrives soon! I pick up my new Trek 1500 on Friday afternoon, and it seems like a hundred years from now. :(

CorsairMac

03-17-2005, 09:47 AM

I usually mount the bike just like a horse, I seat my left clip into the pedal and roll the bike forward while swinging my leg over the seat and clip in on the right. It's the Trainers I have problems with. Every time the LBS guys put my bike on the trainer I can't get on or off the thing, it's just too high.

lyz2814

03-17-2005, 10:07 AM

See the mounting I can do--it's the stopping and getting a foot on the ground that's puzzling me. And I gotta figure it out before my bike comes in, so I don't make a fool of myself on the checkout ride! pressure!

CorsairMac

03-17-2005, 11:33 AM

Lyz: are you wanting to "dismount" or stopping the bike like to cross a street? I dismount the bike same way I mount it, unclip the right foot, swing over the seat and unclip the left foot as I'm putting the right foot down on the ground. For traffic etc I just unclip one foot, come out of the saddle and lean (not turn) the bike towards the unclipped foot so I can reach the ground, I never unclip the other foot for stopandgo. Luckily we have nice curbs here so I don't usually have to come out of the saddle....I can just unclip and rest my foot on the curb with the tire turned slightly towards the clipped foot for balance. Hope that helps!

lyz2814

03-19-2005, 05:28 AM

That's exactly what I was looking for! So you lean the bike. huh. I'll have to practice.

lkrider

03-19-2005, 12:22 PM

Welcome! to bike riding and this forum. I haven't been at the forum all that long myself, but it is a lot of fun. Wonderful people and inspiration abound. I hope you can find..(make) more time to ride than I did when my kids were small. (teen and twenty now) Later years, we started bringing them along on big rides and made it our family activity. Consider getting your boys onto decent bikes ASAP, and teaching them to ride safe. I wish I had done this sooner. I also recommend running errands by bike when possible. Little rides in town - guilt free, don't usually take any longer than by car.

About the rack- unless you are tall, I recommend trying the rear mount rack. We have a roof rack and I hate the hassle of trying to get the bikes up there by myself.

mikki

03-30-2005, 07:54 PM

Thought I'd take a minute to introduce myself. I am a student nurse in Northern California (North Bay actually). I ride to school on the days I can (6 miles one way). I just bought a new bike. It's a Trek 820. I'm in love :p I love this site. So much information, so much support. Thank you

Bike Goddess

03-30-2005, 08:05 PM

Mikki- Welcome to the very best bike forum around! We even ride together when we can!

Where abouts do you live- I'm in Benicia. Are you close by? North Bay means huge area!
:)

Biking Chick

03-31-2005, 05:47 AM

I dismount the bike same way I mount it, unclip the right foot, swing over the seat and unclip the left foot as I'm putting the right foot down on the ground. For traffic etc I just unclip one foot, come out of the saddle and lean (not turn) the bike towards the unclipped foot so I can reach the ground, I never unclip the other foot for stopandgo.

Let's hear it for the short people!!!

My middle name must be klutz or maybe krash :D but I rarely if ever, unclip just one foot. Of the three times that I have fallen off my bike - two of them have been because I *only* unclipped one foot and was 100% positive that the bike was going to lean in the direction of the unclipped shoe. (Murphy's Law??) The third time was when someone in front of me suddenly slammed on their brakes while I was rolling to a stop and had not unclipped at all - had time to get one foot unclipped but of course the bike went the opposite way. For me, it is safer to unclip both pedals (making sure that the shoe clip does not clip back into the pedal :eek: ) then lean the bike slightly while putting my foot down.

When I first started using clipless pedals I had dh put a platform on one side of the pedal ... I could unclip, flip the pedal over and have a stable area to put my foot without accidentally reclipping. My FX (commuter and trail bike) also has the spd on one side and a platform on the other in the event you want to wear regular shoes while riding.

But what works for me might not work for you and it won't take you long to figure out your personal style!!

mikki

03-31-2005, 06:35 AM

I'm in Santa Rosa. Rincon Valley to be exact. The ride to school is great. Uphill all the way home. I even get my choice of two hills. I hope to be able to tackle Chanate over the summer.

KKWise628

03-31-2005, 09:41 AM

Well, I lost my job at a company that went bankrupt. These things happen. So, I have too much free time on my hands. A year ago I wanted to start jogging but I am just not built for the stress it puts on the body with all that jarring. So I am just starting cycling. I am currently on a hand-me-down Gary Fisher mountain bike, but have my eye on a Giant road bike. It will take sometime to save up for the new bike and accessories. I did invest in a nice pair of pearl shorts and a good pair of gloves. It is a good thing because it is taking some time to work in the bum. I made a mistake by buying a pair of shoes off ebay and they were a full size too small. I am learning so much from this site! I have set some goals and am so excited.
I found a paved bike trail around a large pond. It is 1.5 miles around, so I can keep track of how far I go. I am taking it nice and easy. But am trying to ride every afternoon it isn't raining.

P.S. What is a century? is that a 100 miler? I have no idea.

Kim :)

snapdragen

03-31-2005, 09:49 AM

Yup, 100 miles. A metric is a bit over 60 -- 62? I forget!

P.S. What is a century? is that a 100 miler? I have no idea.

Kim :)

Adventure Girl

03-31-2005, 09:50 AM

What is a century? is that a 100 miler? I have no idea.A century is a 100 mile ride. A metric century is 100 kilometers.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling. And the VERY wonderful world of Team Estrogen! :cool:

Biking Chick

03-31-2005, 04:51 PM

I am taking it nice and easy. But am trying to ride every afternoon it isn't raining.

Welcome to road biking and looking forward to hearing more about your rides s the weather improves :D

Cindy in WI

lyz2814

04-25-2005, 07:44 PM

Wanted to give this thread a bump. My new baby (bike) is home! A Specialized Dolce Elite--after Trek told me that they wouldn't be building my bike until the second week of may...Any way, She's beautiful. Even the bikeshop boys were like "dude, you have to see this thing in the sunlight..." It's got white/silver carbon fiber for the seatpost (the geek in me thought -mithril-), and all of the other exposed metal has a light brushed aluminum finish. The handlebar tape is silver too. The paint! Looks nothing like the picture on the website. It's two tones, part of the body is French blue, bright and the rest is deep teal--with the Dolce in silver. She carves corners at the slightest thought, and is stupid light. outstanding. Hills are like this thing that _other_ people have to put up with. Have no photo yet, b/c it has been dark and rainy all day, and my camera is in my still-unpacked luggage (I arrived home from Las Vegas at 130 this morning). Ultegra and 105 components, ultrgra pedals and the Cateye Double Wireless cycle-computer. Schwing!

I was off today, but I was tired (see above), and it was cold and rainy. It's supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow, so I'm telecommuting and taking a bike break at lunch. Lurve my baby.

Bike Goddess

04-25-2005, 08:18 PM

OOOOOOOOH baby! Does this sound like a dream bike! :D :D :D :D

Where did you say you live? And what size is it?

BG is VERY jealous :p :p :p :p

trekchic

04-26-2005, 10:56 AM

Hi Fellow Newbies.........I am also a newbie.......still! I bought my bike a year and a half ago and took most of last year off (not by choice!).

This year, I am determined to get some riding in! I wanted to ride this afternoon, but it's raining.......the weather is not cooperating!

I think I set myself up for failure by thinking if I wasn't riding 200-300 miles per week I wasn't doing "it" right! So, now I am starting all over. I am riding 10-15 miles per ride WHEN I CAN! No pressure---I am going to have fun. When I want to ride more, and I'm ready to do so, I'll ride more. When I want to ride faster, I'll ride faster.......

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!

Back in the saddle again........

Kim in TN

CorsairMac

04-26-2005, 02:21 PM

Lyz: schweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!! I'm waiting on pixs hun, waiting on pixs!...loved the reference to mithril! ;) Sounds like you and he/she/it are already bonding!

Trekchic: why does it always seem we are our Own worst enemies? we make our lives so much harder sometimes by setting goals and then thinking we've failed when we don't reach them! Sounds like you've got the right idea - smaller goals and more fun! Keep us posted!

nuthatch

04-26-2005, 05:54 PM

This year, I am determined to get some riding in! I wanted to ride this afternoon, but it's raining.......the weather is not cooperating!

Kim in TN

Hey, TrekChic! My sister lives in Murfreesboro and she's been complaining about the non-stop rain this spring. She's originally from Austin where they evidently get a bit less rain ;) . Hang in there - baking hot, dry weather is on the way!

Lyz, can't wait for the pictures when the sun comes out! It's so hard to have the new bike and not be able to RIDE!!!

Dogmama

04-27-2005, 03:52 AM

Trekchic, You're my sister! I have to remember that riding is supposed to be fun! I already have a job & don't need another one!

Several years ago (umm, like ten I think!) I decided to ramp up my riding to 150-200 miles/week. I would ride in the morning, hop into the shower & then ride my old beater bike to work. But, now I have a dress-up job, 50 year old knees and a raft of crap in my life that would make the Queen Mary look like a life boat.

bouncybouncy

04-27-2005, 06:12 AM

Where to begin??? I have been lurking for weeks...joined a little over a week ago and enjoying every story! It is so nice to see other females out there!!! I have been struggling with the "I am not good enough!" or "I am too old to start something new like this!" and especially "I am a girl, the guys don't want to ride with ME!" :(

Well, come to find out...I can hang as good as any other "guy" (maybe even a younger one) that has been out there as long as me! :p

I have been on a MTBike for about 9 months with the patient instructions of my fiance (who rides 60-80 miles 2-4 days a week) as his "rest" day...Now, with determination on my side, I now tire him out and usually am leading before the ride is over!!! :D I am looking at being the proud new owner of a road bike within the next few weeks. Here in south Florida it gets too humid and muggy in the MTBike trails to ride (not to mention the mosquitos) so road riding picks up about this time of the year...my fiance rides with a fast group that rides along the beach in the Pampano area and I am psyched to get involved! I just hope with all your motivational stories and guidance paired with my DLO (Dear Loved One - soon DH) patience and enthusiasm I will be riding with them next year! (I figure I will be spending this year riding my butt off trying to make close to their speed)

Just wanted to share and Thank all of you girls for sharing! BTW...if there are any girls in the Ft Lauderdale area looking for a buddy to ride with I will be out there in a couple of weeks spinning my little heart out!