First ride

[iampam]

Hi all,

I'm very new here. I'm getting into recreational cycling for the first time in my adult life. My hubby is an active cyclist and bike commuter.

I don't have an overly active lifestyle, so I'm starting slow. I went for my first ride today and stopped after 1.5km because my legs and butt couldn't handle any more! My goal is to be able to cycle around the neighbourhood on errands and to the library (5-10km at a time). It's not much, but I think it will improve my lifestyle greatly.

I'm not riding a fancy bike. In fact, my bike is the one I got for my 8th birthday almost 20 years ago. Hubby went at it last summer and got it roadworthy in the hopes that I'd join him for some leisurely rides.

I am interested in the resurgence of "city" bikes and Amsterdam-style bikes for urban cyclists. I will be combing through the forums here to learn more about these types of bikes, but I would appreciate if anyone had any thoughts to share here.

Thanks!

[Pan Dulce]

Welcome! :)

I like the Amsterdam and Dutch style bikes also. I own one that is 'Dutch-esque' (making up words here), it is called a Trek Allant if you want to look it up. Electra also makes a good bike of this type. Electra (http://www.electrabike.com/home.php) I like my Allant, but I got a men's because I don't favor the women's color/front rack. I would have liked an Electra, but I couldn't find anyone who sold them locally.

I think this type of bike is very good for leisurely rides, errands, going to the corner cafe.. they are more upright than other types of bikes.

[HappyTexasMom]

Welcome! I'm a newish cyclist, too. :)

As far as the bikes...I've seen a lot of them sold used in our local ads. I think a lot of people buy them thinking they'll ride around the neighborhood or whatever, and then don't use them. So many of them are in new or nearly-new shape.

[sundial]

Hi IAmPam. :) Glad to see you here and hope you get bit by the cycling bug.

I love looking at the Dutchie bikes. In fact, I dream of having one added to my stable one day. I am beginning to appreciate that upright riding more and more. ;)

Here is a store that has some interesting Dutchie bikes here in the US:

http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/html/bikes/swan.html

These bikes have been Americanized by adding 8 speed internal gearing--as opposed to the standard 3 speed found in the UK. If you live near rolling hills, you'll appreciate having more gears. :)

You might want to look at the Pashley Princess Sovereign as well. They're not as easy to find here in the US, but a few shops do carry them. Harris Cyclery (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/bikes.html) is one. Here's a discussion of the Pashely on one of my favorite blogs:

http://www.ecovelo.info/2008/05/17/bikes-for-change-in-the-belly-of-a-horse/

[Kris]

I rode Dutch bikes in Holland and France, on bike and barge trips. My DH liked his so much that he bought a Dutch-style bike for commuting. It has lights so he can work late, a chain guard that keeps his pants out of the chain, and fenders that keep whatever was on the road or trail off his back. He loves it.

For myself, I don't like to work that hard. Those bikes, at least the ones I rode, were pretty heavy. I'm heavy enough myself, so I need all the help I can get to keep up with him or whoever else I might ride with, although I usually ride alone. In fact I've just started shopping around for something lighter than the Specialized hybrid I've been riding. (And, while I'm still heavy, I'm 50 pounds lighter than I used to be. ) I'm going to be asking for advice soon too, I think. I still consider myself sort of a new rider.

Kris