so many questions

Hi, I've been riding bikes for a while but nothing serious. I recently decided to train for a century with team in training, and now this huge world of bicycling has opened up. I have picked out a bike a Trek 5000 wsd which I'm paying off in layaway right now... I cant wait to ride it. I'm wondering though about shoes, helmets, and spinning. I tried on two pairs of shoes at my lbs, the sidi's fit well but I'm afraid that I didn't try enough on and I'm looking for shoe advice. The helmet that I currently wear gives me a headache everytime I wear it, so I'm wondering what I need to look for in a new one. I also am wondering if they make helmets that are ponytail friendly. Last I just started a spinning class as cross training, and was wondering if you experienced riders think that will help. Thanks so much I love reading all your advice.
-Rachel

Spinning will definitely help. You'll improve your cardio-respiratory ability and build muscles needed in biking. It's no replacement for time on the road, though.

Yes, they do make ponytail helmets. I can't remember where I saw them.
TE, maybe?

I love my Sidi's . The Blaze model is a cross between mountain and road just in case you have to walk.

My 3 cents

By the way, that's quite a goal you've set for yourself. But we all know you can do it.

Hi Rachel, and welcome to TE!

Wow, a Trek 5000 WSD -- nice bike! I have a Trek 5200 WSD and love it. It should serve you well on what I hope is the first of many centuries for you.

Sidi's -- very nice! You seem to have good taste in bike stuff! :) It's pretty hard to go wrong with Sidi's -- they tend to fit well and last a long time. But now's the time to try on other shoes for comparison sake. I own a pair of Specialized, and have owned Diadoras and Duegis in the past. Fortunately, I don't have issues with hot foot, so I do OK with just about any shoe that fits my small foot. I bought the Duegis in the early '90's, and they have zilch in terms of arch support, etc. Nevertheless, they're still comfortable for me on rides -- even a century.

Helmet -- not good to get a headache everytime you wear it. What brand is it? Some brands fit differently. My Giro fits a bit differently than my Bell. Is there a bike store around where you can try on different brands of helmets? Also, the Giro helmets tend to be pony tail friendly -- thru the rock loc. I think the Bells may be less so, as they have a ratchet back there, and I'm not sure if there's a space for a pony tail. I guess my advice is to try different brands to see which works best for you fit-wise and pony tail-wise.

Spinning -- I think it's excellent. It works the same muscles as riding. When I was training for a century, the weather was bad, so I could use indoor rides to get the miles in. With spinning or indoor cycling, you can do different types of workouts (recovery, intervals, etc.) in a controlled environment (no hills, stoplights, etc.) You never stop pedaling, whereas during riding "in the real world" you have to stop at intersections, and you probably tend to coast more than you realize. Spinning doesn't help you with bike handling skills, though, so it's best not to rely entirely on it to train for a century if you're a new rider. Also, spinning isn't necessarily cross-training, in the sense that it doesn't work out the muscles that cycling doesn't exercise. You might want to do some upper body/core workouts to supplement the cycling/spinning.

Again, welcome to the forums! When's your century? Which one is it?

Best wishes!

-- Melissa

Good comments so far...I agree.

For ponytails, it works for me to just do my ponytail a little lower, like at the nape of my neck, and that seems to work fine. I just have a fairly inexpensive Bell helmet.

Welcome!

I agree, great advice so far!

As for the helmet hurting you, I have a huge head and women's helmets are too small for me. Giro helmets don't fit me either...it's like they're made for a longer head front to back and mine is too fat or something. I had to try on a ton of helmets to find one that was comfortable. I ended up with a Bell and I think it only cost around $35. It really is amazingly comfortable...I don't even feel it up there!

I've tackled the ponytail issue by putting the helmet on while my hair is still just freely hanging there, and then doing two braids starting right behind my ears. I may look a little like Pippi Longstocking, but it keeps my hair out of the way and isn't hot on the back of my neck. It cracks me up when I can see my own shadow and here are these two braids flying out sideways!

I don't think my shoes fit right, but I've discovered that if I don't strap the velcro up too tight, they're still snug but they're much more comfortable. Based on the extremely positive reviews that Sidi's receive on this forum, they sound like a great bet to me. My next pair will be Sidi's for sure!

Best of luck to you on your century!

I could (if I were being dumb) make my current helmet give me a headache by tightening the dial adjuster in back too tight. I could probably also do it by wearing a very high ponytail and trying to jam the helmet on over it. If you don't have a dial adjustment system and it's giving you a headache, the helmet is too small. It should feel snug and not be inclined to fall off even if it's not strapped on, but not be *tight*.

I've had helmets with dial adjustment and helmets without. You can get a good fit with either, but I find I like the dial better since I can pull ponytails through in the space between the helmet and the adjustment dial. I also like being able to tuck a braid under my helmet and adjust the helmet to fit that way.

Torrilin,
I've done that too! make sure that helmet is adjusted properly!

this is such great info, thanks. I'm doing the Honolulu century. I decided to get the 5000 because there aren't any 2100's left and I would rather get a better bike than the one I wanted than a worse bike. The lbs also cut me a deal so the 5000 was only $150 more than the 2100 would have been. My helmet is a no name helmet, and it feels like it is too long but not wide enough. I suppose your right that spinning isn't cross training but I teach dance and I that works some other muscles. thanks so much for all your advice.
-Rachel

Hey there! I just completed my first century with TNT . . they WILL get you to the finish line and you will have an awesome time at the Honolulu Century!! I just did the century in Lake Tahoe on June 3rd ("America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride"). . what an awesome experience!! I have a trek and love it ..think you'll be happy with the bike you've chosen (they are well made). As for helmets, I just got a Bell Sweep and I love it too-very comfortable and I wear a low pony tail with no problems. Good luck and GO TEAM !!!

Blessings,
Susan