Falling in love with riding...

Hello to everyone that is reading this, and has posted here.

Today is my first day on this site and I am THRILLED :D to have found this site.

The saying goes that you do not exercise because you have not found an activity that you love.

Well... I think I'm in love!!

I am 5' 4" tall. I weigh 214 lbs today... 14 lbs were gained in the last very stressful 2 months... I know that (the weight gain) had to STOP :eek: but I wasn't sure how it would happen. I live in Florida, and it's TOO HOT for me to go walking, I am NOT going to jog, and I don't know how to rollerblade.... I had done some exercise videos before... but it's hard for me because I have tendonitis in my left elbow and can only do so much exercise without straining it and having that awful pain.

I have short, stocky, POWERFUL legs (under the cellulite :p ) so all of a sudden it hit me that I should try bike riding... plus I live right next to a bike trail... Well imagine my surprise when I went to Kmart and couldn't manage to ride the bike up and down the aisles... I swear I thought I had forgotten how to ride a bike!!!

I ended up going to target and bought two Champion shorts and two racer back tops. Both were made with "wicking technology that transports moisture away from your skin, helping to keep you cool and dry throughout every workout". All I knew was that I was going to sweat in the Florida heat, and the last thing I wanted was diaper rash!!! :eek:

I found out that the park by my house rents bikes so I thought that I would go that route to see if I actually remembered how to ride... I rented the bike and set off on the trail... AND LOVED IT!!! I FELT LIKE A KID AGAIN (DID I SAY I'M GOING TO BE 33 IN JULY? ) I LOVED FEELING THE WIND AGAINST ME, AND I LOVED FEELING POWERFUL ENOUGH TO KEEP MYSELF GOING FOR THE ENTIRE TRAIL... IT'S 10 MILES!!!!

So this week I did give or take, 10 miles day one, 10 miles day 2, I bought a cheap walmart mountain bike and rode from my house to the trail instead of driving to the park, I did about 15 miles day 3 and another 15 miles today, Saturday, June 24th....

I AM SO PSYCHED ABOUT THIS... and then just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I found this website.

I know I am a neophyte, but I swear I am addicted... I want more, more, more!!!

I know that I am only going to end up keeping my wally world bike for 30 days, then go out and upgrade...

There's so much that I don't know, but already I am learning so much, like being a defensive rider and staying to the left of the lane on narrow roads so the cars treat you like a "car" and go all the way to the other lane to pass you.

I don't have a helmet yet, but will get one this week... meanwhile, I appreciate any and all comments, advice, suggestions, etc...

Much love,

Monica aka Ridin'Chil'

Oh yeah, my new job is 2 miles from my house... definetely thinking about the possibility of riding my bike to work!!

Monica,

Thanks for the reminder of how wonderful cycling is. Keep it up! Many happy miles to you!

Great reading you Monica!!

I hope you stay with us for a long, long, long time!

Good for you! You found your sport! There's something very addictive about it, isn't there? You feel strong and free.

My tips are:

Learn to change a flat so you don't face the prospect of getting stranded far from home:eek: , and enjoy your rides!

Yay!!! Someone in Florida, finally!!

Nanci

PS, well, I wouldn't want to live in town, but I would _kill_ to live two miles from work! You are so lucky!!

I'm going to be riding the Orange Something Trail next Saturday for the first time, is that the trail you live by??

Nanci

Hi!!

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling!! :) Congratulations on finding this wonderful forum!! You will learn so much!!!

I'm thrilled that you found something that you love that DOESN'T FEEL LIKE EXERCISE!!!??? (Imagine that!!)

Please, get yourself a helmet..... before you go on your next ride... You just never know when something awful might happen...
You might be the best cyclist in the world......but, some cars out there aren't paying attention.....

Have a peaceful evening!!

Take Care!

Denise

hi everyone!! thanks for your responses!!

nanci, the trail i ride is the little econ trail... the park is blanchard park... not sure which one you are talking about that you will ride on saturday...

i have a question... when i was a teen and played volleyball, i sprained my ankle pretty bad... well, it's hurting today!!!! what can i do for it besides ice?

also, i'm not sore... muscles i mean (of course my bum is sore!) but i mean my leg muscles... is this "normal"

much love,

monica :)

I'm so glad that you found cycling! it really is a great sport and cyclists are among the nicest people out there.

As to your ankle, I would ice it after you ride, maybe take Ibuprofen as well. My guess is that as you ride more, you'll get stronger, and the ankle will bother you less.

and yeah...like the others said...get that helmet before your next ride. It'll save your life.

Great to hear your enthusiasm for biking!

Quote:

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I don't have a helmet yet, but will get one this week... meanwhile, I appreciate any and all comments, advice, suggestions, etc...

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Please get a helmet before your next ride!


i

Quote:

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have a question... when i was a teen and played volleyball, i sprained my ankle pretty bad... well, it's hurting today!!!! what can i do for it besides ice?

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Ice it first but after that use heat if that feels good also try some muscle rubs like Blue Stuff, Tiger-balm or Ben Gay. Then I would definitely recommend REST, the dirty little four letter word we hate to hear when we just want to ride! It's a must, you must repair and heal, try at least two days off the bike.

Quote:

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also, i'm not sore... muscles i mean (of course my bum is sore!) but i mean my leg muscles... is this "normal"

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You are sore because you've built up lactic acid in you muscles. You've done too much too soon. Again REST!

The biggest most important part of training is to do it gradually and to rest in-between rides. From what it sounds like you went all out pretty fast, 10 miles is pretty far for a first time rider, you should build up to 10 miles over a couple of weeks with rest days in between. If you are riding every day in a 7 day week you should rest two days, five days on the bike total. Three days shorter distances rest day, then two days longer distances, rest day and then add 10% to your distance each ride to build up a base.

Find some good training books or a web site which can tell you more about building a base and going at it gradually. One major reason is because if you love riding this much now and want to keep on riding for years to come you don't want to burn out, slow and steady gets the job done.

Who knew there was so much to know about riding a bike? LOL don't forget to have fun!:)

:) That's a four letter word!!!!!!!:eek:

I was talking to my mom on the phone and I was telling her how I talk to myself on the trail when I see a "hill" coming up.. I tell myself:

"I think I can, I think I can, I think can... " **remember I taught kindergarten for the last 2 years :D **

but then by the time I'm halfway up the hill... alll I can say is:
#@$%#^&

Thanks for the advice... I think I am :( not:( going out on the bike today...

intead I will rest my ankle, and my sore thigh muscles... oh yeah, and my tush as well :p .

And I will go out and buy a helmet...
And go to the bookstore and read through some women and cycling books.

For any of you out there that have tattoos... when you get one you want more and more... same thing with riding a bike... who woulda thunk huh???

Welcome Ridin'Chil'

I know just how you feel. I got my bike two months ago. I thought I would just ride to work now and again, but I fell in love. I'm already planning for an upgrade bike too.

I'm 5'0" and am over 200 pounds. I just finished a 40 mile MS charity ride and loved all but the last ten minutes or so--I really need to get some padded pants.

What they said about taking a break between rides.I like to take a longer ride on the weekend, and then a couple shorter rides during the week, then a new distance the next week to build up my endurance.

ride on

Ellen

Hey RC! Sounds like you're having a ball. Please do get the helmet first thing -- it could save your life. As for the sore legs, I find that taking a walk after a hard ride helps get rid of the lactic acid and the soreness. I know you're in Florida, where it's really hot, but if you could make yourself go out late today or early in the morning, when it's a bit cooler, and just walk a bit, I think your legs would feel better. Of course, that depends on whether or not your ankle feels up to it. If your ankle is okay with the walking, think of it as cross training. Hey, you just became a dual-sport athlete! :D

KB

Trying to remember where I read it lately, and of course, I haven't been brilliant enough to try it, and I don't have any lactic acid to experiment with today, but I seem to recalll reading that elevating the legs can help speed recovery from this stuff -- like, lay on the floor and elevate about 45-degrees, I seem to recall reading. Now, Earl would want sources, and all I could tell him -- and you today! -- is how could I make this stuff up????? Which doesn't mean I can say it will work, but it can't hurt, unless you can't get up after!

One thing I DO like, and learned about a couple of years ago when I was sore from skiing: rolling pin on the thigh muscles. Again, Earl thinks I'm NUTS, but boy, does it feel GOOD! (esspecially when I stop) and it really does help!

Welcome, Ridin' Chil' -- I'm mighty new to this sport too, and I think you've described my body, and reasons for getting into this to a T!

Karen in Boise

:D Welcome Monica! Riding is exciting, isn't it?! I must echo what the others have said, however... please please get a helmet before your next ride!