I'm a newbie with injuries

Hello, everyone.i'm new here. i just bought a Bike Yesterday at Target (please don't flame me). i did not want to spend a lot of money unless i know i will keep up with the hobby. i got a Schwinn Ranger, which is sort of a mountain bike/road bike. it has been raining, so i only got to ride it for 5 minutes, and i had to figure out the 21 gears..it has been a long time since i rode a bike. When i was 16, i traded in my bike for a horse, and i have never looked back. Now my horse is looking at me, like, "You gonna put your fatt butt on ME?"

SO i need to get in shape. that is the purpose of getting a bike. i live in the mountains so i'll either be going up a hill or down one. very little flat places to ride. so even if i have to PUSH the bike up the hills in the beginning, that is still exercise.

i have a few questions. i sprained my ankle in June, and altho i am walking and getting around pain free, it is still a bit stiff and i am hoping that having regular exercise will loosen it up. has anyone had that happen? also i have Tennis elbow( tendonitis) which is very painful. both injuries are on my right side. has anyone dealt with Tennis elbow here, and did you have to limit your riding time to help your elbow, or did you just ride anyway? did you get better or worse? I live in the Poconos, of N.E. PA. i plan to get a trainer for bad weather so i can ride in the house. Thanks for any advice, ColleenT

hey Colleen welcome to TE why would we flame you for buying a bike?
Most of us didn't start with fancy custom bikes; a lot of us will never buy one.
(I got to touch one once!)

If you have serious problems, you should consult with your doctor.
Ride places where you have lots of room and no cars to start with. A school playground when the kids are not there is a good choice. go slow take your time.
mimi

thank you. :) well some of the other bike forums i peeked in were all about Expensive bikes. i'm not working so money is a factor. But the Schwinn i got is pretty nice, at least for a cheap bike. as i mentioned i am doing this for fitness, so if i get better and then i want a better bike, i might be able to get one. my Dr says just try to do normal daily routine with my Elbow, but my days are never routine. so i just play by ear. so i was hoping someone might have had the same experiences and could give me some insight on it.

Hi ColleenT,

One suggestion, if you haven't done it already, take your bike to a bike shop and have them check it out and make sure it is put together properly. Target employees stock shelves they don't build bikes.

Concerning the elbow, I had golfer's elbow, due to a bike accident. Initially, I wasn't allowed to ride for 6 weeks, had PT and 2 cortizone shots. I went to a hand specialist and he said the pain tends to burn itself out over time. That was 3 years ago but occasionally it talks me.

Did your Dr. give you any stretches to do, they helped me a lot initally with the injury.

Good luck with your bike and think of it this way, you are riding and doing something to improve your health.

Hi Colleen, don't have any advice, but just wanted to say "Welcome" to the boards. My first bike was from Target, and it was the one that got me loving to ride. My current bike (a Giant) is the bees knees, and I love him. I practically live at Target, and have seen their Schwinns. Nice bikes!!!!
Glad to have you join us here! Have many fun miles with your bike. :)

hi & welcome! i am a chronic ankle sprainer (when i don't keep up w my exercises). in fact i sprained my ankle in late may. usually cycling itself is great for loosening up stiff ankles as you can go thru a good range of motion without putting weight down on it. it works for me & it's always the exercise (on a stationary bike) that my PTs recommend.

give it a try, starting slowly. good luck.

Hi Colleen!

Welcome to TE :) !

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Originally posted by ColleenT: SO i need to get in shape. that is the purpose of getting a bike. i live in the mountains so i'll either be going up a hill or down one. very little flat places to ride. so even if i have to PUSH the bike up the hills in the beginning, that is still exercise.

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Cycling will surely get you into better shape! And, if in the beginning, you have to push your bike up a hill, I KNOW FOR SURE that after a month (or before that), you WILL be riding up that same hill!

I'm a new rider too, just started in June, and.......I'm having a BLAST!!!!

If I were you, I would learn how to shift FIRST in empty parking lots. Learn how to downshift (easier gears), so that when you are climbing a hill, you'll know how to do that.
It's much easier on your knees to keep "spinning" in lower gears.

Have lots of fun Colleen!

Have a great evening.

Denise

thanks everyone for the welcome and for being so nice about my new bike. :) my Dr says to do lifting with the palms up to help the help the arm heal, and i have been, but it is my right arm and i am right handed, so i use my hand/arm for everything. i wish the rain would stop so i can get out there. i hope this becomes a fun hobby for me..

Hi Colleen, I just want to share something with you. My husband races mountain bikes. He met a young guy at one of the races that showed up with a wal-mart bike. This guy took second place in his division on that bike.

Have fun on your new bike and I hope your injuries have a speedy recovery.

Wow, thanks. I'm glad no one here is getting on me about my cheap bike.

I just went out riding in the rain. i could not help it. it has rained since i brought it home yesterday. so i went about 2 miles, and they were up and down hills with a few flat areas.. i really felt how out of shape i am. i came in the house and felt like i had to throw up. i pushed myself too hard. but i did learn about using the gears and how they can help you on the flat as well as on the hills. i hope i can get into this fairly quickly. it is fun, except for the feeling at the end..

First off, welcome to TE! The only requirement is that your bike have a couple of tires (maybe more if it's a recumbent or you need training wheels! :D ), a seat, handlebars & a couple of pedals. Sounds like you meet the "qualifications!"

Take it easy! Throwing up is optional and certainly not a requirement to belong to TE. Seriously, you may have gone too hard and/or your glucose level fell. What did you eat before your ride? Is there any way you can avoid hills in the beginning?

If your elbow or ankle hurt after your ride, be sure to apply ice. Frozen bags of peas are great and they are reusable!

I'm echoing the suggestion that you take it to a bike shop & have it looked over to make sure the assembly is good.

Finally - the BIG question - you are wearing a helmet, right?

yes i am wearing a helmet. i actually made sure it matched the color tone of the bike. i cannot have the fashion police pulling me over, i'll be too busy puking as i push my bike up hills:o ..my arm and ankle are ok, i had eaten dinner a half hour before i went out, and then a cookie, so not sure what happened. i try to stay hydrated, and my bike has a cute little water bottle holder on it..i may need a tune up b/c i noticed that i could not get the front gears to go back on the large chainwheel. i tried when i was on the flats, but it did not want to give. SO i stayed in the middle gear in front(21speed). i know of one place that fixes bikes around here, so i'll call them this week and see if they can check it.thanks for the advice

Welcome to TE! (and a warm welcome to your bike!)

You won't run into much in the way of flaming around here, don't be shy!

I second you getting the bike a quick check-over, and also hope that you're wearing a helmet every time you ride! (don't be like me. I crashed without one once, and I was only going down the block. Not a good plan.)

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SO i need to get in shape. that is the purpose of getting a bike. i live in the mountains so i'll either be going up a hill or down one. very little flat places to ride. so even if i have to PUSH the bike up the hills in the beginning, that is still exercise.

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That is a GREAT attitude, and it's the same one I try to maintain at all times....and as a result I never have to push up hills anymore.

Since I grew up in Chicago, Schwinn bikes are near and dear to my heart. My grandfather used to buy them used on Maxwell Street, fix them up and resell them. My first two bikes were Schwinns. I'm a little chagrined that they are now sold in discount stores, because I've always considered them really good bikes. But they still can't be that bad...and if it's going to get folks out riding, that's good enough for me!

*edited to add: I have tennis elbow from using the touch-pad on my laptop. I use a tennis elbow strap when it gets bad (get one at the drug store). It really helps. I also have had surgery on my back twice and the ONLY thing that keeps it healthy is exercise. So my unexpert opinion is that moderate reasonable exercise is better for a stiff joint than no exercise at all.

No flames from here! Welcome to the forum.

Karen

I agree with the thought to take your bike to your LBS. Other forums report Xmart bikes sometimes are not well assembled. So be safe and get it checked.
Happy riding!!

Welcome Colleen! I don't have any advice about the injuries but just wanted to say that if I ride within an hour of eating a regular sized meal I feel like I am going to puke. When I ride before I eat it tends to curb the appetite and I don't have to worry about that pukey feeling. Enjoy your bike!

thanks again, everyone. I have to go get a thing for my trunk. a RACK. that's the word..then i can ride wherever i want. i saw some at Target for low cars. i have a low car,( sedan) not an SUV, so i need a certain type. hopefully i'll get to Target this week.

i have the band for my elbow, but the massage therapist told me it's not going to help me unless i have to do heavy work, then to use it for prevention. i guess each case is unique. STILL raining here, so i don't know when i'll get out. i might try to get to target today for a rack.

Hello, Colleen! Congrats on the bike. I too just got a Target Schwinn. Glad I'm not the only one! I've been lurking here and everyone has seemed really nice. With all the replies to your post, it appears my evaluation was correct! I've been riding with my husband 4 or 5 times in the past two weeks and I love it. I'm really out of shape and can't do hills yet, but it's still great!

I've been thinking about taking my bike to the LBS to have it checked out. Let me know how it goes with yours. Very interested as to how well the stock boys did putting it together!

Thanks Hazel! i still did not get the rack yet. Actually, the bike was put together before it arrived at Target. so someone does that all day long, i Sure hope they know a little bit about it..My hubby is going to try to help me tonight with the Derailer. it is a good name, i think a Shimano? anyway he's good at that type of thing, he is a very usefull hubby, so i i think he can help me.

I know the name Shimano from fishing reels! My husband likes them! I too need to get a bike rack. I have a 4Runner and it is possible to put my bike in the back with the seats down, but I'm not really coordinated enough to do it easily.

Hi Collen,

I forgot that I wore the elbow brace whenever I rode. The whole next summer, in fact. However, my rides are 30-70 miles long so I'm sure it gave me support.

Welcome, ColleenT and SunnyHazel!

Whether or not your bike is put together well, it still probably would benefit from having someone who knows what they're doing watch you ride and make adjustments to the handlebars, seat, etc. They generally don't mind doing that at all -- even on a bike they didn't sell.

They know that all the extras are like crack and you'll see all sorts of things in their store you'll want (if not today, someday) and if they treat you nicely, you'll be back to spend money with them, too! Plus, they know that if the bike isn't adjusted properly and it causes you knee problems, "seat" pains, etc. you're much more likely to stop riding and then you'll never spend money with them. It's to their benefit to help you, so don't feel odd about asking.

Welcome Colleen!
I am a new rider myself. My fist time on a bike was in July. Now I am totally hooked. :) I do not have much to offer as far a advice that the others have not already mentioned. Make certain the bike is put together properly and the corect fit. If the fit is off, you will not be happy with the bike. Follow whatever guidelines the doctor has set for you, read the boards here, and above all have fun!!

i went to the local Bike shop and was dissapointed at the lack of accessories. they had things like Parts but not clothing or gear or anything fun..i don't know if they are really knowledgable about bikes, b/c they are a Ski shop primarily. i need to find a better a bike shop to do this. i'm looking. My hubby spent an hour with me and the book and he figured out the derailers and checked the brakes as well. so at least i can ride a little bit until i get serviced..

Colleen,
I have numerous bike stores around me and an excellent bike store not so close to me (it is the store I like and trust-they handle all our bikes), but none of them carry women's clothing. So far I have purchased all my biking gear online. I do hope you are able to find a store you like.

ok, i went to a bike shop today, not the best, but better than the first one. i got some Trek Gloves, Blue to match the bike and helmet..and i checked out the bike rack for the trunk. they wanted as much for that as i paid for my Target bike. $135. SO i went to Walmart and found a Kryptonite Lock and a trunk bike rack. the rack was $29. i know, it's not the best, but for now, it will work. if this rain ever stops, i will be riding..i can't wait to get my Trainer..

i just wanted to add my welcome to the list.

One of my goals next year is to start a weekly ride for newbies, our club ride is too long, and too fast for beginners so they all quit after the first week.
I plan on riding my 16 year old Schwinn mtn bike that I bought used 6 years ago.
I have no time for bike snobbery. A person buys the best they can afford at the time.
I am sure if you start riding in groups the snobs will show up (most of the ones I have met have been male, imagine that) One kid (in his twenties) had the audacity to ask how much we paid for our bikes, I just replied " the most I could afford and I love my bike"
he replied his was "only $2000, his $6000 [such and such bike] was at home" I thought "whatever - go get a life, you are a little desperate if you feel the need to impress two 40+ year old ladies out on a pleasure ride"

I too had an inexpensive trunk rack that I picked up at a garage sale for $10, for short distances it worked well, I was pretty nervous taking the bikes on a 100 mile commute, we made it but I stopped and checked it alot.

Just be careful :eek: wasn't it Pooks who said cycling is like crack - pretty soon you are cutting back on grocery money to buy that next pair of shorts because you just have to have a better chamois for the metric century you are doing that weekend.

Good luck and keep us posted

May the rain gods dry up in your neck of the woods and move on over here - we are in the middle of a drought

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Originally Posted by eclectic

Just be careful :eek: wasn't it Pooks who said cycling is like crack - pretty soon you are cutting back on grocery money to buy that next pair of shorts because you just have to have a better chamois for the metric century you are doing that weekend.

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While I can echo the sentiment, if I actually said that I was ON crack!

(Metric century hasn't crossed my fingertips until now, I don't think -- wowzer. LOL!)

Pooks

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Originally Posted by pooks

Welcome, ColleenT and SunnyHazel!

They know that all the extras are like crack and you'll see all sorts of things in their store you'll want (if not today, someday).

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Well I guess I changed the context a little :) the better chamois is what I yearn for, my butt is still a little chaffed from the last tour, I discovered 2 of my shorts don't work well for long distance day after day.

I am glad i can openly speak about my butt here, one of my good friends was going TMI, TMI :eek: :eek: :eek:

thanks E. i'm going outside to blow the rainclouds in your direction. i have a lot of hot air, so it might work..

clothing --

I was able to find a couple of shirts that have been working pretty well for me at Target, in the ladies "athletic wear" department. Paid under $15 for each of them. They don't have the pockets and zippers found in jerseys, but I'm finding that this sport rivals skiing when you're getting started: you need all kinds of stuff!

Shorts I found at REI, and they were on sale for about $20. Not the best, and when I ride over 30 miles, they're definitely not the best, but they're a great start too! Since I'm riding a bit farther now on a fairly regular basis, I'm starting to look for a new pair of shorts with a bit nicer padding.

Karen in Boise

i love Target..

Today at a hardware store of all places, i found a Bright yellow/green vest with Orange reflective tape and it is all Vented or Holey or whatever you call it. it is made of Holes. it fits over anything, and is not going to make me sweat. So at least the cars won't hit me b/c they don't see me. And my Trainer came by way of Fedex just minutes ago. i need hubby to help me set it up. Well, that's not true, i'm just being lazy right now. i did go out for a few minutes thru the drizzle, and i think i did ok. but i did get myself a bit fatigued, so before i got the nausea feeling, i came home. i took my Rack out of the box, and i am SO ready for the rain to end..

Welcome to cycling, Colleen!

Here's a really useful website for your handy hubby and you to help you maintain and repair your bike. http://www.parktool.com/repair/

I'm not at all mechanically inclined and I've found it easy to use.

Has it stopped raining yet?

thanks! the rain stopped today, and tomorrow but Earnesto is coming thru on Friday, Sat, Sun. Drat.