Fat Girl on a Bike

[schnitzle]

Yes, I stole the name of a defunct blog for my first post. Go me!

I decided that going to community college at 40 is not embarrassing enough. I need to up the ante and get my big 'ol butt on a bike! It seems like it would be a great way to get outdoors and I'd eventually like to be able to take my dog with me so he can run as fast as he needs to and work out his yayas. Plus I reaaally need to start exercising. I'm 5'4" and 250lbs, things gotta change

So I went to a bike store a friend recommended looking for a hybrid-commuter kind of bike. Tried a Jamis commuter and a Giant cypress. Wow, what a good work out! Maybe going the day that I had very little sleep and after 3 hours of math class wasn't a great idea, but I wanted to try and beat the weekend rush (it's supposed to be nice in Seattle this weekend, so you know all the bike people will be active!). I gotta say, I am exhausted just from test riding the two bikes! It went better than expected though I want to go back and try out their Jamis citizen 1.0. I ran out of steam today and couldn't do it.

It gets easier right? The only way to improve is practice and build strength right? haha I am trying to psyche myself up because I have to admit that at one point during the test rides I thought "Maybe I have lost my mind. I really belong on the couch". But it's so lovely to ride a bike on a nice day!!

[zoom-zoom]

Everything's really hard when you first start...keep going, it will get easier. This is coming from the 30-something chubby mom who decided to give running a try almost 4 years ago and has now completed 3 marathons. You won't get fit overnight, but it will happen if you keep it up. Getting that bike is an awesome first step!

[ny biker]

You do not belong on the couch! And yes it will get easier.

My sister was in her early 40s when she went for her nursing degree at community college. She found it pretty entertaining to be in class with a bunch of teenagers whose perspective on life was just a bit different from hers.

Have fun!

[schnitzle]

Thanks for the encouraging words Zoom-Zoom and NY Biker! I am pretty darn stoked about this whole cycling adventure It helps to hear that it gets better!
I was so lucky to find a LBS that made me feel comfortable. I was really prepared to encounter someone like in this craigslist rant http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...192150038.html but was so pleasantly surprised to find a total opposite experience!

NY Biker, I know exactly what your sister means! A teen in my math class was complaining that she had lost her phone and had no idea where to look because she lost it while drunk. I suggested she call the bar just in case someone turned it in. She said that wouldn't help since she couldn't even remember what bar she was at!!

[tulip]

You are worth the effort!

[zoom-zoom]

I was so lucky to find a LBS that made me feel comfortable. I was really prepared to encounter someone like in this craigslist rant http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...192150038.html but was so pleasantly surprised to find a total opposite experience!

That guy didn't even spell douchebag correctly...kinda kills his whole rant!

[pfunk12]

Good for you, schnitzle! It will get easier. Enjoy!

[KnottedYet]

Yay! Ride bikes, be fabulous!

Yes, today was a great day to be riding. I looked out my office windows longingly all day. Sigh. Clear and sunny and warm. I looked out the bus windows all the way home. Sigh. Sigh. Heeeeeavy sigh.

If you have the chance, take a Kona Dew and a Kona Smoke out for a test ride or two as well. One of my LBSs: www.recycledcycles.com Funky and relaxed, though pretty popular and busy. They assume you know what you are doing and stay out of your hair; unless you let them know you want a lot of help, then they will give you great huge piles of help.

They love my bikes (even brought one up in pieces from the workshop for me so I could pat her because I missed her so much) and I give them beer.

[schnitzle]

I didn't notice the misspelling, that's hilarious!

Thanks for the recommendations KnottedYet, those Kona bikes look interesting and definitely worth a test ride It's good to hear that you like recycledcycles! I've read so many bad things on yelp about them that I kind of crossed them off my list, even though they have bikes I wanted to try. It's probably all in the timing (first sunny weekend since August, probably not a good time!) and the knowledge level of the shopper huh?

[KnottedYet]

It's that, and that they don't cater to the racers, they are far more focussed on the independent cusses who are utility riders, the odd ducks, the passionate tinkerers, the middle-aged heavy ladies in love with bicycles (that one would be ME!). They are an independent shop, so they don't pledge allegiance to any particular Large Bicycle Corporation. Which means they legally can't sell some brands that are well known. (unless it's a used one)

I've seen some grumpy customers looking for a particular model of Brand X, adamantly refusing to consider a better quality bike at lower cost made by someone else.

And it is their modus operandi to assume customers know what they are doing. I love that they never NEVER talk down to me, or instantly peg me as a dumb blonde, or tell me that the bike I'm looking at is too sexy for me. But when I need something explained, they will do it. I didn't understand something about my V-brakes once. Andy took me around the shop to show me bikes with various styles of brakes and explained how they were different and how they worked.

Recycled Cycles is extremely popular and often very crowded. Sometimes it's hard to get elbow room at the used parts bins, sometimes you have to wait what feels like forever to pay for your goodies. It wouldn't hurt to call them if you want a good hour or so of attention, and ask them when the best time is to come in.

I've been there at opening on a summery Saturday morning, standing outside their doors with 5 or 6 other people. Within 10 minutes the place was packed. Not a good day for an intense and involved conversation with one of the clerks or wrenches!

ETA: my other LBS is Freerange Cycles. They are a couple miles west of Recycled Cycles. TINY independent shop (so small they can't keep repair bikes overnight). If more than 3 customers are in there, it's crowded. Usually there are only 2 wrenches there, and they do the counter work, too. Owned by a very cool gray-haired woman who loves bikes and will talk to you as she's working on one. www.freerangecycles.com They also never talk down to me, and also cater to odd ducks suffused with velo love.

[schnitzle]

Tulip, I think what you wrote to me is such a good way to think of it! I am worth the effort

Thanks Pfunk12, my butt is already hoping it will get easier! hehehe

KnottedYet, thanks again for all the insight into RecycledCycles and the info on Freerange Cycles! You should really write a review for Yelp to help balance out some of the existing reviews. I'm also thinking of checking out Bothell Ski and Bike since they have Kona and are also close to me. I'll let you know how it goes if you're interested. I'm not much of a gear head though, so I don't know how insightful I'll be

Enjoy the weekend everyone!!

[KnottedYet]

Hey, if you go to Recycled Cycles, be sure to check out their bike museum. They have a display case of cool stuff, and scores of antique or unusual bikes hanging from the ceiling. Lots of folks miss that, because they never look UP.

There was an interesting little kerfluffle here on TE over a TEer's experience with Bothell Ski and Bike.

[marni]

Good for you for leaping into the world of biking. May you be safe and enjoy the jouney. Remember to always wear your helmet and carrry a cell phone.

I started biking 5 years ago to get in shape and lose weight. I could barely do a mile a day but when I could do a mile without dying, I added a mile, when I could do 2 I went to 4, 4 to 6, 6 to 8 etc. and when I could 35-40 miles in a resonable time I signed up for some local charity rides.

Since then I have started doing serious gym time on my own and with a trainer, usually 2 hours a day 2 to 3 days a week and my routine training rides vary between 40 and 75 miles 3-4 times a week at about 16 mph. Granted it's not speedy but it is consisten.

Last spring I did a cross country ride with 19 other women. We went from San Diego CA to St. Augustine Fl.

Since I have started riding I have lost 125 pounds, dropped dress sizes from a 22xl to 10 petite and gone from a body fat of 49% to 22%. My blood pressure which was referred to text book normal at 60/120 has dropped to 55/110 and I get really grouchy grouchy if I can't ride a couple of days a week.

All this is to say that yes, it does get easier and more enjoyable. If I can do at 60 plus, so can you. Please keep us posted on your progress, I personally am rooting for you, especially since you are also in school and have demands on your time.

marni

[moderncyclista]

That guy didn't even spell douchebag correctly...kinda kills his whole rant!

He also mispelled peugeot as poo-zhow. (although I think this wasn't bad spelling as much as scathing sarcasm)

and said this....

So yes, you've noticed the sun is out, and hey!- maybe it would be cool to to some bike riding. Let's keep in mind that the sun came out of all 600,000 of us, so for the most part, you're not the only one who noticed.

My question is how does the sun come out of all 600,00 of us????? Do I really want to know?

[schnitzle]

That was an interesting kerfuffle (love that word!). I of course had to go check it out. It was a very interesting read. I didn't make it over to Bothell today but now I'm kind of interested in checking that shop out just to see for myself.

Wow Marni, I am so impressed and encouraged by your post! The fact that you started at 60 makes it even more awesome I'm all for breaking stereotypes of what we can and can't do. I'd be happy to be able to do half of what you have accomplished! I really appreciate your support. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic, even though I don't think I could ride a mile at this point.
When you started out, were you able to ride around home or did you have to take your bike somewhere to ride? I've suddenly become aware of how hilly it is in my area. I think I'll need to find a flatter place to practice for a while...

Moderncyclista, wow good eye! I had to read your comment a few times before I saw the mistake hehehe. I love sunny days and all, but I really don't want to witness that!