New Gal! Excited about cycling!

[Craicgirl]

Hello everyone...

I have been reading the forum and finally decided to join in. I am new to cycling (well not really, I rode as a kid and a young adult but not seriously). Some background on me, I am a 43 year old female and over the past year I have lost over 150 pounds, going from 315+ pounds to my current weight of 155lbs (I am 5'11 and medium framed..and have what I refer to as the "melting candle look"...excess skinage is the pits) . During this past year I became interested in fitness to help with the weight loss. I started working out on the treadmill and on the stationary bike at the gym and doing some weights. Most recently I decided that now that I have more energy I would dig out the old Walmart bike and see how I could handle it. I started riding a little every day and found I absolutely loved it. Finally I got tired of my butt hurting and the bike not fitting me the way I thought it should and went to my LBS and bought my first "expensive" bike. I bought a Hybrid Raleigh C30 which I love. I have been riding every day, usually about 10 miles a day. I would love to eventually have the guts to ride in a group ride of some sort, but for now I am happy to just be out cycling around the neighborhood (however this is not as challenging as I would like it, and I often worry about my neighbors thinking I am goofy circling around and around the blocks).

I live in an area that is basically free of hills of any kind (the Eastern Shore of Maryland). So the challenge of climbing is non-existent, mostly flat rural terrain and very few bike lanes (or even shoulders on the roads for that matter). I would love to commute to work each day (I work about 5 miles from home) but I am still a little scared of being out on the road with cars whizzing past me.

I am hoping that my new love of cycling will help me get even fitter and "tone up" all the excess skin and flab from the weight loss and build up my endurance. I am excited to find this forum and look forward to talking with everyone and learning more as I go.

One quick question before I close...what is the best way to learn how to fix a flat? I have no clue how to remove the wheels or mess with the chain and I can just see me getting my first flat and being totally lost and at the mercy of some passing stranger.

Kerry

[makbike]

Kerry:

Check with your local bike club and see if the hold a "beginners" bike class. If so they probably deal with a different skill each week including how to change a flat. They may also offer a basic bke maintenance course. If neither of these is offer visit your friendly LBS and ask them if they will teach you how to change a flat.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling and may you have many safe rides.

Marcie

[mimitabby]

Hello everyone...


I live in an area that is basically free of hills of any kind (the Eastern Shore of Maryland). So the challenge of climbing is non-existent, mostly flat rural terrain and very few bike lanes (or even shoulders on the roads for that matter). I would love to commute to work each day (I work about 5 miles from home) but I am still a little scared of being out on the road with cars whizzing past me.
Kerry

Kerry, you might check the internet ( or your LBS Local Bike Shop) for where there are some trails to ride near you. Then you could put your bike in your car (or you might need to buy a bike rack) and drive to somewhere and ride
someplace new and interesting!
Good luck, have fun. about the flats? You can take it to the LBS and they'll fix it for you

[Grog]

Hi there and welcome to cycling, and to TE!

This fine article will help you with the flat:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp
but I also suggest a beginner's mechanics class.

Enjoy!

[Bad JuJu]

The eastern shore rocks for cycling! I did a 4-day tour there in May, and it was beautiful. Many roads have nice bike lanes, they're clean and debris-free, except for the occasional road-kill, and it was flat flat flat. But I did find the headwinds to be exceptionally strong--maybe they can serve as your hills. LOL I especially found riding in the Blackwater NWR fun and interesting, so you might want to check that out if you haven't already.

If you have a good LBS, someone there might be willing to show you how to change a flat, if you go on a day when they're not too busy--usually mid-week. Also, check out the resources already mentioned, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to invest in a beginner's book on bike maintenance.

Welcome to TE!

[hirakukibou]

Hi Kerry,
I too have rediscovered cycling after many years. I have fallen in love with it too. Interestingly, I too have lost a bunch of weight going from about 215 to 115. I am 5' 2". I have found that the cyling toned my legs and rear end quite a bit, but gravity is still winning in the tummy area. I try to do crunches but they are sooo boring compared to being on the bike. Anyway, welcome and have fun. In addition to a beginner course, I would suggest if you have a friend or someone who can show you how to change a tire that you practice it at home a couple of times. I did that with my SO and it helped a lot.
- Pata

[jeannierides]

Kerry, welcome to the TE board & to cycling! I've also ridden in Md. When you get ready, the Ride Between the Waters Century is in Onancock, Md. and absolutely beautiful!

[cusepack]

Welcome to the forums Kerry and major kudos for the weight loss

[withm]

Kerry

Don't know exactly where on eastern shore you are, but you ought to take a look at Sussex Cyclists - a group in lower Sussex Cty, DE. We run small group rides almost every day mornings and evenings, and larger group rides every weekend. Our website has a good listing of all the organized rides on Delmarva peninsula, which covers a lot of ground.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sussexcyclists/

It's a Yahoo group. You may have to "join" the group to see the calendar but it's easy to do and if you don't like what you see, you can "un-join" just as easily. Follow the prompts to see the calendar and ride descriptions. We have a nice ride tomorrow and if I could ever shake this bronchitis I'd be doing it myself, but I'm trying to get well so I can do the CAM ride.

The CAM (Cycle Across Maryland) ride is July 13-16. It's based in Princess Anne, MD and has 4 rides each day to different places varying from 17 miles to 75 (or more?) miles each day. See the website for more info. You can stay in the dormitory, sign up for a meal plan and there are lots of activities for the afternoon and evening hours. You can camp for free but the dorms have real beds, showers, and are air conditioned 3 nights for $125.

www.onelesscar.org

If you want to join up with us for any of these rides let me know. I'm in the Bethany area.

Martha