New Rider on a new Trek from Atlanta, GA

[tctrek]

I've been watching this discussion forum for a couple of weeks and love all the great advice and encouragement. My husband rides or takes spinning class every day and he's lost so much weight and become so fit, that I was jealous! Last year I got a little Giant hybrid and tried like heck to keep up with my husband, but I was so out of shape and weak there was no way. He had to slow down to a crawl so that we could stay together.

So, in January, I started walking on the treadmill, taking spinning classes at the gym and building up my strength and stamina and to my great surprise I was able to ride 30 miles a few weeks ago on my little Giant!

After the workouts and the accomplishments on my hybrid, and losing 17 pounds along the way I decided to get a real road bike. I purchased a Trek 2.3 WSD last week and I love it! I am short: 5'1" on a good day -- my arms are short, my legs are short and I was very nervous during the fitting at the LBS. Those guys were all tall and lean, and I'm short and stumpy... how could they ever get it right? My Trek is a 47 and I think they did a great first shot at the fitting and my husband has been helping me to tune just a tweak here and there this week. You really don't "stretch out" too much when you are my size, but on the Trek I feel so comfortable and relaxed as if the bike was made for me. I have a couple of Terry saddles, but I haven't even put them on the Trek because the Trek saddle is mucho comfortable so far,

I only had time to ride about 20 miles on my Trek this first week and absolutely no pain. I've picked up 3-4 mph on flat road and Thursday night my husband was drafting me!! I'm riding in an organized ride next week - the 30 mile route. Wish me luck! I don't care if I'm the last one to finish as long as I finish on my own steam.

Wow, am I ever hooked! I'm 55+ years old and I would never have dreamed that riding a bike would bring me so much inner peace and sense of accomplishment. I can't stop smiling I work a very stressful job all week and can't wait to leave the office and get on my bike! I'll keep reading this forum and gain more knowledge of my bike and the sport!

[sandra]

What a wonderful story and biking experience. Happy trails to you!!!

[tulip]

What a fabulous story. I love hearing about people who pick up cycling as an adult and just love it. Sounds like you have a good routine going. I found spinning to really be great for fitness when I can't ride outside, and even as a supplement when I can ride outside.

And if your Trek's saddle is comfortable, don't change a thing! You have a good LBS, too.

[tctrek]

I also forgot to mention that I have never ridden clipless before. I wear SPDs in spinning class and I purchased SPD pedals for my Trek, but too chicken to go out on the road yet clipless. I'm still focusing on relaxing my shoulders, not leaning on my hands too much, all the physical stuff that is so different between my hybrid and my road bike. I'm thinking that if I can practice somewhere safe with clipless, that it won't be long before I can brave the road with them.

[RolliePollie]

Happy Trekking!!!

I have a Trek 1000 WSD and I am so pleased with it! I bet you're going to love your bike! Good luck with the clipless pedals too. I went clipless last summer and I tipped over 3 times but it wasn't nearly as scary (or painful ) as I was expecting. Now I can't imagine riding without being clipped in. Maybe try putting one clipless pedal on and just riding around with one foot clipped in for a while. That might help you get the feel of it.

Enjoy your bike!