Piggy on wheels?

[mmelindas]

Hi guys! I am so new to this forum I still am in diapers!

I am an old fart bicycle lover who needs a new bike and haven't ridden in three years. I don't know what to do about my lardy 300 lb butt but do have a nice LARGE seat and handlebars that rise up a bit, on my $15 Goodwill bike I got about three years back. It is a road bike, narrow tires but two years out in the weather and it's toast.

Now what? I plan to ride the Jordan River Parkway and bike friendly streets of downtown Salt Lake city. How do I know what bike to buy? I am 5'4" and short legged and am afraid a WalMart bike will kill me or else I'll kill/break it. I plan to keep the wonderful "elephant" seat and upright handlebars from my trashed bike, but I am afraid of banging my you-know-what on the stem of any new bike when dismounting. Any advice?
I'm afraid if I go into a bike show I will come out with a $300 bike I'll never like riding and my hubby will kill me.

[Surlygirl]

How about an electra townie. www.electrabike.com. They have low seats and upright handlebars and you can put your feet down. Check out the ladies models.
There are also other bikes that have step through frames. I'd stay away from Wal-mart type bikes. In my opinion its throwing money away and you want to test ride any bike and get fitted properly at an LBS. Good luck on your search and have fun.

[Lifesgreat]

Hey there!

I am down the road in Orem. There are a few of us Utahns here on the board.

I have a terrific road bike, an beloved rigid MTB but W A N T an Electra Townie (can I have too many bikes?? NO). It is by far the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. My neighbor has one and he lets me ride it.

Bingham Cyclery has them and I am not sure who else in the area does.

[mmelindas]

Hi Surlygirl and Lifesgreat

I found a cruiser that has a heavy wide frame and is aluminum so light I can pick it up all by myself to load. It has a deep stepthrough frame and was so affordable. Now, if the weather would get back to warmer temps, I can ride it. Decided not to invest too much initially and to get something simple that I don't have to worry about shifting. Thanks so much for the advice. Sure are a bunch of neat gals in this forum!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Hey - congrats on your new bike! I'm adding my hopes to yours that biking becomes (or continues to be) an enjoyable part of your life.

Welcome to the forums!

--- Denise

[Trek420]

mmelindas, welcome to TE. Yep, there are a great group o' gals here. Enjoy your new ride. We look forward to watching your tagline gradualy change to "fast old fart on two wheels"

Oh, whenever you feel up to it surf on over to the "getting to know you" thread so you can meet all of us and we get to meet you and....

the cruiser sounds beeyoooteeeful...you gotta helmet with that baby right?

[Jo-n-NY]

mmelindas, I also want to wish you much luck with your new bike and may you have many happy, enjoyable riding miles beginning very soon

[bikerHen]

Welcome to the board from another fat old fart. This is the place to be to lose the fat. And you'll have a heck of a lot of fun here too. BikerHen

[latelatebloomer]

Hey, Melinda, have fun with your new set of wheels! I've burned enough fat from riding and spinning that sometimes I can't find myself in the gym mirrors or shop windows - I keep looking for a bigger woman!
If I may make a comment - I am wincing a little when you call yourself or body names...a big AHA! I had one day during a workout - one that made an enormous shift in my life - was that the whole time I worked out, I was angry at myself for not being able to do better. Beating myself up mentally, treating my body like the enemy when she was working so HARD!

Be sweet to yourself as you embark on your riding adventure!

[Brandi]

Welcome! I hope you post a piture of your new bike when you get We love to see everyones new bikes, and the old one's too.