I SOOOO need a jumpstart!

[marni]

when I started riding 5 years and 125 pounds ago, it killed me to do a mile. I did a mile a day for a week and then 2, and then 4,6,8 and when I hit 10 miles, I spent a week trying to ride faster and cut my time. When my time was down a bit I continued to increase my distance on one ride, then on the next I would try to ride the previous distance at a faster speed. Little did I know that I was actually doing a very baby interval program.

However you do it, keep at it, even if it just to ride around the block on a frequent schedule.

Good luck and welcome to the adventure.

marni

[FatChickBikes]

Thanks for all the encouragement! Marni, I am VERY encouraged by your story. I hope that I am able to help someone in the same way before long.

I have noticed a common thread in the majority of the advice - just ride. And that is exactly what i am going to have to do. I do enjoy riding, but I also thought about the fact that I typically do it with my head down, popping up occasionally to make sure i am not going to slam into something.

My husband and I are headed down to a concert in New Orleans tomorrow. Since it is Jazz Fest, we weren't able to get a last minute room, so we are going to stay outside of New Orleans in Covington. It just so happens they have a great rails-to-trails trail there and I am going to give that a shot. And just have fun.

[Roseisarose]

Hi

I'm fat too. And I love to bicycle...just do it because it is fun

Rose

[Roadtrip]

+1 on all the advice the girls here have given.

I have one primary riding partner, my Husband, so our riding styles don't always mesh. Some days he's stronger then I am, but you know what, there are days where I kick his butt so I'm not going to bury myself to try and keep up. On days where I'm not feeling especially strong I'll ask to take the lead and set the pace. I'm slower up hills as I'm overweight and it takes more to get myself up and over the top, but I still get there, plus I have a welcoming party of one cheering me on at the top!

Enjoy your bike and take a basics course so you know how to change a flat and adjust your seat.

Shanon

[AppleTree]

Yes, just ride for the joy of it and making small discoveries everywhere you go! That is what I did when I first got back into cycling about four years ago...back when twelve miles was A LONG RIDE.

I have found so much inspiration on this forum, I can't even begin to tell you, what a lucky chance to have come across it. I can't remember how I even found it now, but I'm so glad I did!

I also have another book recommendation. Bicycling Bliss by Portia Masterson. She has such common sense advice, not only about cycling, but incorporating it into your lifestyle and other things (nutrition, etc) to go along with it. I go back to it over and over again!