I'm a newbie with injuries

[Cindyloo]

Welcome Colleen! I don't have any advice about the injuries but just wanted to say that if I ride within an hour of eating a regular sized meal I feel like I am going to puke. When I ride before I eat it tends to curb the appetite and I don't have to worry about that pukey feeling. Enjoy your bike!

[ColleenT]

thanks again, everyone. I have to go get a thing for my trunk. a RACK. that's the word..then i can ride wherever i want. i saw some at Target for low cars. i have a low car,( sedan) not an SUV, so i need a certain type. hopefully i'll get to Target this week.

i have the band for my elbow, but the massage therapist told me it's not going to help me unless i have to do heavy work, then to use it for prevention. i guess each case is unique. STILL raining here, so i don't know when i'll get out. i might try to get to target today for a rack.

[SunnyHazel]

Hello, Colleen! Congrats on the bike. I too just got a Target Schwinn. Glad I'm not the only one! I've been lurking here and everyone has seemed really nice. With all the replies to your post, it appears my evaluation was correct! I've been riding with my husband 4 or 5 times in the past two weeks and I love it. I'm really out of shape and can't do hills yet, but it's still great!

I've been thinking about taking my bike to the LBS to have it checked out. Let me know how it goes with yours. Very interested as to how well the stock boys did putting it together!

[ColleenT]

Thanks Hazel! i still did not get the rack yet. Actually, the bike was put together before it arrived at Target. so someone does that all day long, i Sure hope they know a little bit about it..My hubby is going to try to help me tonight with the Derailer. it is a good name, i think a Shimano? anyway he's good at that type of thing, he is a very usefull hubby, so i i think he can help me.

[SunnyHazel]

I know the name Shimano from fishing reels! My husband likes them! I too need to get a bike rack. I have a 4Runner and it is possible to put my bike in the back with the seats down, but I'm not really coordinated enough to do it easily.

[Kathi]

Hi Collen,

I forgot that I wore the elbow brace whenever I rode. The whole next summer, in fact. However, my rides are 30-70 miles long so I'm sure it gave me support.

[pooks]

Welcome, ColleenT and SunnyHazel!

Whether or not your bike is put together well, it still probably would benefit from having someone who knows what they're doing watch you ride and make adjustments to the handlebars, seat, etc. They generally don't mind doing that at all -- even on a bike they didn't sell.

They know that all the extras are like crack and you'll see all sorts of things in their store you'll want (if not today, someday) and if they treat you nicely, you'll be back to spend money with them, too! Plus, they know that if the bike isn't adjusted properly and it causes you knee problems, "seat" pains, etc. you're much more likely to stop riding and then you'll never spend money with them. It's to their benefit to help you, so don't feel odd about asking.

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome Colleen!
I am a new rider myself. My fist time on a bike was in July. Now I am totally hooked. I do not have much to offer as far a advice that the others have not already mentioned. Make certain the bike is put together properly and the corect fit. If the fit is off, you will not be happy with the bike. Follow whatever guidelines the doctor has set for you, read the boards here, and above all have fun!!

[ColleenT]

i went to the local Bike shop and was dissapointed at the lack of accessories. they had things like Parts but not clothing or gear or anything fun..i don't know if they are really knowledgable about bikes, b/c they are a Ski shop primarily. i need to find a better a bike shop to do this. i'm looking. My hubby spent an hour with me and the book and he figured out the derailers and checked the brakes as well. so at least i can ride a little bit until i get serviced..

[Bikingmomof3]

Colleen,
I have numerous bike stores around me and an excellent bike store not so close to me (it is the store I like and trust-they handle all our bikes), but none of them carry women's clothing. So far I have purchased all my biking gear online. I do hope you are able to find a store you like.

[ColleenT]

ok, i went to a bike shop today, not the best, but better than the first one. i got some Trek Gloves, Blue to match the bike and helmet..and i checked out the bike rack for the trunk. they wanted as much for that as i paid for my Target bike. $135. SO i went to Walmart and found a Kryptonite Lock and a trunk bike rack. the rack was $29. i know, it's not the best, but for now, it will work. if this rain ever stops, i will be riding..i can't wait to get my Trainer..

[eclectic]

i just wanted to add my welcome to the list.

One of my goals next year is to start a weekly ride for newbies, our club ride is too long, and too fast for beginners so they all quit after the first week.
I plan on riding my 16 year old Schwinn mtn bike that I bought used 6 years ago.
I have no time for bike snobbery. A person buys the best they can afford at the time.
I am sure if you start riding in groups the snobs will show up (most of the ones I have met have been male, imagine that) One kid (in his twenties) had the audacity to ask how much we paid for our bikes, I just replied " the most I could afford and I love my bike"
he replied his was "only $2000, his $6000 [such and such bike] was at home" I thought "whatever - go get a life, you are a little desperate if you feel the need to impress two 40+ year old ladies out on a pleasure ride"

I too had an inexpensive trunk rack that I picked up at a garage sale for $10, for short distances it worked well, I was pretty nervous taking the bikes on a 100 mile commute, we made it but I stopped and checked it alot.

Just be careful wasn't it Pooks who said cycling is like crack - pretty soon you are cutting back on grocery money to buy that next pair of shorts because you just have to have a better chamois for the metric century you are doing that weekend.

Good luck and keep us posted

May the rain gods dry up in your neck of the woods and move on over here - we are in the middle of a drought

[pooks]

Just be careful wasn't it Pooks who said cycling is like crack - pretty soon you are cutting back on grocery money to buy that next pair of shorts because you just have to have a better chamois for the metric century you are doing that weekend.

While I can echo the sentiment, if I actually said that I was ON crack!

(Metric century hasn't crossed my fingertips until now, I don't think -- wowzer. LOL!)

Pooks

[eclectic]

Welcome, ColleenT and SunnyHazel!

They know that all the extras are like crack and you'll see all sorts of things in their store you'll want (if not today, someday).

Well I guess I changed the context a little the better chamois is what I yearn for, my butt is still a little chaffed from the last tour, I discovered 2 of my shorts don't work well for long distance day after day.

I am glad i can openly speak about my butt here, one of my good friends was going TMI, TMI

[ColleenT]

thanks E. i'm going outside to blow the rainclouds in your direction. i have a lot of hot air, so it might work..