SO out of shape, but really trying

[RoadRaven]

Colleen - way to go
Well done...

You have the motivation, and that is most of the battle.

You sum it up beautifully "it is a nice feeling."

Thats what its about.

As for the trainer... dont worry too much about the "what" at the moment... put some music or a TV show on and just hop on. Make your goal a time - ten minutes, or 15, or 20, then 30...

Later, when you have built up your cycling base a little you can start thinking about the "what" on a trainer and make it specific.

Just getting on an indoor bike is a mission for some, so try and make it enjoyable - make sure you can peel a layer off as you warm up - make sure the room isn't too hot (I know you are heading into winter, but even in winter I have been known to get a fan out to blow on me while I am on the trainer. Make sure you have some water nearby.

Don't set too much resistence initially, you are aiming for time, not exhausting your legs - their is a place for 'intense' workouts... but again, thats the "what" and that can come later.

Just enjoy, and keep telling us your goals, and when you have met them. Let us be your "cheer-leaders".

Goals you think about telling us might seem small to you sometimes... but remember, we have ALL been there at some point - we have all had to start somewhere, and we will rejoice with you.

Cycling is awesome, take it softly softly to begin with, enjoy it... and before you know it you will be achieving things on the bike that will surprise yourself.

[ColleenT]

thank you. at age 38, i have come to really appreciate all the little things. and life is Good!

[kelownagirl]

I love it when I see another new rider just starting out! I was in your place just 5 months ago. I live in a steep, hilly area and just could not ride anywhere from home so I threw my bike in the car, rode down to the flats and rode there. If there is any place that is flatter that you can drive to for the first month or so, I highly recommend it. I found that I was able to build up my strength and stamina so that after two months, I could start trying the hills. I agree with one poster who said if you can ride 3 times a week, you'll see results fairly quickly. It is absolutely amazing. If you can, go over to bikejournal.com and start logging your mile(s) now. You'll be surprised how quickly you start to increase those stats! And hey, in 5 months, you'll even have leg muscles!!!

[SunnyHazel]

I see a hill and start worrying. Do you find that there are hills where you never knew there were hills? I've walked some trails for a long time never noticing the incline, only to start out on the bike and have to start shifting gear. My husband keeps telling me there aren't any hills on his favorite bike path, but I know better! Just because it doesn't go straight up, doesn't mean it doesn't incline. Any incline is a hill to me at this point!

How did the trunk rack work out? You may have already said, but I missed it.

[Kano]

oh yeah -- there are lots of invisible hills here too! I think it's almost easier to climb "real" hills than the invisible ones!

Karen in Boise

[ColleenT]

OY do i have a hill for you all! if any one of you could make it to the top( meaning the flat part, i would pass out with shock. it is a witch of a hill and to walk it without a bike one finds themselves panting and sweating. and it is 300 yards from my house. . i sometimes wish i had flatter terrain)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've got that very same hill ("Killer Hill"), at the top of which is my house. I can't go anywhere without dealing with it. At the bottom of it is a dead stop major highway crossing. People in cars die there every few years because they can't stop in time. I used to walk up and down it every day, panting and sweating. Now I bike up and down it every day, pedalling R-E-A-L-L-Y slowly and concentrating on breathing evenly and deeply. I walked my bike up it for six weeks before I could tackle riding up it. It still taxes me to my limit, and I'm breathing very hard, but I think of it as my daily cardio exercise and thigh building exercise now. If i think of it that way it becomes a thing that helps me rather than my "enemy".