Returning to road cycling after 19 years...Yikes!

[mimitabby]

Star,
welcome to TE. You sound like you are full of the right energy. We look forward to hearing more about you. Look in the new riders area for the "getting to know you" thread. There you will find some stock questions for you to answer so we CAN get to know you; although your introduction was great.

Mimi

[Orions.Star]

Look in the new riders area for the "getting to know you" thread. There you will find some stock questions for you to answer so we CAN get to know you;
Mimi

Mimi,
Thanks for welcoming me to the group, I am happy to have found this wonderful place to talk to others about cycling!

I looked for that thread page by page, got tired of going page by page, even searched for that thread, using the advanced search... Can't find that thread. Any suggestions as to how to find that particular thread?

[Adventure Girl]

Any suggestions as to how to find that particular thread?

It is a "sticky" in the Open Topic (cycling related) section. Here's a link to it:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=2001

Welcome to TE. And Welcome back to cycling!

[Kimmyt]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...=2001&page=106

Have fun!

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome to TE! I look forward to getting to know you.

[Orions.Star]

It's a great feeling to have other women to associate with on my journey back into cycling!

When I was at the bike shop the other day perusing the current Trek bikes on the market, I just stared and stared, thinking sure is expensive! SO before I decide to buy a new bike, I would like to know more about the changes over the past years and what is good and what is bad. I looked at the new clipless? shoes, I'm not even sure of the proper terminology for them... I have toe clips... A gentelman visiting from Portland, Oregon showed me his and how they worked. Interesting concept. I think I might buy some... After I get back into shape! They are not cheap either. I don't mind spending money for quality, useful, well made equipment that I will use, but I must be able justify the means first.

[Bad JuJu]

Welcome aboard, Orions.Star!

I just wanted to say something about toeclips. I started out riding with toeclips maybe 15-16 years ago, and I rode with them happily until about 2 months ago. The only reason I finally went clipless is that I started riding with a club, and having to reach down to tighten/loosen the toestraps just doesn't feel safe in a group. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm very happy with my clipless pedals, and they are easier and IMO safer. Just my 2 cents.

[Kalidurga]

I'll second the recommendation to go clipless as soon as you feel ready. Not only are they safer than you'd expect, you'll be amazed at how much more efficiency and power you get from your pedal stroke. They are definitely worth the money. Just be sure to do some research (including here at the forum), and take advantage of sales on-line or at the LBS.

Enjoy the journey

[KSH]

Welcome to TE! That's great that you are getting back into cycling.

Yea... don't worry about your "vintage" bike... I have a "vintage" 2002 Cervelo.

[Orions.Star]

Welcome aboard, Orions.Star!

I just wanted to say something about toeclips. I started out riding with toeclips maybe 15-16 years ago, and I rode with them happily until about 2 months ago. The only reason I finally went clipless is that I started riding with a club, and having to reach down to tighten/loosen the toestraps just doesn't feel safe in a group. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm very happy with my clipless pedals, and they are easier and IMO safer. Just my 2 cents.

Well, I think that I will eventually go clipless. I rode yesterday and when I was messing with the toestraps I was thinking about the guy at the bikestore that showed me his clipless shoes. It seems that it would be much easier and safer. My only thought is how comfortable are the shoes? Any specific brand recommendations? I wear a size 9 running shoe. not wide or narrow.

Thanks to everyone that is supportive of vintage bikes!!!!

I looked at the Shimano PD-M324 online, do you use RB or MB shoes with these? And then you can ride with regular shoes as well?

I am so happy about this discussion forum! Everyone here is wonderful!

Can someone please suggest a website to log miles and progress that is private or public? Iam sure that it is somewhere in the threads, but maybe you can add it here again?

I am going to do a metric duathlon in february. 5k run/ 18k bike. Seems fairly easy. Short distances. I ran cross country and track in school. Thank goodness. I can still hit the track and run three point one miles and not feel like I'm dying. Yesterday, I rode my bike 4.78 miles uphill with roughly a 1,000 foot elevation change. I was huffing and puffing, but managed to average 8.5 mph. The duathlon will be over a 1500' elevation change, so I better get used to it! I am at 3500-3800' altitude.

Any training suggestions? I mapped out a 11 mile route yesterday, what is an average training ride?