conflicted, stressed, and making this too hard!

[SactoGal]

That orange Jamis Commuter they have at Bicycle Chef calls out to me every time I walk in the shop. I think that would be an excellent bike trail bike and general commuter. And Bicycle Chef is my favorite local bike shop so I think it is generally a good place to buy.

Thanks for the feedback. It is one of my top contenders ...

I'm also trying to find a bike shop that will support me in my journey and not make me feel like a total spaz when I don't know something. I liked the vibe in the shop.

[SactoGal]

I am 5'6" with 31" inside leg too and found the men's bike to be no problem. Just lift your leg up and over the back wheel (it helps to lay the bike over a little). The top bar of the hybrid women's bike was only about 4" lower than the men's anyway, so I thought it would not be that much different to mount.

Even though I ride the medium, I am just as comfortable on the large. (Have my seat the same height as HB's) Seat height was adjusted so I could touch the ground with toes bent (both feet) while seated, but now after a year, I have adjusted it so I can only just touch if I lean to one side a little. This height seems to suit my leg length, I still have my knee slightly bent on the down stroke and it feels comfortable when I ride.

This may sound silly, but I took a pretty good fall when I was in 6th grade, broke a front tooth, so I to have this fear of falling on my face. I was very comfortable on the larger bike, but it's just the getting on and off that I need to conquer!

[SactoGal]

I would definitely say go for the bike that fits the now, tho' if waffling think "a little lighter" - so I think you're right about the Townie. Last night on our Pedaling For Pleasure ride there were four or five folks there on hybrids who did fine but the lady on the real fat tired thing regretted her choice and worked very hard.

Well, that was my fear, but the townie was SO FUN to ride! I want to enjoy the journey, and I don't mind working hard, but I'd rather go farther, faster and enjoy the ride.

And I have to encourage thinking "practical cycling," too, though I suppose you don't actually have to get an Xtracycle My minimalist rider friends, I noticed when I started *all* still had three thigns: gloves, helmet and toe clips. (I didn't think about glasses because I got those anyway - hate bugs in my eyes )

You don't even need toe clips or clipless (or Power Grips which I have ordered and will try!) right away. Then you add what you like...

Thanks for the info. I know I'll be starting with bike, helmet, bottle holder ... maybe some padded shorts, beyond that .. I guess I learn as I go.

[Torrilin]

Glad I could help. I'd like to skip having more flats, but I know it's not in the cards .

One thing on the lights that may or may not be obvious. Just like on a car, they're not just there so you can see. They're also there so other people can see *you*. I figure if it's a bit rainy or a bit foggy, my bike lights should be on. Visible is good. Batteries are cheap. My life isn't.

I would like a rearview mirror (or two), a horn, and a bell as tools for riding in traffic. The mirror is the biggie, cause I'm finding I have a hard time looking over my shoulder far enough while maintaining a good line on the road. Horn for communicating with cars. "Hey, dude! No crashing into the bike!" Bell for communicating with pedestrians. "Look behind you!" I'm doing bike == car tho, and you might not be.

If you're scared of falling, go practice with a spotter or two. Find a big grassy field or an *empty* parking lot and just take some falls. A quiet cul-de-sac works well too. Try stopping too hard. Try swerving. Turn too tight. Do everything you can think of to lose your seat. Make sure you wear suitable clothes, like sturdy pants with good leg coverage and a long sleeved shirt. Wear your helmet. Wear gloves if you have them. Take breaks if you're scaring yourself silly. Eventually, the falls will stop being scary tho and you'll have learned how to fall.

I did this as a kid, and it has helped me in a lot of near misses. It may have saved my life when a car buzzed me as a teenager and scared me off the road... at a point where there was a 6" drop. I ended up still straddling my bike, with only a bruise to show for it. The other benefit to falling practice is you end up with a much better idea of your limits, and much better balance. You really really really don't want your first fall to happen by accident. It's a good way to get hurt.

[michelem]

Hi SactoGal,

You mentioned old sunglasses you have . . . I would not recommend regular rx sunglasses. You want something that will not shatter or break if hit by a rock. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes bits of gravel will fly up and hit. I've taken to wearing my contacts when I ride (I never wear them otherwise), with a pair of sport sunglasses that wear close to the face and wrap around somewhat. I don't want little buggies getting in there behind the lenses either! I found mine on the REI outlet website and had them delivered to REI so no shipping fee. If I didn't like them, I could have returned them right then and there upon pickup for no fee as well. I've read that some people have gotten rx sport sunglasses, but those are a bit pricey and I am partial to glass lenses for my rx glasses anyway.

You asked about gloves, and for me, I don't want any more sun on my skin than absolutely necessary (which, for me is the face and ears - everything else is covered from neck to toes), so I go for full-fingered gloves. They have fingerless gloves too. You just want something to protect your hands if you fall.

CA law says you must have reflectors on your bike, as well as lights when you ride at dusk/evening. Supposedly, the CA bike shops are supposed to comply with this as well and include reflectors on your bike when they sell it to you. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd11c1a4.htm


For me, the things I've bought so far are:

- 2 pr. chamoised shorts - these really help for longer rides
- 2 pr. non-chamoised tights (one cold weather, and one warm weather) to wear over the shorts - I don't want sun on my skin, so that's why the tights; also the tights protect the skin a bit better for falls; I found out right away that regular sweatpants or jeans get caught in the chain too easily!
- 1 long-sleeve SPF 50 cycling jersey and 1 SPF 50 cycling jersey-like top (no back pockets, so not really a cycling jersey)
- 2 pr. cycling socks (they are thin and wick away moisture)
- 1 pr. clipless cycling shoes
- 1 pr. clipless pedals
- 1 helmet (as long as it is certified, it doesn't matter how much it costs - the price increases with the number of vents and the weight of the helmet - more vents and lighter weight equal more money)
- 1 pr. sport sunglasses
- LOTS of sunscreen
- 1 floor pump
- 1 underseat bag, which houses spare tube, 2 tire levers, 2 c02 canisters and 1 attachment thingie, and small tire patch kit
- Chain cleaner and lube (this keeps your bike in working order - helps shifting, etc.)
- Bike computer with cadence and heart rate (this is teaching me about gearing - you want to keep your cadence and heart rate steady - if cadence goes down and heart rate goes up, then shift to an easier gear, and vice versa)
-My bike already has a water bottle cage on it and I already have water bottles.

The reason I have two of some stuff is so I can handwash and drip dry one the night before and have another set of dry stuff to put on in the morning. The chamoised stuff usually takes a bit longer to dry. If you're not going to be riding every day, you can probably get away with one of everything. The clipless shoes and pedals are not a necessity. I'm still learning (and falling). Of course, the bike computer is not a necessity either - just helpful.

The stuff adds up! I've found great deals on the REI Outlet website and by waiting for their member sales.

Hope this helps! I'm still pretty new at this as well, but there is a wealth of info to be found from these gals and on this site!

[Jolt]

I would like a rearview mirror (or two), a horn, and a bell as tools for riding in traffic. The mirror is the biggie, cause I'm finding I have a hard time looking over my shoulder far enough while maintaining a good line on the road. Horn for communicating with cars. "Hey, dude! No crashing into the bike!" Bell for communicating with pedestrians. "Look behind you!" I'm doing bike == car tho, and you might not be.

With the mirror, make sure you get one that stays in the proper position so it's actually useful. My experience with a handlebar-mounted mirror was that it wasn't worth a hill of beans because it strapped around the bar right where my left hand was..consequently it never stayed put, so I ended up taking it off and have gotten good at doing a look-back so it's not an issue. This may be less of an issue on drop bars; on my group ride yesterday I saw quite a few of the road-bike folks with mirrors and on those bars, you're generally not holding the bar right where the mirror straps on.

[SactoGal]

One thing on the lights that may or may not be obvious. Just like on a car, they're not just there so you can see. They're also there so other people can see *you*. I figure if it's a bit rainy or a bit foggy, my bike lights should be on. Visible is good. Batteries are cheap. My life isn't.

Oh, hadn't thought about it from that perspective. Any lighting systems that are better than others?

I would like a rearview mirror (or two), a horn, and a bell as tools for riding in traffic. The mirror is the biggie, cause I'm finding I have a hard time looking over my shoulder far enough while maintaining a good line on the road. Horn for communicating with cars. "Hey, dude! No crashing into the bike!" Bell for communicating with pedestrians. "Look behind you!" I'm doing bike == car tho, and you might not be.

A woman at one of the bike shops told my husband she would ride around with a whistle in her mouth. It got the attention of drivers better for her than a horn. Sounded like an interesting concept.

If you're scared of falling, go practice with a spotter or two. Find a big grassy field or an *empty* parking lot and just take some falls. A quiet cul-de-sac works well too. Try stopping too hard. Try swerving. Turn too tight. Do everything you can think of to lose your seat. Make sure you wear suitable clothes, like sturdy pants with good leg coverage and a long sleeved shirt. Wear your helmet. Wear gloves if you have them. Take breaks if you're scaring yourself silly. Eventually, the falls will stop being scary tho and you'll have learned how to fall.

Well, I live on a nice quiet cul de sac, and I can see the value in doing what you describe, but it made my ankle with the plate and six screws start aching ... just thinking about falling on purpose. I was such a clutz as a kid, my family nicknamed me "grace".

The other benefit to falling practice is you end up with a much better idea of your limits, and much better balance. You really really really don't want your first fall to happen by accident. It's a good way to get hurt.

Thanks for providing more great info. I appreciate all that people share with me.

[SactoGal]

Hi SactoGal,

You mentioned old sunglasses you have . . . I would not recommend regular rx sunglasses. You want something that will not shatter or break if hit by a rock. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes bits of gravel will fly up and hit. I've taken to wearing my contacts when I ride (I never wear them otherwise), with a pair of sport sunglasses that wear close to the face and wrap around somewhat.

well, I don't have contacts, and my sunglasses are prescription, but I also need my close glasses if I ever have to fix a flat ... I'll need to see what works. I think my lenses are plastic, and they uvb, and are polarized so I may end up starting with them.

You asked about gloves, and for me, I don't want any more sun on my skin than absolutely necessary (which, for me is the face and ears - everything else is covered from neck to toes), so I go for full-fingered gloves. They have fingerless gloves too. You just want something to protect your hands if you fall.

Sounds like something I need to look at and ask around to see what will work for me. I've seen a reference to gel gloves?

Thanks for the dvm url, I'll check it out. I'm hoping there will be some memorial day sales that I can take advantage of this weekend for some of the gear.


I'm still learning (and falling). Of course, the bike computer is not a necessity either - just helpful.

The stuff adds up! I've found great deals on the REI Outlet website and by waiting for their member sales.

Hope this helps! I'm still pretty new at this as well, but there is a wealth of info to be found from these gals and on this site!

I plan to spend some time this weekend reading the postings.

I can see me getting plenty of gear, but I do want to make sure that I'm utilizing the bike before I go too far overboard.

I guess I'll be reading a different section of the REI sales circulars when they come out ... LOL ... won't my husband just be thrilled!

[SactoGal]

Well, went out and rode three bikes yesterday ...

Trek 7.3 fx
Trek 7.5 Fx wsd
Specialized Sirrus

I think it was a bit of mistake to ride the 7.5 (more than I intend to spend). I really liked the bike. It was comfortable and felt great.

Actually, all the bikes felt nimble and beyond the seat being tough on the privates, once I got the height right, they all were really nice rides.

I rode them at a bike shop that's got a nice little hill behind it, and they felt much lighter coming up the hill than the Specialized Crossroad Elite that I rode last week.

I think I'm also getting beyond needing a step-through bike.

Today will be a quick trip to a bike shop a bit more of a distance away to try out some of the Jamis line.

Have a great holiday weekend.

[SactoGal]

and it's now out in the garage.

I went to a bike store about 25 miles from my house, because I really wanted to try the Jamis Sport Coda. I really liked the little Jamis Commuter that I rode, but I wanted something a bit more.

I really liked the feel and ride on the Sport. Just to be sure, I tried a Jamis comfort bike (not the commuter), and even though it was a comfy ride, I liked the quickness on the Sport better.

I need to figure out now how I'm going to incorporate the riding in my life. I think to begin with it's going to be short rides in the afternoon around the neighborhood. The seat feels a bit hard to me, but until I ride it a bit, I don't want to trade anything out.

I bought a lock, a helmet, a bottle holder, a patch kit, a tube, and a pack that goes under the seat. I need to check out the pump we have and see if it's still any good, if not, I'll go get a pump. The accessories sure added up fast, and I know it's just the beginning.

Thanks for all the input. I'm looking forward to many miles on the new bike.

[KnottedYet]

Congratulations!

I just bought a Surly Crosscheck today. I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours!

Pictures, we want pictures of your Jamis!

Edit: here's my Surly

[SactoGal]

but I'll see what I can do.

She's pretty (blue and black paint).

I have no idea what a Surley is, but it sounds like more than I need at this point!

I did color coordinate the helmet with the bike (although my first inclination was for a purple helmet).

I really liked the bike shop, I only wish it was closer for every day type stuff.

[SouthernBelle]

Congrats. Hope you enjoy your bike for many miles. My nearest LBS is about 25 miles away. So make sure you stock up on a few basics, tubes, lube, etc.

[Duck on Wheels]

That Jamis is one smoooooth ride! Congratulations! Enjoy! I think you have a great plan. Tootle about, feel how smoooth the ride is, the wind in your face, the feeling of speed you control ... then gradually ride longer, and longer. Bike out to a cafe or a park on a Sunday. Make it fun. Then one day, without really noticing, you're stronger ... and you're hooked.

[Trek420]

That Jamis is one smoooooth ride! Congratulations! Enjoy! I think you have a great plan. Tootle about, feel how smoooth the ride is, the wind in your face, the feeling of speed you control ... then gradually ride longer, and longer. Bike out to a cafe or a park on a Sunday. Make it fun. Then one day, without really noticing, you're stronger ... and you're hooked.

heh heh, evil grin, that's how we get you hooked