A Fluffy Fifty Beginner (again)

[posagirl]

Hi everyone,
After about 6 years of medical adventures and 60 pound weight gain . . . that is only 10 lbs a year!, how quickly it adds up . . .(I had to take pills that caused weight gain PLUS I was out of commission), I am ready to ride! It has been a long hard haul, I started by walking every day, but I am SOOO excited to be riding my bike again. I have an "mature" steel frame Specialized Hard Rock that I just love. I couldn't bear to sell it and felt disloyal getting a new bike, so I spent way too much money getting new gears, new seat, new 2" rise handlbars, tuneup, armadillo tires (lots of rough road and stuff where I live and I was getting flats all the time), toe clips, helmet, gel gloves, etc. I live in a very hilly area and end up walking my bike up hills at times (by the third hill!). Now, I'm thinking I should have invested in a lighter weight bike, see if I could add more gears (I have 21) but can't do that in the near future (but I'm sure my bike appreicates the TLC). I know that when I was younger, my derriere got used to the saddle in about 2-3 weeks. I'm sure that is not so true when you are older. . . how long can I expect my older tushie to be tender? The new seat (Specialized Windie 155 Body Geometry) seems to be vastly more comfortable than my old "foam" seat, but the I know nothing will prevent the discomfort. I have no chafing problems, yet. My goal is to ride to work, 4 1/2miles, mostly down hill and I can do this fine. Coming home is all uphill. That will take me some time! In the future, I want to do more leasure riding and a bike tour. Somewhere along the way, lose the 60 pounds! Should I alternate walking to work and riding to work to rest my tender tushie? OK, I am a "wordie" person, but thanks for reading!

[KatfromCal]

Good for you. I too am a fifty + going to get in better shape rider. I am having such a great time. I feel so much better and have shed a modest 15 lbs and looking to get rid of the rest. I ride as much as I can after work and am considering commuting some days. I had that sore tushie problem for a while but I bought a new seat, bought some biking shorts and kept at it and I don't get sore at all now. Good luck to you and keep it up, you will never regret it.

[mimitabby]

yes, walk and ride! walking helps your bones and exercises different muscles.
welcome to TE and good luck.

[posagirl]

Oooh! I love it! Replies already! I was reading a thread on whether or not to use a backpack. I have been using my husbands Orange Camo Upland Game vest. It is bright, has a large back pocket for stuff, tons of little pockets and stuff for other things (the Ammo holders fit tampons very nicely for the younger crowd). My daughter laughs at me, but I am visible! Living in a rural area, I can get away with Fashion Forward accessories Now it is warmer, I am instead using a mesh vest that has bright LED orange stripes. You can make them blink or stay on steady, plus it has reflector tape and the bib velcros on. It is made by NiteIze. I got it at a local car supply shop. It is made for people who play at night. They have light up frizbies, blinkie things, arm bands, etc. I orginally got it for walking at dusk to make me more visable. I think my family might be buying me a replacement for my upland game vest next! Hee-hee.

[joannofsonoma]

Congratulations for getting back on the bike!!!! I too am in my 50s and just started road biking in April. I can honestly say that having a lightweight new bike REALLY HELPS!!!! We traded from mountain biking to road biking, got the expensive light weight ones and am VERY HAPPY. THey have a GREAT SEAT, the one I got is made for women which helps alot with a narrower handle bar and stuff like that.

After the bike, the first thing I got were a GREAT PAIR of riding pants. They make ALL the difference in the world and have really helped prevent riding soreness and such. The gel gloves you got were right on also...............enjoy the hills!!! They DO GET EASIER the more you do them!!!!

[posagirl]

I did a short ride today. My tender tushie was much recovered after 1 day of rest and after a minute or two of my ride today I didn't even notice it. I was saving the riding shorts for my "reward" for hanging in there....maybe I should go ahead and buy them? I like your idea of a lighter bike. However, I will plug on with my faithful Hard Rock for now. There is the River Canyon and other "rough but tame" places to go with my "steelie". I will start "test driving" other bikes, however. I was even looking into an electric bicycle for tackling my home commute hill, but haven't committed to anything.
I am new to toe clips and need to master the concept of "push-me pull-you" instead of just push-down push-down. I also need to remember to put my tushie bones back farther on the seat. I took my dog (a shepard/rott mix) on my ride today, which meant I braked down the hills, waiting for the dog and started with a very slow momentum on all the uphills. LOL! Should get me in shape fast! I have a narrow 1 lane country road, mostly shaded, and so I occasionally have to stop for cars, etc. My lighted vest really helps them see me. Thank you for all the input. I really appreicate it!