Advice for a beginner "perfectionist"

[vinbek]

Cycling is a stress release for me and I can tend to be compulsive. The key for me is to not make it a chore or something I have to check off the list. You should enjoy it and look forward to it. Go at your own pace and have fun. I would ride the bike you have unless its uncomfortable. You can shop for bikes and the more you are out on the road, the better you will be able to determine what kind of bike you want. I hope you enjoy it, its a wonderful journey!!

[Tabby]

Hey EmptyNestor

How's your new pursuit coming along? I started mtb in April, love it, love the dirt, love the obstacles, love all of it. Even when I ride w/the guys, I've learned to ride my own ride.

Now, met a new guy, also new to mtb, but a major and very intense roadie at heart. He things I'd love road riding if I'd give it a try and is willing and ready to teach me everything there is to know about road riding. I'm excited to learn and have borrowed an awesome bike from a friend. He's passionate and aggressive about biking and has a penchent for perfection, so I don't want to feel intimated from his level of excitement (did that make sense)? Any tips on how to learn from a passionate, perfectionist guy?

Tabby

[Miranda]

Welcome Good for you on biking. Great advice given.

I think mine would be: just keep it simple.

A "good bike", in my humble opinion, is one that doesn't collect dust, and is ridden with love.

If DD's old bike half way fits the bill, just go. And go with what feels good, but not overdoing it. The gym is good. If they have Spinning classes, this is a great safe way to build fitness, and meet other potential bike pals too.

I know I'm a more extreme person myself, and the repititions of pedaling you might find will just sooth your soul in ways you never imagined.

I was out of shape quite a bit one season from some surgery recovery, and found myself not wanting to ride by looking at my tech toys and calculating how much slower, etc. I was. The best thing I did was just to ditch all that, and ride with my heart and soul.

Good Luck!

[momof4greatkids]

Help ........However, being a perfectionist, impatient and somewhat obsessive-compulsive, .

You already have the right personality for cycling!

I think one of the dangers of a "perfectionist" personality is thinking you have to be and look "perfect" before you begin riding. Don't fall into that trap.

I would say...start right where you are. Assuming it's not an economic hardship, buy yourself some nice quality cycling specific gear. Shorts, gloves, jersey, jacket, helmet of course. Don't worry about special shoes at first.

If you really think this is for you, get yourself a good bike. If you limit yourself to an ill-fitting hand-me-down bike, chances are you won't fall in the love w/the sport.

This could be the start of something really great for you and hubby to share at this stage of your life. I wish you all the best!

[PamNY]

I'm 58 and just bought a bike a few months ago. I am riding much farther than I expected to, and having more fun.

I suggest that you just start riding and figure out your needs as you go. I purchased only what I need for safety and basic comfort. I started with helmet, gloves and lights. I bought Shebeest cycling shorts and wear them under knit pants (someone here suggested those shorts and it has worked well for me).

You don't have to start out perfectly outfitted. I rode 20 miles in blue jeans (mistake) but I wasn't permanently harmed -- just motivated to spend $$ on the bike shorts.

Have fun!

Pam

[sundial]

Hi Emptynester!

Sounds like Santa needs to bring you some good cycling stuff for Christmas. Ok, let's start with the bike. Riding a good bike that fits you is worth it's weight in gold. Trying to fit a bike to you that is not your size will only frustrate you in the end and could squelch your desire to ride. So get measured at your local bike shop and test ride bikes, or see if you actually fit the hand me down bike.

Next, find a nice flat area with little traffic to ride. Personally, I like state parks. Traffic is very light, the roads and trails are excellent, and it's generally not crowded. Take a spin out there until you build your confidence on the bike. Don't let the hills intimidate you. If you can't make it up the hill, walk. We've all done that. I still do it on occasion.

Gear--get a good pair of tights and/or bike shorts, shoes and gloves. A helmet can be purchased for about $30 or so at Target or Wally world and have the same safety rating as the higher priced helmet. You can get by with regular wicking tees and jackets until you know you are definitely hooked on cycling. Then call Susan Otcenas here at Team Estrogen store and chat with her. She is so very helpful in recommending clothing.

And finally, don't put so much pressure on yourself to get it right the first time. It took me about 3 months to get into the groove of cycling.

[Tabby]

OK, it's been a month, thought I'd share my personal update on new to road riding adventure from new perfectionist BF. I have had so much fun!! He has been so patient and encouraging!! Life is good!

The bike I borrowed didn't need much adjustment to fit me, thank goodness for girlfriends who are the same size as me. Fortunately, she was also fine for me to make the small adjustments. Between Nov 16 - Nov 29 he's taken me on 4 rides, totallying 122 miles. He took me shopping for the basics in cold weather gear, we started in 35-45 degree weather, and surprisingly enough, if you dress right, it is very comfortable. However, I think 35 degrees is my lower limit. I'm still in sneakers, the neoprene toe covers help keep the toes warm.

I'm hooked, BF has selected a bike he thinks would be good for me, Giant Avail 1 ... now sure hope work $$ bonus will cover the bike.

So much fun....life is so good!

[bjoyful]

I have just discovered this site and have started reading all of the very interesting thoughts from others--I, too, am in the fifties age group and started doing more serious biking these past two years. The Katy Trail in Missouri is a great place to ride and that was a personal challenge for me this past summer as I rode 3 out of the 5 day trip sponsored by DNR. (I rode on my trainer on and off in the winter, but in April I began training in earnest and worked up to riding 30-40 miles comfortably at a faster pace than we traveled on the Katy). I wasn't sure I could ride 66 miles in one day, but I did it plus two more days of lesser miles. Yes, ladies, we can do what we put our minds to and have a great time challenging ourselves!