Incoming! Another new girl....

[cusepack]

Welcome, BigDLou

I own a Jamis Boss Cruiser, 7 speed with a FANTASTIC seat - it's called "cheeks", and is it comfy. I'm presently awaiting the assembly of a new road bike so I'm going to be in for a rude awaking once again (I owned a road bike prior to my cruiser). I started out riding weighing 240 and am 5'8" as well . . . in about a year and a half I've lost 65 lbs. through riding, running, weight training and proper nutrition. I've always struggled with my weight but had gotten down to a nice 165 with the help of a personal trainer; then I went through a very difficult depression, put on weight and lost all motivation to exercise. Everything seemed to happen simultaneously . . .my prior road bike was stolen, I had to see an ortho doc for a groin injury and problematic hip, and purchased the Cruiser - best decision I made. The Cruiser has thick tires and whitewalls to boot - it's an outstanding bike and I paid less than $300 for it.

Don't worry about your weight/looks while riding - just enjoy it. I know, I know, easier said than done, but I speak from my heart . . . you'll love it, you'll feel better about yourself and the beauty that surrounds you on each and every ride.

Just my two cents

Kathryn

[BigDLou]

Thank you for ALL the great support!

I'm going to try one of the local bike shops since that seems to be the consensus, even though it seems to be more intimidating for some reason! Also, I've been reading about needing padded bike short and going commando.



I guess the only thing now overwhelming me is that everything from seats to bike shorts seems to be expensive trial and error. I'm going to do a lot of reading before I go to the store, so that maybe I can ask some questions that are a little more knowledgeable and possibly even understand some of the answers.

[drplasma64]

Welcome!

I also just returned to biking, at 5'2" and 165 lbs, age 40. I bought a Trek 7200FX for $330. I'm pretty happy with it, but I know I will want a road bike down the line and this will become my "tow the kids"/ride in nasty weather bike.

Trek has 3 lines of hybrids (Navigator, 7x00 and 7x00FX). The Navigator and 7x00 series both have 2 models for less than $300, I think. Giant makes the Sedona and Cypress series, which also have 1 or 2 models less than $300. Giant also makes some cruisers, which I think only have gears in back (8 speed?) and I think are designed so that you can put your feet down while still in the saddle. Depending on your terrain, that might be enough gear range.

If you get a really big, padded seat, you may not need bike shorts (depending on how far you ride). Remember that your LBS can switch out the seat at the time of purchase and you *should* get credit for the old seat which they keep. Although my stupid LBS was only going to give me $10 for mine, so I decided to keep it, and it has worked out fine.

HTH, have fun shopping! Don't forget a helmet!

[Grog]

If you get a really big, padded seat, you may not need bike shorts (depending on how far you ride).

Actually, I'm not sure this is right. The bike shorts are much more about preventing the chafing than about preventing the hurt that comes from gravity (your bottoms on the seat). And I have actually found the biggest seats to cause the most chafing. They feel right for going down the street and back, no more than 15 minutes rides, but thereafter, watch out! I would definitely speak against a bigger saddle, although it looks counterintuitive. And this is probably at least partly true no matter the size of your bottoms.

Another editorial saddle comment: NO MATTER WHAT and how wonderful the saddle, you butt will hurt after the few first rides. It needs to get used to its new position, and it WILL get used to it. You are bringing a whole lot of new muscles to work in what may seem to them like awkward positions. Acknowledge that they will need to adjust... but don't let them win by whining. Your body parts will learn to enjoy these "now positions" soon enough. (Although my derrière still hurts after 6 hours in the saddle... But I tend to find this normal and empathize with it. But then if I would ride 6 hours at a time more often, probably it would get used to it.)

Bike shorts : if you want the perfect bike short yes there can be lots of trials and errors. For a first pair, it's very unlikely that you will need to change it if you choose carefully: no seams in the places where it will hurt (unlikely if you buy women's specific chamois), long enough so they won't hike back up your thigh and bundle up in very uncomfortable places, good-quality enough so that nobody will see through! (Easy to check by extending the fabric with your hand in the store.) For now, you'll be all set, don't worry too much.

[BigDLou]

Thanks again for the info, all!

Okay, a few specific questions.

Many years ago (twenty) I borrowed my son's ten speed thinking I'd like to ride. I was sitting on the seat and just sitting on it hurt. Is that because it's not made for sitting "on" but for leaning forward "from" or something? (Following some of what you've told me.)

One reason I want to ride is because walking is too slow. I begin feeling very agitated and frustrated, and I tend to overheat. When I was younger I would break into a run for short distances just to move faster, but have never been in very good shape, nor have I ever stuck to any kind of exercise for long. (See my user title.) My theory is that if I'm moving faster AND creating a breeze, I'll feel better about it all. Does this make sense or am I kidding myself?

And those of you with heavy periods -- how do you go commando then?

[drplasma64]

One reason I want to ride is because walking is too slow. I begin feeling very agitated and frustrated, and I tend to overheat. When I was younger I would break into a run for short distances just to move faster, but have never been in very good shape, nor have I ever stuck to any kind of exercise for long. (See my user title.) My theory is that if I'm moving faster AND creating a breeze, I'll feel better about it all. Does this make sense or am I kidding myself?

And those of you with heavy periods -- how do you go commando then?

Hehe! I think walking is too slow too...it seems like you never get anywhere. I like cycling b/c I can cover enough ground to see a bunch of different stuff and people. I also agree that creating the breeze helps. I usually don't realize how much I'm sweating until I get off the bike. I realized that it's not that I don't like to exert myself (well, too much!), but I hate to sweat. It feels icky to me. Hate it running into my eyes. So I'd rather bike, or swim. Motivation for me is hard too...I found bikejournal.com and you can enter your miles and its pretty cool...I can now say that I've gone 165 miles since July 1 (not a lot for some of the ladies here, but for me, it's great). Plus I can look at my log and see how many rides per month I've averaged, my total biking time, etc. It makes me feel good about what I'm doing for myself.

Regarding heavy periods...check out the Diva Cup thread!

[Grog]

Many years ago (twenty) I borrowed my son's ten speed thinking I'd like to ride. I was sitting on the seat and just sitting on it hurt. Is that because it's not made for sitting "on" but for leaning forward "from" or something? (Following some of what you've told me.)

I am not sure about this BigDLou but it may be right. I have used a bike for what seems like forever (although I started "riding" just last year) so I have never noticed how I sit. But recently I lent a bike to my friend who had never really been on one for, say, more than a kilometer (the story's here actually) and at some point on her second ride she had an epiphany. From behind me I heard her burst: "Ah! Ha! This is how I should sit!"

She had realized it seems that she should somehow rock her hips when sitting on the bike. She was not on a road bike with a racing position or anything, just a plain comfort bike. My guess though would be that your son's saddle was a small road bike saddle (and not a bigger hybrid saddle) and I do find these to be quite uncomfortable if not outright hurting when I am not wearing bike shorts. So that may be just that also.

[Irulan]

Thanks again for the info, all!
And those of you with heavy periods -- how do you go commando then?

commando always, but with super plus tampons.

everyone is different on this.

irulan

[BigDLou]

Thanks again. I'm going to the doc today to check out my anemia (remember my aforementioned heavy periods?) and will get the all clear from her on the bikes. I'm sure it's just a rubber stamp!