Incoming! Another new girl....

[KSH]

HELLO! I live in Dallas too!

Where to buy a bike? I suggest that you go to Richardson Bike Mart . There is a huge selection and they provide lots of support after the purchase. They even tend to hire sales people of all ages (who do not work on commision), if you think you might feel more comfortable talking with someone who is over 50 about buying a bike (instead of some 20 year old boy who is all about jumping streams! HA!).

Now, you mention that you are 50 and very out of shape. Please don't let that discourage you at all! I ride with many women who are 50+ and great cyclists!

White Rock is nice path... all though too crowded if you ask me. It's great place to start... because it is relatively flat and easy to navigate. But when you get bored with that, you might want to check out some rides hosted by local cycling groups.

Two great cycling groups to check out are: Greater Dallas Bicyclists and Plano Bicycle Association.

Now, most of their groups rides are for road bikes.... but they have some novice and no-drop rides that might be appropriate for you, after you get your confidence on the bike.

Who knows... you might even find that were meant to be a cyclist, and upgrade to a road bike some day!

Best of luck with getting a bike and getting out there and doing it!

[notsportygirl]

BigDLou,

Welcome to cycling. I'm brand spankin' new myself, so can completely understand how intimidating it is.

I was really worried about shifting gears, too, and I still mess up and make awful noises with my bike sometimes as I try to find the right one, but it's much easier to do than it is to understand in theory. It really helps when you have the bike in front of you and you start to remember what different things feel like. I tried reading the descriptions of shifting before I rode a multi-gear bike, and just got lost. It also helped me to find a few that could get me through most situations and not mess with all of them at first.

I don't know what's in your area, but I started out riding a year ago with a used one speed that I got for about $150 from my local bike shop. It was an easy, not-intimidating, low-commitment way to start. I think you should go for gears, though. It's so much more fun to be able to go a little faster. And believe me, the one-speeds can be killers on the hills. I think you'll have more fun with gears, even if they're a little scarey at first.

I think this site is especially helpful because it just shows us how many different types of women get out there and ride.

Good luck!

[newrider]

Hi BigDLou,

Welcome to the exciting and exhilarating world of cycling! And I mean it's ALL exciting and exhilarating! Buying the bike included. I bought mine in June, at age 48, after being a walker for a year and a half, so I hear you on the "slow" thing. A bike WILL cure that!

I had bike shop fears, too, and got over it when I decided to not let any questions go unasked. There ARE no stupid questions in a "good" bike shop. If you're getting the eye roll somewhere, then they're not going to take good care of you down the road. Don't be afraid to look stupid. I found that my BSOC (bike shop of choice) is HAPPY to give advice (eager, sometimes )on learning to ride, position, shifting, pedals, etc. It's a cycling thing, I think, the NEED to share the fun and decrease folks' trial and error, to speed up THEIR fun. Ask questions till you find the shop that listens to you, and helps you. You'll find them, all right!

Others posting here have good advice on a "starter" bike. I just wanted to say, GO FOR IT!! You'll love it. Be confident, lots of us here at TE are rooting for you! We've been there (are there) too, and welcome you!!

[bcipam]

First of all size and age should never be a deterent to anything. I'm 5'8", 210#, 54 years of age. Do centuries, mountain bike, the whole works. Never let your age and size keep you from doing anything, ever!

OK here's the deal, what do you want to accomplish by starting to ride? Do you see this as a means to travel to the store, through the local park, cruising around the neighborhood?. You aren't really thinking about exercise, or the sport of cycling, you just want ot get out out of the house? OK, then a bolt-upright comfort bike with wide (wide not knobby - knobby tires are for trails not sidewalks or road) tires will be OK. Just remember, the more upright the bike, the heavier it is and the harder it is to push it down the street. Wide tires mean more road friction, i.e., more work. If you want to develop some speed, stay with a tire that's less than 32cc wide.

Saddle. Why wide? Wide means uncomfortable, just trust me on this. OK so you sat on your son's bike and the saddle hurt. Was probably not a good saddle and was probably a men's saddle. Look for a woman's specific saddle, like a Terry Butterfly. A normal saddle is less likely to chafe and cause problems. Check out all the threads and saddles for more information.

Gears: Of course. Helps you go up and down hills, faster and slower on flats. Get gears and learn how to use them.

Style of bike: Again depends on what you want to do. For $300 there aren't alot of choices. Get the cruiser bike and if you get strong and want to do more, you can upgrade to a real road bike. Yes, one where you have to bend forward abit. Bending forward requires the use of stomach muscles - like doing sit ups. Think of getting nice, strong stomach muscles. Not a bad thing. A bolt upright bike does nothing physically for you. It will keep you from going fast and getting stronger, but then again, if you purpose is to just get out of the house and down to the Park, it's OK.

Do you have a friend whose bike you can borrow? See if you will really stick with this before spending any money. There are lots of bikes sitting in garages purchased by people with good intentions but no motivation. Also, take a cycling friend with you down to the bike store. Doesn't hurt to bring someone along that knows a thing or two.

I think cycling is the coolest thing on earth but then again, I have a passion for riding. I'd like to see everyone get the passion but I'm dreaming. If there's anyway I can cause a spark in you, I'm willing to help out in anyway!