New to biking...

[SnappyPix]

Hi Mia

Welcome to the forum and great to hear you're enjoying your new toy. Addictive isn't it?!
Interesting what you said about the saddle - I got a new Specialized bike this year (not a women's specific), which came with the Avatar saddle. I hated it - persevered for weeks and it was still really painful, so eventually had to go back to my trusty old women's specific dolce saddle.
I was sad, as the avatar matched my bike, but my backside was so relieved it wore a smile for weeks!
Funny old world!

[Mia]

I haven't put a whole lot of miles on this saddle, but know it is already more comfy for me than the dolce. I never would have thought it made that much difference which saddle you rode on! My longest ride is only 18.5 miles. I had to take a couple of weeks off because of the immensely sore bottom, and when I got back on I had lost some of my progress. So, we'll see how comfy it is when I start doing longer rides. I would like to get at least a 30 mile ride in before we start getting snow.

Is is just me, or does it seem a lot harder to ride on the indoor trainer? (also a lot more boring! ) Or, do I maybe have the trainer adjusted wrong? My husband always sets it up for me.. he said the book/dvd that came with it said to adjust it where it touches the wheel and then turn two more rotations. It just seems harder than outside. I'm dreading the winter, I'll ride outside as long as possible. I'm really looking forward to fall, though. We live in a very rural area and I think it will make for some beautiful rides.

[RoadRaven]

Welcome to the forum, Mia...

Hmmm, is the trainer harder?

Yes, I think so... I find it very hard to motivate myself to go on the trainer... I always put music up very loud to help me focus on rhythm and less on how many more kms/minutes I have to keep doing it for.

Also taped some races from TV coverage... and riding with The Tour up the alps, or doing the cycling leg of this country's Coast to Coast is a good way to keep going to.

You'll find a trainer is not only boring it is also much hotter - no wind to cool you down... but, on the other hand, if you pop a cycling computer on it (magnet on the rear wheel) you can make things more interesting too... you can set your resistence to emulate different conditions and practice cadence and all sorts...

Good luck, turn that music (Beth Hart or melissa Etheridge or the Indigo Girls are great!) up real loud and go for it!

[Mia]

I have a little portable DVD player that I watch while on the trainer and that helps, but what a great idea to tape cycling races to watch while riding! Can't wait to try that while I have some Sheryl Crow or Melissa Etheridge playing .

Thank-you everybody for all the help and encouragement....I'm so glad I found this site! You're all just the best

[snpdragn]

I'm glad I'm not the only newbie!
Sounds like I might be making the right change in my lifestyle after all... the only thing I have to do now is find a bike.
And judging by this... get measured so my butt hurts less too! Right?