Don't worry about the body image - I'm usually so sweaty and exhausted after riding my bike, that I really don't care how crappy I look in spandex shorts. I just try to tuck the rolls away so I'm not an absolute assault on some poor bystanders eyes.

It sounds like you probably need to go down to your local bike shops and do a lot of test riding of different types of bikes and really figure out what you want out of a bike - you can get fit on a road bike without having your butt sticking high up in the air. You can ride more upright in a touring fashion.

And you need a helmet

Quote Originally Posted by staceysue View Post
Thanks for all the great information, Catriona.

I'm really glad I put the bike on layaway instead of using my credit card - it's giving me lots of time to think things over. I've been calling around looking for used bikes and one bike shop said somebody had a note up selling a Lamond Reno for $600.00. I imagine by the time I come up with the cash it will be gone - but maybe I can find something similar for $500.

Maybe "l'll put a "wanted" ad on Craigslist.

I don't know anything about bikes - but I've seen those handlbars that curve down and have rods sticking up, so you can ride more upright with your hands on the top of the curve or crouched down with your hands on the bottom of the curve, or put your hands around the rods. I'd like to find something like that.

Of course - if I get a fast bike and bike shorts, I'll probably end up going fast enough that I'll need a helmet . . . . good bike + good shorts + helmet = big bucks, even if I do find a good used bike! Plus - I feel like I'll look silly on a road bike with my butt up in the air. Not that it matters - I'm in much better shape than the average woman my age - but the only people I see riding bikes like that are skin and bones. Wouldn't do wonders for my body image!