New and Full of Questions

[dinabean]

Thanks to all for the help so far! Went for my first 5 mile ride yesterday, and I am itching for more!

[featuretile]

I have a Specialized Vita - my upgrade from a comfort hybrid. I still felt I was not ready to have dropped bars, and my LBS had a year old Vita Elite on sale. I really like it, but I never did try a Dolce. It's fast and light. I have added half toe clips and changed the tires from 28 to 25's. I am able to keep up on club rides now - a combination of being more fit and having a better bike. And I am older than you - 57.

[kimikaw]

You guys made me feel brave....

So took the big jump this weekend. Hubby suggested we go test some bikes, and who was I to argue? Ended up bringing home a Dolce Compact sport (54cm). Did swap out the tires but not that much bigger - replaced with Armadillos 25cc. Also swapped out the pedals from the toe clip ones to Shimano PD-424 which work as a platform w/ tennies and with a cleat. By the time they did all the swapping out, fitting me, re-fitting me, riding their trainer, being measured and re-measured, it was too late to really ride on Saturday.

But did get to take her out this morning. Rode nearly 27miles. What a dream. Seat is a bit thinner than I was used to, but felt fine. Did have some soreness in wrists will have to work on wrist position. What was most surprising of all was how great my back felt after. The last couple of longer rides on the old bike left my lower bike a bit sore. LBS had suggested that the more upright position may have been making my spine take more jolts. WHatever, it was fine today.

And here I was all worried about being hunched over on the road bike. Not the case, feels quite comfortable. No doubt the women's frame was the way to go.

Then today after the ride went back to the shop to learn how to do the cleats with the clipless. No real problems in the trainer. Came home, circled the driveway and fell right over. OUCH, my driveway hurts. My first skinned up knee in good knows how long. But picked myself up dusted off and rode around the neighborhood w/ my son. Kept taking left foot in and out, stopping, putting down that foot. So, how long until it is second nature?

[fatbottomedgurl]

You GO!!! Wow!
It gets easier every time, just unclip before you really need to. It does become second nature... After some really long mountain bike rides I have found myself unclipping from the brake pedal on my car. Hahah.

[uforgot]

Welcome to the "fell over first time in clipless" club. Sounds like your bike is perfect for you! Now we want pictures.

And I just have to say congrats on the weight loss! First time reading this thread and you have really turned things around. At 185 pounds, you absolutely don't have to worry about your weight on a bike any more. I think it's just a mindset that you have lived with so long.

[kimikaw]

So does anyone else personify their bikes. I've thought of this one as a her, since I first saw her. So funny. Feel like I need to name her, she just hasn't told me what that is yet.

Yesterday I was able to take an earlier train home from work then I expected. As I drove home, I realized I'd have a good 30 minutes of daylight. Was throwing off work clothes, kicking off shoes as I walked in the door, eager to get on bike clothes and shoes and out the door.

Did a quick 30 minute ride, several stop signs, streets to cross, stayed upright, got foot out in time just fine. Still have to think about it really hard, but not as scared.

Anyway, here's the pics. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, A Specialized Dolce Sport compact, 54cm, 700X25cc armadillo tires, shimano pd-424 pedals (swapped those two things out at shop before I took her home). They didn't have to do a lot of switching stuff around to fit her to me. Seat up, back a bit, handlebar angle changed. Was off & on a trainer (on video) getting measured and re-measured as they tinkered around for quite a bit on Saturday. But no need to switch the stem around or anything like that.

Hubby insisted on kitting her out with emergency tool kit, tire levers, spare tube, pump etc. Only weak link in that theory is me....I currently have no clue in tire changing or emergency bike repair. Currently looking for a clinic. LBS says they do them over the winter.






Noticed today that my glutes, hamstrings seem a bit sore - hadn't felt that on the old bike in awhile (and was usually more sore in quads/adductors if I did get DOMS - delayed onset muscle soreness). Unsure if it was the slightly faster pace on Sunday's ride, the slightly different body position on this bike, the switch to clipless pedals - or probably all of the above.

And thanks for the weight loss kudos. Been well worth all the changes over the last year. Began this to keep up with my son (had him when I was nearly 40), but now this is about me. At 49 there is no doubt I am the fittest I have been in my adult life. Eat healthier, more in tune with my body. My fitness log on another forum is titled "Fit and Fabulous by Fifty", getting there, getting there!