Intro. ...

[Shara]

Not sure where to put this or if this is the norm here but...

I'm obviously new to the forum. I used to ride my bike as a commuter for years and years. Sometimes throwing it on buses but mostly sticking pretty close to home and biking to the store, school, work, wherever. That was about 10 years ago. Now I've gained a lot of weight and decided to get rid of my car (yay) and start riding my bike everywhere again. And it's HARD lol. It's embarassing how out of shape I've allowed myself to get. But I am doing it and can tell that my condition has still gotten better although I still push up some hills (it's hilly here and I'm going back to school which is practically on a mountain).

My bike is a CCM just an A to B bike. That's all I've ever had. At some point I'd like to have a nicer bike but that's not going to happen in the next few years. My current bike works for the most part but I need to get new tires, replace the gears and get some a rack/basket/panniers or SOMETHING for packing stuff around. And maybe a new seat since I'm still getting sores at times. All of my 'gear' comes second hand. Either free of craigslist or from swap and shops and thrift stores so sometimes it takes me awhile to find stuff.

I do have a weeride which I love and take my 2yo daughter all over with it. She loves going for a bike ride and will do almost anything if I tell her we'll go for a bike ride lol. She even sleeps on it sometimes which is really funny and kind of awkward.

Right now I'm only doing about 10-15 km a day but I plan on adding a longer trip once or twice a week just to improve my stamina. I have a 30 km loop in mind and might do that this weekend if dh will watch dd.

Anyway, I'm glad to find this place. I need somewhere to talk about commuting, bikes, clothes, etc. And this place looks friendly and active

[Cataboo]

HI Shara,

Welcome! I read your story of the ripped pants in the how was your commute section. It was very cute.

Maybe post something in the for sale section with what you need - I'm sure someone on here probably has a few things too many and might be able to sell you something cheap. Shipping doesn't always make that make sense though.

[Shara]

Thanks for the welcome! All you can do is laugh when you wander around with your butt hanging out! ha ha ha. Good idea on the for sale. Although I'm not sure what I need atm. My dh just found a old bike that he's going to pull apart. I like the tires. he he.

[tctrek]

Welcome to TE, Shara! You'll get lots of tips here to help you cope with your issues.

[Grog]

Welcome to TE, good to have you here!

[redrhodie]

Welcome! It's so great that you're so committed! I'm amazed that you've decided to go cold turkey off driving a car. You'll obviously be keeping it up since you have no other choice! Kudos to you!

[Shara]

Thanks. It helps that everything is quite central around me. My mom decided that I 'needed' a car since I have a toddler and brought her father's old car out so I have that for 'emergencies' lol It's nice but at the same time I have taken it a few times because it was raining which I wouldn't have done before.

I'm really thinking that I'd have an easier time if I got a hybrid bike. My current bike is really heavy and ... blah. Can you put winter tires on any style of bike? I plan on riding all winter.