Fat Girl on a Bike

[schnitzle]

Thanks for the encouraging words Zoom-Zoom and NY Biker! I am pretty darn stoked about this whole cycling adventure It helps to hear that it gets better!
I was so lucky to find a LBS that made me feel comfortable. I was really prepared to encounter someone like in this craigslist rant http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...192150038.html but was so pleasantly surprised to find a total opposite experience!

NY Biker, I know exactly what your sister means! A teen in my math class was complaining that she had lost her phone and had no idea where to look because she lost it while drunk. I suggested she call the bar just in case someone turned it in. She said that wouldn't help since she couldn't even remember what bar she was at!!

[tulip]

You are worth the effort!

[zoom-zoom]

I was so lucky to find a LBS that made me feel comfortable. I was really prepared to encounter someone like in this craigslist rant http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...192150038.html but was so pleasantly surprised to find a total opposite experience!

That guy didn't even spell douchebag correctly...kinda kills his whole rant!

[pfunk12]

Good for you, schnitzle! It will get easier. Enjoy!

[KnottedYet]

Yay! Ride bikes, be fabulous!

Yes, today was a great day to be riding. I looked out my office windows longingly all day. Sigh. Clear and sunny and warm. I looked out the bus windows all the way home. Sigh. Sigh. Heeeeeavy sigh.

If you have the chance, take a Kona Dew and a Kona Smoke out for a test ride or two as well. One of my LBSs: www.recycledcycles.com Funky and relaxed, though pretty popular and busy. They assume you know what you are doing and stay out of your hair; unless you let them know you want a lot of help, then they will give you great huge piles of help.

They love my bikes (even brought one up in pieces from the workshop for me so I could pat her because I missed her so much) and I give them beer.

[schnitzle]

I didn't notice the misspelling, that's hilarious!

Thanks for the recommendations KnottedYet, those Kona bikes look interesting and definitely worth a test ride It's good to hear that you like recycledcycles! I've read so many bad things on yelp about them that I kind of crossed them off my list, even though they have bikes I wanted to try. It's probably all in the timing (first sunny weekend since August, probably not a good time!) and the knowledge level of the shopper huh?

[KnottedYet]

It's that, and that they don't cater to the racers, they are far more focussed on the independent cusses who are utility riders, the odd ducks, the passionate tinkerers, the middle-aged heavy ladies in love with bicycles (that one would be ME!). They are an independent shop, so they don't pledge allegiance to any particular Large Bicycle Corporation. Which means they legally can't sell some brands that are well known. (unless it's a used one)

I've seen some grumpy customers looking for a particular model of Brand X, adamantly refusing to consider a better quality bike at lower cost made by someone else.

And it is their modus operandi to assume customers know what they are doing. I love that they never NEVER talk down to me, or instantly peg me as a dumb blonde, or tell me that the bike I'm looking at is too sexy for me. But when I need something explained, they will do it. I didn't understand something about my V-brakes once. Andy took me around the shop to show me bikes with various styles of brakes and explained how they were different and how they worked.

Recycled Cycles is extremely popular and often very crowded. Sometimes it's hard to get elbow room at the used parts bins, sometimes you have to wait what feels like forever to pay for your goodies. It wouldn't hurt to call them if you want a good hour or so of attention, and ask them when the best time is to come in.

I've been there at opening on a summery Saturday morning, standing outside their doors with 5 or 6 other people. Within 10 minutes the place was packed. Not a good day for an intense and involved conversation with one of the clerks or wrenches!

ETA: my other LBS is Freerange Cycles. They are a couple miles west of Recycled Cycles. TINY independent shop (so small they can't keep repair bikes overnight). If more than 3 customers are in there, it's crowded. Usually there are only 2 wrenches there, and they do the counter work, too. Owned by a very cool gray-haired woman who loves bikes and will talk to you as she's working on one. www.freerangecycles.com They also never talk down to me, and also cater to odd ducks suffused with velo love.

[schnitzle]

Tulip, I think what you wrote to me is such a good way to think of it! I am worth the effort

Thanks Pfunk12, my butt is already hoping it will get easier! hehehe

KnottedYet, thanks again for all the insight into RecycledCycles and the info on Freerange Cycles! You should really write a review for Yelp to help balance out some of the existing reviews. I'm also thinking of checking out Bothell Ski and Bike since they have Kona and are also close to me. I'll let you know how it goes if you're interested. I'm not much of a gear head though, so I don't know how insightful I'll be

Enjoy the weekend everyone!!

[moderncyclista]

That guy didn't even spell douchebag correctly...kinda kills his whole rant!

He also mispelled peugeot as poo-zhow. (although I think this wasn't bad spelling as much as scathing sarcasm)

and said this....

So yes, you've noticed the sun is out, and hey!- maybe it would be cool to to some bike riding. Let's keep in mind that the sun came out of all 600,000 of us, so for the most part, you're not the only one who noticed.

My question is how does the sun come out of all 600,00 of us????? Do I really want to know?

[schnitzle]

That was an interesting kerfuffle (love that word!). I of course had to go check it out. It was a very interesting read. I didn't make it over to Bothell today but now I'm kind of interested in checking that shop out just to see for myself.

Wow Marni, I am so impressed and encouraged by your post! The fact that you started at 60 makes it even more awesome I'm all for breaking stereotypes of what we can and can't do. I'd be happy to be able to do half of what you have accomplished! I really appreciate your support. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic, even though I don't think I could ride a mile at this point.
When you started out, were you able to ride around home or did you have to take your bike somewhere to ride? I've suddenly become aware of how hilly it is in my area. I think I'll need to find a flatter place to practice for a while...

Moderncyclista, wow good eye! I had to read your comment a few times before I saw the mistake hehehe. I love sunny days and all, but I really don't want to witness that!

[darling]

Wow, I'm learning so much already. i've been riding daily for a few years now...but only on snowless days and then i ride boringly inside...and of course don't put as much into it. I am so impressed with all of your diligence, ladies! You truly are an inspiration!
I'm new to this forum and very excited to gain insight into this cycle/fitness/community thing...Since my current bike is 40 years old and very well made, i'm not springing for a new one until I know exactly what i want...it'll be so fun to learn!
darling

[Bike Chick]

Good for you, schnitzle! I started riding at 46. Began with a $200 mountain bike (thought I'd spent a fortune--little did I know) then followed the normal progression to a hybrid and road bike. My first ride was 6 miles and I thought I would die. The next year I did my first century and the following year my first triathlon. You will get the bug. It's a wonderful addiction and, no, you don't belong on the couch! Welcome to TE!

Wow, I'm learning so much already. i've been riding daily for a few years now...but only on snowless days and then i ride boringly inside...and of course don't put as much into it. I am so impressed with all of your diligence, ladies! You truly are an inspiration!
I'm new to this forum and very excited to gain insight into this cycle/fitness/community thing...Since my current bike is 40 years old and very well made, i'm not springing for a new one until I know exactly what i want...it'll be so fun to learn!
darling

Darling, welcome to TE. You will learn a lot here and make a lot of new friends. Maybe we can get a group of St Louis area gals together for a ride.

[bikerHen]

You go girl! Bike riding has completely changed my life for the better. If you ever come for a visit to the dryside, bring your bike. I would love to show you Spokane's Cenntennial Trail. It's a great place to ride. bikerHen

[schnitzle]

Thanks BikerHen (Love your screenname!) I might just take you up on that offer My partner is from the Tri-cities so we do go over the mountains every once in a while.

[marni]

sweetie, I live in Houston- around here the only hills are railroad crossings and freeway overpasses- mind you we do have headwinds which are good for resistance but don't do much for hill training. The biggest obstacle around here is texas drivers, the heat and humidity. But I ride way out in the country where there isn't quite as much traffic which takes care of the drivers. As for the heat and humidity, I in the summer I ride out at the butt crack of dawn so that I am off the road by 11:00 and I cut my distances a bit but frankly once your wet and sweaty, it doesn't really get much worse. The hardest part is mopping up the sweat pools off the kitchen floor.

marni