Fat Girl on a Bike

[schnitzle]

Hey I finally got my bike!!! I went to Bikesport in Ballard and picked out a Jamis Citizen 1. Of the bikes I tried it fit me the best, and I like those straight handlebars. Krista at Bikesport is awesome and really helped me chose the right bike. I had fenders, a rack, lock and a water bottle holder put on. I just got a couple little lights since I won't be riding at night for a while, and a pack so that I can (eventually) carry a few things. Oh yes and a helmet! All those things sure add to the price! haha Of course directly after the purchase it started raining :P

Today (my B-day!) we put the bike in the car, grabbed the dogs and went out to a deserted park. SO FUN!! I actually found exercise that is fun!! Plus I could check out what kind of things were peeking up through the dirt (baby stinging nettles waiting to be cooked up! Kept an eye out for any morels.) and of course look at all the birds out and about. I rode around a bit, then taught the dog how to run along side the bike with a leash (going slow of course!) after a while he was able to run along side like he'd been doing it his whole life! Probably the most exercise either of us have had in 5 years! LOL I want to see about getting one of those dog out-rigger things so I could take him with on leash. Plus it's just safer. My partner rode the bike too and really enjoyed herself. I think she's getting interested in getting her own, YAY!!

Thanks for all the comments and support, I love this place!

KnottedYet, I would love to try riding with you guys I am about to hit finals at school so it probably won't be for a couple of weeks. Hey maybe that would give the weather some time to shape up?

Marni, I should have known that about Texas shouldn't I? haha Geez. I was born there (Corpus Christi) but left when I was 2 so I don't remember it. The heat and humidity sounds just as daunting as hills!

[lovesunflowers]

I also am pretty new to cycling and am a 6' tall (which gets me enough attention as it is) and I'm also over 250 pounds. I've struggled with my weight all my life and did get up to 90 pounds lost at one point and then starting going backwards to my current spot right now. I love cycling! Its hard sometimes to get up that hill, but, each time it really does get easier and easier and then you have that fabulous ride back down which is thrilling; a reward for all that hard work. I have been looking for proper cycling gear in PLUS sizes and finally discovered this wonderful site and then this awesome group here! I actually was crying after my 5th stop in a bike shop to try to find clothes in my size!! Its easy to feel like they don't believe big girls can ride too and be serious about it!! I have my first 36 mile bike ride coming up for a fund raiser and I'm scared but will do my best. I hope you love riding as much as I have. As my best friend said: just keep peddling, just keep peddling....

[KnottedYet]

KnottedYet, I would love to try riding with you guys I am about to hit finals at school so it probably won't be for a couple of weeks. Hey maybe that would give the weather some time to shape up?

Excellent! You have a bike! Now just get your wife on one, too!
One of my friends loves Krista at BikeSport. I've only been to that shop once, but I liked it (too far from me to go there regularly).

Check the "Northwest" forum for the Redhook Ride. We will probably do it in May or so this year. Very fun, very easy-going.

Meanwhile, put up a notice in the Northwest forum when you are done with finals, and set a couple times and days you'd like to do a putt-putt or cruise. Folks will chime in, and before you know it there will be a TE cruise in the works!