Starting out

[navybeetle]

Hi guys! Today was my first day on my Giant Roam 2 W. I am not brave enough for a road bike yet!

I have found that I am very unfit and covered only five miles (with breaks!!) at a modest mph. However, I have taken the first step!

What's a good starting regime, and any beginners tips/things I should know? And is there any particular aspects of diet that would help?

Thanks

I haven't biked consistently for nearly 20 years. I used my tax rebate for a used but tuned up bike. Rode maybe 4 miles the other day and felt alright. Not hurting to bad today and it was a very hilly route. Hang in there and I will too!

[marni]

When I first started riding 4 years ago, I died after riding a mile. Last year I did a cross country from San Diego to St. Augustine. Our longest day was 110 miles, followed by 4 dys of 75-80 miles a day. The average day wass 65 miles but there were a few under 60 miles days as well.

both of yoou hang in there and keep increasing your mileage as it feels good.

As for hills, hills make your butt smaller.

marni

[Catrin]

As for hills, hills make your butt smaller.

marni

Really? COOL!

[navybeetle]

Thanks for your encouragement Marni. I took some pretty good hills yesterday, just being patient with myself, my body and my chain which popped off twice (it went right over the innermost sprocket on the back while I was shifting down). I have to figure out how to stop it from doing that What kept me going on the hills was a comment I read about how hills are good for your legs, now you say they are good for the butt. That is encouraging because i really need to drop the lbs I put on after a back injury this past winter I live in Omaha and this part of Nebraska is not flat!!!! When I rode allot 22 years ago I was in Dallas, what a difference!

[Melalvai]

I live in Omaha and this part of Nebraska is not flat!!!!

Omaha has a nice group called "Activate Omaha", I know a couple of the ladies who run it. Get involved with them and you will learn a lot about cycling, especially about cycling in traffic but also about the local bike paths and rides and so on.

[Lesley_x]

Hi guys, thought I'd come back and update since you've all been so lovely.

Pretty pleased with myself today. Managed to ride just over 5 miles in the one go without feeling like I was going to die. Took me 30 minutes at 10mph, with a few stops for some water.

I seem to get an initial feeling of 'I can't do this!' within the 1st ten minutes of my ride, I think it's just a psychological barrier from being sedentary for so long. Once I get past that I feel like I could ride forever It's funny that my first trip out only 9 days ago took me 15 minutes to do 1.5 miles at 6mph.

Is this a significant improvement? My mood, energy and general wellbeing has improved at a surprising rate!

Oh, and I almost got run over for the first time today too by a young girl coming out her driveway head on, didn't see me. Scary!

[PamNY]

Lesley, yes, that sounds significant to me -- the more so if you have hills, which I believe you mentioned.

I experienced the initial "I can't do this" feeling -- in fact, I still do when I'm starting a longer or otherwise more challenging ride. So glad you have mood/energy benefits already -- for me, that is a huge motivator.

That driver does sound scary -- thank goodness it turned out okay.

[Lesley_x]

Thanks PamNY.

I'm still not losing any weight. I experienced a weight loss of 4lb then it has started to go back on despite me cycling 5-6 days a week?!

Not sure what is going on there.

[navybeetle]

Omaha has a nice group called "Activate Omaha", I know a couple of the ladies who run it. Get involved with them and you will learn a lot about cycling, especially about cycling in traffic but also about the local bike paths and rides and so on.

Thanks so much for the lead to the active omaha webpage. They are doing a great job. I will visit the site often to see if I can help in any way and to maybe find others just starting out (or starting over in my case).

[WolfGirl]

Thanks so much for the lead to the active omaha webpage. They are doing a great job. I will visit the site often to see if I can help in any way and to maybe find others just starting out (or starting over in my case).

I'm looking for a similar group for Madison (WI)...hope there is something! I still feel really newbie myself. (When I got back on the bike in 2006 after 15+ years off the bike, I thought I was going to die after 3 miles! I also remember being afraid to ride out too far, in case I'd keel over and not make it home. Now I have more confidence; it's a good feeling!)

[Lesley_x]

Today, I am a very happy girl! Just over 10 miles at 13mph. I couldn't believe it when I pulled my iPhone out my pocket to see that. I also had my chain slip off today and had to frantically phone my other half for instructions on how to reassemble it!

I rode with a friend yesterday (who is very experienced) and it has really increased my confidence. I think that's why I went the extra few miles today!

I think you guys are right, I think I need to go on how my body feels as opposed to what the scales say. And I can say with some confidence that compared to two weeks ago, I am healthier, fitter and happier But not any lighter lol