Mea Culpa - a cautionary tale

[DarcyInOregon]

Thanks, guys! I have been trying to listen to my body. I think it's easier since I'm not planning on any events (yet!), so I know I can put off my first century as long as I need to.

Espresso, your first event ride doesn't have to be a century. Most of the century event rides have other routes also, a metric, a half-century and a short ride of 20-45 miles. Sign up for a short ride because cycling in an event ride is a lot of fun, meeting other types of cyclists, getting caught up in the excitement of the ride, and completing a short ride is just as meaningful as completing a full century; make the short ride your long ride for the week, part of your training for the century. However don't assume that a short ride is easy because it is short. Many of the short rides go over difficult terrain and may have a lot of climbing. And don't assume cyclists on a short ride are all new or inexperienced, because many experienced cyclists choose a short ride for a variety of reasons.

[Espresso]

I was kind of afraid to mention this because I'm new here, and I'm not sure how you guys will react, but I don't actually have a bike yet! I've been doing all my training on various exercise bikes at the gym. I want to get to where I can do 100 "miles" at the gym before I really decide if I want to fork over the money to get a bike that would be good enough to allow me to do endurance events.

I would really like to do actual events (other than the driving involved... I hate driving), but it's a lot of money to spend for a bike and all the accessories needed. And I like reading at the gym, and I'm not sure whether reading or actually going somewhere will work better at inspiring me to bike more. I've worked up to doing four-hour rides at the gym, in which time I can read a whole book. I like accomplishing two things at once

[redrhodie]

I was kind of afraid to mention this because I'm new here, and I'm not sure how you guys will react, but I don't actually have a bike yet! I've been doing all my training on various exercise bikes at the gym. I want to get to where I can do 100 "miles" at the gym before I really decide if I want to fork over the money to get a bike that would be good enough to allow me to do endurance events.

I would really like to do actual events (other than the driving involved... I hate driving), but it's a lot of money to spend for a bike and all the accessories needed. And I like reading at the gym, and I'm not sure whether reading or actually going somewhere will work better at inspiring me to bike more. I've worked up to doing four-hour rides at the gym, in which time I can read a whole book. I like accomplishing two things at once

They're really 2 different things. Even if you're in amazing shape from stationary biking, cycling will use different muscles, and you'll need to learn how to ride. There's so much more to it, traffic, balance, coordination, just to name a few, that you'll need a bike to learn on.

I think you should start thinking about getting a bike if you do intend to do events soon. You won't know if you like it until you ride one outside. You don't have to spend a lot of money on gear. A lot of the stuff you wear at the gym will work. You'll need a helmet and gloves, which you can get both for for around $50. Although there's a big expense in getting a bike, you can always sell it if you don't like it. Bikes hold their values pretty well. Can you borrow a bike? You can also buy one used.

Also, there's no shame in riding indoors if that's what you like.

[Espresso]

I will definitely be sure to do a lot of training on an actual bike before I do any events. I did bike a good bit a few years ago (before my bike got stolen), although I was doing much shorter distances, so I think a lot of the coordination-type stuff shouldn't take long to come back.

My body type is a little unusual (short with really short legs), so I haven't found anybody to borrow one from yet, and buying one used might be tricky as well, although I'm definitely keeping an eye out on craigslist, etc.

[Espresso]

Sorry I derailed your thread so much, Catrin! I'm glad your training is going better this year Thanks everybody for your advice

[Catrin]

Sorry I derailed your thread so much, Catrin! I'm glad your training is going better this year Thanks everybody for your advice

It is interesting just how hard it is to pull back and develop better habits with this - I go pretty much all out with everything I do. No reason to apologise, the entire purpose of the thread was to, hopefully, give other newbies who might also be prone to over-doing things, a little heads up.

[Catrin]

No reason to be shy, I didn't even know how to ride when I joined this forum

You don't have to ride a century to have fun on a bike. One of the strongest and most avid cyclists I know has never done a century, and from what I can tell, never intends to do so. There are so many different ways to have fun on the bike, and very cool events to participate in that are much shorter.

It is quite different to be in the bike outside than riding in a gym, not that there is anything wrong with the latter. It is a great way to connect with the world around you - and you don't have to spend thousands for bike and gear. Sure, you CAN, but you don't have to.

There is also nothing wrong with riding at the gym

[Melalvai]

I was kind of afraid to mention this because I'm new here, and I'm not sure how you guys will react, but I don't actually have a bike yet!

What!? An imposter! *shocked face*
Seriously, I like your plan of rewarding yourself for an achievement in the gym by buying a bike. It's ok with me if the nice weather entices you to reward yourself early. I think you'll love biking outside!