Back in the saddle

[velo]

You'll be fine. Get out there and ride! I agree that you should look after the mechanical aspect of your bicycle and get a new helmet. Other than that, you're good to go.

I took a 12 year hiatus for similar reasons. Last year I noticed that my lycra shorts from the mid 1990s were disintegrating. I replaced one pair last year and one this year. I kept an eye out for sales and bought two jerseys over the same time period. I rode my 1994 Trek for two years, then upgraded last summer to a Madone.

My point is that you don't need to jump in and spend a ton of money right away. Enjoy the ride!

Thank you! Of my bibs and shorts and jerseys that I actually still have in my bottom drawer, almost all of the elastic vulcanized and just cracked when I stretched them. The pair that is still in good shape and actually fits is Trek brand. It's a medium, but (to answer a poster above), my size 14 clothes are getting loose on me, so I would guess that new shorts or bibs would have to be a Large at least. I bought a pair of shorts for walking and they are large. I wouldn't be surprised if I wear an XL both on top and bottom for cycling gear. Does anyone have suggestions about where to get maybe one more pair of shorts and one jersey for $20 or so each?

And yes, I don't want to spend a ton of money. This afternoon I bought a new pedal and shoe system. Helmet is next on the list.

I will take my bike to the LBS to see what they have to say about a tune-up.

Thanks for all the replies. It helps to know that there are ladies out there to help me figure this all out again.

Roo4 - from what I've been reading, that is a really great ride you have there. (Did I just date myself by calling it "ride"? Do people use that anymore or did I just embarrass myself? )

[OakLeaf]

I was in a very similar position a few years ago (the only difference was that it was burnout, not kids, that took me away from the bike). I let the LBS do a complete overhaul on my old bike - re-pack all the bearings, new chain, cables, tires, tubes and bar tape. After ten years (or more, in my case), the grease in all the moving parts is likely to be congealed.

I rode that bike for a season to make sure I really wanted to get back into it. Then I got a new bike the following season. (Actually DH got it for me for Christmas. It could happen to you. )

[TigerMom]

Thank you! Of my bibs and shorts and jerseys that I actually still have in my bottom drawer, almost all of the elastic vulcanized and just cracked when I stretched them. The pair that is still in good shape and actually fits is Trek brand. It's a medium, but (to answer a poster above), my size 14 clothes are getting loose on me, so I would guess that new shorts or bibs would have to be a Large at least. I bought a pair of shorts for walking and they are large. I wouldn't be surprised if I wear an XL both on top and bottom for cycling gear. Does anyone have suggestions about where to get maybe one more pair of shorts and one jersey for $20 or so each?

And yes, I don't want to spend a ton of money. This afternoon I bought a new pedal and shoe system. Helmet is next on the list.

I will take my bike to the LBS to see what they have to say about a tune-up.

Thanks for all the replies. It helps to know that there are ladies out there to help me figure this all out again.

Roo4 - from what I've been reading, that is a really great ride you have there. (Did I just date myself by calling it "ride"? Do people use that anymore or did I just embarrass myself? )

eBay will have tons of used jerseys but getting a new pair of bike shorts for $20 will be tough.

____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[tulip]

TE right here has great sales and apparel. $20 shorts will not serve you well, however. Get the best that you can. Remember, your body meets the bike in only three places: feet, hands, butt. Best take care of those parts or you might be miserable.

[velo]

TE right here has great sales and apparel. $20 shorts will not serve you well, however. Get the best that you can. Remember, your body meets the bike in only three places: feet, hands, butt. Best take care of those parts or you might be miserable.

I'll have to look at the sales. Thank you!

I agree about getting good shorts. I do have an excellent pair of bibs from long ago that are in good condition and fit me snug, but well enough that I'm not saddle sore. I just want a second pair as backup if I don't get around to hand-washing and hanging my good pair in time for the next ride.

I did get my new pedals (Shimano Ultegra Carbon) on and at first did not like them *at all*. I was used to metal cleats into metal pedals and didn't like the plastic cleats going into carbon pedals. I toyed with cleat position and pedal tension for over an hour and finally got a combo that I felt comfortable with. I rode 18.5 mi. this morning and they felt good. No discomfort. I had to get home to get the kiddo to a lesson, or I would have ridden more. At least first impression was positive for the new pedals and shoes.

Thanks again to all for tips and ideas!

[velo]

BTW, you are quite obviously not a new rider

I know, I know...

Thank you for saying that, Muirenn. I sure do feel new. (Well, actually I feel old. )

I finally took my Klein down to the LBS to have them look it over. I'm having them do a tune-up and then I have something going on with my rear hub. It may need new bearings. The bike is in good shape overall, though, and doesn't need much more than the basic tune-up. The services manager and I were talking and he asked me about the bike. I told him that it was the 49cm frame, but was a custom build. He said, "We don't get many bikes through here like this one. Rarely with Campy components. I'm going to work on this one myself." It was nice to talk "bike" again" and it's nice to know that the head services guy will be doing the repair, etc.

So, I'll get my Klein back on Friday and am riding my old steel Lemond Alpe d'Huez for now.

A quick question. I bought new SPD-SLs and new shoes (Bontrager) week before last. I have always used SPD systems (both road and mountain) and never had a problem with them. I took the pedals off of my Klein at the bike shop and put them on my Lemond - this morning I rode for the first time with them on my Lemond. My feet were slightly aching at the end of 21 miles. Nothing bad, but enough there to make me take note. I'm assuming it's because I'm riding the Lemond (which is not a perfect fit for me, as the Klein is). I rode over 100 miles in them over the course of last week and they were fine. My area is quite flat. I'm not hammering up hills and I like to ride at a fairly normal spinning cadence on flats (90rpm or there abouts). I'm thinking "bike" and not "shoe/cleat/pedal" as being the culprit. Would this make sense? I will ride again tomorrow... about 20 - 25 again, but I'm wondering if I need to think about adjustments or if I should just leave things for the few days I'm without my Klein. TIA for any advice on that!

[velo]

Campy with a custom frame is my dream-bike. Not ready yet to drop the $$$, but I'd love to drool over yours if you post a picture. That's a 'forever' bike. The LeMond sounds sweet too.

I do use SPD-SL's, but when I changed shoes last year, I had a horrible time with the cleats until I found a very good fitter (who spent 3 hours adjusting just them ). So, I'm not the best person to ask. That might actually deserve it's own post.

The frame's not custom (I wish!). We started with the factory 49cm frame and the rest of the build was custom with Campy Chorus drive train, shifters, etc. with Zipp rims. If I can figure out how to post a picture, I'll post one when I get the bike back.

Thanks for the suggestion to post separately about the pedals. I forgot that there are areas here other than "newbie". I've been reading a lot here.

[velo]

I got my bike back from the LBS today. I can't wait to take it out tomorrow all tuned-up. It has a better saddle than my Lemond and my tushie will welcome the change.

I did get a pic of it and I think I got it attached to this post. I guess we'll see. It appears green in the picture, but the paint job is actually with chameleon paint, and it usually looks purple, especially in natural light. It depends on the angle from which you are looking. I couldn't get the picture to take with it purple (which I think is the prettier color), but maybe my hubby can, as he's the photographer in the family.