Fat and Unfit - How to Start Biking?

[indigoiis]

Welcome, Jude! I got on my bike again after quitting smoking and drinking, so I know the reward getting your life on a positive track can be! And you will grow to love being on the bicycle for more than just maintaining or losing weight. You'll find it is time for you to reflect, be by yourself, and see places you can't see in a car. Congratulations on your awesome decision.

I agree with the other posters. Start with a hybrid. Or even just buy a cheapo hybrid to get you going from Craigslist while you shop for a bike you will love. That way, you can ride down to the bike shop! Most important is a saddle that supports your sit bones and is not too too cushy because it actually can make a ride hurt worse if the seat is all foam. Don't worry about if you can remember to ride a bike. Just take it slow at first and enjoy it!

[Sky King]

Awesome, do not get discouraged. Remember to try to not compare yourself to anyone but yourself. If it's 2 miles it's 2 miles. Slow and steady, steady and slow that's the way we always go (sorry one of my favorite childhood rhymes) my mantra when climbing hills.

[Catrin]

Awesome, do not get discouraged. Remember to try to not compare yourself to anyone but yourself. If it's 2 miles it's 2 miles. Slow and steady, steady and slow that's the way we always go (sorry one of my favorite childhood rhymes) my mantra when climbing hills.

+100 on her advice. It doesn't matter at all what others are doing, focus on your efforts. I started from the same place you are only 2.5 years ago and I was 50 at the time. Just be consistent, pace yourself so you don't over-do things, and keep at it. Congratulations for taking this important step in your life, and welcome to TE!

[Melalvai]

When I got a bike in college it had been a few years since I had last ridden a bike and I remember it being awkward and alarming. I don't remember how long it took to get more comfortable. Not very long, and I was only riding to campus, maybe a mile. Maybe after 25 years it might take a little bit longer, but I don't think it'll take very long.

[PamNY]

Start with a hybrid. Or even just buy a cheapo hybrid to get you going from Craigslist while you shop for a bike you will love. That way, you can ride down to the bike shop! Most important is a saddle that supports your sit bones and is not too too cushy because it actually can make a ride hurt worse if the seat is all foam.

Welcome to TE, and I second the above advice. I started with a used hybrid and it worked out well (I did have to upgrade the saddle). I returned to cycling at age 58 and I'm having a great time.

Don't worry about speed or distance at first -- just keep cycling. Yes, you will remember how to ride a bike. Don't be discouraged if it takes a while to build strength and don't compare yourself to others.

This group is great for guidance and encouragement. Post any questions you have -- even if they seem trivial.

Most important, have fun, and let us know how it's going.

[Jude]

Wow, what an overwhelming response, thanks everybody!

I'm 5'3" 180 pounds so am guessing a women specific bike would probably fit best. Guess I'll get some advice of that from REI. REI is an OK place to buy a bike, right? I guess I find them less intimidating than specialized stores.

At least at first my riding will be done mainly on trails. There's a bike trail about half a mile from my house, it connects with a couple of others, so, when I get fitter it'll be possible to go 20+ miles without riding on roads, except to cross them. The trails are asphalt, though not necessarily that well maintained. Would a hybrid bike work for that? (Showing how little I know, I didn't even know that hybrid bikes existed until several of you recommended them.)

Kinda embarrassing question: For those of us who are larger, do our boobs and tummies get in the way while riding? I carry all my excessive weight in my mid-section - I've relatively slim legs and hips, for my weight - but I've a 39 inch waist and I'm a 40E.

I'll definitely follow the advice to start slowly, little by little, I hope to get slimmer and fitter.

[Owlie]

Wow, what an overwhelming response, thanks everybody!

I'm 5'3" 180 pounds so am guessing a women specific bike would probably fit best. Guess I'll get some advice of that from REI. REI is an OK place to buy a bike, right? I guess I find them less intimidating than specialized stores.

At least at first my riding will be done mainly on trails. There's a bike trail about half a mile from my house, it connects with a couple of others, so, when I get fitter it'll be possible to go 20+ miles without riding on roads, except to cross them. The trails are asphalt, though not necessarily that well maintained. Would a hybrid bike work for that? (Showing how little I know, I didn't even know that hybrid bikes existed until several of you recommended them.)

Kinda embarrassing question: For those of us who are larger, do our boobs and tummies get in the way while riding? I carry all my excessive weight in my mid-section - I've relatively slim legs and hips, for my weight - but I've a 39 inch waist and I'm a 40E.

I'll definitely follow the advice to start slowly, little by little, I hope to get slimmer and fitter.

A hybrid will be perfectly fine on those.

[lph]

A more upright position will easily accomodate any extra weight you carry around the middle. Just don't worry about speed for a long time yet, enjoy riding and the scenery! People will pass you all the time. As you lose weight and gain fitness you can start thinking about a bike with a more forward-leaning position, if you want to go faster. But as I read somewhere - there's always someone out there who is fitter and faster than you, so there's no point in worrying about it. Riding slowly has its own special value.

[Jude]

An internal hub means the cogs on the rear wheel are enclosed, and stay nice and clean. Great for areas like the beach or where there will be a lot gunk built up in the gearing. Probably not necessary on a bike path.

Is it hilly where you live?

Internal hub sounds good. I don't think I want too many gears as it seems confusing - the last bike I rode only had three!

It's pretty flat here. I can definitely avoid hills until I get fitter. This trail is a couple of miles from my house: http://www.yelp.com/biz/iron-horse-trail-dublin

[TigerMom]

As long as REI has a certified fitter, I think that it is fine to get a bike from there. However, as far as I know, REI does not seem to have as knowledgeable of bike salesman as the local bike shop. Feel free to have the TE forum disagree with me.
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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

[laura*]

Internal hub sounds good. I don't think I want too many gears as it seems confusing - the last bike I rode only had three!

Internal gears aren't necessarily a panacea. If something goes wrong, they'll be more expensive to repair. You also might not notice a problem until it turns into a major repair.

With a 3 speed internal hub, you'd also be at the mercy of the bike designer: The three gears might be hard, difficult, and impossible! If you get a bike with more speeds, then you can hang out in the easier gears if needed.

If you want simplicity, I'd recommend a bike with 8 (or 7, or 9) speeds: One chainring up front, and then multiple cogs in back.

As long as REI has a certified fitter, I think that it is fine to get a bike from there. However, as far as I know, REI does not seem to have as knowledgeable of bike salesman as the local bike shop. Feel free to have the TE forum disagree with me.

Elsewhere it has been suggested to not think of REI as a bike shop. Instead, it is a store that also happens to sell bikes. It might actually be a very good place for Jude to get a bike - most of their customers are probably casual riders.

[PamNY]

Internal hub sounds good. I don't think I want too many gears as it seems confusing - the last bike I rode only had three!

It's pretty flat here. I can definitely avoid hills until I get fitter. This trail is a couple of miles from my house: http://www.yelp.com/biz/iron-horse-trail-dublin

Gears are not at all confusing, and you may want to cycle on hills sooner than you think.

Especially when you first start cycling and are working on your strength, it's lovely to be able to slip into a very low gear to do a slight incline or deal with a strong headwind.

No reason to be afraid of gears at all -- it's all very simple and logical, and within a short time you will know what gear you need to be in to get where you are going.

[Bethany1]

Welcome!

I have a Townie with internal gears. They are well designed and the gearing lets me go up hills. It's really hubby's bike and I don't ride it much. It's actually a nice ride, but it really wasn't meant for any kind of long distances or for going terribly fast. I do like the flat foot technology though. If you just want to cruise around, it's great, but that's about it. It's fairly heavy as well.

You'd want a bike that sits upright or you'll find yourself squashed into your bike in agony. Once I got my Fargo and wasn't in a pretzel formation, my entire riding outlook changed. Pay for a professional fitting. It's really worth it.

The hardest part at first was the clothing. I felt like a stuffed sausage about to explode and that everyone was laughing at me. I found that mountain bike clothing fits me much better and I like the look. You need the lightweight clothing for ease of riding and they are designed loud so that cars can see you. Jeans/pants get chewed up by your chain rings and once you start sweating, they turn uncomfortable.

When you get your bike, we want pics. Or if you have questions about bikes you are looking at, post away.

Being overweight is hard but getting out there and doing something gives you power and that is an amazing feeling.

[malkin]

If you Google "Bay Area bike shops" you'll get a map with location markers and listings, and if you click on the listings you'll be able to read reviews.

It's been (quite) a while since I lived in Berkeley, but the world really has changed for the worse if you can't find a bike shop that will serve you!

[Irulan]

Elsewhere it has been suggested to not think of REI as a bike shop. Instead, it is a store that also happens to sell bikes. It might actually be a very good place for Jude to get a bike - most of their customers are probably casual riders.

Make sure you get someone from the bike department to help you. They do have shop guys there. You just don't want someone from kayaks who is filling in in the bike department.