I've been riding a little over a year - WELCOME! Biking is a great way to exercise, get around, and basically have fun! It's also helped me to lose weight and get fit!

When I first started riding, I couldn't make it up our driveway (1/4 mile). I eventually got to where I could ride that, plus another mile, but I'd walk up the hills. Then I could cycle up those hills and ride 5-7 miles, then.....well, you get the idea. In this amount of time, I've gone from riding 10-11 miles in August of last year (man, was I excited for "double digits") at 7 mph to riding 40-50+ miles at 16+ mph! If I can do it, ANYONE can!

Things that helped me:
a. A good bike. I started on an old Schwinn that weighed at least 100 pounds! I couldn't even lift it! I first bought a hybrid (we live on gravel) and recently bought a road bike. The bikes make a difference.

b. Good shirts. I hate to sweat, so having "wicking jerseys" helped me. I even have a few that are made like t-shirts - much easier to "face the world" in when first starting out.

c. Good bike shorts. Your backside will thank you for these. If you're not sure about wearing the shorts (it took me a while to get my nerve up), try a cycling skort - bike shorts underneath/attached to a wrap around skirt.

d. A biking buddy. I'm married to mine (he's the one who got me into it....after 18 years of marriage!!). My dear husband was very patient with me, would wait on hills, encourage me, etc. Having someone to "root you on" helps and you can help them at the same time.

e. Some fun stuff: bike computer to keep track of trip/yearly mileage total along with top speed, average speed, cadence, or whatever you like. I keep track of my rides in a notebook - where I went, how far, how long, etc. I started a new book/00 miles on the computer on January 1. Cool water bottles (I like pink ones), cool bike gloves, a biking magazine, cool biking socks, shoes, etc.

I love biking and I get excited when someone else starts biking! You will have SO MUCH FUN!

Welcome again to biking!

Lorie