Falling in love with riding...

[redrhodie]

Good for you! You found your sport! There's something very addictive about it, isn't there? You feel strong and free.

My tips are:

Learn to change a flat so you don't face the prospect of getting stranded far from home , and enjoy your rides!

[Nanci]

Yay!!! Someone in Florida, finally!!

Nanci

[Nanci]

PS, well, I wouldn't want to live in town, but I would _kill_ to live two miles from work! You are so lucky!!

I'm going to be riding the Orange Something Trail next Saturday for the first time, is that the trail you live by??

Nanci

[Denise223]

Hi!!

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling!! Congratulations on finding this wonderful forum!! You will learn so much!!!

I'm thrilled that you found something that you love that DOESN'T FEEL LIKE EXERCISE!!!??? (Imagine that!!)

Please, get yourself a helmet..... before you go on your next ride... You just never know when something awful might happen...
You might be the best cyclist in the world......but, some cars out there aren't paying attention.....

Have a peaceful evening!!

Take Care!

Denise

[RIDIN'CHIL']

hi everyone!! thanks for your responses!!

nanci, the trail i ride is the little econ trail... the park is blanchard park... not sure which one you are talking about that you will ride on saturday...

i have a question... when i was a teen and played volleyball, i sprained my ankle pretty bad... well, it's hurting today!!!! what can i do for it besides ice?

also, i'm not sore... muscles i mean (of course my bum is sore!) but i mean my leg muscles... is this "normal"

much love,

monica

[shadon]

I'm so glad that you found cycling! it really is a great sport and cyclists are among the nicest people out there.

As to your ankle, I would ice it after you ride, maybe take Ibuprofen as well. My guess is that as you ride more, you'll get stronger, and the ankle will bother you less.

and yeah...like the others said...get that helmet before your next ride. It'll save your life.

[bikerchic]

Great to hear your enthusiasm for biking!

I don't have a helmet yet, but will get one this week... meanwhile, I appreciate any and all comments, advice, suggestions, etc...

Please get a helmet before your next ride!


i

have a question... when i was a teen and played volleyball, i sprained my ankle pretty bad... well, it's hurting today!!!! what can i do for it besides ice?

Ice it first but after that use heat if that feels good also try some muscle rubs like Blue Stuff, Tiger-balm or Ben Gay. Then I would definitely recommend REST, the dirty little four letter word we hate to hear when we just want to ride! It's a must, you must repair and heal, try at least two days off the bike.

also, i'm not sore... muscles i mean (of course my bum is sore!) but i mean my leg muscles... is this "normal"

You are sore because you've built up lactic acid in you muscles. You've done too much too soon. Again REST!

The biggest most important part of training is to do it gradually and to rest in-between rides. From what it sounds like you went all out pretty fast, 10 miles is pretty far for a first time rider, you should build up to 10 miles over a couple of weeks with rest days in between. If you are riding every day in a 7 day week you should rest two days, five days on the bike total. Three days shorter distances rest day, then two days longer distances, rest day and then add 10% to your distance each ride to build up a base.

Find some good training books or a web site which can tell you more about building a base and going at it gradually. One major reason is because if you love riding this much now and want to keep on riding for years to come you don't want to burn out, slow and steady gets the job done.

Who knew there was so much to know about riding a bike? LOL don't forget to have fun!

[RIDIN'CHIL']

That's a four letter word!!!!!!!

I was talking to my mom on the phone and I was telling her how I talk to myself on the trail when I see a "hill" coming up.. I tell myself:

"I think I can, I think I can, I think can... " **remember I taught kindergarten for the last 2 years **

but then by the time I'm halfway up the hill... alll I can say is:
#@$%#^&

Thanks for the advice... I think I am not going out on the bike today...

intead I will rest my ankle, and my sore thigh muscles... oh yeah, and my tush as well .

And I will go out and buy a helmet...
And go to the bookstore and read through some women and cycling books.

For any of you out there that have tattoos... when you get one you want more and more... same thing with riding a bike... who woulda thunk huh???