The Newbies keep coming....

[Jasper]

Oh, what a joy it's been lurking on this forum for the last few days! I am new to the site, as well as new to the sport. There is so much wonderful information, and awesome energy from this forum.

I started biking last year on a hand-me-down hybrid. Now I'm anxious to hit the road on a "real" bike. I want a nice entry-level bike (hopefully have $$ left over for all the accessories ) and I think I've narrowed it down to the Trek 1200. I was so excited visiting the bike shops this weekend, that I went ahead and bought shoes and gloves. I now have a full set of attire, and just need the bike! My LBS is going to call me tomorrow to let me know if they can get me the 1200 in a 50 cm. Then all I'll need is for the snow to melt!

My biggest concern about biking is being able to get out on a regular basis. I'm a single mom of three boys so I can't just take off whenever I want. They will be starting baseball practice soon, and I hope to be able to get an hour ride in during their practices.

I have two questions for the group:

1) Any other single moms out there with ideas on how to get out on a regular basis?

2) Any recommendations for bike carriers? I have a mini-van and would like to take my bike to the ball park and ride from there. I have a hitch, so I'm looking at the hitch mount carrier, but worry about my new baby (the bike, that is) getting beat up on the back on my van.

Thanks again to all the women that make up this awesome forum. You inspire me!

[BikeMomma]

Hi Jasper -

Welcome! I'm a (albeit, married) mother of three young 'uns (7, 4, & 2 yrs), work full-time 40+ hrs/week, go to night school (one class, but still...), have a small part-time business, ...and, oh yea, I ride! I just completed a 67-mile century this weekend, and plan two more in April. Soooo, you can do it, gurl!! Don't let anything stop you. I finally learned that.

My advice, and what has helped me get back into the sport (I raced approx 13 years ago) is get an indoor trainer. I have this one: http://www.cycle-ops.com/products/fluidsquared.htm. This allows you to ride whenever you want, however long you want, in whatever weather you want, whether it be the 10 o'clock news hour, for 15, 30, 90 (!) minutes, or during a NY snowstorm. You'll be surprised how and when you can fit it in to your busy life.

I've really found that the trainer has helped me in my outdoor rides, especially in the hills. Some evenings you may not be able to get to it, but if you hit it about 3x a week, you'll see an improvement. Go easy at first, though - I started out with 15-20 minutes a session, and am now doing about 1-1.25 hour (like I said, the 10 o'clock news hour...).

I wish you luck with your bike shopping and with the joy your machine will bring you...
- Kim

[SadieKate]

Hi, Jasper and welcome. I have had a Yakima Hitchfork rack for year and years. Love it because the bike is held securely, no paint or cable is touched by the rack, they're locked on, easy to use, etc. Yakima racks are dern stout and the locks will take a lot of abuse if the bike liberation front shows up. You can fit 3 adult bikes on the rack.

[CorsairMac]

Howdy Jasper and welcome to the board, the sport and a whole buncha new friends! If you get a chance, theres a thread called "getting to know you" in the open forum. It's a great read, gives you an idea who we are, and if you're so inclined, tell us some more about you!.........

[cyclingnewbie]

Welcome to the forum! Great bunch of ladies here with really good ideas and advice. I'm a new rider too, and am also shopping for bikes. So far, the Trek 1200 is my bike of choice too! I'm going to look at Bianchi this weekend before I decide for sure. BikeMomma's advice on getting a trainer is right on. I have a trainer in my garage (w/ CD player, no TV) and it can be a little boring, but it's great to have. The first year I started riding again I not only couldn't get up the slightest hill, but I couldn't even stand up on the pedals. I practiced over the winter on the trainer and kicked butt on my challenge hill (which isn't much, but was more than I could do the year before) in the spring. 20-30 minutes a few times a week does make a difference. Don't push too hard at first because it's supposed to be fun! Enjoy and it will get better and better.

[caligurl]

welcome! i'm still new! cuz i haven't been riding a year yet! but i've been riding my butt off! lol!

not a single mom.. not a mom at all (oh... well.. i'm a mom.. but to 2 dogs and 2 cats! and yes.. i think they.. especially the dogs.. don't like that i/we spend so much time riding instead of walking them!

this is the BEST forum for getting questions answered! there are others out there.. but sometimes you'll get ridiculous answers or snotty/snobby answers there.. not here! everyone here is wonderful and helpful!

[AutumnBreez]

Got to start somewhere don't we???
Hello, I am new also, but I believe it is the beginning of a beautiful journey....

Take care, AB

[LBTC]

newbie ladies! welcome! I'm pretty new to the board...and I remember my newbie cycling days with some embarassment and some delight. I'm so glad I was able to overcome spazziness and poor fitness. you can too!!

Namaste,
~T~

[lyz2814]

Hi All,
I'm new to the boards, but I've been biking for 2 years. I have a hybrid (a specialized crossroads comp), and I just ordered a road bike! A Trek 1500 WSD. My bike store does the Fit Kit, and I'm definitely in need of a shorter top-tube/women's sizing. I like the shorter cranks too, as I need to work on getting my spin going.

Of course Trek's ordering system was off line, so I still don't know how long I have to wait til it comes But I didn't have to pay yet, and that's cool.

The good news is that the guy who helped me is a total cutie (and not so young I should be ashamed), so I'll have an excuse to call and find out where my bike is!

I can't believe the difference in riding a hybrid vs. road. The weight difference is incredible, and the man's version I was trying out was just --zoom--. I'm terribly excited, as you can see.

[cyclingnewbie]

lyz2814 Welcome to the group! And congrats on the new bike!! I am in the shopping-for-a-new-road-bike process right now, and Trek is leading my list at this point. I agree with you completely about the hybrid vs. road. I started out looking at the touring and comfort road bikes. When I tried out a traditional road bike, I was hooked on the cool handling. Much quicker and responsive than my hybrid. On long rides my hybrid feels like a sled. I'm heading out Saturday (if the snow doesn't accumulate and prevent test rides ) and will hopefully make a final decision. Let us know when you get your new baby!!

[lkrider]

Welcome! to bike riding and this forum. I haven't been at the forum all that long myself, but it is a lot of fun. Wonderful people and inspiration abound. I hope you can find..(make) more time to ride than I did when my kids were small. (teen and twenty now) Later years, we started bringing them along on big rides and made it our family activity. Consider getting your boys onto decent bikes ASAP, and teaching them to ride safe. I wish I had done this sooner. I also recommend running errands by bike when possible. Little rides in town - guilt free, don't usually take any longer than by car.

About the rack- unless you are tall, I recommend trying the rear mount rack. We have a roof rack and I hate the hassle of trying to get the bikes up there by myself.