Just getting started

[sadieme]

Hi, Was doing a search to see if I could find some cycling forums to try and learn the ropes of cycling. Seems I have found a great one!

I am very much a newbie at this. I am trying to lose some weight and thought this would help. (Oh, I am old, 55)

I have a bike that I purchased used a few years ago. Its not fancy, but it has two wheels and goes, which I guess is ok to start. Howver, I am reading all sorts of things about fit, etc, that I know nothing about. And, as much as I hate to say it, the funds simply arent available to go to a pro, so I am probably gonna be asking a lot of stupid questions and do my best to pick your brains to educate myself.

I have been out on my bike twice now. First time, 12 miles, second time, 14 miles. But..by the time I get home, I have a bit of a chaffing issue, so end up waiting almost a week before going out again. I have learned some things from reading here that hopefully will help that out!

Anyway... enjoying reading all the info here and hope to learn lots more!

Sadie

[tytbody]

HI Sadie,
I'm with you on age, I'm 56 and soon to be 57 in October. I also want to resurrect my riding abilities and learn how to do it better. I know there are gears and i know I can shift to make it easier but I don't know what down shifting and upshifting an when to do it at all I think by the time I should have shifted it's too late and I can't move it and have to walk.

I am ordering a bike that was fit for me at the end of the month. Yes, when were children, I think the only concern was reaching the peddles. now it's tires, seat and reach to handlebars, bend in the leg, etc.

Wheels are different, We have mountain bikes, hybrids or City bikes, and racing bikes. Remember when it was just a white sneaker to choose from? Now you go to Lady Footlocker and they have a whole store just for women's sneakers. !!!!! Never!!!!

So, I'm going to follow behind you and see how you do for a while. I know they say, nothing is really *needed* but a helmet. You can get the riding pants and gloves, and whatever when ever.

I say, get your helmet now. If possible. get ridding pants. but if funds aren't there, check Craigs list. I just saw a lady where I live selling a lot of riding pants and jerseys. They may have some in your area also. Check Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

How did you measure your distance? did you drive the car and then know this is 12/14 miles?

Nice to meet you and sorry if I was long winding but I feel like we are both in the same room and I wanted to hi and welcome from another newbie.

[Velocivixen]

You're not old! You don't need to go "pro" and ask away. No question is stupid. We all are in various phases of learning, knowing, needing to know, not thinking we need to know but we do, and all other incarnations. Welcome to TE!
Could you share more about how you like to ride, where you like to ride, bike, etc? Sounds like you like to ride for fun.

I can share that I bought a Trek Hybrid in October and I've already advanced and bought a road bike - a Surly Cross Check with drop handle bars. I live in the Portland area and ride on the streets mostly and also Multi-user paths (aka MUPS).

[sadieme]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

First off.. I do have a helmet. (although, bad me, hasnt used it for the two rides I have taken. )

I know its a complicated sport nowdays, but simple is more my style. I knew my distance because I have a garmin forerunner 305. I also run some, or used to. Working on getting back into that too, after recovering from some foot surgery back in March.

One of my questions is how to use the gears. I know they are there..but really dont understand how and when to use which ones. :blush: I guess thats the place to start.

I am currently riding on the Katy trail that stretches across Missouri. Its very pretty with not a lot of traffic on it. Perfect for me. Its also relatively flat. No more then a 5% grade anywhere on it. (so I've been told)

How I like to ride? Hmmm.... I guess I would have to say, upright! I'm not into being fast, more just getting a decent workout and enjoying myself.

Oh, my bike is a hybrid I think. (or so I was told) Its a Breezer Liberty. I dont do any road biking for now. I'm not confident enough of my skills and abilities to do that safely yet.

I will check craigslist for the shorts. I know that what I was using isnt goiing to work if I want to ride with any regularity, cause that sort of pain is not something I want to live with on a full time basis! LOL

My main reason for riding is exercise, weight loss and getting healthy again. I am currently unemployed so I have the time now and am trying to take advantage of it.

Thanks again and looking forward to learning from everyone!

[jusdooit]

Welcome to TE! Best advice I can give about shifting is to "mess around" with shifting the gears a little. It the best way I've found to get a feel of how they work. Eventually it will become second nature. One piece of advice I heard from a local rider to a newbie on hills was "Shift early, shift often."

As far as finding inexpensive shorts, try just typing in womens bicycle shorts/jersey into your browser search engine. You'd be surprised at what shows up. I do recommend trying some one at your LBS to get an idea of proper sizing. Also try EBay.

[Serendipity]

Welcome, sadieme. You are right - this is a great forum!
While I don't post often, I have learned so much from everyone here - and not just about cycling!

About gears & shifting - I remember asking the same things 15 or so years ago when I started riding again. A cycling friend told "you'll just know"! Didn't have a clue at the time as to what she was talking about - my thought was 'what the heck is that supposed to mean?" Guess there is some truth to that because I did learn what felt right! As someone else said earlier, shift down before you have to. You can always go into a higher gear but is it tough to shift down when you are struggling on a climb!

And no chance that 55 is old! I'm 53 and I think there are quite a few of us 50-something ladies on TE!

[Velocivixen]

@sadieme, I hope this is what you refer to when you ask about gears. Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know. So you have 3 chainrings on the front and they are controlled by the shifters on the left side of handle bars. Changing the chain using these chainrings in the front make BIG changes in regard to peddaling from easy, medium hardest. The large or outer chainring is the hardest to pedal, the middle chainring is a little easier to pedal and the smallest chainring (many call it a "granny gear"-very inappropriate thing to call it in my opinion) is the easiest to pedal.
The shifters on the right side of the handle bars is for the rear cogs (I remember this by thinking "right for rear"). Shifting these gears make smaller, often subtle changes. These gears work just the opposite direction from the front: In the rear the big cog (gear) closest to the frame of the bike, is the EASIEST to pedal, and the tiny cog (away from the frame) is the hardest to pedal. So the gear combination which will be the very hardest to pedal would be the big chainring in the front and the smallest in the back. The MOST easy gear combo. to pedal would be smallest chainring in the front and largest in the back. There are various combinations which will feel almost identical, and that is because there is a lot of overlap. There is no "right" or "wrong" gear. If it's too hard to pedal, shift down to an easier gear; or if your feet are spinning like crazy and you're not getting anywhere, shift to higher/harder to pedal gears. You will see that when you're in the hard to pedal (higher gears) you move more distance per pedal revolution; when it's very easy to pedal you won't move as far with each pedal stroke.
Hope this helps.

[jobob]

And no chance that 55 is old! I'm 53 and I think there are quite a few of us 50-something ladies on TE!

Heck yeah.

Sadieme, are there any cycling clubs in your area?

Many clubs have rides meant specifically for people just starting out, or they might even put on cycling skills courses. Local bike shops might have information about such things, or a google search might help.

Have fun!