Finally I'm cycling!!!!

[martaw]

Thanks to ZEN I am a proud owner of a hybrid bike, I have no idea about names, numbers or anything yet, I just know that has the biggest wheels I ever rode in my life, after 17 years break I seriously thought I forgot how to ride, but after 2 days of staring at the bike, I went for a ride around the block, felt wonderful, the wind in my face what a feeling....

So far I rode about 4 times, very hard to go up the steep hills and there is plenty of them in my area, actually twice I walked, like a failure...up the hill.

I will keep riding, I do about 5 miles at the time now, I have a heart condition so I'm scared to over do it.

Zen thank you so much!

[ny biker]

Good for you!

Nothing wrong with walking if that's what gets you to the top.

[Zen]

Oh, what wonderful news
Remember, we don't much like the word failure it's just practice for next time.

Small steps add up, Marta.

[Cataboo]

That's great Martaw! The miles pretty quickly start to multiply. Don't overdo it in the heat around here. Stop whenever you need to.

When I started biking again last spring (hadn't been riding in years), I was so out of shape, that I was stopping at the top of every hill and just kinda riding from one mulberry tree to the next so I could eat berries as I caught my breath.

By the end of the summer, I was doing 50 mile rides (not fast, but I was doing 'em).

I still stop to eat the mulberries, rasberries or blackberries every so often though.

[Selkie]

That's terrific! Good work.

I hadn't ridden since my teens but took it up after a 25 year---give or take---hiatus. My "first" bike as an adult was a hybrid and my first ride was in the parking garage--at work--on a Sunday, when it was deserted. I was nervous and wobbly.

The more you ride, the better you'll get. Be patient with and good to yourself. Celebrate every success. You're off to a great start!

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on your new bike and your newfound/renewed love of biking Marta. Yippeeee!!!!!

[MomOnBike]

Ahem.

You are NOT a failure. Did you and the bike make it to the top of the hills? Together? No fail there.

So you weren't pedaling. So what? Call it cross-training and call it good. Hey, I see one of those super-fit 20-something guys on the bike trail around here running and pushing his bike. Obviously cross-training. So, permission granted.

/Stern Mother Figure

Oh, and welcome aboard. Isn't that wind in the face feeling wonderful?

[shootingstar]

For your heart condition, did you discuss this with your doctor on range of cardio that is safe? Might be useful in a few months to get a heart monitor just to make you more comfortable.

Right now just enjoy the freedom and scenery on grades that you can ride.

[TxDoc]

Congrats on your new bike!
Of course we'dlike to see pictures now... you know we like pictures here, don't you?

[tulip]

Yay, Marta! Yay Zen!

[TrekTheKaty]

Good job You're out there--that's all that counts. We all started somewhere

[Photoflygirl]

Congrats Marta! I wish we lived in the same town. I too have a heart condition and ride 5 miles a time and can't do big hills right now. It would be great to ride together. I've ridden about 140 miles since I started riding a couple months ago. I feel better out there, you will, too. It just takes time and patience. (SIGH).

[tulip]

Marta, have you been over the Wilson Bridge yet to Alexandria? You might really like the Mount Vernon Trail. Be aware that it's very busy on the weekends, though.

[txred9876]

Congrats and welcome back to cycling. I had about as long of a hiatus as you did and I love it!

Tina

[mudmucker]

I went for a ride around the block, felt wonderful, the wind in my face what a feeling....

Isn't it great!

Excellent for you to get back out there again. For all of you re-discovering biking after many years....