New to bikes and message groups

[khagelberg]

Hello everyone. Just bought a Trek navigator last week. The kid at the LBO said it's a geezer bike I don't care though, I'm in love with the thing! I rode 13 miles easily on a trail and plan lots more, but I have questions. Any rhyme or reason to how fast you increase miles? Also, I'm on the trail alone usually, though there are other riders when I go (just after dinner). Not to be a sissy, but does anyone have safety tips for a gal alone on a trail? Thanks, Clueless near Cleveland.

[Surlygirl]

Here is my advice since I sometimes ride the trails alone. Always let someone know where you are going. Take a cell phone with you. I also carry a multitool with a knife on it. Maybe I'm paranoid but I like having it. Be aware of your surroundings. Carry a spare tube and know how to change a flat and a light if you are riding in the evenings. You don't want to get stuck out on a trail with a flat in the dark.
Just some ideas.

[bikerchick68]

Hiya and welcome! A "geezer" bike huh? Hey at least you're riding a bike!!! Good for you...

OK...Surly is dead on... always carry an ID, a phone, a little cash (for a call or food if you suddenly need some carbs, often called "bonking"), pepper spray (for dogs, animals AND creepy people!)... and definitely let someone know where you are going and about what time to expect you back! And always, always wear your helmet! Even a slow speed crash can result in an injury... a helmet is pretty cheap health insurance.

as to increasing your miles, ride as far as you can and enjoy! If you feel good, ride! If you're feeling like your legs are wood, take a night off!

Try to carry some carb packs with you as you increase your distance... if you begin riding more than about 25 miles you will want to take in some carbs so you DON'T bonk... lots of info here about women and fueling for riding!

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board!!.....and go kick that LBS guy in the hinney!! J/K.....my "get back into biking by commuting" bike was a Trek Navigator 200 bought just about a year ago! She was my first Trek and my first bike after a 6 yr sabbatical and I love her! I rode my first 20+ ride on her and my first 30+ ride on her. I tried more to ride by time than miles at first and then once I realized I could ride the miles I just increased by half every time I wanted more miles.
So which Navigator did you get?? also, have you had a chance to bop over to the "getting to know you" thread?? .....if not, it's in the open threads and will give you a chance to meet us and - if so inclined - tell us some more about you!

[khagelberg]

It's so cool you all wrote to help out. As for safety, I have the cell phone, the ID, the light and the pepper spray, and I'll soon be taking a one-hour learn to change your tire, basic bike maintainence class. My front wheel comes off for transport, but so far I've been a little chicken to try it. Maybe after class. And who knew I joined a sport that actually recommends carbs - whadda country. For CorsairMac: my bike is a Trek Navigator. Coolest thing in the world. My only regret is that LBS didn't stock it in red! I'm sort of feeling my way around this response thing, so I hope I'm replying correctly. (I have visions of accidentally threading the White House... Sunday's my first bike club ride! --Kymberli

[CorsairMac]

I'm not sure you can do a "wrong" reply here hun! You're doing just fine. The first time I posted - it must've taken me close to a half hour to ask a simple question coz I kept re-reading it and re-writing it! Now...half the time I'm not even spell checking!!

I forgot to mention that I do pretty much all my riding alone. I didn't have any riding friends until just recently and they don't ride anything over 20 miles with me. I always carry a cell phone, ID, insurance info, tools, and CO2 when I ride. The other thing I do is have the numbers programed in my cell phone as: parents, sister, brother, friend, etc so if I"m ever knocked out the EMTs know who belongs to me!

[bikerchick68]

we have spellcheck???

I actually wear a necklace from a company called RoadID... it has my name and 3 phone numbers on it of who to call just in case... and is connected to me since it's around my neck... I ride alone a lot so worth it to me!

[Kryn]

Funny story:

Member of my bike club mentioned that if you program ICE (in case of emergency) into your cell phone, EMT's will know that's what it means. Cool! I thought, and did it. Two hours later, when I had forgotten all about it, my cell rang, I checked the caller ID-it said ICE calling-it was my mother

[SpinSis]

Like Bikerchick, I also use the RoadID. (www.roadid.com). I read about it here on this website in a similar new-to-riding forum. I love it--it's like a dogtag. I also bring cell phone, cash and flat repair stuff.

Welcome to riding, too. I just started in April with a Trek 1000 WSD road bike, but I think my sister-in-law got a bike like I imagine your LBS considers a "geezer" bike. She called it a comfort bike. And she LOVES it for riding with her kids on trails.

I highly recommend reading the Getting to Know you thread on this site. I don't post too often but the virtual peloton is really groovy to be a part of, and seeing what a diverse bunch we are is inspirational.

Have fun and spin, spin, spin.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Like Bikerchick, I also use the RoadID. (www.roadid.com). I read about it here on this website in a similar new-to-riding forum. I love it--it's like a dogtag.

Me too, me too! I also use the dogtag version of RoadID (known on their website as the Fixx). But I put information on both sides of mine. One side has my name, city, state, + emergency phone numbers for 2 different people. The other side has the name of my health insurance company, the name & phone for my primary care physician, my year of birth, and other health-related info (any allergies, etc.).

Definitely you should carry id, and having it on your body is a good thing... no searching needed by emergency personnel.

--- Denise

[RoadRaven]

Welcome to the forum k, great to see another enthused gal out there...
(Its an epidemic, you know, ones you've caught "it" you've got "it" for life!)

And what? A geezer bike? What rubbish - if it fits you, its a "you" bike!!!