Today is the day...

[GingerbreadGirl]

I bought a used road bike yesterday. I'm going out today on my first ever, real ride on a road bike.

I really hope I don't die.

[Owlie]

I bought a used road bike yesterday. I'm going out today on my first ever, real ride on a road bike.

I really hope I don't die.

So, what did you get? Enjoy the ride!

[GingerbreadGirl]

The Giant. It is the same make and size as my beloved hardtail, actually the seller bought it from the same shop I got my mtb at! Went to see it and it was basically brand new- still shiny. She had barely ridden it. Threw in her cutout saddle. For $300 I couldn't go wrong. If I love road cycling, I can upgrade next season. If I don't, I didn't waste much $$ and I still have the mtb. I think it will be great though.

[GingerbreadGirl]

Ok, I should have done this a long time ago!

My ride was awesome! It was so much easier and more fun than being on a mtb. I just started riding a month ago, and I was only managing around 3 mi or so... i was blaming being out of shape and my illness (lupus) and thought I just wasn't good at cycling...

Jumped on my new baby and went almost 8 mi and felt great. I was much faster and more comfortable and could have gone longer if not for the insane heat and humidity. I LOVED it. Legs are not falling off and I wasn't all shaky like I thought I'd be. Wow, this is fun

[Owlie]

The Giant. It is the same make and size as my beloved hardtail, actually the seller bought it from the same shop I got my mtb at! Went to see it and it was basically brand new- still shiny. She had barely ridden it. Threw in her cutout saddle. For $300 I couldn't go wrong. If I love road cycling, I can upgrade next season. If I don't, I didn't waste much $$ and I still have the mtb. I think it will be great though.

The FCR2? Very nice! (We want pictures.)
I'm with you on the "spend a little now, then upgrade if you like it." That's what I did with my roadie, and while an upgrade isn't in the cards right now, I can say that I didn't waste my initial investment.

[GingerbreadGirl]

Here she is:



She's light purple, almost lavendar.

[maryellen]

Very nice bike . . . and very glad that you didn't die!

[sgtiger]

GingerbreadGirl, congrats on getting a road bike and I'm glad that your first ride was so enjoyable. Well wishes for many more happy miles!

[Nick]

So glad to hear you had a wonderful inaugural ride! You've almost made me consider trying a road bike sometime... Getting back into biking this season is the most fun I've had in years :-)

[GingerbreadGirl]

Thanks everyone. And really, Nick, I didn't think a roadie was for me but it's just so light and easy. I used to have a really heavy cruiser and I've owned two mountain bikes and my new baby just feels so free and easy on the pavement. It's got flat bars so I didn't have too much of a change to get used to. Maybe someday I'll even want drop bars

[RubyTuesday]

Congrats on your new bike. She is a beauty! I can't believe I love bike pictures, but I do.

I just got a new road bike also and I feel so free when I am on her. I did my first 27.5 mile ride today and I am feeling pretty good. Legs are a bit rubbery, but good.

I deal with type one diabetes and riding, but you know, we figure it out. Don't we?

Congrats on your beautiful new bike.

[amwm]

I too am relatively new to riding. I have an awesome husband who is an avid cyclist - (and quite the stud!)who's been SO supportive and helpful. I too have a Giant - would like to "graduate" to drop bars but there's something about them that are intimidating to me. I've managed a 34 mile ride last week (my longest to date) and am very comfortable with my bike, BUT, I do wish I could get over my fear of falling on my head over those drop bars!

[zoom-zoom]

My ride was awesome! It was so much easier and more fun than being on a mtb. I just started riding a month ago, and I was only managing around 3 mi or so... i was blaming being out of shape and my illness (lupus) and thought I just wasn't good at cycling...)

I just caught this... Something I have to tell you -- the absolute most hardcore female cyclist I know has lupus and is hyperthyroid. She is totally badass, but she said that riding makes her feel better...so she rides. A LOT! Last year she estimated that she logged about 10k miles. On road, on mountain bike, cyclocross, on the back of tandems. She's a brute!

[GingerbreadGirl]

No way, that's awesome!

I was very athletic before I got sick... sports all through college and after, plus mtb, skiing, hiking, etc. I definately feel better when I'm active, my joints don't hurt as much, I'm not as tired and I eat/sleep better. I had a relapse last fall so I'm still coming back from that right now but working out helps a whole lot.

kudos to your friend, it is mentally tough to keep in shape when you have sudden relapses that knock you on your butt for weeks at a time... then you have to start conditioning all over again! Good for her.

[zoom-zoom]

Lupus is really scary stuff. I have endometriosis, which puts me at risk for other autoimmune disorders, including lupus. Sometimes it really sucks being a girl.