Back in the saddle

[velo]

Hi, I'm new back to riding, but was no stranger to it until about a decade ago. You know the old story. I was very serious (competitive, road mostly, but some off-road stuff for fun, averaged 200 miles/week during summer months) until I was about 30. Met the man of my dreams (who doesn't ride, but is dreamy in every other way) and started a family.

Fast forward to now. I feel like I have a million questions. I am ready to start riding again. Family can make-do without me for long stretches now. Due to many factors that are beyond my own ken, I let myself gain a lot of weight, too. I've lost 25 in the past 4 months by walking and riding my indoor bike. This past week I started out on the road again. I am hoping that by year's end I can lose the other 35 that I need to shed. At this point, my goal is only to ride, but it is hard to not take note of things like distance and average speed because those were so important to me "in my former life" and it just comes naturally. And since I rode outside for the first time in ten years only 10 days ago, I'm O.K. with those numbers. Well, I have no choice but to be happy with those numbers because I'm not fit enough to change them right now. I'm riding 15 - 20 miles each time and averaging speeds between 14.7 and 15.5. I'm also enjoying fun rides with my 10 year old dd. I ride a hybrid that I have when I'm with her. Just any riding is improving my health and fitness, so I know I need to ignore numbers. Truly, I'm riding for pure pleasure right now and don't want to ruin the fun, IYKWIM.

Boy, and technology has changed so much, too. Suddenly my very nice Klein from 10 years ago is a dinosaur compared to the carbon beauties that I'm now seeing. Since I last rode, we now have GPS, carbon frames for non-pro riders, WSD, wireless computers, etc. etc. I feel like I'm re-learning everything from scratch. And that isn't a bad thing, just a little overwhelming. I don't know where to start.

I'm not prepared to buy a new bike. Mine was spendy at the time and all of the components and hardware were custom assembled to fit me. I still feel like the bike fits me well, big gut and wide hips and all. But I need to update it, some. It's hard to "throw away" what still seems like "good" stuff in my mind, but is hopelessly outdated. For example, my pedals are Dura-Ace SPD-Rs that I have discovered they don't even make anymore (ergo, no replacement cleats). I'm currently using my mountain bike SPDs and put those cleats on my old shoes (that now pinch my feet). Obviously, I need new pedals and shoes (probably SPD-SLs), and a new helmet, I guess. I'm assuming that spending a decade in my basement has rendered it a bit unsafe. I ordered new tires as my current ones are cracking and I had a flat yesterday. Thankfully they still make my preference, as I was very brand-loyal to Vredestein's Fortezza Tricomps.

What else? What should I be thinking about? Not just bike parts and gear... how do I get back into this? I have one pair of bibs that I can squeeze into and I am not willing to lay out $70 - $100 for more shorts/bibs that I (hopefully) won't need for very long. I don't have a jersey, but same thing - I buy it to fit me now, it will be too big down the line. So I'm wondering what I would need as a recreational cyclist. All I want is to be fit enough to enjoy the ride. There is a group at my dd's school that rides on Saturdays and I'd like to ride with them before the summer is out (without embarrassing myself). Where do I go from here? Sorry so long on the intro and questions. TIA!!

[Hi Ho Silver]

If the bike has sat for 10 years, you might need to take it in and have all the bearings cleaned and relubed. (I have an older MTB that sat for about 5 years. When I started riding it again, I noticed that the handlebars wouldn't turn easily. I ignored it until that stiffness caused a crash. It turned out that the headset grease had packed up and was a very stiff gummy mess.)

[TigerMom]

You should be impressed with yourself. 15mph for 20 miles on a hybrid is awesome! I agree with your waiting until you lose a certain amount of weight before getting your dream carbon bike....because you will fit differently on the bike. Plus...your future bike could be a present for yourself for losing your goal weight.

Aerotech Designs has bike shorts that aren't too expensive compared to Pearl Izumi and seems more comfortable for me than Pearl Izumi. I'm not for buying used bike shorts since you aren't supposed to be wearing underwear with bike shorts.
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[roo4]

You'll be fine. Get out there and ride! I agree that you should look after the mechanical aspect of your bicycle and get a new helmet. Other than that, you're good to go.

I took a 12 year hiatus for similar reasons. Last year I noticed that my lycra shorts from the mid 1990s were disintegrating. I replaced one pair last year and one this year. I kept an eye out for sales and bought two jerseys over the same time period. I rode my 1994 Trek for two years, then upgraded last summer to a Madone.

My point is that you don't need to jump in and spend a ton of money right away. Enjoy the ride!

[velo]

You should be impressed with yourself. 15mph for 20 miles on a hybrid is awesome!

OMG! In my dreams! No, no, no... that is on my Klein. And it is flat where I'm riding right now. Very flat. I can't do nearly that on my steel Lemond road bike, let alone this clunky steel hybrid. I ride the hybrid with my 10 year old daughter and, although I don't have a computer on it, I'd guess we average about 6 - 7 MPH.

[velo]

You'll be fine. Get out there and ride! I agree that you should look after the mechanical aspect of your bicycle and get a new helmet. Other than that, you're good to go.

I took a 12 year hiatus for similar reasons. Last year I noticed that my lycra shorts from the mid 1990s were disintegrating. I replaced one pair last year and one this year. I kept an eye out for sales and bought two jerseys over the same time period. I rode my 1994 Trek for two years, then upgraded last summer to a Madone.

My point is that you don't need to jump in and spend a ton of money right away. Enjoy the ride!

Thank you! Of my bibs and shorts and jerseys that I actually still have in my bottom drawer, almost all of the elastic vulcanized and just cracked when I stretched them. The pair that is still in good shape and actually fits is Trek brand. It's a medium, but (to answer a poster above), my size 14 clothes are getting loose on me, so I would guess that new shorts or bibs would have to be a Large at least. I bought a pair of shorts for walking and they are large. I wouldn't be surprised if I wear an XL both on top and bottom for cycling gear. Does anyone have suggestions about where to get maybe one more pair of shorts and one jersey for $20 or so each?

And yes, I don't want to spend a ton of money. This afternoon I bought a new pedal and shoe system. Helmet is next on the list.

I will take my bike to the LBS to see what they have to say about a tune-up.

Thanks for all the replies. It helps to know that there are ladies out there to help me figure this all out again.

Roo4 - from what I've been reading, that is a really great ride you have there. (Did I just date myself by calling it "ride"? Do people use that anymore or did I just embarrass myself? )

[OakLeaf]

I was in a very similar position a few years ago (the only difference was that it was burnout, not kids, that took me away from the bike). I let the LBS do a complete overhaul on my old bike - re-pack all the bearings, new chain, cables, tires, tubes and bar tape. After ten years (or more, in my case), the grease in all the moving parts is likely to be congealed.

I rode that bike for a season to make sure I really wanted to get back into it. Then I got a new bike the following season. (Actually DH got it for me for Christmas. It could happen to you. )

[TigerMom]

Thank you! Of my bibs and shorts and jerseys that I actually still have in my bottom drawer, almost all of the elastic vulcanized and just cracked when I stretched them. The pair that is still in good shape and actually fits is Trek brand. It's a medium, but (to answer a poster above), my size 14 clothes are getting loose on me, so I would guess that new shorts or bibs would have to be a Large at least. I bought a pair of shorts for walking and they are large. I wouldn't be surprised if I wear an XL both on top and bottom for cycling gear. Does anyone have suggestions about where to get maybe one more pair of shorts and one jersey for $20 or so each?

And yes, I don't want to spend a ton of money. This afternoon I bought a new pedal and shoe system. Helmet is next on the list.

I will take my bike to the LBS to see what they have to say about a tune-up.

Thanks for all the replies. It helps to know that there are ladies out there to help me figure this all out again.

Roo4 - from what I've been reading, that is a really great ride you have there. (Did I just date myself by calling it "ride"? Do people use that anymore or did I just embarrass myself? )

eBay will have tons of used jerseys but getting a new pair of bike shorts for $20 will be tough.

____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[tulip]

TE right here has great sales and apparel. $20 shorts will not serve you well, however. Get the best that you can. Remember, your body meets the bike in only three places: feet, hands, butt. Best take care of those parts or you might be miserable.

[velo]

TE right here has great sales and apparel. $20 shorts will not serve you well, however. Get the best that you can. Remember, your body meets the bike in only three places: feet, hands, butt. Best take care of those parts or you might be miserable.

I'll have to look at the sales. Thank you!

I agree about getting good shorts. I do have an excellent pair of bibs from long ago that are in good condition and fit me snug, but well enough that I'm not saddle sore. I just want a second pair as backup if I don't get around to hand-washing and hanging my good pair in time for the next ride.

I did get my new pedals (Shimano Ultegra Carbon) on and at first did not like them *at all*. I was used to metal cleats into metal pedals and didn't like the plastic cleats going into carbon pedals. I toyed with cleat position and pedal tension for over an hour and finally got a combo that I felt comfortable with. I rode 18.5 mi. this morning and they felt good. No discomfort. I had to get home to get the kiddo to a lesson, or I would have ridden more. At least first impression was positive for the new pedals and shoes.

Thanks again to all for tips and ideas!

[velo]

BTW, you are quite obviously not a new rider

I know, I know...

Thank you for saying that, Muirenn. I sure do feel new. (Well, actually I feel old. )

I finally took my Klein down to the LBS to have them look it over. I'm having them do a tune-up and then I have something going on with my rear hub. It may need new bearings. The bike is in good shape overall, though, and doesn't need much more than the basic tune-up. The services manager and I were talking and he asked me about the bike. I told him that it was the 49cm frame, but was a custom build. He said, "We don't get many bikes through here like this one. Rarely with Campy components. I'm going to work on this one myself." It was nice to talk "bike" again" and it's nice to know that the head services guy will be doing the repair, etc.

So, I'll get my Klein back on Friday and am riding my old steel Lemond Alpe d'Huez for now.

A quick question. I bought new SPD-SLs and new shoes (Bontrager) week before last. I have always used SPD systems (both road and mountain) and never had a problem with them. I took the pedals off of my Klein at the bike shop and put them on my Lemond - this morning I rode for the first time with them on my Lemond. My feet were slightly aching at the end of 21 miles. Nothing bad, but enough there to make me take note. I'm assuming it's because I'm riding the Lemond (which is not a perfect fit for me, as the Klein is). I rode over 100 miles in them over the course of last week and they were fine. My area is quite flat. I'm not hammering up hills and I like to ride at a fairly normal spinning cadence on flats (90rpm or there abouts). I'm thinking "bike" and not "shoe/cleat/pedal" as being the culprit. Would this make sense? I will ride again tomorrow... about 20 - 25 again, but I'm wondering if I need to think about adjustments or if I should just leave things for the few days I'm without my Klein. TIA for any advice on that!

[velo]

Campy with a custom frame is my dream-bike. Not ready yet to drop the $$$, but I'd love to drool over yours if you post a picture. That's a 'forever' bike. The LeMond sounds sweet too.

I do use SPD-SL's, but when I changed shoes last year, I had a horrible time with the cleats until I found a very good fitter (who spent 3 hours adjusting just them ). So, I'm not the best person to ask. That might actually deserve it's own post.

The frame's not custom (I wish!). We started with the factory 49cm frame and the rest of the build was custom with Campy Chorus drive train, shifters, etc. with Zipp rims. If I can figure out how to post a picture, I'll post one when I get the bike back.

Thanks for the suggestion to post separately about the pedals. I forgot that there are areas here other than "newbie". I've been reading a lot here.

[velo]

I got my bike back from the LBS today. I can't wait to take it out tomorrow all tuned-up. It has a better saddle than my Lemond and my tushie will welcome the change.

I did get a pic of it and I think I got it attached to this post. I guess we'll see. It appears green in the picture, but the paint job is actually with chameleon paint, and it usually looks purple, especially in natural light. It depends on the angle from which you are looking. I couldn't get the picture to take with it purple (which I think is the prettier color), but maybe my hubby can, as he's the photographer in the family.

[Owlie]

Very pretty bike!