So, I just bought a bicycle....

[dlbpharmd]

...the first bike that I've had in over 20 years. I didn't buy anything fancy; just something to ride with my family, since my daughters have really gotten good on their bikes this summer. Also, I want to do something about my fat out-of-shape ass.

So, I got home and went for a spin around our subdivsion, which isn't more than 6/10ths of a mile around but has a couple of hills.

The sad thing is - I was out of breath with one time around. I mean, huffing and puffing. I'm so pathetic.

[lurch]

[quote="dlbpharmd"]... Also, I want to do something about my fat out-of-shape ass.

Well today seems to be the day of coincidence,,I just got done looking at Sorus'es new fotos,,and aaa,, I thoroughly encourage you to stay with your wise choice of fun and exercise. Its a win win for everyone and everything involved..Enjoy!

[Worm of Despite]

Once you get in shape, you can actually be lazier than you were and eat more. Yep, whipped cream and extra Covenant re-reads.

[CovenantJr]

Maybe I should dig out my old bike. I could use some exercise myself...

[Auleliel]

What a coincidence! My dad and I were just discussing the possibility of potentially having our next family vacation (beginning of August) be a biking trip from our home in southern WI to his uncle's cabin in northern WI. Most of my family needs to start practicing biking within the next few weeks so that we can handle 40 miles of biking per day. To give you an idea of where we're at right now: on Thursday I biked 2 miles and got tired (but it wasn't entirely my fault, I was on my brother's bike, and the gears were stuck in the highest gear, which I didn't notice until I was a mile away from home).
Good luck with your biking and fitness-seeking! You will get there if you stick to it!

[Cleburne]

So, I got home and went for a spin around our subdivsion, which isn't more than 6/10ths of a mile around but has a couple of hills.

Do a bit more regular practice and you will get your fitness back and cyclying doesnt kill the knees like running does ,its a good form of exercise if you have been without for a while .Me and my partner bought mountain bikes last year and go out most Sundays for three to four hour cycle and love it At the start she was very unfit and struggled to breath after a half an hour.But with regular practice you will feel the difference . Enjoy your bicycle dlp

[dlbpharmd]

Well today seems to be the day of coincidence,,I just got done looking at Sorus'es new fotos,,and aaa,, I thoroughly encourage you to stay with your wise choice of fun and exercise.

I think this must be lurch's way of saying that my ass really IS fat.

Went out and did 3 miles on relatively flat road this morning....it was nice to be out in the morning air. The leg burn was killing me at the end of the route though, and I need to buy some padded shorts though (if you get my drift.) But it was alot of fun. I've never enjoyed walking or running so this seems to be a good way to get some exercise in.

Thanks for the encouragement!

[Damelon]

Sounds like a good way to keep in shape!

I think I could make it about one block on a bike right now.

[DukkhaWaynhim]

I have a fairly new bike that I almost never ride. The last time I did, I went around our neighborhood a couple of laps, and determined that:
1) Aerobic exercise-wise, I did just fine - barely started breathing harder.
2) My legs, while conditioned to run up to 5 miles at a time, are ridiculously out of shape for biking. My legs were sore for days afterward.
3) I need a new bicycle seat. The one that came with the bike seems to try to split me in half, starting at the nards.

If I can find a better seat, ooks like I need to start cross-training or something.

dw

[ur-bane]

Hey dlb.....riding a bike is good exercise.....just ease yourself into it and in no time at all you'll be pushing yourself to break mile markers.

[dlbpharmd]

3) I need a new bicycle seat. The one that came with the bike seems to try to split me in half, starting at the nards.

dw

Yeah, good description, that's exactly the way I feel on my bike.

[balon!]

Firstly: WOO HOO!

Secondly: keep with it, and make sure to do at least ten minutes of stretching both before and after. Put on some tunes and REALLY take your time. The effect will be amazing.

[magickmaker17]

Went out and did 3 miles on relatively flat road this morning....it was nice to be out in the morning air. The leg burn was killing me at the end of the route though, and I need to buy some padded shorts though (if you get my drift.) But it was alot of fun. I've never enjoyed walking or running so this seems to be a good way to get some exercise in.

Thanks for the encouragement!

I was gonna say, flat roads are a lot easier. There's this killer hill on my way to work, my first day of which is tomorrow....It'll be interesting...but its only about 3 and a half miles, so I should be fine. I also plan to invest in a padded seat or something, though.

Maybe I should dig out my old bike. I could use some exercise myself...

yes, yes you should dig out your old bike and get some exercise. Join us!

[Wyldewode]

Awesome. . . it's nice that you are making some dlb time and getting more fit at the same time!

[dlbpharmd]

I got 45 minutes in on my bike early this morning. I rode the bike trail at a local state park. It has some small hills but not too much for me at this point, but I was really huffing and puffing at the end.

[balon!]

I got 45 minutes in on my bike early this morning. I rode the bike trail at a local state park. It has some small hills but not too much for me at this point, but I was really huffing and puffing at the end.

tips:
breathe all the way down to the bottom of your lungs
keep your knees tucked in close, not out to the sides
back straight
push with the ball of your foot, not the heel
DRINK WATER!

[Zarathustra]

Lots of good advice here . . . except the part about putting on some tunes. (Sorry, Balon.) That will get you killed! If you're biking on roads, you've got to use all your senses. Cars don't like sharing the road, and even when they see you, they think it's perfectly fine to run a stop sign or pull out of a drive in front of you.

I've had the same bike for 12 years. I bike regularly, except in the winter. And without fail, every spring my ass hurts on the first couple rides. That will fade! A comfy seat will help. But after 3 or 4 trips, it won't matter much.

Leg strength definitely helps. You can be cardiovascularly fit, but if your legs don't have the muscle for this particular exercise, you'll have a hard time. Just gear it down, take it easy, and have fun. Your legs will adjust, and you'll eventually go as fast as you want. Nothing wrong with going slow in a low gear. That's what the gears are for. Have fun on the downhill!

My bike has no shocks or springs. That just adds weight. A lighter bike will make a lot of difference. Unless you're going off-road, you don't need shocks. Even then, you can just stand up and let your legs be the shock absorbers.

Ki and I have been biking regularly for about a month now. We're having a blast. Biking makes you feel like a kid. I love the thrill of going fast under my own power. I don't think there's any other mode of transportation where your own muscles move you this fast. It's quite thrilling and liberating.

Have fun!

Pics from our favorite place to bike:

[Seareach]

Go you good thing, dlb!!!!

But I don't think you have a fat ass...or didn't I look at it enough to make an accurate assessment...

[balon!]

Lots of good advice here . . . except the part about putting on some tunes. (Sorry, Balon.) That will get you killed! If you're biking on roads, you've got to use all your senses. Cars don't like sharing the road, and even when they see you, they think it's perfectly fine to run a stop sign or pull out of a drive in front of you.

AGREED! I should've been clearer, I actually meant to listen to music while stretching. I find if I don't, I cut corners and I never fully get stretched. Listening to a song or two will make me stretch for the entire time.

Although music is nice if there's a private biking trail, like there is near my house.

[dlbpharmd]

Lots of good advice here . . . except the part about putting on some tunes. (Sorry, Balon.) That will get you killed! If you're biking on roads, you've got to use all your senses. Cars don't like sharing the road, and even when they see you, they think it's perfectly fine to run a stop sign or pull out of a drive in front of you.

AGREED! I should've been clearer, I actually meant to listen to music while stretching. I find if I don't, I cut corners and I never fully get stretched. Listening to a song or two will make me stretch for the entire time.

Although music is nice if there's a private biking trail, like there is near my house.

Thanks for the tips everyone - and that's a good idea about stretching, Balon.

I put in an hour this morning, and made 2 circuits around the trail. Malik's admonishment to gear down helped me quite a bit this morning, as I didn't try to push myself the entire time but instead paced myself with a lower gear. More than anything else, I'm enjoying the quiet time and the early morning cool air.

And Sea -