Any cyclists?

sheepla · 10-22-15, 09:16 AM

I am reluctantly (kicking screaming protesting the whole way) following my orthopedic doctor's advice and giving up running for now due to knee arthritis. I bought a hybrid bike and went out for a ride and really enjoyed it. I did some road biking back in college but hadn't been on a bike for at least 10 years (other than spinning).

I'm going to try to bike on the greenways at lunchtime and do a longer ride on the weekends. If I really get into it, will probably invest in a road bike. Any advice about getting started, training routine or injuries to watch out for (I'm very injury prone)?

BTW, I now understand where the phrase "it's just like riding a bike" comes from. Once you learn, it really does stay with you.

andtckrtoo · 10-22-15, 09:36 AM

There are a lot of cyclists on these forums. Another great resource is Teamestrogen.com. They are great forums for women riders. Advice - invest in a good saddle. Go to a local bike shop - one that will allow you to test different ones - once you can ride any distance. I swear by my Brooks, but it truly depends on your sit bones and what works for you. Your lady bits will thank you, believe me.

A good cycling trainer will allow you to ride in all weather and there are some great workouts for cycling.

wishiwasinhawaii · 10-22-15, 09:47 AM

I love bike riding, but don't get to do it nearly as often as I would like. Definitely less stress on the joints and you get to look at pretty scenery as you ride! We're having warm weather here today, but soon it will be too cold to ride so I have an exercise bike I ride during the bad weather/winter. I don't know what type of bike you have, but my advice is to get a high quality bike if you're going to be doing a lot of riding. They are better made and last longer. I have a Specialized mountain bike made for women shorter than 5'4" that is a dream to ride because I don't have to strain to reach the handlebars. It also has shock absorbers in the front end, which help take the jolt out if you hit a bump.

sheepla · 10-22-15, 10:51 AM

I bought a Womens Trek FX 7.4 which I think was a good choice for now. It's the first time I've bought a new bike fitted just for me and wow, what a difference that makes.

Off to take a look at teamestrogen.com

andtckrtoo · 10-22-15, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepla

I bought a Womens Trek FX 7.4 which I think was a good choice for now. It's the first time I've bought a new bike fitted just for me and wow, what a difference that makes.

Off to take a look at teamestrogen.com

Trek makes good bikes.

punkrockmom · 10-22-15, 11:50 AM

I've been cycling a couple years. I love the map my ride app. You can see yourself getting faster, beating your personal records. And the challenges are fun for goal setting. Joining a cycling group helped too. Even if you only go a couple times if you let them know you're just starting out people are really excited to help. Especially the women's groups. I also got a lot more confident riding in traffic (taking the lane) after joining a group.

Izzy · 10-22-15, 01:23 PM

I have been cycling a couple of years as well. I also use the Map my Ride app mostly to track distance vs speed. Speed can vary so much based on energy, time of day, wind, number of people on the trail etc.

I love cycling and combine it with my other love, reading, by listening to books on my phone while riding. I have also biked to work this summer as there is a trail that takes me within 1 1/2 miles from my work. I just load up my back pack and hit the trail.

We have lots of trails by me, in northern Illinois. I also use the RAILS TO TRAILS to find trails in states close by me. I enjoy taking a drive to new trails and trying them out.

I don't have a recommendation for a bike as I could use a new one but be careful with road bikes as their tires tend to go flat more often than a hybrid.

sheepla · 10-22-15, 01:27 PM

My local bike shop had a women's only wine and cheese Fix A Flat event last week. It was AWESOME. I now feel totally confident fixing a flat tire if the need arises.

My Garmin 610 works great for tracking my rides. I'm not confident enough for the roads yet but hopefully will get there.

ivorygorgon · 10-23-15, 10:47 AM

Avid cyclist here. I road bike and mountain bike, and I train on the trainer. I do some (very light) intraclub racing, but I mostly like endurance riding. There is a lot of good advice in this thread and I second and third a lot of it.

It is great advice to seek out a club. There are many different clubs with different riding philosophys, so you have find a good fit for you. If there is a Trek in your area, they very often organize group rides. This is great for anyone, but is also a great place for beginners to get good tips.

Get a bike fit. It will make all the difference in the world for comfort, power and keeping you injury free.

You may have to experiment with saddles. I ride a Brooks.

For true fitness, you may be surprised at how many miles you have to put in

rosepetals · 10-24-15, 08:39 AM

Hubby is a biker. It was amazing to watch his lower body improve. He uses the Trek bike. Its designed so your back doesn't hurt. His knees are bad too, but he can ride without any problem. He does 20 miles a day 3 or more days a week. It will bulk up your thighs. He has no muscle fat on his legs. They are so muscular that you see the muscle striations. His calves are beautiful.

One day he was embarrassed when a man came up and commented on how nice his legs are. Hubby is in his late 50s. When we go grocery shopping, I don't ever see anyone with as nice of legs as he has.

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10-22-15, 09:16 AM
sheepla VF Supporter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OK	Any cyclists? I am reluctantly (kicking screaming protesting the whole way) following my orthopedic doctor's advice and giving up running for now due to knee arthritis. I bought a hybrid bike and went out for a ride and really enjoyed it. I did some road biking back in college but hadn't been on a bike for at least 10 years (other than spinning). I'm going to try to bike on the greenways at lunchtime and do a longer ride on the weekends. If I really get into it, will probably invest in a road bike. Any advice about getting started, training routine or injuries to watch out for (I'm very injury prone)? BTW, I now understand where the phrase "it's just like riding a bike" comes from. Once you learn, it really does stay with you. __________________ Shelia

10-22-15, 09:36 AM
andtckrtoo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Island off the NC Coast	There are a lot of cyclists on these forums. Another great resource is Teamestrogen.com. They are great forums for women riders. Advice - invest in a good saddle. Go to a local bike shop - one that will allow you to test different ones - once you can ride any distance. I swear by my Brooks, but it truly depends on your sit bones and what works for you. Your lady bits will thank you, believe me. A good cycling trainer will allow you to ride in all weather and there are some great workouts for cycling. __________________ Christine Wag more, bark less

10-22-15, 09:47 AM
wishiwasinhawaii Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NJ	I love bike riding, but don't get to do it nearly as often as I would like. Definitely less stress on the joints and you get to look at pretty scenery as you ride! We're having warm weather here today, but soon it will be too cold to ride so I have an exercise bike I ride during the bad weather/winter. I don't know what type of bike you have, but my advice is to get a high quality bike if you're going to be doing a lot of riding. They are better made and last longer. I have a Specialized mountain bike made for women shorter than 5'4" that is a dream to ride because I don't have to strain to reach the handlebars. It also has shock absorbers in the front end, which help take the jolt out if you hit a bump.

10-22-15, 10:51 AM
sheepla VF Supporter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OK	I bought a Womens Trek FX 7.4 which I think was a good choice for now. It's the first time I've bought a new bike fitted just for me and wow, what a difference that makes. Off to take a look at teamestrogen.com __________________ Shelia

10-22-15, 11:50 AM
punkrockmom VF Supporter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tx	I've been cycling a couple years. I love the map my ride app. You can see yourself getting faster, beating your personal records. And the challenges are fun for goal setting. Joining a cycling group helped too. Even if you only go a couple times if you let them know you're just starting out people are really excited to help. Especially the women's groups. I also got a lot more confident riding in traffic (taking the lane) after joining a group.

10-22-15, 01:23 PM
Izzy Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West of Chicago in the Illinois Corn Belt	I have been cycling a couple of years as well. I also use the Map my Ride app mostly to track distance vs speed. Speed can vary so much based on energy, time of day, wind, number of people on the trail etc. I love cycling and combine it with my other love, reading, by listening to books on my phone while riding. I have also biked to work this summer as there is a trail that takes me within 1 1/2 miles from my work. I just load up my back pack and hit the trail. We have lots of trails by me, in northern Illinois. I also use the RAILS TO TRAILS to find trails in states close by me. I enjoy taking a drive to new trails and trying them out. I don't have a recommendation for a bike as I could use a new one but be careful with road bikes as their tires tend to go flat more often than a hybrid.

10-22-15, 01:27 PM
sheepla VF Supporter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OK	My local bike shop had a women's only wine and cheese Fix A Flat event last week. It was AWESOME. I now feel totally confident fixing a flat tire if the need arises. My Garmin 610 works great for tracking my rides. I'm not confident enough for the roads yet but hopefully will get there. __________________ Shelia

10-23-15, 10:47 AM
ivorygorgon Join Date: Aug 2005	Avid cyclist here. I road bike and mountain bike, and I train on the trainer. I do some (very light) intraclub racing, but I mostly like endurance riding. There is a lot of good advice in this thread and I second and third a lot of it. It is great advice to seek out a club. There are many different clubs with different riding philosophys, so you have find a good fit for you. If there is a Trek in your area, they very often organize group rides. This is great for anyone, but is also a great place for beginners to get good tips. Get a bike fit. It will make all the difference in the world for comfort, power and keeping you injury free. You may have to experiment with saddles. I ride a Brooks. For true fitness, you may be surprised at how many miles you have to put in

10-24-15, 08:39 AM
rosepetals Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UNITED STATES	Hubby is a biker. It was amazing to watch his lower body improve. He uses the Trek bike. Its designed so your back doesn't hurt. His knees are bad too, but he can ride without any problem. He does 20 miles a day 3 or more days a week. It will bulk up your thighs. He has no muscle fat on his legs. They are so muscular that you see the muscle striations. His calves are beautiful. One day he was embarrassed when a man came up and commented on how nice his legs are. Hubby is in his late 50s. When we go grocery shopping, I don't ever see anyone with as nice of legs as he has.