so, if I want to prep for a bike ride, what should I do??

[elsie]

I don't have a bike, but I've been wanting one. Haven't ridden since college. I don't really exercise, but I'm not unhealthy either.

At my 15 year reunion, they are gonna have this bike ride:

"A bike trip of about 15 miles along the back roads of Middlebury. Best for mountain or hybrid bikes. Kids and adults welcome. Please bring helmet, water and snack."

So it's probably a little hilly. I've got 11 weeks, and this can be my motivation. Can I even possibly get ready to do this?

Any help with training? thanks!

[mirage1]

I don't have a bike, but I've been wanting one. Haven't ridden since college. I don't really exercise, but I'm not unhealthy either.

At my 15 year reunion, they are gonna have this bike ride:

"A bike trip of about 15 miles along the back roads of Middlebury. Best for mountain or hybrid bikes. Kids and adults welcome. Please bring helmet, water and snack."

So it's probably a little hilly. I've got 11 weeks, and this can be my motivation. Can I even possibly get ready to do this?

Any help with training? thanks!Oh gosh, you can easily do that. Seriously, I started riding a bike again after 20 years and the first time I rode 5 miles, and probably the fifth time out I rode 15. You'll be surprised how easy it is. It might be nice if you could find out if it's hilly so you can practice that a little, but really, 15 miles will not be tough.

[Sue]

Oh gosh, you can easily do that. Seriously, I started riding a bike again after 20 years and the first time I rode 5 miles, and probably the fifth time out I rode 15. You'll be surprised how easy it is. It might be nice if you could find out if it's hilly so you can practice that a little, but really, 15 miles will not be tough.

Hopefully you can find a place with terrain similar to that of the big bike ride to practice on.

GL!

[jump4joy]

Totally, you can definitely do this! If you are going to be buying a bike, make sure to buy from a shop that will do a fitting on you. The biggest cause of not being able to finish a bike ride of that length is not muscle soreness, but aches and pains caused by poor bike fitting. Back pain, neck pain, wrist, and butt pains, as well as knee pains (and possibly injury) can all be caused by a poor bike fit, so IMHO that's far more important than which bike you end up buying.

For my Team in Training team, our first bike ride was about 8 miles, and everyone (even the total non-athletes) did just fine. We had done bike fittings prior to that though. Within a few weeks, we were up to 15 miles of riding with no problem.

[elsie]

really?? wow, so I just need a bike!

thanks ladies!

[Sue]

so I just need a bike!



Oh and if you can find them padded pants. Because the first couple weeks you butt gets sore from the seat!

[riversprite]

Totally, you can definitely do this! If you are going to be buying a bike, make sure to buy from a shop that will do a fitting on you. The biggest cause of not being able to finish a bike ride of that length is not muscle soreness, but aches and pains caused by poor bike fitting. Back pain, neck pain, wrist, and butt pains, as well as knee pains (and possibly injury) can all be caused by a poor bike fit, so IMHO that's far more important than which bike you end up buying.

.

Can you explain the "bike fitting" thing a bit more?
I'm in the market for a bike this spring but my plan was to hopefully buy used or more low-end if I have to go new.
I thought that adult bikes only come in one size?

[jump4joy]

Adult bikes come in many different frame sizes. The tires are usually the same size, so that's probably what looks the same about adult bikes. But definitely a 6'4" person will ride a much different frame size than someone who's 5'2"! In general, you want to be able to stand with your feet flat on the floor with the top tube (the one that's parallel to the ground) comfortably underneath your crotch and pick up the bike and have the tube go up about 1" before hitting your crotch. Of course, some bikes now have a slanted top tube, so this isn't accurate for those. Bikes also have different top tube to frame height ratios, so if you have a particularly long or short torso, you'll need to find a bike that fits in the amount of reach from seat to handlebars, as well as in total bike height. Adjustments can be made to the seat height, the seat position (forwards and backwards) and the handlebar stem that can fine-tune the fit further. There are things to take into consideration such as where your knee lines up with the center of the pedal that will affect the amount of stress on your knees.

In general, if you're going to buy a used bike I would make sure to take it to a reputable bike store and ask them if that bike would work for you. Or you can get measured at a bike store ahead of time and find out what frame size will work best, which will at least give you a ballpark to work from. Any good bike store will have professional bike fitters that will fit a bike you bought there (for free) or a bike you bought somewhere else (for an extra fee). This money is worth it!!!!!! Most bicycling injuries are totally preventable with a good bike fit. Here's an online bike fit calculator (http://www.tiemeyercycles.com/fit.htm)that will give you a bunch of data on bike fit based on your leg length, torso length, and arm length, but it's a bit technical. My advice is definitely talk to your LBS (local bike store) before you buy anything. Find a good bike store where you like the people who work there, they will be your allies over the coming years when you need maintenance, gear, advice, etc. I bought my first road bike from my LBS over 20 years ago, and I still shop there and now I ride for their team. They're really great people.

[macaquinha]

So it's probably a little hilly.

It's probably more than a "little" hilly (unless you're really lucky and the course follows the river). Which is not to say that you can't do it, but I'd definitely make sure I got a bike with good gears and practiced a lot on hills. I'm in terrible shape, but I can ride 15 miles on the flat. I don't do mountains, though. :p

[elsie]

thanks everybody :)

We actually have a brand new local bike shop in town- they just moved her from over the river to gain more space. They have new and used bikes, and rides 3 days a week at 6pm. I think I'll stop in there this week and see what they've got!

[collier]

It's probably more than a "little" hilly (unless you're really lucky and the course follows the river). Which is not to say that you can't do it, but I'd definitely make sure I got a bike with good gears and practiced a lot on hills. I'm in terrible shape, but I can ride 15 miles on the flat. I don't do mountains, though. :p

I was thinking this too. What was "a little hilly" in Vermont at 20 is probably a little more than that at 20+ :) .

Best!

[elsie]

I was thinking this too. What was "a little hilly" in Vermont at 20 is probably a little more than that at 20+ :) .

Best!

LOL! Twenty Plus :D I love it. That's how I'm gonna to refer to myself from now on!

I guess hoping the ride goes west through the fields is a longshot, I guess.

[riversprite]

Adult bikes come in many different frame sizes. The tires are usually the same size, so that's probably what looks the same about adult bikes. But definitely a 6'4" person will ride a much different frame size than someone who's 5'2"! In general, you want to be able to stand with your feet flat on the floor with the top tube (the one that's parallel to the ground) comfortably underneath your crotch and pick up the bike and have the tube go up about 1" before hitting your crotch. Of course, some bikes now have a slanted top tube, so this isn't accurate for those. Bikes also have different top tube to frame height ratios, so if you have a particularly long or short torso, you'll need to find a bike that fits in the amount of reach from seat to handlebars, as well as in total bike height. Adjustments can be made to the seat height, the seat position (forwards and backwards) and the handlebar stem that can fine-tune the fit further. There are things to take into consideration such as where your knee lines up with the center of the pedal that will affect the amount of stress on your knees.

In general, if you're going to buy a used bike I would make sure to take it to a reputable bike store and ask them if that bike would work for you. Or you can get measured at a bike store ahead of time and find out what frame size will work best, which will at least give you a ballpark to work from. Any good bike store will have professional bike fitters that will fit a bike you bought there (for free) or a bike you bought somewhere else (for an extra fee). This money is worth it!!!!!! Most bicycling injuries are totally preventable with a good bike fit. Here's an online bike fit calculator (http://www.tiemeyercycles.com/fit.htm)that will give you a bunch of data on bike fit based on your leg length, torso length, and arm length, but it's a bit technical. My advice is definitely talk to your LBS (local bike store) before you buy anything. Find a good bike store where you like the people who work there, they will be your allies over the coming years when you need maintenance, gear, advice, etc. I bought my first road bike from my LBS over 20 years ago, and I still shop there and now I ride for their team. They're really great people.


Thanks...lots of great info!
I don't have the money to buy an expensive bike right now and I feel terrible going into a good bike store to find out what I need in a bike and then not buy it there! Guilt!
I might just have to suck it up and do it anyway. I really should limit my spending to UNDER $200 and I just don't think that's possible for a bike from a LBS. I might have to reevaluate what I need to spend. I don't know.
My next door neighbour is the same height and proportions as myself and she seems to think that I would need a 16" frame, like her. (her friends in Calgary where she moved from owned a bike store and fitted her)
I think I'll pluck up some courage and see some LBS around here for advice.

[jump4joy]

A good LBS will be thinking about building a relationship with you, not just selling you a bike. The guys at my LBS are *great* and some of our Team in Training folks were on garage-sale bikes or borrowed bikes even and they helped them all get fitted on these bikes. For one thing, a good LBS will know that over the years of being a bike owner, you'll be coming to them. You'll need a helmet every now and then, or one for your kids. You might want to get gloves at some point for padding for your hands. Or you might come in to check out their end-of-season sale rack or to get your bike tuned up. A good LBS will be building that relationship with you by helping you out, even if you don't buy your first bike from them (but be sure to ask if they have anything in your price range, because sometimes they might have one from last year's stock, or just got a used one traded in or something). Ask them for advice, and then make sure that you do come back and buy your helmet there or get a tune-up there or whatever. It's worth it to know the folks there, and it benefits both of you.

LBS's are in danger in many places from the WalMarts and other places that sell cheaply made bikes, so they are usually looking to build new customer relationships. And then they know that when you are ready to buy a new bike, you'll probably come to them.

One more thing about buying a used bike is to make sure it has good componenents (derailleur, shifters, brakes). I would look for Shimano if you can, because a lot of the WalMarty-type bikes *look* just as good as a bike-shop bike, but the place it will differ is in the components. When you can't shift easily and the chain keeps popping off and the gears grind down in 10 weeks of riding because they're made from a cheaper alloy, then you haven't saved yourself any money buying a used bike, because you'll spend it all in repairs. That's another thing an LBS can help you out with - ask them about what components to be looking for and how to tell a good used bike from a bad one.

[sarahs]

A good LBS will be thinking about building a relationship with you, not just selling you a bike. The guys at my LBS are *great* and some of our Team in Training folks were on garage-sale bikes or borrowed bikes even and they helped them all get fitted on these bikes. For one thing, a good LBS will know that over the years of being a bike owner, you'll be coming to them. You'll need a helmet every now and then, or one for your kids. You might want to get gloves at some point for padding for your hands. Or you might come in to check out their end-of-season sale rack or to get your bike tuned up. A good LBS will be building that relationship with you by helping you out, even if you don't buy your first bike from them (but be sure to ask if they have anything in your price range, because sometimes they might have one from last year's stock, or just got a used one traded in or something). Ask them for advice, and then make sure that you do come back and buy your helmet there or get a tune-up there or whatever. It's worth it to know the folks there, and it benefits both of you.

LBS's are in danger in many places from the WalMarts and other places that sell cheaply made bikes, so they are usually looking to build new customer relationships. And then they know that when you are ready to buy a new bike, you'll probably come to them.

One more thing about buying a used bike is to make sure it has good componenents (derailleur, shifters, brakes). I would look for Shimano if you can, because a lot of the WalMarty-type bikes *look* just as good as a bike-shop bike, but the place it will differ is in the components. When you can't shift easily and the chain keeps popping off and the gears grind down in 10 weeks of riding because they're made from a cheaper alloy, then you haven't saved yourself any money buying a used bike, because you'll spend it all in repairs. That's another thing an LBS can help you out with - ask them about what components to be looking for and how to tell a good used bike from a bad one.

Yes!! And usually they are bike enthusiasts who are happy to get other people into it so they are motivated to make you happy biking, not just happy with their products.

My DH is a bike nut and used to work in a shop himself back in the day. Ask around among your friends and you may find someone who can help you with your questions, shopping and maintenance.

[riversprite]

Yes!! And usually they are bike enthusiasts who are happy to get other people into it so they are motivated to make you happy biking, not just happy with their products.

My DH is a bike nut and used to work in a shop himself back in the day. Ask around among your friends and you may find someone who can help you with your questions, shopping and maintenance.


To both Robin and Sarah:

Unfortunately the bike shop that was down the street from me (and that Marc had bought a number of things from) is closed. Or it moved and I can't figure out where!
I'll have to find another one to go to.

[Tangwystl]

To both Robin and Sarah:

Unfortunately the bike shop that was down the street from me (and that Marc had bought a number of things from) is closed. Or it moved and I can't figure out where!
I'll have to find another one to go to.

You should probably talk to Mike! :) Or Karen's Paul could probably help you too. Both of them bike everywhere. Mike just helped open a biking co-op on Bronson.