Mike Dobson
New Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
Any tips to get me off my fat ass and back on to my road bike. It's been sitting patiently in the garage since last year.
Be nice to me I'm old and rusty and new
- Thread starter Mike Dobson
- Start date
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TonyEnjoyD
Guru
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Erm... blow up the tyres, give it a quick lube, don your helmet and off you go.
Don't over-stress about all the right kit, hydration, emergency stuff to start with.
Sort yourself a 5-10 mile circular-ish route to allow for cutting home if it gets to much to start with.
Set yourself a goal of say 20 miles then work toward it and reward yourself with something new and shiney when you do your first 20 miler.
Once you rach that goal the sky's the limit.
See if you can find yourself a cycling buddy - most of us are more than happy to help start a new person to the flock.
Oh, and if you are generally unfit/old-ish/have medical issues, check with your doctor first.
Good luck
Don't over-stress about all the right kit, hydration, emergency stuff to start with.
Sort yourself a 5-10 mile circular-ish route to allow for cutting home if it gets to much to start with.
Set yourself a goal of say 20 miles then work toward it and reward yourself with something new and shiney when you do your first 20 miler.
Once you rach that goal the sky's the limit.
See if you can find yourself a cycling buddy - most of us are more than happy to help start a new person to the flock.
Oh, and if you are generally unfit/old-ish/have medical issues, check with your doctor first.
Good luck
OP
OP
Mike Dobson
New Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
48, no health issues I know of (ok, fat knacker but you know...) Melton Mowbray.
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OP
Mike Dobson
New Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
I am big girl's blouse. I openly admit it. I admit it openly.
I turned 50 a couple of months ago and I've been cycling for the last 18 months and absolutely love it.
I see exercise as a matter of routine. You need to build it into your life. The only exercise I've really done before was almost 20 years ago when I went to the gym 2-3 times a week for over a year. It was simple, plan my nights, have my bag packed, go home change, have a snack, pick up my bag and go. No element of choice involved, no need to decide will I wont I, just do it, and I invariably enjoyed it. The only time I ran into difficulty was if I broke the pattern. If I had a couple of weeks off on holiday it seemed difficult to go back. One day I just never did.
The bike is more complicated. I started as part of a weight loss thing, and it quickly became much more important than the weight loss. I set targets- certain times, a regular mileage, preparing for specific events etc. Above all though I just enjoy it. This morning was a bit of a battle, cold, slightly windy, hard work. Then coming back into town, with a lot of commuter traffic I hit a cycle/bus lane, the legs started to work (ok, maybe the wind I'd been wrestling with earlier was behind me) and it made the whole ride worthwhile.
I've seen it said on here that the most difficult steps you ever take to ride your bike are from your bed to your front door.
A question for you, assuming you're in work. How difficult is it to get to your work in the morning? Why do you manage that and don't manage out on your bike?
I see exercise as a matter of routine. You need to build it into your life. The only exercise I've really done before was almost 20 years ago when I went to the gym 2-3 times a week for over a year. It was simple, plan my nights, have my bag packed, go home change, have a snack, pick up my bag and go. No element of choice involved, no need to decide will I wont I, just do it, and I invariably enjoyed it. The only time I ran into difficulty was if I broke the pattern. If I had a couple of weeks off on holiday it seemed difficult to go back. One day I just never did.
The bike is more complicated. I started as part of a weight loss thing, and it quickly became much more important than the weight loss. I set targets- certain times, a regular mileage, preparing for specific events etc. Above all though I just enjoy it. This morning was a bit of a battle, cold, slightly windy, hard work. Then coming back into town, with a lot of commuter traffic I hit a cycle/bus lane, the legs started to work (ok, maybe the wind I'd been wrestling with earlier was behind me) and it made the whole ride worthwhile.
I've seen it said on here that the most difficult steps you ever take to ride your bike are from your bed to your front door.
A question for you, assuming you're in work. How difficult is it to get to your work in the morning? Why do you manage that and don't manage out on your bike?
OP
OP
Mike Dobson
New Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
It's a good point, and great reply so thanks for that. I remember loving the riding, the air and freedom and wonderful unparalleled feeling that I was doing this under my own steam. I'm going to go out tomorrow night no matter what. Can't tonight as have a function to go to. Hate this sluggish feeling and can't imagine it being "me" for the rest of my life.
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Mike Dobson
New Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
Gulp, now Iv'e gone and done it!
TonyEnjoyD
Guru
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Nice one Mike Dobson.
4 years ago I turned to cycling due to fuel prices and it was only a 5-mile commute.
I got a bike on the CTW scheme, got the kit, set off and thought...what the hell have I done!
It took 6 weeks to break the barrier and I started enjoying it.
I now cycle regularly and take in rides up to around 85 miles. Doing a 70 this weekend - Northern Rock Cyclone route B with friends.
Last year, I started to feel my fitness suffer (I'm now a runner too) and was diagnosed with a closed (93%) artery feeding my heart.
The Cardiologist said that if it wasn't for my fitness level, at 50 the symptoms probably would have been missed and I would most likely had a major heart attack by this summer.
So, cycling is VERY good for you and in my case, probably saved my life!
4 years ago I turned to cycling due to fuel prices and it was only a 5-mile commute.
I got a bike on the CTW scheme, got the kit, set off and thought...what the hell have I done!
It took 6 weeks to break the barrier and I started enjoying it.
I now cycle regularly and take in rides up to around 85 miles. Doing a 70 this weekend - Northern Rock Cyclone route B with friends.
Last year, I started to feel my fitness suffer (I'm now a runner too) and was diagnosed with a closed (93%) artery feeding my heart.
The Cardiologist said that if it wasn't for my fitness level, at 50 the symptoms probably would have been missed and I would most likely had a major heart attack by this summer.
So, cycling is VERY good for you and in my case, probably saved my life!
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OP
Mike Dobson
New Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
Wow Tony that's a salutory story, thanks for sharing it. More grist to the mill!
simon.r
Person
- Location
- Nottingham
Nothing to add really, I'd just like to know if that's you in your avatar or a young Joe Strummer?!
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Mike Dobson
New Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
A young Joe Strummer - I wish!
TonyEnjoyD
Guru
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Just one thing to say... Mike.....on yer bike!