Morning all,
Thought I'd introduce myself and say "hi".
I've been lurking on the site for a few months now before registering and posting but have picked up so much valuable information on here. I'd like to offer my thanks to the dedicated owners of this site and the experienced chaps who take time to post their considered advice for us novices.
Finding Cycling
A charity football match about six months ago I 'played' in finally demonstrated to me just how unfit I had become as a car-driving, home-working, occasional office-visiting 'business type person'. So, at 36 years of age and with an ever-increasing waist-band, I decided it was high time to take charge. I'm 6'2" and, three months ago, I tipped the scales at 16 stone.
Then I discovered cycling!
With no idea at the time whether I'd take to the sport (and after taking some advice from friends), I visited the local bike shop with an entry-level hybrid in mind, spending approx. £250 on a Dawes 201. While I'm now almost reaching the point of arousal whilst looking at some of the more expensive bikes, compared to my last one some 20+ years ago, climbing aboard the Dawes felt like mounting technology at the peak of its perfection.
So poor was my fitness when I first got the bike home, that the inaugural trip 'around the block' saw me literally crawl back into the house on my knees. My poor wife watched me flip like a fish on the floor as I gasped for air. It was only as I gained composure about 15 minutes later that she finally decided not to call the emergency NHS helpline.
I remember marvelling at the time about "one day" setting off for places 10 miles away from where we live and looking at barely sloping hills thinking "Imagine riding up that!".
Now, just 3 months later, I'm referring to the 25 milers as "a short one" and I've got a number of 60 milers under my belt. I'm sprinting up those "hills" I'd shuddered at during those first couple of weeks. I'm boring my friends with cycling stories (although, to be fair, they're pretty understanding). I'm even starting self-indulgent threads about my progress on cycling forums!!!
I friggin' love cycling!
I'm addicted!
I'm fitter!
I'm healthier!
I've got a sun tan!
My thighs are growing by the day!
...and I'm down from 16 stone to 14st10!
Why didn't someone tell me about all this 20 years ago!!!!?
Thought I'd introduce myself and say "hi".
I've been lurking on the site for a few months now before registering and posting but have picked up so much valuable information on here. I'd like to offer my thanks to the dedicated owners of this site and the experienced chaps who take time to post their considered advice for us novices.
Finding Cycling
A charity football match about six months ago I 'played' in finally demonstrated to me just how unfit I had become as a car-driving, home-working, occasional office-visiting 'business type person'. So, at 36 years of age and with an ever-increasing waist-band, I decided it was high time to take charge. I'm 6'2" and, three months ago, I tipped the scales at 16 stone.
Then I discovered cycling!
With no idea at the time whether I'd take to the sport (and after taking some advice from friends), I visited the local bike shop with an entry-level hybrid in mind, spending approx. £250 on a Dawes 201. While I'm now almost reaching the point of arousal whilst looking at some of the more expensive bikes, compared to my last one some 20+ years ago, climbing aboard the Dawes felt like mounting technology at the peak of its perfection.
So poor was my fitness when I first got the bike home, that the inaugural trip 'around the block' saw me literally crawl back into the house on my knees. My poor wife watched me flip like a fish on the floor as I gasped for air. It was only as I gained composure about 15 minutes later that she finally decided not to call the emergency NHS helpline.
I remember marvelling at the time about "one day" setting off for places 10 miles away from where we live and looking at barely sloping hills thinking "Imagine riding up that!".
Now, just 3 months later, I'm referring to the 25 milers as "a short one" and I've got a number of 60 milers under my belt. I'm sprinting up those "hills" I'd shuddered at during those first couple of weeks. I'm boring my friends with cycling stories (although, to be fair, they're pretty understanding). I'm even starting self-indulgent threads about my progress on cycling forums!!!
I friggin' love cycling!
I'm addicted!
I'm fitter!
I'm healthier!
I've got a sun tan!
My thighs are growing by the day!
...and I'm down from 16 stone to 14st10!
Why didn't someone tell me about all this 20 years ago!!!!?
