Cycling convert!

[toonlad]

Hi all,
I’m a total newbie to the forum! I have just started cycling for first time ever (apart from the usual when you are a kid and the occasional pleasure ride) after my work started a cycle to work scheme. I’m not normally the type of person who likes high-intensity exercise; I prefer hiking and snowboarding, so I was a bit unsure if I would stick it.

In the end I decided to spend about £600 and needed the works, helmet, gloves, jacket and of course... the bike! Because my job involves a lot of travelling around a university campus and also Newcastle City Centre I opted for the Giant CRS 2.0 as it has everything I needed ready fitted. I have mud guards which keep my trousers clean, a rack for carrying freight, lights, a bell and a chain guard so its perfect for the commuter like me! I also can’t believe how light it is compared to my old (very old) mountain bike! Plus it came in at about £410 so I thought it was a reasonable price. I know it’s probably not the most technical bike in the world but I had a good feeling about it as it seemed to be designed just for the type of use I am talking about.

Anyway this was bout 3 months ago and I have to say I am hooked! If I cant cycle to work I get a bit grumpy and I really love the ride home, to thrash out all my daily frustrations on the pedals! The downside is I am now toying with the idea of cycling for fun not just commuting... which means more expense as I think my giant is not really an all terrain beast! Nonetheless I am still happy with my purchase and still loving the commute, the not having to buy a bus pass and the icing on the cake is I have dropped 12lbs.

I just thought I would share that for anyone thinking of giving it a go!

 

[ianrauk]

to the forum. And well done for getting back on the bike.. Lots of people swear by Giant bikes.

I have a similar story to you, cycled everywhere as a kid, gave up when my bike was nicked. didn't cycle for 20 years. Decided to get back into it again cos I was a fat unfit b*st*rd. 2 years later I am doing round trip commute of 26 miles every single day rain or shine. Just love getting on the bike in the mornings and for the return trip home. Now also out most weekends doing 50-70 miles.

 

[GilesM]

Good stuff, glad you're enjoying your cycling, once you start doing it for more than just the commute things will get really good, if you are going to go for more off road stuff you'll love it, I would say that most who are into snowboarding will soon get into mountain biking, especially the down hill bits. You will of course start spending lots of money on bike stuff, but don't let anyone tell you that it isn't money well spent.

Kielder Water has now got some really good trails which are not too far from Newcastle, and you're only a couple of hours drive from Glentress and Innerleithen, but I'm sure there are loads more good off road routes closer to you.

Have fun

Giles

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Welcome. Your story sounds familiar. Do a search for threads containing the word "addict" to see how many people on here (me included!) find they get withdrawal symptoms when they can't ride to work.

Course, the addicted thing goes hand-in-hand with the wanting to spend more and more money on your obsession. I justify loads with the "well, think of all the fuel I'm not putting in the car" excuse ..

And lastly the wisest words I've seen on here are probably in the formula "number of bikes needed = n + 1" where n is the number of bikes you currently own.

 

[snakehips]

Great to hear your story. This cycling lark is rather good isn't it. And you get to come on to forums like this to talk about it.

 

[HJ]

Welcome. Aye cycling is strangely addictive...

 

[Cranky]

Exellent! Welcome to the fold.

 

[cadseen]

Welcome, so how old are you, ive only been racing for 40 years !!!!

 

[Danny]

Welcome. I think you made a good choice for a first commuter bike. If you get really really hooked you might want to upgrade at some point, but your Giant is a decent bike which should last for years.

 

[Arch]

Welcome!

That bike looks like a good start, for sure. OK, you won't be able to do hard core downhill (whatever that is, I like tarmac) on it, but something like that could be pretty adaptable.