JonnyNewbieNewbury
New Member
- Location
- Newbury
Hi There,
I'm 42 and haven't really cycled since being a kid. As a kid there was few things better than riding up the steep hills to be able to go back down with the wind through my hair knowing that it was free fun and the speed and exhilaration was entirely due to my own strength. I never owned a new bike, I just bought bikes for peanuts from mates who repaired damaged frames in their sheds. I used to look enviously at my friends Grifters and Tomahawks.
Some years on, I'm now overweight and I've probably ridden less than 10 miles I'm the last 20 years. Although I have a desk job, I'm not overly lethargic, I have a couple of young kids and we live moments away from long walks along the Kennet & Avon Canal.
But there's no getting away from the fact I am unfit and I want to make a change, not because I've had some mid life crisis or health scare- I just want to have more opportunities to have adventures with my kids. So I've recently started running, and the next step is cycling.
Although I do own a bike, I was given it from a mate some 16 years ago, it was an old bike then! Judging by the weight it was built using cast iron and requires a two man lift. I've decided to donate it to charity and buy a new bike.
I have NEVER bought my own bike, but I'm taking the plunge for me and I'm also buying a bike for my eldest daughter.
We don't expect huge off-road experiences, but I do want dirt tracks and steep hills and a lot of roads, so I guess the best thing is a hybrid.
For her we're pretty settled on a Frog 69 at £270, and we're getting one built to try next week.
For me, I've tried a Pinnacle Cobalt 3 which I really liked and also a Giant Roam 3 which just didn't inspire me... I'm not sure whether I should try a Roam 2...
But with a max of about £500 to spend on me, I'm worried that I'm either spending TOO MUCH for a relatively inexperienced newbie, OR there is a whole range or manufacturers that I just NEED to try before making my final decision.
Once I've chosen I need to get my little daughter up on two wheels and another bike for the wife....
So... That's me. I hope to soon be running, cycling, and possibly swimming. I would love to attempt a triathlon next year, but I'm got a long way to go...
I hope that cyclechat will allow me to find routes, challenges, experience and general fun ways to enjoy my new purchase, whatever that will be...
Thanks and HELLO!
I'm 42 and haven't really cycled since being a kid. As a kid there was few things better than riding up the steep hills to be able to go back down with the wind through my hair knowing that it was free fun and the speed and exhilaration was entirely due to my own strength. I never owned a new bike, I just bought bikes for peanuts from mates who repaired damaged frames in their sheds. I used to look enviously at my friends Grifters and Tomahawks.
Some years on, I'm now overweight and I've probably ridden less than 10 miles I'm the last 20 years. Although I have a desk job, I'm not overly lethargic, I have a couple of young kids and we live moments away from long walks along the Kennet & Avon Canal.
But there's no getting away from the fact I am unfit and I want to make a change, not because I've had some mid life crisis or health scare- I just want to have more opportunities to have adventures with my kids. So I've recently started running, and the next step is cycling.
Although I do own a bike, I was given it from a mate some 16 years ago, it was an old bike then! Judging by the weight it was built using cast iron and requires a two man lift. I've decided to donate it to charity and buy a new bike.
I have NEVER bought my own bike, but I'm taking the plunge for me and I'm also buying a bike for my eldest daughter.
We don't expect huge off-road experiences, but I do want dirt tracks and steep hills and a lot of roads, so I guess the best thing is a hybrid.
For her we're pretty settled on a Frog 69 at £270, and we're getting one built to try next week.
For me, I've tried a Pinnacle Cobalt 3 which I really liked and also a Giant Roam 3 which just didn't inspire me... I'm not sure whether I should try a Roam 2...
But with a max of about £500 to spend on me, I'm worried that I'm either spending TOO MUCH for a relatively inexperienced newbie, OR there is a whole range or manufacturers that I just NEED to try before making my final decision.
Once I've chosen I need to get my little daughter up on two wheels and another bike for the wife....
So... That's me. I hope to soon be running, cycling, and possibly swimming. I would love to attempt a triathlon next year, but I'm got a long way to go...
I hope that cyclechat will allow me to find routes, challenges, experience and general fun ways to enjoy my new purchase, whatever that will be...
Thanks and HELLO!
We will need piccies of your new bike, and your Daughter's new bike. Never heard of Frog bikes but I just googled them and they look fine. Not too heavy at 10kg either.
