Middel Aged Overweight Newbie Alert!

[Bielzibubz]

So, after reaching those insufferable years, you know the ones, those years when the midriff seems to go on an ever expanding jaunt all of it's own and for no apparent reason (other than the take away and the drink) I have decided now is the time to get fitter and lose some of the excess poundage I seem to have accumulated.

With that in mind my girlfriend and I have gone out and purchased a couple of hybrid bikes which we pick up tomorrow morning. Mine is the Specialized Crosstrail Disc 2016 from Evans Cycles (Bike to Work scheme run by my employer which saved about £170.00, bonus huh) and I really can't wait to get out and about and get back in the saddle (last time was 34 years ago) But, and it's a big one, I seriously think my enthusiasm will be my undoing. I tend to go into anything I do at full throttle regardless of the potential consequences. Ask the girlfriend!

Is there any advice you kindly folk would care impart that might help........................

A. Ease the pain I'm sure as hell going to encounter in the coming weeks.
B. Most important accessories you consider to be essential (does Magners in the water bottle count?)
C. Get back into the good books of the missus after I go riding off into the sunset after assuming, wrongly, that she's kept up with me.
D. Autumn/winter clothing. What's essential, what's not.

Many thanks and look forward to chatting again. Assuming my legs will works again and I can get to the computer )

 

[madferret]

Well, you sound a lot like me and my reasons for cycling. There are far more experienced folk on here, but as a relative newcomer myself, here are my thoughts.

A. Don't over do it. Have rest days. Ensure your bike "fits" you.
B. Padded shorts, Plastic Tyre Levers, Gloves (not essential but stopped my hands tingling so much)
C. Don't do that if you expect her to enjoy your outings. Go out alone if racing off is important to you, but enjoy your rides together as a bike ride, not a race.
D. Waterproof jacket, but then in this country you need that in Summer!

I also found a foam roller helped with some of the aches and pains.

Don't be discouraged if you can't go as far as you thought you could initially, it soon ramps up. The "full throttle" thing will be useful later on I'm sure, but initially it can be our undoing.

Most of all, enjoy!

 

[welsh dragon]

Hello and welcome to the forum. You're enthusiasm is commendable, but after 20 minutes in the sadddle you're derriere will probably bring you to an abrupt stop.

Advise? Slow down. Take things slowly. Forget about accessories and winter clothing for now. Just take your time. Don't be in too much of a hurry to go far. Get some good cycling shorts. Don't wear anything under them. Listen to you're body. If It has had enough then stop. Give yourself rest days. And above all else, have fun. If you don't enjoy it, then you will soon put you're New steed into the shed and never go near it again.

And photos are good. We like photos of the bikes. And let us know how you get on. Good luck.

 

[madferret]

As I'm just getting ready to go out, another couple of things that I now couldn't be without struck me. A track style pump. A multi tool!

 

[mjr]

C. Agree a bell code. One ring for "OK" or "OK?", two for "no" or danger and constant for "I've broken something". You should be able to estimate the distance from that too.

And padded shorts aren't essential but lots of people on this site like them.

 

[Firestorm]

Welcome fellow Shrimper......

 

[phantasmagoriana]

Re. C - how do you know she won't be the one riding into the distance leaving you behind?

 

[Davos87]

Make sure you know how to remove a wheel, fix a puncture or change a tube. Good luck with your new adventures

 

[jefmcg]

If I were you, I'd be most worried about my girlfriend and missus finding out about each other

 

[Bielzibubz]

Welcome fellow Shrimper......

Cheers mate. Just completed our first ride. A rather flat and thoroughly enjoyable 12km meander from where I live in Eastwood to Southend Airport and back along the A127 cycle path. Picked up some padded shorts and saddle cover en route because boy did my backside feel it for the first 6km lol

 

[Firestorm]

Cheers mate. Just completed our first ride. A rather flat and thoroughly enjoyable 12km meander from where I live in Eastwood to Southend Airport and back along the A127 cycle path. Picked up some padded shorts and saddle cover en route because boy did my backside feel it for the first 6km lol

Excellent, that cycle path isn't in the best of condition is it ?

 

[Bielzibubz]

No mate it's not. Some sections have been relayed and some are barely the width of the handlebars but overall the whole lot could do with ripping up at starting over. One thing I was pleased about was at every major road junction cross over on the newly built Airport diversion and around that area actual thought had gone into the design for bikes/invalid carriages etc

 

[Mrs M]

I always wear gloves.
Have fun

 

[mjr]

No mate it's not. Some sections have been relayed and some are barely the width of the handlebars but overall the whole lot could do with ripping up at starting over.

Essex isn't far from London. Could it be possible to send some of those responsible for transport and highways into London to see the new bits of CS3, CS6 and CS5? Much better than the old stuff most of us are still suffering, give or take the black tarmac which leads some numpties to mistake it for a motor road.

 

[Sixmile]

Welcome to the forum and to cycling!

I have the Crosstrail disc from last year and I'd say watch out for chips and scores on that matt black paint. Mine was a state only a few months in.

Decent padded shorts are fine but you'll just have to get your rear end used to it. I don't find the seat on that bike too bad to be honest. I do find the handlebar a little too wide on it though. Get yourself a little saddle bag to keep your puncture kit, multi tool and a bar or two in. The clothing thing just never stops I find. A few good base layers, some decent long sleeves and a shower jacket or sorts with keep you good for the majority of autumn rides. I never thought I should wear lycra on my hybrid so I got a pair of adidas football leggings/trackies which are fairly tight on the legs but are just a regular pair of bottoms when off the bike. The zip pockets on them are handy too.