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Fiona R
Formerly known as Cranky Knee Girl
- Location
- N Somerset
Hi all
After a week of gleaning great advice here I have joined up. We recently moved to N Somerset from Gloucestershire (where we lived on top of a steep hill) and the Sustrans/cycle networks here are brilliant. I have been commuting the 5 miles ew to work since April (increased from 2x a week to an average of 3-4x week on top of a physical job) and I have dramatically improved my fitness levels. I am a 47yo middle aged mum and I had a knee replacement 6 years ago and my back (3 prolapsed discs) was not much better than my knee but that has also improved a lot since I could walk properly again, although swimming/cycling are far preferable forms of exercise.
I am now rewarding myself with a light as possible hybrid bike for well under £500 as realistically rough stuff is not good for me and I have been managing so far on a heavier than an elephant €80 8yo Intermarché mountain bike! Hopefully we can start weekend outings of 50 miles or so, many new places to explore. My OH is also able to commute by bike, he used to have a 45 mile/1 hour drive, feels good to be fitter and greener!!
After a week of gleaning great advice here I have joined up. We recently moved to N Somerset from Gloucestershire (where we lived on top of a steep hill) and the Sustrans/cycle networks here are brilliant. I have been commuting the 5 miles ew to work since April (increased from 2x a week to an average of 3-4x week on top of a physical job) and I have dramatically improved my fitness levels. I am a 47yo middle aged mum and I had a knee replacement 6 years ago and my back (3 prolapsed discs) was not much better than my knee but that has also improved a lot since I could walk properly again, although swimming/cycling are far preferable forms of exercise.
I am now rewarding myself with a light as possible hybrid bike for well under £500 as realistically rough stuff is not good for me and I have been managing so far on a heavier than an elephant €80 8yo Intermarché mountain bike! Hopefully we can start weekend outings of 50 miles or so, many new places to explore. My OH is also able to commute by bike, he used to have a 45 mile/1 hour drive, feels good to be fitter and greener!!
Fiona R
Formerly known as Cranky Knee Girl
- Location
- N Somerset
lol Hill Wimp, I think I have decided on my new bike (deffo a hybrid as too many potholes/thorns and cobbles on the bike paths I use for a roadie) and although normally I am a very un-girly girl where shopping is concerned, it is a shame my preferred bike isn't cobalt blue or lime green or red rather than grey!, I will still go on best spec rather than colour. I am prone to changing my mind...
Hill Wimp
Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
You can always have accessories and change your tyres if you end up more on the road than paths or tracks. Hybrids are great, i still have mine. Have a great time, never let it be a chore only a pleasure and post some pics of you rides. Its great to see what others have seen on their rides.
Mattonsea
Über Member
- Location
- New Forest
Hello All. Just joined up .Long time cyclist first time ere
Hill Wimp
Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
Hello All. Just joined up .Long time cyclist first time ere
keep pedalling, enjoy the ride, if its a chore you are doing it wrong
Bawheidbob
Regular
- Location
- Scotland
Greetings All
It has been a long long time since I was on a bike after a rather unfortunate incident involving a family member and his lack of respect for a £300 Diamondback which was my most precious item in my inventory at the time (almost 20 years ago). So after much deliberating over the last few days I have decided I need to be a bit more active and not just sit in front of the Digi Box watching golf and football.
After many many hours going over different bikes at various prices, models, makes, shops.- I decided to play it safe and not spend too much money at this early stage, heck I might fall off the bloody thing first try right, I checked out Halfords (Please do not judge me harshly and club me to death with your bike pumps yet) and bought a few things from there which I will list below if anyone cares. Lets see how it goes I will let you know.
Carrera Subway Limited Edition Hybrid Bike 2013 -20" - Seemed like a decent price at £199 to start me off
Boardman Team Road Bike Helmet (56-61.5cm) - To keep the noggin safe
Halfords Bike Tyre Puncture Repair Kit - Just in case right
Elite Custom Race Cage - Black - Pimms holder
Geltech Bike Saddle Cover - Just in case I run out of Pimms and the pain gets too much.
It has been a long long time since I was on a bike after a rather unfortunate incident involving a family member and his lack of respect for a £300 Diamondback which was my most precious item in my inventory at the time (almost 20 years ago). So after much deliberating over the last few days I have decided I need to be a bit more active and not just sit in front of the Digi Box watching golf and football.
After many many hours going over different bikes at various prices, models, makes, shops.- I decided to play it safe and not spend too much money at this early stage, heck I might fall off the bloody thing first try right, I checked out Halfords (Please do not judge me harshly and club me to death with your bike pumps yet) and bought a few things from there which I will list below if anyone cares. Lets see how it goes I will let you know.
Hill Wimp
Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
so
so long as you keep pedalling and tell us how its going.
Greetings All
It has been a long long time since I was on a bike after a rather unfortunate incident involving a family member and his lack of respect for a £300 Diamondback which was my most precious item in my inventory at the time (almost 20 years ago). So after much deliberating over the last few days I have decided I need to be a bit more active and not just sit in front of the Digi Box watching golf and football.
After many many hours going over different bikes at various prices, models, makes, shops.- I decided to play it safe and not spend too much money at this early stage, heck I might fall off the bloody thing first try right, I checked out Halfords (Please do not judge me harshly and club me to death with your bike pumps yet) and bought a few things from there which I will list below if anyone cares. Lets see how it goes I will let you know.
Carrera Subway Limited Edition Hybrid Bike 2013 -20" - Seemed like a decent price at £199 to start me off
Boardman Team Road Bike Helmet (56-61.5cm) - To keep the noggin safe
Halfords Bike Tyre Puncture Repair Kit - Just in case right
Elite Custom Race Cage - Black - Pimms holder
Geltech Bike Saddle Cover - Just in case I run out of Pimms and the pain gets too much.
so long as you keep pedalling and tell us how its going.
Mattonsea
Über Member
- Location
- New Forest
Ah bike shopping the best shopping in the world, don't matter where or what shop. Welcome back !!
Ta very much!
cleft_bajone
New Member
Hello there!
I've joined because I've just acquired a Carlton Pro Am and I started restoration this very morning. I'm a downhill mountain biker and now making my seminal entry into the 'racer' world.
Get ready for mucho questions on what the hell I'm doing with this strange contraption.
I've joined because I've just acquired a Carlton Pro Am and I started restoration this very morning. I'm a downhill mountain biker and now making my seminal entry into the 'racer' world.
Get ready for mucho questions on what the hell I'm doing with this strange contraption.
Mattonsea
Über Member
- Location
- New Forest
Hello there!
I've joined because I've just acquired a Carlton Pro Am and I started restoration this very morning. I'm a downhill mountain biker and now making my seminal entry into the 'racer' world.
Get ready for mucho questions on what the hell I'm doing with this strange contraption.
Keep us informed of the restoration.
Hi All,
I'm from South Wales, aged 41. And have just bought the first bike I have owned since my Raleigh Grifter over 25 years ago.
Looking to lose a bit of weight and eventually make use of the cycle trails of the Afan Valley on my doorstep.
After much deliberation I decided on a Carerra Vulcan after reading some positive reviews this bike has had.
Couple of (very short) rides in and so far so good!
I'm from South Wales, aged 41. And have just bought the first bike I have owned since my Raleigh Grifter over 25 years ago.
Looking to lose a bit of weight and eventually make use of the cycle trails of the Afan Valley on my doorstep.
After much deliberation I decided on a Carerra Vulcan after reading some positive reviews this bike has had.
Couple of (very short) rides in and so far so good!
hello everyone,
I'm Mick from the Gateshead area of Northeast England.I used to be a keen mountain biker but kids, middle age and packing in smoking turned me into a big old unit. I've just bought a new bike to try and regain some of my former fitness and would appreciate some advice. I'll post on the beginners page later when I get time. Ijust thought I'd introduce myself.
mick
I'm Mick from the Gateshead area of Northeast England.I used to be a keen mountain biker but kids, middle age and packing in smoking turned me into a big old unit. I've just bought a new bike to try and regain some of my former fitness and would appreciate some advice. I'll post on the beginners page later when I get time. Ijust thought I'd introduce myself.
mick
rgb124
New Member
- Location
- CT, New England, USA
Hello All,
I'm Rick from Connecticut, New England, USA. I just purchased an old, used, 1999 Trek 800 Sport off of a guy on Craigslist. I haven't been on a bike in 20 years since I was in my early 20's and mountain biking was the rage. I'm more interested in leisure road biking with my wife, though I want the ability to take my bike on trails from time to time, too, with my son who is a bit more hardcore than I am now, and definitely more hardcore than my wife.
I'm hoping to learn a lot here, and hoping my second-hand purchase was made in the right direction.
I'm Rick from Connecticut, New England, USA. I just purchased an old, used, 1999 Trek 800 Sport off of a guy on Craigslist. I haven't been on a bike in 20 years since I was in my early 20's and mountain biking was the rage. I'm more interested in leisure road biking with my wife, though I want the ability to take my bike on trails from time to time, too, with my son who is a bit more hardcore than I am now, and definitely more hardcore than my wife.
I'm hoping to learn a lot here, and hoping my second-hand purchase was made in the right direction.
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