Opinions please?

[Don Birnam]

Hi folks. I've just joined this forum after lurking for a while. I wonder if anyone would like to help.

I’m 38 and a fat porker who would like to get fit again. I would like to get into cycling with a road bike but I haven’t been on a bike since I was at school. My short term goal is to drop the weight and get fit. Long term I would also like to use the bike to commute which would be a long way down the line as it’s a 35 mile round trip (dream on). No doubt I’m too old to get to that level.

I don’t want to get a ‘cheap’ bike and be put off by it because I can’t get up that hill as the bike weighs a ton, or it’s too difficult to get into the correct gear, or the wheels keep dropping off.

I’m thinking that I should plunge straight in with something decent around the £500 mark which I’m going to enjoy using, and that I’m going to get long term usage from, but do you think I should get something at the lower end of the price range (£100-£200 or less?) until the fitness levels are back then look at something else?

We don’t have a bike shop locally and I will have to see if there are any a little further afield, so before I start, your thoughts on this, and/or suggestions of bikes would be very much appreciated.

TIA.

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

Hi folks. I've just joined this forum after lurking for a while. I wonder if anyone would like to help. 35 mile round trip (dream on). No doubt I’m too old to get to that level.

Lance Armstrong is 37! if you cycle regulary you could deffo handle that commute, you will be surprised how quick you can improve, i would aim for late spring.

i dont know about any techy stuff about weight and road bikes (if thats what you after ) i would say go for it if you can afford it (especially if you have bike to work scheme) check out the LBS sticky thread for reccommendations and go to a few to compare the advice. fun times!

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Welcome Don! I have nothing helpful to say about road bikes as I have never ridden one .. though you might want to consider a hybrid depending on what the on / off road mix of your planned commute is; plus, a slightly more upright position might be easier than trying to fold up a stomach!!

I speak as a 40yo with a "nice" rounded gut, myself, although it has been shrinking steadily since I took up commuting earlier this year. My commute is a 13-14 mile round trip. I think you'll be surprised at how do-able a longer trip is once you get into it. Have fun!!

 

[515mm]

Hi Don,

Welcome to the forum!

I was once a 35yr old porker, now I'm a 37yr old sexual Tyrannosaurus Rex

Okay, maybe not, but I have shed 2 stones of fat and put a half stone of muscle on through cycling to work and only using the gym once a week.

I started cycling into work (a trip of 14miles) and getting the train home twice a week. this lasted for 1 month. I then rode in 3 times and got the train home for a month. The toughie was the first time I rode in and home on the same day -

I did this round trip twice a week for a month then upped it to 3 times a month. It was at this stage that I noticed I was A LOT thinner, I bought new jeans and a couple of T-shirts and every other bugger noticed too. Cue gratuitous display of self congratulation.

So, I'd encourage you to do it - the distance is a little further than my commute but shouldn't take you more than 90mins each way - oh and buy the best bike you can afford. Something that can take mudguards and a rack - and get good lights, good cycling bibshorts(trust me!) and proper roadie kit - biblongs for cold weather, decent base layers, cycling jerseys and brightly coloured windproof jacket. Look up www.cyclescheme.co.uk
for details on how your firm can get you a 43% discount and interest free for 18 months on your new bike and ''safety apparel''

Have fun!

 

[jassy-x]

I would also like to use the bike to commute which would be a long way down the line as it’s a 35 mile round trip (dream on). No doubt I’m too old to get to that level.

.

.....I watched a documentary last night about two seventy year old Scot's ladies cycling from coast to coast across Canada...

...come on 38 !!!!!....your just a lad...you'll be surprised what you can do once you get started..

btw....to the forum.....

 

[Sig SilverPrinter]

Welcome Don.
I have a specialized sirrus[hybrid] which I love.
I'm 42 and recently I started doing my whole commute which is about a 33 mile round trip.I don't do this every day as I still use the train and folding bike when I'm feeling tired [or should that be lazy]

 

[swee'pea99]

Welcome!

Definitely get the good bike now - absolutely no point getting a crap bike 'to get your fitness back'. You'll just get demoralised. For £500, your friendly (not all that) LBS should certainly be able to get you onto something pretty slick. Better yet, do a little homework to find out what frame size you ought to be going for, and a bit more finding out how to set a bike up for you (saddle & handlebar height, basically) and half your budget will get you a very mean machine off ebay.

Enjoy! You'll never look back.

 

[Don Birnam]

Many thanks for the replies everyone. I think I was just waiting for the first "Do it" post.

Right. I'll be spending the next few days sifting through this site for previous posts on recommendations on what to buy. I hadn't thought about using ebay and will give that a look also.

Can anyone recommend a good place to get decent stabilisers?

Thanks.

 

[Randochap]

Age is relative

Welcome, young chap!

With determination, you can get where you want to go. From the first day you put your leg over the bike, keep that goal firmly in front of you and slowly but surely you will draw closer.

Last spring, I was diagnosed for the second time with oral cancer. I had been training for 4 years (since my first bout and radiation treatment) for Paris-Brest-Paris 1200km marathon cycling event. I told my surgeon "You know what my plans are."

"Well, we can get you into surgery well before August," he assured.

"No, you don't understand," says I. "My first 200km qualifier is the first week of next month!"

After major surgery, which removed part of my tongue and lymph nodes on that side, three weeks later, I rode that first qualifier ... and only just shy of my PB for that route. I finished the rest of the qualifiers and got to PBP.

After my first run in with the crab, I had the opposite problem to you -- I weighed scarcely 100 lbs (though I don't recomend radiation treatment as a weight-loss regimen!) My goal at that time, was to ride out on the local flat trail and over the first bridge, five kilometres distant. That first 10km almost finished me off, but a couple of days later, I did it again. Six months later, I rode my first 200km brevet in years.

There. That's the pep talk. I'll leave the sales advice to the locals. They'll steer you right. I do think a "hybrid" is in order, though.

After you've got a few rides in and are geting the results you're looking for, why don't you submit your story to my Reader's Rides page. I would welcome your story.

You may also glean some other info via the main link for my site.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Hello and . The only thing that will stop you managing the commute is the belief that you will not be able to do it. As for what bike to buy it can be something of a can of worms. Avoid buying from the internet and also from places like Halfords, Toysrus and the like. Decide what you want the bike to be able to do - Just ride on Tarmac, go along trails, handle mud, etc. A hybrid is generally the best all purpose bike although I have managed quite well on road trips with my old mountain bike (until it comes to upgrading it but that is another story ). Try your best to visit a few shops and get the feel of some bikes (as rather like cars some people just click with a certain style).

Most of all however, enjoy your cycling. Don't push yourself too far too fast and keep us informed of your progress.


Dave S

 

[Sittingduck]

Whatup Don!

Obviously you could buy as good a bike as you can afford. Personally I think you can get a reasonable bike to start cycling on for much much less than 500 notes
There will be doubtless folks here that'll tell you different of course

I am 6 years your junior but every bit a porker too! You will soon gain some basic fitness and become confident on the bike - try to get a light'ish one (as you have mentioned). My commuting experience on the Aluminium framed hybrid is hugely more enjoyable then it was for the first month on my old heavy MTB. Got my Specialized for 200 quid (although I confess to spending a slight sum of ££ on various bits and accessories since).

Good luck and welcome!
SD

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I think the Cycle to Work scheme has already been mentioned, but if your employer does that (or you can convince them to) that can be handy .. basically your employer buys the bike; certain accessories can also be covered .. lights, helmet, stuff like that. You then buy it back for a fixed amount per month as a salary surrender thing .. but the bonus for you is that the bit you pay back comes out BEFORE Income Tax and NI so you're effectively getting the tax back on what you pay for the bike. Especially useful if you're in the 40% band, but worth having anyway.

For what it's worth, I commute a 13-14 mile round trip on a £250 MTB which I've "hybridised" by changing the tyres and a few other bits and bobs. I'm doing just fine .. part of my route goes through woods and across fields, hence my choice of bike.

 

[Over The Hill]

Welcome

I was a 46 year old porker two years ago but got on my bike and am now just over 12 stone (minus a stone and a half weight but about two stone of fat). From being knackerd at my first 7 mile ride on the flat I can no manage a 38 mile commute or a 50 mile ride easily.

As to bikes. First the weight. Heavy old bike is say 18 kilo but a lightish one say 12. difference of 6 kilo is not going to make too much difference but the lighter bike will feel a lot nicer to ride.
Lots of alloy bikes out there second hand.
Two main problems for newbies-
1. Getting up hills. Hybrid bikes seem a good start point as you get a good gearing range to give you the cogs to get up a hill why you are still getting up your fitness and are carrying a few extra pounds. I would make sure I have three rings on the front and dont be afraid of changing the small cog for a smaller one if you need to (usually can do this quite easily)
2. Sore bum. It is a big problem for new riders. Firstly -you are not used to being in a saddle so anything new takes time to get used to. Secondly -if you are a bit over weight then more pressure on your bum, Thirdly-when you get fitter more weight will be on the pedals and so less on the saddle. Each will get better over time. Just dont overdo it.

Also time of year is a problem, darkness cold and wet are not too inviting. But stick at it and good luck.
I got motivated by entering a big cycle ride (london to brighton or something). It gives you an aim and helps you focus on achieving it.

 

[Ravenz]

if you are ready to let the 'hobby' take over your life as it were.... for the positive I may add! a) get yourself up to 'speed' with how cycling has evolved to today - read the mags .. get yourself informed.. as to a bike.. what sort .?? it's a minefield basically.. to be honest whatever you get ( but dont overspend) will probably not be right for you 12 or 18 months down th line.. so get something you can offload on ebay easily and not lose too much dosh.. c) go get fitter and do some Gym work and regular Spinning classes that is lead by someone who is not 150% fitness fascist (aka wally) but has a feel for real time cycling - (some instructors like the latter do exist, trust me)... apart from that . nothing to it .. do it!

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Welcome
<snip>
2. Sore bum. It is a big problem for new riders. Firstly -you are not used to being in a saddle so anything new takes time to get used to. Secondly -if you are a bit over weight then more pressure on your bum, Thirdly-when you get fitter more weight will be on the pedals and so less on the saddle. Each will get better over time. Just dont overdo it.

.. good point, that, which often gets forgotten. For me, just doing a few miles (10-15 minutes) or so every night for a couple of weeks helped: long enough and often enough to get you used to it, but not too long to make you sore. Then you can gradually increase it. Conveniently, it also fitted in with my increasing ability to get further up the hill going from my house towards work.