Opinions please?

[Don Birnam]

LOL! No doubt once I start riding the sore bum will be a major issue, but right now all I can think of are the hills between my house and place of work. I think the journey will be a start of about 100 metres rising to 250 metres. I'm not sure whether that is a major increase, but it seems it to me. At least the ride back home should be fun.

Once again, many thanks for everyone's input. Very useful. I told the wife I'd be getting a bike and only spending about 200 quid. Her instant reaction - "HOW MUCH!!!??!!!"

Randochap - Inspiring stuff. I hope you are on the road (if not there already) to full recovery.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

It's a big enough climb, especially to start with. Just keep an eye on your brakes 'cos you'll likely wear out blocks quite quick on the way down.

One other thing that's just occurred with the whole comfort side of things. I resisted getting "proper" cycling shorts for a while being, as I am, of larger build. However, they are much better than the normal shorts plus undies that I was wearing: they've got padding where you need it .. and no chafing!!

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I say spend a bloody fortune on a good bike...that will ensure you dont fall back into the non cyclist way of life...35 miles is achieveable just keep riding and one day you will surprise yourself...

 

[alecstilleyedye]

38 is not too old. i was 37 when i got back into cycling, and i was unfit enough to require mountain bike gearing for a small rise that i've been recently known to sprint up in a high gear.

i started off with a 5 miles each way commute, which i still do. i also do club runs and other events, one of which was 80 odd miles in the welsh hills

my advice would be to start off doing small, manageable rides a couple of times a week. when you get comfortable with these, go for longer until you can happily ride one way of your commute. then, once a week to start with, take the bike in the back of the car to work and ride home, and then back in in the morning. you'll soon be able to increase the number of times you do this, and should be car free within a year. and fit too.

good luck.

 

[jimbob]

Hi Don, I am 61 and not been in the saddle [that sounds rude] for 40 years, I started [re]cycling about a month ago only doing 2 miles at a time and feeling knackered but am now up to 10 mile round trips, not a lot for some I know but for me its really good as I am not that fit.
As the others have said here, dont push yourself too hard just take it gently and you will be surprised at yourself.
I have to admit I live cycling now and look forward to getting the bike out, not every day I'm afraid as work commitments dont allow.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Echo all the above, I was 38 when I got back into cycling, I'm a fat 45 now, but can still ride a spirited 100 miler even after a minor heart-op, so just get out there and do it!!!

Bikewise, decide the type of bike you want first and foremost, flat-bar or drops, Mudguards or not, rack for light load carrying etc etc. Try and figure out what yoy want to use the bike for.
If your commute is all on-road I'd buy a road-bike like a Giant SCR for example, not too extreme , triple chainset for wide easy gearing, will take full guards and a rack to carry your sarnies. However if it was a mix of say cycleways, canal paths, gravel tracks, then maybe a hybrid/flat bar road bike would suit, something like a Specialized Sirrus.
What's important is that the bike can do what you need it to do. THE biggest thing however is no matter what bike you choose it MUST fit properly.

Some advice: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

 

[john2702]

You're never too old to get in the saddle again.

Motivation is the key...so dress up warm and get pedalling!

 

[byegad]

I returned to cycling at 49 and fat and a year later was commuting 12 miles each way to work. At 54 I changed jobs and did 16 miles each way.

Still fat, retired and now fit I manage around 5k miles a year.

If I could do it you can too!

 

[Don Birnam]

Thanks for the continued replies. I'm not sure whether I should have started another thread for this, but I saw this and just wondered what your thoughts were http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25459 I know it has been mentioned in this thread that I should stay away from buying from the internet but is this good value? (the flood sale one at 475)

There are so many to choose from and I'm worried I buy something only to be asked "Why did you buy THAT?"

Cheers.

 

[Paulus]

Hi there, the bike seems good value at that price as it has a reasonable groupset. ie shimano 105 and carbon forks. Look around your LBS's to see what they have, at this time of year they will be discounting 2008 bikes as next years stock will be soon coming in.

 

[colly]

Hi Don,

Looks like you have plenty of good advice already, especially as regards to being new to a bike.

A mate of mine gave me a beat up second hand road bike when I found my knees were just too knackered for running and volleyball anymore.
I was 42 I think and hadn't been on a bike since I was about 14 or 15. I thought I was reasonably fit but my illusions were soon shattered when I came to a small hill. One third the way up and I had to get off because my legs were about to shake to bits and my lungs were ready to explode.
That was it for me. I decided no F***ing hill was going to beat me and it took a while but I was romping up it like it wasn't there.
So good luck and I hope you take to cycling and get as much out of it as I do.
I spent a small amount on the bike and bit by bit I added some decent components. It turned into a great bike. I would be riding it still if some T**T hadn't nicked it from the garage.
So any bike will do so long as it is safe and well maintained.
15 years on and I think cycling has kept me sane in an increasingly mad world.

 

[Randochap]

Randochap - Inspiring stuff. I hope you are on the road (if not there already) to full recovery.

Glad to be of service. The recurrence was a bump (well, maybe a large pothole!) in the road of a lifelong adventure. I've been cycling regularly, but for health and injury issues, for over 40 years. It was the country roads of the UK that lead me on the path of lifetime cycling addiction ... an addiction, I might add, with none of the downsides of junk food or alcohol.

I see (from visit last year) that there are a few more challenges to navigate on British roads these days, but don't let anything deter you. If you get on a bike soon, you'll look back in a year as a new man.