starting again after injury / kit advice

[helmet tester]

Hello

Havent ridden at all since last november after a very nasty ankle sprain which took months to recover. On top of that I got back into guitar playing big style and even before the injury cycling had to be sidelined - lots of practice, recording, gigging and just little time or energy left (married bloke with demanding full time job too).

admittedly its easy to make excuses and i know cycling does me the world of good. So i'm tentatively thinking of cycling again now that the demands of music have eased off a bit lately.

Main problem is my fitness is ZERO ! i put on a hell of a lot of weight..this wont stop me, but like most of us currently we're having to severely tighten our belts financially. .....nothing fits me any more (tops and jacket i mean - the shorts and longs are ok and the base layers will be ok)

thing is i just cant afford to replace my altura windproof/waterproof night vision with an XL or even XXL, AND winter jerseys are expensive.

I COULD possibly get away with the following ;

base layer
thin summer tops (loose MTB style - my preference)
fleece jacket (its a decent fleece, lightwieght, goes with an outdoor coat.
i have one of those rain ponchos from the new york tourist bus - would do if it pisses down.
3/4 length MTB stylel shorts - love them
long leg bib thing
arm and leg warmers
I know all too well how uncomfortable 'ordinary clothing' is, i used it when i started out before i got decent cycling gear and the diference is amazing.

so, from my list above i think i'll be ok to be getting started - what do you think? i'm not into tight lycra tops anyway and this stuff is all fairly comfy and breathable - do i just get on and 'make do' until i can get a proper winter jacket and jersey?

tried ALDI, all the bigger stuffs gone

thanks

 

[summerdays]

Whilst the right clothing can make a difference - it doesn't have to be technical clothing, to get started go with what you have got and then see which things you are finding uncomfortable when cycling and prioritise your spending on them. If you want hi-vis then a builders vest thing will do over what you are wearing and will be far cheaper. So get out on the bike - try a short loop and see how much of what you have already will do, then keep your eye out for bargins. The longer you are on the bike the more the need for the more technical of garments, and if you are just returning after injury it would be best to start nice and slowly and not much distance.

 

[helmet tester]

thanks. yes, it'll be short easy distances to start with, no hills (one of my regular rides with a mate always meant a couple of killer hills which nearly killed me even at my fittest!)

anyone here from north tyneside / wansbeck coast way? my favourite 'easy sunday ride' was always from home near ashington, then along the coast from blyth - seaton sluice-cullercoats - tynemouth. sometimes on to north shields. Sit up on the priory with a pork pie, enjoy the views then head home. Its a nice, relatively flat ride. head north to cresswell, druridge and beyond - well this part of the country is great for cycling, we have the coast + fine view of the cheviots.

good point about the visibility, never thought about it - may just be able to squeeze into the altura if i breathe in, but yes i'll get one of those bands or vests in the meantime

 

[RedBike]

I'm in a similar situation. I'm trying desperatly to recover from an avultion fracture in my ankle. I've put on so much weight most of my cycle clothing doesnt fit me any more.

I think its worth looking at winter clothing now. In just a few weeks time when the clocks go back you'll be needing gloves and a coat

 

[RedBike]

Best of luck with your recovery.
Keep us informed as to how you get on.!

 

[RedBike]

Best of luck with your recovery.
Keep us informed as to how you get on.!