Totally new to cycling-help!!

[jimbob]

Hello all, I am totally new to cycling, well, after 40 years of not cycling anyway, I am 61 now, I recently bought a Raliegh 'Vegas' from a mate of mine, all but brand new for £50.
The intention is that maybe next year or the year after we may try Lejog, as I said earlier I have not ridden for 40 years, is this dream possible do you think? or should I forget it?.

Jimbob.

 

[longers]

It's entirely possible. Go for it!

The only thing standing (or sitting) between you and the ride is you. With the right attitude and a fair bit of practice you can definitely give it a good go.

Warning. Cycling may become addictive.

 

[snorri]

Definitely possible
I'm not so sure that the Raleigh Vegas would be ideal for LeJoG, but get some miles in on it and you will gain experience and knowledge to help you go for the bike that suits you best.
Welcome to CycleChat

 

[HelenD123]

Welcome to CycleChat Jimbob! LeJoG is a great ambition to have. Just get out on your Raleigh and see how you get on. If you're anything like the rest of us you'll soon be hooked

 

[Scoosh]

back to cycling, jimbob and Welcome to CC . Good to have you - and your dream .

From http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews83782.html

"An ok bike if you want basics. Strong frame, brilliant brakes and gears that will last, all 18 of them. A good strong bike and that is all. Very basic hence the price. Quite a heavy bike, ok for off road but I would not want to do long road trips with this as there is no suspension. I thought of lejog but not with this beast."

So you will soon have a wonderful excuse to get another bike - faster, lighter, more comfy, more suited to LeJog. It's what most of us dream of .......

 

[HJ]

With a years training Lejog is perfectly feasible, just put a date in you diary and do it…

 

[bonj2]

Hello all, I am totally new to cycling, well, after 40 years of not cycling anyway, I am 61 now, I recently bought a Raliegh 'Vegas' from a mate of mine, all but brand new for £50.
The intention is that maybe next year or the year after we may try Lejog, as I said earlier I have not ridden for 40 years, is this dream possible do you think? or should I forget it?.

Jimbob.

it's possible for anybody who's determined enough, but you want to take several steps to make it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. On a light, comfortable, mechanically sound bike you are going to go faster and be able to spend more time in the saddle just riding without aching or worrying/faffing with dodgy components, and it'll fly by. So make sure your bike's up to the job: Do a few test rides, say a couple of days on the trot. Ride 70 miles, stay in a b&b/youth hostel, then ride back a different way - then ask yourself "could I do that for two weeks?"
The right kit, and you'll be able to content with any situation. You want to be able to stay dry if it rains yet not get too hot, and you want to be able to fix your bike if something goes wrong with it.
Oh, and i'm not suggesting you do - but you say you haven't ridden for 40 years, so if you smoke, first thing to do's pack that in.

 

[Abitrary]

The intention is that maybe next year or the year after we may try Le jog,

I'd start with jogging, and then try cycling, and go back to jogging only if cycling you decided wasn't for you.

 

[jimbob]

Thanks for the replys, what a friendly bunch you are.
I think the Raliegh may, as you say, be too heavier bike, but great to start with and to get a few miles in, have just put a computer on it so that will help.
Must admit that its fun looking over the hedges here in Cornwall instead of just being hemmed in when driving the car, forgotten what Ive missed all these years.
Just waiting for daylight this morning to get the bike out for a 2 mile run, may not seem much to you guys but its a good start for me [and enjoyable!] plus I dont want to overdo my old muscles.

 

[Keith Oates]

Good luck with the LeJog, Jimbob. Keep us advised of your progress and that will also help to keep you motivated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps. Where abouts in Cornwall are you from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jimbob]

If I go any futher west I will fall off Lands end [hopefully not on the bike!]

 

[Angelfishsolo]

A belated welcome Jimbob. A fantastic ambition and one that I am sure is achievable. I have a friend who lives with MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis. She can hardly use her right arm and yet she is taking flying lessons. Anything is possible my friend; GO FOR IT!!!!!

 

[CeeDee51]

You in Cornwall to Jimbob? I to have just come back to cycling after a long break. Of course, I am younger than you, 57!! I,m planning to do Santander to Roscoff next year with luck. Just off on a practice run to Portreath now, good luck!

 

[bonj2]

Thanks for the replys, what a friendly bunch you are.
I think the Raliegh may, as you say, be too heavier bike, but great to start with and to get a few miles in, have just put a computer on it so that will help.
Must admit that its fun looking over the hedges here in Cornwall instead of just being hemmed in when driving the car, forgotten what Ive missed all these years.
Just waiting for daylight this morning to get the bike out for a 2 mile run, may not seem much to you guys but its a good start for me [and enjoyable!] plus I dont want to overdo my old muscles.

Don't get too hung up on thinking it's TOO heavy and that you NEED a featherweight carbon racer, like you say, it's good to start with. Bottom line is though, lighter (to some extent) equals faster, and faster equals more fun, and more fun equals more riding - that's the simple reason why I don't believe the old adage of "heavier bike is better as it'll get you fitter".
But the main thing is getting out on it, so whether you get a new bike next year or in ten years or not at all - the most important thing is that you keep going out there and riding. Sometimes new kit can provide that little bit o motivation, even if it's something small like new glasses or a cycle computer or new clothes. Also a good motivation for doing Lejog is you can do it for charity and get sponsored, people on here sponsored me to do a bike ride! and that was 'only' 45 miles in the peaks!
It sounds like you're determined to stick at it, so all the best.

 

[snorri]

have just put a computer on it so that will help.

Then it's time to sign up to www.cyclogs.co.uk