Bicycling enthusiasts?

junkgypsy

Just wondering if there is anyone on here whose main exercise focus is biking?

I try to ride at least 10 miles a day, and am working on my endurance. I'm up to 21 in just under 2 hours...


Anyone else here a biker?
Please let me know, I'd love to have someone to swap gripes and tips with!

happy_heather121

Hi!

My walking partner and I walk from her house around a small lake we have in our city. It's about 6 miles. Last week we decided we would try to bike it starting from my house. It's only about 8.5 but we are working up to biking more.

We both LOVE it. Although, at 6am I actually HATE it if you know what I mean! We get a serious workout, especially because this route is SO hilly!

I'd love to swap things with you. Add me as a friend if you'd like!

Wolfena

I have a bike... I ride my bike, it's a Trek I bought 2 summers ago after not being on one for over 25 years and I love it!
Bicycling is probably my secondary exercise though, as I seem to jog more than bike....
The farthest I've managed to go on my bike so far is 14 miles- I live in a pretty hilly and rural area and it aint easy getting up some of these hills around here! :laugh: Generally I'll go out for a 10-12.5 mile ride at a time, usually takes me right around an hour- I've only been on my bike 3 times in the past 2 months due to the weather.
I'm no pro, not sure I'd be able to give you any tips - perhaps share amusing stories, but probably wouldn't be much help!

Anyway, hello

junkgypsy

I have always loved biking but just recently got back into it!

My longest ride so far was 21.23 miles, on monday.

I'm riding again today, hoping for 20 but I'll take what I can get on sore legs, haha. I will try to add you as a friend, Heather, but I'm very new to this.

I discovered that a hour-long ride at 12-14 mph burns 700+ calories. So I try to get one of those runs in at least twice a week.

Anywho! So glad to find like-minded people who love it as much as I do!

pkgirrl

I've just started!
I always used to prefer running, but I can't get my boyfriend to run with me; he always wants to bike. I never realized what a good workout it can be if you push yourself, (as junk gypsy said, " 700+ calories") so now I'm alternating daily running for an hour or biking for an hour. I've only recently started doing this for actual health benefits, as opposed to solely for weight loss, so I haven't tracked any distances yet. But when I get around to it I'll post.

Gripes and tips? Count me in

Ileanak

I love cycling. I have a hard time frinding buddy's to ride with but I love it~
I have completed a 63mile ride, although my standard is about 25 miles. I also love sprint triathlons, which incorporate 2 of my loves (cycling and swimming)... and i tollerate the running!

Ileana

I have both a road bike and a hybrid, and ride either one depending on the event. I am happy to try to answer any of your questions about cycling. I am not an expert, but I can hold my own!

Ileana

Chenoachem

I cycling. I have a race bike that I am trying to sell right now to get a normal road bike. I love my bike but I don't race anymore so I don't really need all the bells and whistles it has. It is also a triathlon specific bike so the frame is structured differently to keep you in a better tuck position for wind resistance.

I was going out 3 days a week but right now I am more focused on running to get ready for a 1/2 marathon. I love using it for cross training though and where I live at 6000ft above sea level, if I go in one direction I go up more if I go in the other I go down, (living on the side of a mountain).

I am also a gear junky. I like looking at what is the latest and greatest toys for my bike. I recently spotted cycling jersey's with built in water packs for long rides. They looked pretty cool.

junkgypsy

I have 2 bikes-- One is just a beach cruiser that I ride mainly for leisure, and the other is I believe what's considered a mountain bike? It's nothing special, but it has gears which comes wayyy in handy, especially where I live. (Smack in the middle of farm country, so you're against the wind hard one direction no matter what).

I just bought a speedometer for my bike so I could keep better track of calories, and it also logs my distance in miles. Not bad for 10 dollars from wal-mart. Cheap thrills.

Chenoachem

I have a bike computer and I really like keeping track of cadence, speed, distance, average speed...things like that. I think I might give it to my husband when I get my new watch later this week. Since it will have a GPS, I might need the other computer.

naugustyniak

I just started biking again this summer. My bike is a Murray that I got when my daughter was born 21 years ago:laugh: It still works really well since it hasn't been ridden much in 21 years. :grumble: I am going to get a new bike at the end of the summer (hopefully when they are cheaper)

I ride about every other day about 10 miles each time. I can do 10 miles in about 35 minutes. I live in the country too and find it hard to find places to ride that aren't stone roads. I have a couple of places I mapped out on the trainer log on Runner's World that gives me the distance and MPH that I ride. I have an HRM that tracks my heart rate and calories burned. I like going by myself though, kind of my ME time.

happy_heather121

I have 2 bikes-- One is just a beach cruiser that I ride mainly for leisure, and the other is I believe what's considered a mountain bike? It's nothing special, but it has gears which comes wayyy in handy, especially where I live. (Smack in the middle of farm country, so you're against the wind hard one direction no matter what).

I just bought a speedometer for my bike so I could keep better track of calories, and it also logs my distance in miles. Not bad for 10 dollars from wal-mart. Cheap thrills.

I have a mountain bike. I got it for my 14th birthday! It's 10 years old but still works fine. I see that lots of people where I bike have road bikes but I can't afford one. Also, my boyfriend and I love to mountain bike on the weekends and we need mountain bikes for that.

The speedometer sounds awesome! I really want to invest in one. 10 bucks is super cheap!

msarro

I love biking, but its kind of fallen secondary to running lately. Namely because the crank in my bike either needs lubrication, or because the bearing is bad. I dont have the money to get it fixed, so I've just been pounding pavement, lol.

singfree

I love biking! I try to average 100 miles per week. Normally I do 15-20 per day. I own 2 new bikes: a Trek Hybrid and a Cannondale Road Bike. Great exercise and never boring! I live in rural PA where there are lots of rolling hills and very little traffic.

Ileanak

At the very minimum, I keep a computer on the bike that tracks distance and speed. I don't bother with paying for one that tracks cadence and other stuff. Becasue I know where I want to ride, and how far it is, a simple computer that tells me where I am on the ride (distance) and how long it has taken me, I can figure out my average speed as well as time my own sprints.

I love the gadgets, but as a scuba diver, cyclist, and "other" sport afficionado, I have to be very careful with my pennies when it comes to spending it on new toys! lol

My road bike is a mid-range (under $1000), & 3 years old now, but my hybrid is 18 years old and works fine too. So long as you take care of your equipment, it will perform for you... ( I am not talking about a Walmart special... those are just junk)

yoginimary

I have 2 bikes-- One is just a beach cruiser that I ride mainly for leisure, and the other is I believe what's considered a mountain bike? It's nothing special, but it has gears which comes wayyy in handy, especially where I live.

Keep in mind that you won't go as fast as someone with a road bike - so for you to go 14 mph is close to a road bike going 20 mph. I find the calorie burn a little high compared to my HRM - I usually burn about 400-450 calories per hour on my commuter bike. Though the most I've done is a 4 hour ride (only 40 miles but the wind was really rough that day) - burned 1800 calories :bigsmile:

betheranne

I have a bike I bought at Target that my BIL had in his possession for several years. (Long story)

Anyway, I have it back now. My six-year-old loves to ride his bike, so I'm riding with him. I'm woefully out of shape though, so I was pretty excited when I did 1 mile the other day!:laugh:

I'm working on it. I forgot what a workout it can be!

Oh! And a friend of mine is going to let me borrow her bike trailer for my 2-year-old. I think it's time to start considering a better-quality bike.

vanimami

These posts are getting me motivated to go for a bike ride. I havent' been using mine as of lately too much, but I've been promising myself to be more active and to use it more often. I haven't made it to 10 miles because where I live it's only 2 lane roads, which get pretty scary and I would have to ride for a few miles before I can get to a trail. also, it's very hilly and windy where I live so it is TOUGH. I hope to get in the groove and put in a ton more miles than I have been. :glasses:

junkgypsy

I just bought a speedometer for my bike so I could keep better track of calories, and it also logs my distance in miles. Not bad for 10 dollars from wal-mart. Cheap thrills.

I have a mountain bike. I got it for my 14th birthday! It's 10 years old but still works fine. I see that lots of people where I bike have road bikes but I can't afford one. Also, my boyfriend and I love to mountain bike on the weekends and we need mountain bikes for that.

The speedometer sounds awesome! I really want to invest in one. 10 bucks is super cheap!

I know what you mean-- The beach cruiser I have, my parents gave me for Christmas when I was like 12 or 13, I don't even remember! It's an Earth Cruiser though, a quality bike, which surprised me 'cause my family is full of tightwads, lol. But I told them I wanted an orange bike, so an orange bike I got. I treat that thing like royalty. Lol.

The mountain bike is just a Schwiinn basic one, and yes it's from Wal-Mart. It's held up well so far, and I can't afford a road bike anytime soon. It gets me where I need to go and I am getting a workout either way.

Can someone explain the differences in the bikes to me, possibly?

I just got back from a ride...I was hoping for 25 but my tired legs got me 18.5 and said no more. But it was a good workout none the less. I averaged about 12mph for just under 2 hours. No complaints here.

singfree

Mountain Bike: Knobby tires, shock absorbers, built heavier for trails.

Hybrid Bike: Thinner tires, less knobby...good for light trails and roads. Lighter/ faster than a mountain bike.

Road Bike: Very light, stiff frame...built for speed. Very thin tires, good for roads only.

This is a very basic description of the various bikes.

paddlemom

Last year I bought what they are calling an Adult Comfort Bike. Your posture when you are riding is more upright - I bet similar to that beach cruiser. I found that my neck, shoulders and arms get tired when I ride a more forward profile bike.
It has thicker tires - but not as thick and knobby as mountain bikes, but still has 10 gears and a light, but large tube aluminum frame. I bought a super wide seat for it (to accomodate my super wide seat :laugh: ), which makes it an ideal bike for large people. It is a Specialized Expedition - Specialized is the company. I know that Giant makes similar ones too.
It's great for everyday road cycling in the city; but the tires and ride are good for dirt roads as well. Right from the outset it was the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. My route is around 10km which is perfect for me to get a quick ride in after work.
I'm looking forward to taking it up to the cottage with me this summer to do some longer treks.

singfree

Yeah, a comfort bike is great for those who want a nice, cushioned ride. Specialized is a very good company. It is made for the casual rider who is willing to sacrifice performance for comfort. It's a great commuter bike on a relatively flat road or trail. It really fits the bill nicely for those people who enjoy a nice ride now and then. Best of luck to you!

quinnybear

i've been cycling for about 2 months now. my parents have been cycling for years and my dad gave me his old land shark road bike. we ride a 33 mile loop with the bike club here in town twice a week and then ride at least once on the weekends (usually around 50 miles). i love it and rarely go to the gym anymore. it helped me break my plateau and reach my goal weight. the rides during the week are usually around 22-25mph with sprints over 30mph. on the weekends we slow it down a little and try to just have fun.

junkgypsy

Singfree, thanks for breaking it down for me.

If I continue to bike, I'll probably invest in a road bike in the future, but at this point my bikes do me just fine.

Unfortunately I'm off the bike for a day or 2, I wore the wrong pair of short yesterday and my seat scratched the insides of my thighs to where it hurts to walk. Gotta let that heal. Trying to find some sort of exercise to do in the meantime that doesn't hurt, haha.

ashfudge

I run! I would like to bike but I have no idea where to start in purchasing a bike. I don't want to start out to expensive. I would like to do a duathlon or sprint triathlon. Any advice?

naugustyniak

I run! I would like to bike but I have no idea where to start in purchasing a bike. I don't want to start out to expensive. I would like to do a duathlon or sprint triathlon. Any advice?

I would go to a bike store and get fitted first. My bike is old and yucky but still works but I am planning on a new one soon and will go get fitted for it.

leann_m_olson

I run! I would like to bike but I have no idea where to start in purchasing a bike. I don't want to start out to expensive. I would like to do a duathlon or sprint triathlon. Any advice?

not sure what your budget is expect to spend $500 for a low end new bike at a bike store, do at least get fitted at a bike store so you know what size to buy and how high your seat should be. Look on ebay. My husband and I bought our bikes used. Most important for tri's is to get a road bike of any kind to start with, doesn't have to be the greatest just needs to be a road bike. I always feel bad passing men on a mountain bike, they don't have a chance with a heavy mountain bike. You can train with a mountain bike just make sure you have the road bike before the race.

Chenoachem

I run! I would like to bike but I have no idea where to start in purchasing a bike. I don't want to start out to expensive. I would like to do a duathlon or sprint triathlon. Any advice?

I would go to a bike store and get fitted first. My bike is old and yucky but still works but I am planning on a new one soon and will go get fitted for it.

Fitting and comfort are big factors. I know people that do tri's that spent a lot of money and hated their bike. If you are going to spend money, make sure you like it. Most bike stores will allow you to take it out for a spin. If not, go someplace else.

When I started Tri's I was on a $20 walmart bike. Heavy but it worked and I completed my goal. Just not in any record times. So it doesn't have to fancy.

singfree

Getting fitted for a bike is the way to go. Find a good bike shop and they will take very good care of you. Also get the type of bike suited for the surface you are riding on. I tried my son's mountain bike on a road and it was a lot of work. I now own a good quality road bike and really enjoy it.

junkgypsy

I will have to hunt for a good bike shop around here and do some browsing, figure out a way to save up.

Thanks y'all.

RunRideRay

I own 4 bikes and have two legs so I'd love to loan some of my wheels. However, at 6'4" that may pose a problem for many of you... ouch!

On a serious note, I am a bike junkie big time. About road bikes.....

1) They last forever, so putting some money into a good bike may be a good investment you can enjoy for many years (it's a cheap hobby).

2) Having a good bike will give you that extra desire to ride.

3) www.bikesdirect.com has super good deals on entry level bikes. OK.. even $700 may seem expensive but at least it's a decent bike.

4) Be very careful about new road bikes at or below $500, they often have very poor components and won't last as long and need more maintenance. You may be better on the used market.

5) Getting a better bike to start will save you from upgrading every 2 years as you grow into the sport. When I started I bought a $300 trail bike, a year later I bought a $700 road bike, 2 years later a $2000 road bike.... Get the picture, the other two bikes sat while I had a total investment of $3000 in bikes! I still like riding that $2k bike after owning it for nearly 10 years, although I did buy another upgrade a few years ago.

6) Keep part of your bike budget for clothes, shoes, components too. They add up fast!

Just some friendly advice, but with the preface that I am a hard core cyclist who is biased. It's just so much fun.... I love riding and racing, so I can help with any questions about that too.

Raymond

gemiwing

We're a car-lite houshold and oh boy do we have bikes! Hubbs used to own/run a bike repair shop. He's still the go-to guy for most of our friends when a crank turns into a creak. We've got a fixie for him, mtb, roadie for me (single speed), a commuter for guests/friends and an electric bike I used last year when I couldn't pedal.

It's tough to keep up with him, but I love riding through the city. Our city blooms with cyclists in the Spring through Autumn. The bike lanes are just packed right now. :bigsmile:

Maybe we could organize some MFP alleycats or rides. Make a fun game out of all of us riding.