I bought a bike and it was the best thing I ever did

batorkin
batorkin Posts: 281 Member
edited September 2018 in Health and Weight Loss
I had no interest in biking and thought I'd have to force myself to do it, but after being out in the sun and blazing through the trails I have become addicted to it. Every day I am excited to get back out there. I have gone from 10 miles a day to 40 miles a day in about a month (5-7 days/week), and I am now working on doing a 160 mile marathon in a single day.

I ride about 3 hours a day right now, which is 1100-1450 calories burnt depending on the trail and speed. It's fun and when I get home I can eat so much food and still lose weight. I really wish I had found this hobby sooner, I had already lost 98 pounds using an elliptical at home.

Seriously, buy a bike and get outside to lose weight and be healthy. It feels like cheating!

Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    I love riding my bike too! So happy for you :)
  • garystrickland357
    garystrickland357 Posts: 598 Member
    I love being on my bike.
  • melody6086
    melody6086 Posts: 11 Member
    I put it on my Christmas wish list last year. If my daughter doesn’t buy me one this year, I’ll buy my own. I loved biking!
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    melody6086 wrote: »
    I put it on my Christmas wish list last year. If my daughter doesn’t buy me one this year, I’ll buy my own. I loved biking!

    Don’t delay. Even on hot days, biking is still cool.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,597 Member
    Join us over on the Bicycle Challenge thread. :)

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10692337/september-2018-biking-cycling-bicycling-bike-bicycle-unicycle-tricycle-challenge#latest
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    L1zardQueen wrote: »
    melody6086 wrote: »
    I put it on my Christmas wish list last year. If my daughter doesn’t buy me one this year, I’ll buy my own. I loved biking!

    Don’t delay. Even on hot days, biking is still cool.

    On hot days, it's like having a nice breeze. :smile:
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    Biking is my go to for cardio. As you can see by my avatar of my bike!
  • peggym4640
    peggym4640 Posts: 156 Member
    Congratulations. I love my bike too!
  • KDar1988
    KDar1988 Posts: 648 Member
    Love my bike <3
  • pjwrt
    pjwrt Posts: 166 Member
    I love my Harley Street Bob.
  • sexybug6
    sexybug6 Posts: 156 Member
    Love my bike best so far 94 miles in five days
  • shirgify
    shirgify Posts: 35 Member
    I too love my bike !!
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,128 Member
    Debating whether to finally take advantage of the bike taxsaver scheme here in Ireland and get myself an electric hybrid thing (1000 euro allowance to buy bike and lease back through company until paid for and deduction before tax so you save).
  • shunggie
    shunggie Posts: 1,036 Member
    edited September 2018
    tyrindor wrote: »
    I had no interest in biking and thought I'd have to force myself to do it, but after being out in the sun and blazing through the trails I have become addicted to it. Every day I am excited to get back out there. I have gone from 10 miles a day to 40 miles a day in about a month (5-7 days/week), and I am now working on doing a 160 mile marathon in a single day.

    I ride about 3 hours a day right now, which is 1100-1450 calories burnt depending on the trail and speed. It's fun and when I get home I can eat so much food and still lose weight. I really wish I had found this hobby sooner, I had already lost 98 pounds using an elliptical at home.

    Seriously, buy a bike and get outside to lose weight and be healthy. It feels like cheating!

    I used to love biking and have been walking on trails. I tried a new trail last night and they have bike rentals. I'm going back tonight (without my dog) and renting a bike. I used to LOVE to ride and I'm hoping this is the start to something great. I'm heavier than the last time I rode but your post gives me hope.
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
    I have dreamed of it, but I have no idea how to get started and have felt intimidated. I'd love to hear your tips and suggestions.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,128 Member
    yayamom3 wrote: »
    I have dreamed of it, but I have no idea how to get started and have felt intimidated. I'd love to hear your tips and suggestions.

    @yayamom3 have you considered hiring one for a weekend and giving it a whirl? No massive outlay of cost and you can see if you enjoy it.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    Speaking of bikes, I've googled around and can't find an answer to my question. Probably because it varies or it really doesn't matter.

    Does anyone have any idea how the basic resistance of my one speed bike (which varies anyway because of my weight, terrain and wind) equates to a gear on a geared bike? There may not be an answer to that. I'm just curious because I note my SO does one pedal rotation compared to my one and a half or more if on the flat and no wind, and has greater speed with less apparent work. I don't even try to keep up but feel I actually may get more of a workout even though I'm at a slower speed. Just curious.
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    edited September 2018
    @successgal1 Could you ask your SO for their opinion of the on which gear it may be? In the long, it doesn’t really matter. A good workout is better than sitting on one’s duff.

    ETA. Spelling
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    edited September 2018
    L1zardQueen wrote: »
    @successgal1 Could you ask your SO for their opinion of the on which gear it may be? In the long, it doesn’t really matter. A good workout is better than sitting on one’s duff.

    ETA. Spelling

    True dat. He says he's on 6 for the bike. It's a 7 speed, Sun brand, Drifter model. I'm on a coaster one speed Sun Drifter.

    http://www.sun.bike/bikes/drifter/
  • ghudson92
    ghudson92 Posts: 2,061 Member
    I bought a bike last December, today I went on it for the first time since January. It was a 7 mile round trip and I felt amazing :-) looking forward to making it a regular part of my routine
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    successgal1 wrote: »
    Speaking of bikes, I've googled around and can't find an answer to my question. Probably because it varies or it really doesn't matter.

    Does anyone have any idea how the basic resistance of my one speed bike (which varies anyway because of my weight, terrain and wind) equates to a gear on a geared bike? There may not be an answer to that. I'm just curious because I note my SO does one pedal rotation compared to my one and a half or more if on the flat and no wind, and has greater speed with less apparent work. I don't even try to keep up but feel I actually may get more of a workout even though I'm at a slower speed. Just curious.

    There's math that can answer this.

    You need to figure out how many teeth are on the chain ring (big one on the front of the chain) and the sprocket (smaller one on the back of the chain), and the ratio between them. Then you can find the equivalent gear on his bike. The numbers of teeth are probably stamped into the metal so you don't have to count.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    successgal1 wrote: »
    Speaking of bikes, I've googled around and can't find an answer to my question. Probably because it varies or it really doesn't matter.

    Does anyone have any idea how the basic resistance of my one speed bike (which varies anyway because of my weight, terrain and wind) equates to a gear on a geared bike? There may not be an answer to that. I'm just curious because I note my SO does one pedal rotation compared to my one and a half or more if on the flat and no wind, and has greater speed with less apparent work. I don't even try to keep up but feel I actually may get more of a workout even though I'm at a slower speed. Just curious.

    There's math that can answer this.

    You need to figure out how many teeth are on the chain ring (big one on the front of the chain) and the sprocket (smaller one on the back of the chain), and the ratio between them. Then you can find the equivalent gear on his bike. The numbers of teeth are probably stamped into the metal so you don't have to count.

    Thanks! I'll figure that out and get back to you.
  • LumberJacck
    LumberJacck Posts: 559 Member
    crazyravr wrote: »
    Until your first crash, until your first serious accident, until your first theft, until you bike so much that you simple cannot be bothered to get on the bike anymore :)

    I can relate, as a child I would bike to school regularly, then my brother had a head injury while riding his bike (with me at the time) and I didn't ride mine for about 6 months, I took the bus instead
  • jo_nz
    jo_nz Posts: 548 Member
    In a similar vein - I bought a dog (2yrs ago) and it was the best thing I ever did!

    My beagle is a great little buddy, and definitely makes me get up and moving more, even on days that I'd happily skip going for a walk/run.

    The increased activity also brought to light some ongoing issues after I broke my ankle a few years ago (eep, just looked at the date - 3 years ago TODAY). Without that, I possibly wouldn't have gone on to get the metalware removed, and now I have a much better range of movement...to the point I think my next purchase might in fact be a bike! Saving my pennies now...

    Didn't think I would ever ride a bike again or run (which I do at a snail's pace, but I am extremely happy with the fact I can do it at all).

    Some purchases certainly do make a bigger impact than initially planned
  • blobby10
    blobby10 Posts: 357 Member
    3 hours and 40 miles a day is serious biking! That's over 200 miles a week! Very impressive. I'm lucky if I get 40 a week right now :(
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Sounds fun. My kids and husband and one of my kids friends are all into bikes and they ride around on their bikes and I'm like :( I really want a bike but just don't want to spend the money lol.

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