Anyone Got Back On Their Bike (after a long break) or Started Cycling During Lockdown?
AlanKmfp
Posts: 57 Member
I used to cycle a fair bit as a teenager but from about 20 on I didn't ride at all until I bought a bike in my late 30's and did a few years of leisure cycling. Not sure why I stopped but until lockdown I hadn't ridden for about 8 years.
Like many others during lockdown I've dug my ancient, rusting bike out and whilst I've not done many miles (my goal is a mere 50 per month) but I've been enjoying it.
Would be good to find a few friends on here with a similar interest.... feel free to add me!
Like many others during lockdown I've dug my ancient, rusting bike out and whilst I've not done many miles (my goal is a mere 50 per month) but I've been enjoying it.
Would be good to find a few friends on here with a similar interest.... feel free to add me!
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Replies
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Never stopped cycling actually. My husband and I bought recumbent trikes a few years ago and we live close to several rail/trails. They are much safer and the trikes make long rides much easier. He used to be a competitive cyclist in college but after five back surgeries could no longer do the upright bikes. Trikes are safe (hard to wreck) and comfortable to ride. Planning on going for a two hour ride today. Living in Indiana so we don't get to ride year round, but start in March as soon as the weather allows and go through October usually.3
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When the bike bug bites it bites hard. I've been cycling for around 6 years or something. I use it for everything, I ended riding so much I got rid of my car too. I come from a running background but wanted something more low-impact, so the bike was only natural. Speaking of impact, just wear your helmet too, you prolly do but it can be sketchy as hell. The longest I took off was probably around 4 months after being hit by a car and breaking my patella. I get a be loco without my time in the saddle.
Chapeu!4 -
I sold my bicycle to help fund the purchase of a "sports moped" (now that's an oxymoron!) at age 16 and motorcycling became my only riding. Only started cycling again regularly at age 42 when I ran away screaming from my first career and bought myself a MTB as a leaving present.
Worked up from short local circuits to doing charity rides up to 60 miles on the old beast.
Things escalated at age 52 with purchase of better bike(s) which allowed me to broaden my horizons and ride much further. I seem to have collected a nice fleet of bikes and it's my main hobby now I'm retired.
A link that you might like:
There's a Strava challenge group -
https://www.strava.com/clubs/mfp-cycling-challenge-group-179287
See you have found the monthly cycling thread here on MyFitnessPal (but others may like it too) -
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10794323/may-2020-biking-cycling-bicycling-bike-bicycle-unicycle-tricycle-challenge#latest3 -
I stopped riding for serval months due to an injury and I'm coming back. I did 60 miles last week which isn't that much but I'm happy to be able to.3
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Somewhat coincidental on timing, but I started back earlier this year with my eye set on Sprint Tri’s (just to see if I could do it). Like several others I am sure, I lived on my bike until I got my license and then it got put away. My college campus was small so no need for it there either. Then marriage, babies, etc. At 35 I am getting back to it! Did 12 miles this morning as part of a virtual Sprint Tri - whoop whoop! Still getting over my fear of riding on the road, but with a rear view mirror I feel much better. Definitely a helmet, I am going to be shopping around for something different. I just bought something Co rap at WalMart only to find it rubs weird and leaves funky marks on my forehead. I am still riding my old Cannondale my pre at bought for me at 10 or 11 (they bought it a touch big, plus I stopped growing at 12... guy at the bike shop confirmed it still fit me fine).
My dad will be 70 this year and used to be an avid MTBer, struggled with some health stuff the last couple years but is finally feeling better! Thanks to MFP he has lost significant weight and is even contemplating joining a bike club this year! (Well, I gues he WAS contemplating... thanks COVID).2 -
I've been using my bike more now. But I am not a racer, I'm always taking it easy and I don't bike long distances. It's fun to get some different exercise though.2
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I'm not much of a bike kind of girl, but my husband got me an amazing bike recently. I haven't been out to ride it yet however.
The weather hasn't been the best lately, but I'm looking forward to getting on it especially when my favourite parks open up. I love trying new things with my fitness routine.4 -
I ride some these days. Got reacquainted with cycling in 2013 during recovery from a running injury. As I became interested in triathlon, my cycling ramped up quite a bit. This year, given cancelled races, I'm mostly just riding for fun. I typically ride a few days/week indoors and often a 30-50 mile outdoor ride on weekends.1
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I've owned a few bicycles in my day but never rode them any distance on the open road. However, I am thinking about buying a folding ebike to use as alternate short term/distance transportation.
It had nothing to do w/the Covid-19 crisis but I just started rowing and spin biking again after 6 month hiatus due to treatment for a degenerative elbow.
The treatment didn't work so I can't do pushups, pullups, BPs/OHPs or any similar weighted movements that severely stress the elbow anymore but can still row and do certain dumbbell routines and am think about buying a Concept2 Skierg for an alternate upper (and lower) body workout option.
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A link that you might like:
There's a Strava challenge group -
https://www.strava.com/clubs/mfp-cycling-challenge-group-179287
See you have found the monthly cycling thread here on MyFitnessPal (but others may like it too) -
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10794323/may-2020-biking-cycling-bicycling-bike-bicycle-unicycle-tricycle-challenge#latest
Thanks, just joined the Strava group. The photo's on your profile are inspirational :-)
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rainbow198 wrote: »I'm not much of a bike kind of girl, but my husband got me an amazing bike recently. I haven't been out to ride it yet however.
The weather hasn't been the best lately, but I'm looking forward to getting on it especially when my favourite parks open up. I love trying new things with my fitness routine.
Good Luck. Enjoy!!1 -
I've been using my bike more now. But I am not a racer, I'm always taking it easy and I don't bike long distances. It's fun to get some different exercise though.
Yep, get that. Very much a leisure and fitness thing for me (guess some of the attraction is also the nostalgia of childhood bike rides).
I guess whether it's for leisure, sport, fitness, travel; whether the goal is 200 miles per month, 2 miles per month or mileage is not even recorded the important thing is that there is a level of enjoyment / achievement gleaned.1 -
Restarted running in March, coincidently with the shut down, for traning for the atlantic city marathon in October.2
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I've had three "bike lives" - as a kid, as an adult in my late 20s into 30s (until "Dad life" kicked in LOL) and when I retired early 3yrs ago. While my earlier adult phase was interesting and exciting - road touring, bike vacations, etc., this current phase is moreso. In addition to local riding for fun, exercise and errands, I've hauled my bike from my home in central, coastal NJ south to the FL Keys and north to Ontario, with riding stops along the way. This is the way retirement should be, LOL. Except of course, with the covid-19 lockdown. No riding since March. I'm a high-risk category guy.
Don't worry the miles, ride your ride. If you want, distance will come with continued riding ("... some ride hard, some ride long ..."). When I started this latest phase, 3 yrs ago, I was between 70-80lbs heavier and riding a mile was a big deal. That changed. Riding didn't *cause* the weight loss, at least exclusively - it takes both activity and dietary modification - but the realization that hauling an overlarge butt up hills would be much easier if it weren't so overlarge is a good motivator, LOL.
Picture is on the High Bridge Trail, Farmville, VA (crosses the Appomattox River and was a battle site at the end of the Civil War).
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dramaqueen45 wrote: »Never stopped cycling actually. My husband and I bought recumbent trikes a few years ago and we live close to several rail/trails. They are much safer and the trikes make long rides much easier. He used to be a competitive cyclist in college but after five back surgeries could no longer do the upright bikes. Trikes are safe (hard to wreck) and comfortable to ride. Planning on going for a two hour ride today. Living in Indiana so we don't get to ride year round, but start in March as soon as the weather allows and go through October usually.
I rented a trike in the Tampa/Clearwater area (Dunedin actually, to ride the Pinellas Trail to Tarpon Springs) last year to try out. At age 65yo, I figure it is possible that balance might become an issue sooner or later (I'm riding a conventional 2-wheeled bike now). It was an interesting experience, and I learned a fair amount from a single day's ride (about the trike experience, and a few things about what I'd prefer if/when I buy my own).2 -
I got back on the bike for the first time since I was a student (which is more than 20yr ago!) at the end of March.
I ride with my husband, who prefers riding to running, and average 4x35-40km rides a week. (He goes most days, but I still have to go to work...) I’ve clocked up a total of nearly 1000km now, mostly on road but also off road tracks/ bridleways and canal paths.
Really enjoying it. However, I did learn (the hard way 😣) how important proper cycling shorts are...4 -
I used to cycle a fair bit as a teenager but from about 20 on I didn't ride at all until I bought a bike in my late 30's and did a few years of leisure cycling. Not sure why I stopped but until lockdown I hadn't ridden for about 8 years.
Like many others during lockdown I've dug my ancient, rusting bike out and whilst I've not done many miles (my goal is a mere 50 per month) but I've been enjoying it.
Would be good to find a few friends on here with a similar interest.... feel free to add me!
I was an avid cyclist in my youth but took about a 20 year hiatus, between work & kids.....you've probably heard the story before. In my late 40s I decided I was unacceptably out of shape, started running & eventually joined a triathlon club. I also discovered, through my running, that we have MUPs about 500m from my front door.
With the physical distancing recommendations and all of the races being canceled I haven't done a lot of outdoor cycling so far this year and when I do ride it's usually at the crack of dawn to avoid crowds.
It's a great way to get some fresh air and exercise. Have fun now that you're back in the saddle.
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BrianSharpe wrote: »
I was an avid cyclist in my youth but took about a 20 year hiatus, between work & kids.....you've probably heard the story before. In my late 40s I decided I was unacceptably out of shape, started running & eventually joined a triathlon club. I also discovered, through my running, that we have MUPs about 500m from my front door.
With the physical distancing recommendations and all of the races being canceled I haven't done a lot of outdoor cycling so far this year and when I do ride it's usually at the crack of dawn to avoid crowds.
It's a great way to get some fresh air and exercise. Have fun now that you're back in the saddle.
Thanks Brian.0 -
I used to ride quite a bit both as a kid growing up (road and yard), then got into in my 20s (singletrack, and other paths available!) Yesterday I got back on after about 17 years and 100 more lbs. I was really embarrassed about having to stop to rest a couple times on only a 5 mile ride, but it still felt so good...and so much more enjoyable than even thinking about running! Hoping to keep back with it - I've really missed it, and really, really need this weight off!!5
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... Like many others during lockdown I've dug my ......... ancient, rusting bike ......... out and whilst I've not done many miles (my goal is a mere 50 per month) but I've been enjoying it.
Would be good to find a few friends on here with a similar interest.... feel free to add me!
The picture I posted above is my "now" bike. My earlier bike - which I loved, but was no longer right for me - I sold this week to an eager rider. See below picture. I'm posting this so that you can see an older bike (mine is from 1983 and lived a while in my garage) can be spiffed up pretty well, and fairly easily. There are plenty of Youtube videos (and other sources, such as REI) on cleaning and doing basic maintaining a bike for riding. It'll make a world of difference in your riding experience (and safety). I don't know how it is by you, but my bike shop has been swamped with service requests as people un-garage their old bikes. It helps to know the basics yourself.
At least my old friend got a last burst of sunlight to shine in when I took her to her new owner this past weekend.
Good luck and happy riding!
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/pre-ride-inspection.html
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I used to ride quite a bit both as a kid growing up (road and yard), then got into in my 20s (singletrack, and other paths available!) Yesterday I got back on after about 17 years and 100 more lbs. I was really embarrassed about having to stop to rest a couple times on only a 5 mile ride, but it still felt so good...and so much more enjoyable than even thinking about running! Hoping to keep back with it - I've really missed it, and really, really need this weight off!!
Excellent, well done. No need to be embarrassed, the way I think about it is yep I'm overweight but at least I'm making an effort.1 -
... Like many others during lockdown I've dug my ......... ancient, rusting bike ......... out and whilst I've not done many miles (my goal is a mere 50 per month) but I've been enjoying it.
Would be good to find a few friends on here with a similar interest.... feel free to add me!
The picture I posted above is my "now" bike. My earlier bike - which I loved, but was no longer right for me - I sold this week to an eager rider. See below picture. I'm posting this so that you can see an older bike (mine is from 1983 and lived a while in my garage) can be spiffed up pretty well, and fairly easily. There are plenty of Youtube videos (and other sources, such as REI) on cleaning and doing basic maintaining a bike for riding. It'll make a world of difference in your riding experience (and safety). I don't know how it is by you, but my bike shop has been swamped with service requests as people un-garage their old bikes. It helps to know the basics yourself.
At least my old friend got a last burst of sunlight to shine in when I took her to her new owner this past weekend.
Good luck and happy riding!
Cheers, nice bike(s)
Old one reminds me of the bike I had as a teenager (a Dawes Lightening which I loved). Thanks for the link, quite useful that.
I managed 6.98 miles in March, 50.43 in April and 65.78 in May. Hoping to manage 100 in June.
Bike was a bit of a mess so I have done some basic maintenance. Have repaired a few punctures, replaced an inner tube, de-greased an re lubricated the chain and gears etc. The rear derailleur was working fine but the front was not working at all (no movement when changing) so I've been riding just on the middle of the chain rings (not sure that's the right terminology! middle front cog) but I've managed to get the front working today.
Unfortunately whilst fixing the front gears earlier I noticed the rear tyre is now really badly cracked and is bulging and split a little by the rim so I've just ordered 2 new tyres, 2 tubes and new rear brake pads which fingers crossed should be here for Saturday meaning I can get out again on Sunday.
Speaking of maintenance I picked up a bike repair stand in Aldi last week for £19.99! Good enough quality wise and makes things so much easier.
The bike itself is a Ventura Crossroads which I think is just a generic type brand really. It's about 10 years old and cost about £90 new so it's not got the best components etc but it served me well for maybe 2 years before it got stowed away and forgotten. In some ways it seems a bit odd spending money on something that has so little value and is not the best quality but at the moment buying something new is not exactly straightforward and I'm hoping I can get a year or so out of it then maybe pass it on to the local cycle recycling cafe.
Enjoy your now bike.
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I used to ride quite a bit both as a kid growing up (road and yard), then got into in my 20s (singletrack, and other paths available!) Yesterday I got back on after about 17 years and 100 more lbs. I was really embarrassed about having to stop to rest a couple times on only a 5 mile ride, but it still felt so good...and so much more enjoyable than even thinking about running! Hoping to keep back with it - I've really missed it, and really, really need this weight off!!
Good for you! I was inspired by my daughter competing in a local women's triathalon in 2017 to get back on the bike and do something about my weight, which had exploded, and my health, which had imploded. Actually, while it was her that inspired me, what moved me was the variety of participants in the event - old/young, in shape and way out of shape. I realized I was wasting my life, literally.
Anyway, here it is 3 years later. At first, a mile was a big deal. Now I ride all over the place. And I've lost 70-80lbs (varies over this covid lockdown). I could easily go another 40-50lbs. Feeling much, much better at aged 65yo. And re-experiencing the world at large I had neglected for a number of years. There's that saying, "the best gift to yourself is preserving and improving your health." So, good luck!1 -
25 hilly miles after work today, almost 2 hours @ 167w.2
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Cheers, nice bike(s) Old one reminds me of the bike I had as a teenager (a Dawes Lightening which I loved). Thanks for the link, quite useful that.
I managed 6.98 miles in March, 50.43 in April and 65.78 in May. Hoping to manage 100 in June.
Bike was a bit of a mess so I have done some basic maintenance. Have repaired a few punctures, replaced an inner tube, de-greased an re lubricated the chain and gears etc. The rear derailleur was working fine but the front was not working at all (no movement when changing) so I've been riding just on the middle of the chain rings (not sure that's the right terminology! middle front cog) but I've managed to get the front working today.
Unfortunately whilst fixing the front gears earlier I noticed the rear tyre is now really badly cracked and is bulging and split a little by the rim so I've just ordered 2 new tyres, 2 tubes and new rear brake pads which fingers crossed should be here for Saturday meaning I can get out again on Sunday.
Speaking of maintenance I picked up a bike repair stand in Aldi last week for £19.99! Good enough quality wise and makes things so much easier.
The bike itself is a Ventura Crossroads which I think is just a generic type brand really. It's about 10 years old and cost about £90 new so it's not got the best components etc but it served me well for maybe 2 years before it got stowed away and forgotten. In some ways it seems a bit odd spending money on something that has so little value and is not the best quality but at the moment buying something new is not exactly straightforward and I'm hoping I can get a year or so out of it then maybe pass it on to the local cycle recycling cafe.
Enjoy your now bike.
Thanks. You too, on yours. What's that saying, "What was old is new again?"
In the draft of my post I started going on and on about the rubber parts (tires, tubes, brake pads, etc.) and such, but I thought it was too much. The ABC check article would cover that. I hear good things about the Aldi stand. It isn't always available over here to look at.
"Bikes are the new toilet paper," is a "thing" over here now (referring to the run on TP when the virus crisis began). Since the covid lockdown, they've gotten pretty hard to come by in stores. Both from demand, and from interruptions in the supply chain (many are Chinese-made). So, you use what you have and can make the best of it.
For my old bike, I knew basic maint tips and techniques, but the tech has changed since 1983, and I found myself in several bike maintenance//trailside repair workshops and seminars when I got the new bike. The three best were offered by my local county Parks system, my bike shop (Park Tools course) and REI (trailside). There are things I'm not wholly comfortable doing (front suspension, hydraulic disk brakes), but I'm able to keep up with the basics.
Nearby me, we have a bike donation/refurbishing center that I donated my kids' garaged bikes to last year, "Second Life Cycles" in Asbury Park, NJ. It feels good that the old bikes get a new home.
Once again, good luck! Depending on where you are in the UK, there's a Youtube channel I watch pretty often, and some of the locales might be familiar to you. leonardmlee ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEuC2TeojJTwX0yfPmGFiWA ); he's a bit older, and a bit on the heavy side. Of course, the GCN - Global Cycling Network is UK based, along with their several sister channels, including tech topics, GCN tech ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC710HJmp-YgNbE5BnFBRoeg ).0 -
Thanks. You too, on yours. What's that saying, "What was old is new again?"
In the draft of my post I started going on and on about the rubber parts (tires, tubes, brake pads, etc.) and such, but I thought it was too much. The ABC check article would cover that. I hear good things about the Aldi stand. It isn't always available over here to look at.
"Bikes are the new toilet paper," is a "thing" over here now (referring to the run on TP when the virus crisis began). Since the covid lockdown, they've gotten pretty hard to come by in stores. Both from demand, and from interruptions in the supply chain (many are Chinese-made). So, you use what you have and can make the best of it.
For my old bike, I knew basic maint tips and techniques, but the tech has changed since 1983, and I found myself in several bike maintenance//trailside repair workshops and seminars when I got the new bike. The three best were offered by my local county Parks system, my bike shop (Park Tools course) and REI (trailside). There are things I'm not wholly comfortable doing (front suspension, hydraulic disk brakes), but I'm able to keep up with the basics.
Nearby me, we have a bike donation/refurbishing center that I donated my kids' garaged bikes to last year, "Second Life Cycles" in Asbury Park, NJ. It feels good that the old bikes get a new home.
Once again, good luck! Depending on where you are in the UK, there's a Youtube channel I watch pretty often, and some of the locales might be familiar to you. leonardmlee ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEuC2TeojJTwX0yfPmGFiWA ); he's a bit older, and a bit on the heavy side. Of course, the GCN - Global Cycling Network is UK based, along with their several sister channels, including tech topics, GCN tech ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC710HJmp-YgNbE5BnFBRoeg ).
Bikes are definitely in short supply, at least on the east coast (US). This was our local Dick’s Sporting Goods the other night. The local shop I went to had TWELVE bikes in stock, and he said no signs of new inventory (already taking preorders for 2021 which he said usually doesn’t happen until September). He is also completely sold out of kayaks (we live by the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers). Demand plus supply chain disruptions.
My dad has been bike shop hopping out in Idaho/Montana (I told him he has an addiction!
) and finding all these great options for me... the pictures he sends shows decent stock, as far as I can tell. Definitely not the empty racks I see here. I was shopping for a new gravel bike, but instead my 25 year old Cannondale is getting an update. I am OK with that option, a bit sentimental with it, but I was a touch excited about something new. It’ll save me a LOT of money I guess. Even then, some of the parts he was going to get are impossible to find right now.
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moonangel12 wrote: »
... we live by the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers ...
My dad has been bike shop hopping out in Idaho/Montana (I told him he has an addiction! ) ... but instead my 25 year old Cannondale is getting an update. I am OK with that option, a bit sentimental with it, but I was a touch excited about something new. It’ll save me a LOT of money I guess. Even then, some of the parts he was going to get are impossible to find right now.
I follow a bunch of cycling groups over on Facebook (because I too have an addiction, LOL). A bunch of them, such as "Steel is Real!" and more permit bike listings and parts listings and might be worth a shopping browse or parts inquiry. I've browsed sites such as "The Pro's Closet" (but not bought anything) and bikeparts.com and such, maybe you can get lucky. I think you might be in a good bike area (I did a year-long project in the Gaithersburg, MD area a few yrs back so I did some tourist-snooping during that time); maybe one of the older, established local shops out there has a shelf full of old parts in the back that they don't bother advertising. Another option could be swap meets in bike clubs.
You might like the first pic I posted - High Bridge in Farmville, VA, which crosses the Appomattox River. I didn't do the whole trail, as I was doing a stopover on a drive back from the FL Keys, but the area looks to be great.
Good luck, good riding!
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Oof. I haven't needed to get any parts recently but right after the lockdown started I ordered a power meter from jensonusa and had no problem. Got my stuff the next day no problem. I wonder what their stock situation is right now.
I've been an avid cyclist since my high school days. I was part of my college club team. There have been long stretches when I didn't ride a bike, especially when the kids were born. My indoor trainer has seen more miles as a result of covid.1 -
@swirlybee getting a power meter has been the most helpful thing I've ever done as a cyclist. I hope you love yours!0
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NorthCascades wrote: »@swirlybee getting a power meter has been the most helpful thing I've ever done as a cyclist. I hope you love yours!
I must admit that I haven't actually put it to good use yet.1
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