bsexton3 Member

I have worn them both ways. Now, I wear them over. I have had less chaffing issues that way.

Go with a trainer and not rollers. CycleOps states on their webpage that they are tested to 300 pounds, but don't give a weight limit so to speak. I have had mine for years, but only weighed 275 when I got it. It has held up to the workouts. And, yes, just riding it will not make you ready for hills in the spring, but you…

Within 5 feet of your bike, wear what you want.

Just remember, always adding a bike is an option. I have a Specialized full carbon road bike, a Trek mountain bike, a Trek touring bike, a 30 year old tandem, and a 20 year old REI hybrid. With fatter tires, the hybrid took me everywhere I wanted to go. I did light mountain biking with it. The hybrid was my bike for 15…

I read that it happens because you a putting pressure on the same nerves in the bottom of the foot, and when tight you are pinching the nerves as well. So, like others said, loosening the lower latch helps. Also, when I started working on pulling up on the back stroke the pain and numbness went away. Pedal in circles…

When I got back into cycling 16 years ago, I bought an REI hybrid. It was a good bike for about 10 years. I put a slicker tire on it, since I was doing more road biking than mountain. About 7 years ago, I actually took it to Europe for the summer and 1,000 miles of riding with packs. Then, 6 years ago, I got a Specialized…

I have found the calculator on MFP is about 50% higher than my heart rate monitor. If MFP states I burned 1,500 calories, my heart rate monitor is around 1,000. That has been fairly consistent. Also, I don't eat all my exercise calories. In fact, many a day I don't eat any of them.

I use one that glues onto my helmet. Works well. The pivot gets loose about the time I need a new helmet. I ride a lot of narrow backroads. I especially check when I see a car coming. If there is a car behind, I move further over or slow down to avoid a tight pass.

I read a study a while ago that said it is safer to ride on the road without a helmet. Cars think you are crazy and give you more room than if you wear a helmet. Even so, I replace mine every couple years. Even washing them, the begin to smell after a while.

I do too much reading, so I can't tell you where I learned this. Several years ago, I rode 500 miles in five days. One day three, my feet felt like they were on fire. The last two days were painful. I learned that I had been putting too much force on the ball of my foot. Even though that is where the pedals connect, don't…

I bought a last year's model of my road bike several years ago. Nothing had changed int he year, so it was worth saving the money. My first bike was a hybrid, and I am glad I had it. I live where there is some gravel. But, the gravel is easy to avoid. In the end, I wished I had gone with a road bike with a bit wider tires.…

Be sure to take your bike in for cable stretching issues. Last month, I helped pick up a woman who went over her handlebars because her rear brakes were so loose. She was pretty cut up. Also, if you have not bike in a long time, it might be worth finding someone to "teach you." Enjoy. It was by biking that I lost 50…

I am on my second one. I use it mostly in the winter, or when my available time to ride does not match with being able to get out. Boredom was my first issue to get over. Now, it is not a problem. To solve it, I watched video of rides on the internet. I never bought a video. I bike faster on the trainer, even with…

Water, drink lots of water and enjoy the scenery.

Wrote the above comment, then went on a bike ride. A couple things I learned: When I can, I speed up before I hit a hill. Momentum helps. Especially on short hills. I don't push it to be tired before I hit the hill, just get some speed if it is flat or downhill. Second, when I pedal in circles instead of elevators, I do…

I read somewhere, and don't ask me where, that cadence matters more than speed. The article recommended a cadence around 90. I kind of laughed about it. Mine had always been 70-75. That summer, I worked on my cadence and now I average 85 including hills. It has made those long hills easier. And, I can go for a lot more…

I was in the LBS the other day and they said the best way to find a saddle that fits is to try it for a couple rides. They allow you to buy a saddle, ride it a couple times, and if you want to try another one, just bring it back. I hadn't heard a shop doing this before, but I never asked. Don't know much bout saddles, but…

I don't know if it is just me, but I switched to gatorskins and had more rolling resistance than when I switch tire size. But, it is worth it. I have been using gatorskins for about four years and have yet to have a flat. I am on my second or third set. Years ago, when I got my fast bike, my wife simply said, "that just…

Cadence is how fast your feet go around. 80 means you pedal 80 times in one minute. I usually try to pedal at the same cadence I do the flats. Obviously, the cadence along with the gears decides the speed. I used to have a cateye that did both cadence and speed. A few years ago I got a Garmin as a gift to track my rides…

I've never joined a club simply because I live too far away and actually enjoy riding alone. I have recently moved and am considering joining one, but don't know which one yet. Most bike shops have them. And, there are a number of "No Drop" rides, meaning they go at the pace of the slowest bicyclist. Ask around and find…

A few years ago, I started making homemade gatorade. There are many recipes on-line. I use Nancy Clark's Sports drink. It is a simple recipe. It is a lot cheaper than gatorade. I change flavor by changing juices.

In all the reading I have done on building mileage is to add no more than 10% per week with riding 3 or 4 times a week. I start the spring with 3 rides, even though I am on my trainer all winter 5 days a week. I have three rides about the same distance, then the forth ride is my long ride that I add miles to. I did 35…

I am just starting to eat when I ride, and have found it helpful. If under and hour, I only have water. If I am planning on riding over an hour, I am starting to eat every 30 minutes. Still trying things. One I have used for years is fig newtons. Read years ago that they are the best thing to buy in a grocery store when…

I agree. For being 50, overweight, yet riding 2,000 miles a year, these are my numbers. If I eat 650 calories an hour extra when cycling, I don't lose weight. If I eat more, i do. Each person is their own and need to learn where you are. Before I purchased a heart rate monitor, I borrowed a friend's for a couple days to…

Depends on way to much to estimate. How fast are you cycling? What is your heart rate, how long? What kind of shape are you in? Yesterday, I did 27 miles in 3 hours. I burned 1,200 calories according to my heart rate monitor. I was cycling with a friend and visiting most the way. When I cycle alone, I usually burn 650 an…

I just got a Trek 3900 Disc. It was used by Young Life for 22 days of high school kids riding, fixed and cleaned up, and sold for $360. I have only been out on it three times, but am enjoying it.

20 some years ago, my wife and I were basically vegetarians for financial reasons. We had just moved to the East Coast where meat was about twice the price as on the West Coast. So, we got the Moosewood Cookbooks and became mostly vegetarian. I say "mostly" because we ate meat when we could afford it--about twice a month.…

Is it not marketing to make it look similar to those not noticing? A few years ago, we took a group on a mission trip with a vegan. As a group, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe. She got her food first, and said it was the best hamburger she had eaten in years. Sadly, after about half gone, the wait staff came up and said…

I have used a pair of Specialized road shoes for 3-4 years as mentioned above. Enjoy using them, but when I ride into town (35 miles) to meet my wife shopping, I need to remember to send shoes with her or I have to walk funny all day. This past winter, I bought a used touring bike, and using toe clips. Yesterday, I went to…

I have been using cleats for about 4 years on my road bike. Got a new to me touring bike this past winter with traditional pedals and cages (toeclips). I realize how much I now circle pedal. I pull up with every stroke, as bike articles call for. So, to do this with my clips, I tighten them down. I have actually fallen…