Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

[VDusen04]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Good for you! That's a lot of miles. If I could ever find a road bike for $200-400, I'd snatch it up and look to log some longer rides. With my hybrid, I stay around 15-20 miles. My mountain bike rides are shorter, but more intense.

I'm with you there. Reading posts like his kind of tear me down, ha. I feel like I've been going so hard with my 20 mile rides then someone rolls up with a non-chalant, "Oh yeah, I drop 40's but it's a bummer because I'm aiming for 100." I mean that in the best possible way though, Curahee.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

This is the bike Im looking at.....

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/road_bikes/mirage_s.htm

I'm with you there. Reading posts like his kind of tear me down, ha. I feel like I've been going so hard with my 20 mile rides then someone rolls up with a non-chalant, "Oh yeah, I drop 40's but it's a bummer because I'm aiming for 100." I mean that in the best possible way though, Curahee.

Well let me just say this....

I got on the scale and I was 260 lbs.
Thats 60 lbs over my wedding weight and almost 80 lbs over my Army weight.
I decided something needed to be done.
I hate running, I hate the gym and I hate dieting, so my next best choice was bike riding.
I always loved riding as a kid so what better way to motivate myself.
It doesnt matter if you can only ride 5 miles or if you can ride over 100.
Any little bit is a step to the next level.
My motivation is losing weight for my kids so they have a dad around to do stuff with them and see them grow old too.
My first ride was 10 miles and it sucked donkey balls!
I struggled on every stoke. But then it got easier. I try to ride every day, even if its only a quick 5 mile ride. And I do it on a 40 lb Schwinn from Target that I probably paid $100 for about 10 years ago.

Dont be discouraged, dont let anything tear you down.
Get out there and do what you can. Then do a little more, then do a little more. Its not a race. Its about change.

Good luck guys!

[VDusen04]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I forgot to mention this story, it sums up my novice nature quite well:

About a month ago I decided to ride from Holland to Grand Haven. It's about a 20 mile ride one way. It wasn't the original plan, but once I got myself onto the trail and felt how smooth and easy things were going, I just continued proceeding forward... on my awful bike.

As I entered Grand Haven, I thought maybe it was a good time to turn around because, if anything went wrong, I'd be a long way away from my car. Before heading back, I took a turn down a short road to catch a glimpse of Lake Michigan. When I returned to my bike, my front tire was flat. I was wearing a backpack but wisely, I opted to bring along no gear or extra tubes. I was 18 miles away from my car with a flat front tire.

I alternated between walking my bike and riding it down hills for the first four miles or so. Then the tread fell completely off the rim, relegating me to walking it entirely. This carried on for a few more miles before I decided the better option was to just ditch my bike in the woods and come back for it after I got to my car. I figured it was an awful bike so no one would really care to steal it. I also propped it up instead of straight throwing it wildly off the trail, so no one would think there was a terrible biking accident or something.

From there, I walked the final 12-14 miles solo. I'd also just sprained my ankle a week earlier, so that was neat too. I never really pictured walking being something one could tire of, but it turns out it's possible. It wasn't a pleasant trip. But after a few hours of hoofing it, I finally made it to my car. I was extremely thirsty at that point but I felt I needed to go recover my bike first.

Upon returning to the bike site, I had no luck finding my possession. I wrote a note in my phone of its exact whereabouts upon initially stashing it so I knew I was in the right spot but again, no dice. Just as I was about to chalk it up as a lost cause, a Jetta pulls up and a mom and two kids step out. She asks if I was looking for a bike. She then explains that her two teenage children had effectively stolen it, assuming it was abandoned. She'd just found out and returned to the site. Impeccable timing. The kids, both early teens, were clearly embarrassed. I think they just wanted to see if they could fix up a terrible bike. I tried to help the situation by thanking them... for stealing my bike. But it was a pleasant exchange and we went on our own ways.

Then I hit the nearest general store for hydration. The only non-water hydration drink they carried? All-Sport. It tasted like I was drinking 1997. And you know what? 1997 tasted awful.

And that's it. That's my stupid story.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Thats actually a pretty awesome story!

I'd love to ride from Holland to Grand Haven. Thats sounds like that would be a great ride.
We go up to Grand Haven and St Joe's every now and then.
Maybe next time I will bring my bike and we can hook up for a ride.

That would be cool!

[DJ]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

This is the bike Im looking at.....

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/road_bikes/mirage_s.htm

Well let me just say this....

I got on the scale and I was 260 lbs.
Thats 60 lbs over my wedding weight and almost 80 lbs over my Army weight.
I decided something needed to be done.
I hate running, I hate the gym and I hate dieting, so my next best choice was bike riding.
I always loved riding as a kid so what better way to motivate myself.
It doesnt matter if you can only ride 5 miles or if you can ride over 100.
Any little bit is a step to the next level.
My motivation is losing weight for my kids so they have a dad around to do stuff with them and see them grow old too.
My first ride was 10 miles and it sucked donkey balls!
I struggled on every stoke. But then it got easier. I try to ride every day, even if its only a quick 5 mile ride. And I do it on a 40 lb Schwinn from Target that I probably paid $100 for about 10 years ago.

Dont be discouraged, dont let anything tear you down.
Get out there and do what you can. Then do a little more, then do a little more. Its not a race. Its about change.

Good luck guys!

Do you have to assemble the bike? That's a great price.

Looking good to get out tomorrow for a ride, as I have the day off from work and the weather will be decent.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Do you have to assemble the bike? That's a great price.

The bike is 90% complete. You have to assemble the wheels, seat & handle bars. However, my LBS offers the service for $50. I'd rather have them do it and fit me in all at the same time.

This is what you would be looking at.....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/e9-NnUo47H0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[DJ]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I forgot to mention this story, it sums up my novice nature quite well:

About a month ago I decided to ride from Holland to Grand Haven. It's about a 20 mile ride one way. It wasn't the original plan, but once I got myself onto the trail and felt how smooth and easy things were going, I just continued proceeding forward... on my awful bike.

As I entered Grand Haven, I thought maybe it was a good time to turn around because, if anything went wrong, I'd be a long way away from my car. Before heading back, I took a turn down a short road to catch a glimpse of Lake Michigan. When I returned to my bike, my front tire was flat. I was wearing a backpack but wisely, I opted to bring along no gear or extra tubes. I was 18 miles away from my car with a flat front tire.

I alternated between walking my bike and riding it down hills for the first four miles or so. Then the tread fell completely off the rim, relegating me to walking it entirely. This carried on for a few more miles before I decided the better option was to just ditch my bike in the woods and come back for it after I got to my car. I figured it was an awful bike so no one would really care to steal it. I also propped it up instead of straight throwing it wildly off the trail, so no one would think there was a terrible biking accident or something.

From there, I walked the final 12-14 miles solo. I'd also just sprained my ankle a week earlier, so that was neat too. I never really pictured walking being something one could tire of, but it turns out it's possible. It wasn't a pleasant trip. But after a few hours of hoofing it, I finally made it to my car. I was extremely thirsty at that point but I felt I needed to go recover my bike first.

Upon returning to the bike site, I had no luck finding my possession. I wrote a note in my phone of its exact whereabouts upon initially stashing it so I knew I was in the right spot but again, no dice. Just as I was about to chalk it up as a lost cause, a Jetta pulls up and a mom and two kids step out. She asks if I was looking for a bike. She then explains that her two teenage children had effectively stolen it, assuming it was abandoned. She'd just found out and returned to the site. Impeccable timing. The kids, both early teens, were clearly embarrassed. I think they just wanted to see if they could fix up a terrible bike. I tried to help the situation by thanking them... for stealing my bike. But it was a pleasant exchange and we went on our own ways.

Then I hit the nearest general store for hydration. The only non-water hydration drink they carried? All-Sport. It tasted like I was drinking 1997. And you know what? 1997 tasted awful.

And that's it. That's my stupid story.

Man, that's a wild story. Reminds me of the time my wife went for a ride with me and managed to run over something in the road that left her with BOTH tires flat. I still have no idea how she managed that one.

Glad you got your bike back.

All-Sport? I had no idea that stuff still existed.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Here is a great article that inspired me, and it may help you too...

I Lost 320 Pounds Riding a Bike

[Scott]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I'm currently working as a Personal Trainer about 20-25 mi away, which is a little too far to commute via my bike but I might be close to getting a job where I would be 14 mi round trip away...Sure hope I get this job. Currently I spend about $200-$250 on gas..

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I just did my first 40 miler today and I broke the 500 mile mark.
Im now at 512 miles in just under 2 months.

Time to buy some Chamois Butter! My booty is sore-or!

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

So I just bought a bike today.

My wife & I went to Performance Bicycle and each picked up a Fuji
We both got a Roubaix 3.0.

We got some great deals on them and only spent $1300 on the two.

I cant wait to get riding!

[DJ]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

So I just bought a bike today.

My wife & I went to Performance Bicycle and each picked up a Fuji
We both got a Roubaix 3.0.

We got some great deals on them and only spent $1300 on the two.

I cant wait to get riding!

Nice! Big fan of Fuji.

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

So I've wanted to get a bike for awhile, but I don't know where to start. Honestly, to the point where I just give up because I'm overwhelmed. So, I plan to ride on both streets, and some trails eventually. I don't want to spend a TON, but I'm willing to spend a little bit. Anyone have any advice on where to start?

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I really had a great experience with Performance Bicycle.

They walked us through everything asking and answering questions the whole time.

For what you want to do, which sounds like non-racing, you might just want to get a normal mountain bike, a hybrid or a cyclocross.

If you can find a local Performance Bicycle, they can show you around.
Now is the best time to buy because everything is on sale and they even offer financing.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Quick update, My wife & I basically got His & Hers Fuji Bikes.
She was going to get the identical to mine, but it didnt fit her well.
So the guys at PB showed her this one and she loved it!