Posted: 6/14/2006 5:58:54 AM EDT
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I am taking advantage of the nice weather and a recently created paved bike path close to my house. I started out with my old TREK 820 mountain bike (15 yrs old) and was able to do 12 miles in an hour. Withing a few weeks, I was doing 15-16 miles in an hour. Once I realized this was something i was going to enjoy doing, I talked to the wife about getting a new bike for excercise. I shopped and compared and found a Schwinn Fastback 27. ( a road bike, not good for unpaved trails, but awesome on pavement) I'm not a huge "bike" person, so as for componentry, I couldn't tell you what it all has, but I do know I love it. I bought a 2005 model (new in box) for $650.00. Getting used to the different ergonomics was painful at first...saddle sores and blisters, and one learning curve incident involving the clip in shoes (tipped over because I couldn't get my shoe unclipped in time  )Now I am averaging 19-21 miles in about an hour. My legs haven't been this toned since my skateboarding days (20 years ago), and I have lost 15 pounds since late April/early May. My diet hasn't changed much, but I am working on that now. Who knew bike riding could be so much fun? For the record, I do not wear the spandex riding suit that it seems all the other riders wear. I am not that "into" it to go that far. I do however wear my helmet all the time. That is all...just thought I would sahre my fittness report. |
I could have told you that. I bought my first serious road bike 20 years ago this month. I raced in college and have been riding road/mountain/triathlon ever since, some years not so often, but lately quite a bit. There is a reason why serious riders wear that type of clothing. If/when you start doing longer rides you will figure it out. Until then wear what you enjoy - and BZ for wearing your helmet. |
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If the two of you get good at distance riding you could join in the Ragbrai some day. It's a ride across Iowa held once a year. www.ragbrai.org/ I bought a bike tonight... A poor mans Next Break Point Pro from a pawn shop. We have 300+ miles of trails local to me now. Most are paved but there is a 60 mile long one that is crushed rock and a few dirt trails. I also found out tonight my we have a bike club here at work. I'll have to save pennies and upgrade to a better bike later but for now this will be a workout in itself. |