Bike help
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Get one of those "gel seats"! I ride my boyfriend's old ten-speed, doesn't quite fit me but it's close. Did my first ride in 14 years (20 miles) with the old, hard, narrow seat he had on it and you might be able to guess where I had bruises! OUCH! Rode my second time (another 20 miler) and stopped by a bike shop at the half-way point, I was still sore from the first outing and evidently complaining loudly. My boyfriend bought me a gel seat and the employee put it on for me. Wasn't even out of the parking lot before I wanted to kiss both the boyfriend and the employee! What a difference on the old bottom! The next year for some stupid reason our first ride was 42 miles at 14-16mph. Well, I managed the whole ride without any trouble including getting to the car and driving back to where I had to leave my boyfriend because he had leg cramps so bad he couldn't ride anymore!
Good luck with your new sport! Might I suggest stretching for 30 minutes after you ride, that's how I avoid getting sore.
Ber
Good luck with your new sport! Might I suggest stretching for 30 minutes after you ride, that's how I avoid getting sore.
Ber
buff
Contributor
I agree with Artsprite-mostly.
Using clipless pedals -don't always take the same foot out of the pedal-you'll wear down one cleat more than the other and you'll get in the habit of being able to get out only that particular way.
A mirror? So you can see the road rage motorists eyes before they hit you? Ride in a group if possible-no driver hassles you then-safety in numbers. Cars are your major threat-they own the road and usually act like it. Most bike riding deaths are from head injuries(get a helmet-you're not in the Tour de France) and almost all of those head injuries are the result of being hit by a car.
Forget the gel seat. Most new riders ride with their seat way too high or way too low-and that's what causes problems-back and perineal pain for the former and knee pain for the latter. My bike seat feels like it's made out of concrete but when I'm in the saddle it feels great. I do get a little sore the first ride out of the year-but in the muscle area not in the private parts.
Call your local bike shop and ask when they have group rides. This is the best thing to do. You can talk to many people who really know, and enjoy the sport-just like here.
I live in Minnesota and still ride in the winter-I am very jealous fo your 70 degrees. Additionaly, there is nothing like a set of bike rider legs on a woman!!-on a man either, for that matter.
Using clipless pedals -don't always take the same foot out of the pedal-you'll wear down one cleat more than the other and you'll get in the habit of being able to get out only that particular way.
A mirror? So you can see the road rage motorists eyes before they hit you? Ride in a group if possible-no driver hassles you then-safety in numbers. Cars are your major threat-they own the road and usually act like it. Most bike riding deaths are from head injuries(get a helmet-you're not in the Tour de France) and almost all of those head injuries are the result of being hit by a car.
Forget the gel seat. Most new riders ride with their seat way too high or way too low-and that's what causes problems-back and perineal pain for the former and knee pain for the latter. My bike seat feels like it's made out of concrete but when I'm in the saddle it feels great. I do get a little sore the first ride out of the year-but in the muscle area not in the private parts.
Call your local bike shop and ask when they have group rides. This is the best thing to do. You can talk to many people who really know, and enjoy the sport-just like here.
I live in Minnesota and still ride in the winter-I am very jealous fo your 70 degrees. Additionaly, there is nothing like a set of bike rider legs on a woman!!-on a man either, for that matter.
My bike credentials:
Worked in bike shops for 25 yrs.
I ride at least 20-30 miles almost every day of my life.
Raced track (good at it), road (so-so), and mountain (suck).
So, my educated advice:
No gel seats! Learn to sit properly on a good racing type seat. No slouching, sit foreward on your "sit" bones, not your coccyx (sp?). All those skinny guys with no fat on their butts sit on those little skinny seats for up to 7 hrs at a time. A little padding is okay, but too much doesn't give you a stable base for pedaling.
Sometimes women will like a saddle that is a little shorter, wider and flatter than a man's. In general.
Clipless pedals were the greatest thing to come along since pneumatic tires. Much safer than clips and straps, IMO. A 20 degree outward movement of the heel is all it takes to disengage most pedals.
Road rash: Neosporin, Vaseline impregnated bandages, and mesh tubes to hold 'em in place. Keep it covered. Much pain, gnarly scars. About 3 weeks to heal. Watergal and Buff are medical folk, they should have more tips.
People who ride bicycles are cyclists.
People who ride motorcycles are bikers.
All cars are out to get you, be defensive.
Neil
Worked in bike shops for 25 yrs.
I ride at least 20-30 miles almost every day of my life.
Raced track (good at it), road (so-so), and mountain (suck).
So, my educated advice:
No gel seats! Learn to sit properly on a good racing type seat. No slouching, sit foreward on your "sit" bones, not your coccyx (sp?). All those skinny guys with no fat on their butts sit on those little skinny seats for up to 7 hrs at a time. A little padding is okay, but too much doesn't give you a stable base for pedaling.
Sometimes women will like a saddle that is a little shorter, wider and flatter than a man's. In general.
Clipless pedals were the greatest thing to come along since pneumatic tires. Much safer than clips and straps, IMO. A 20 degree outward movement of the heel is all it takes to disengage most pedals.
Road rash: Neosporin, Vaseline impregnated bandages, and mesh tubes to hold 'em in place. Keep it covered. Much pain, gnarly scars. About 3 weeks to heal. Watergal and Buff are medical folk, they should have more tips.
People who ride bicycles are cyclists.
People who ride motorcycles are bikers.
All cars are out to get you, be defensive.
Neil
First off, a retraction of the original question. Who needs a bike board?! You guys ar better!
Then a status report:
I have decided my LBS (?) must be good. Nothing hurts except the scrapes and bruises. Which is amazing considering decision #2--that I am in crappy shape.
I have also discovered that the best way to train is to decide on a ride time or milage, then pick a destination about 2/3 of that. I seem to have too much pride to call a ride and putter home no matter what. I think this is probably a rather serious personality flaw, but it seems to work for me here.
LBS would not sell me a mirror. Funny how much helmet noise can sound like a car--but my neck is getting more flexible.
Bonking is no fun. I always wondered why Powerbars cost so much. I now know--and they are worth it!
Still pedal issues. Traffic sux. Short winter days suk. Men with shaved legs are sexy. Downhill mountainbikers are crazy. There are more different kinds of pavement than I ever realized. It kills me to say it being a big equality-of-the-sexes person, but there really are girl saddles and boy saddles.
Which leads to round 2 of questions:
any suggestions for a night light? I was looking at the Night Rider headlamp, but input would be appreciated.
Do real cyclists shave their legs?
Am I ready to learn stopping without putting a foot down? Is that for the mere mortal?
Any recommendations for a maintance reference? I have a Bicycling mag maintance issue which is helpful, but not complete.
Post ride care--is a spray with a garden hose and drip dry sufficent (AL frame, Tiagra components)? How often to grease/lube?
I seem to be doing something spastic when shifting the front chain ring (which I do a lot). It tends not to engage right away--I have to go up and down couple times before it catches (triple ring, Tiagra shifter/deraileur). Any ideas?
Ok, I have not bought shoes. I am wearing not sports shoes, but a pair of street Rockports that were to firm to wear at work all day. Do I really need "cycling shoes"? I have not gone to the clipless yet, I am still afraid of sudden death, but I think by the sping I will be ready. Will I need real shoes then?
Handlebar bag or backpack? Lower center of gravity seems to make sense...
Gatorade or water?
Dogs??!!!!!??
Thanks guys!
Then a status report:
I have decided my LBS (?) must be good. Nothing hurts except the scrapes and bruises. Which is amazing considering decision #2--that I am in crappy shape.
I have also discovered that the best way to train is to decide on a ride time or milage, then pick a destination about 2/3 of that. I seem to have too much pride to call a ride and putter home no matter what. I think this is probably a rather serious personality flaw, but it seems to work for me here.
LBS would not sell me a mirror. Funny how much helmet noise can sound like a car--but my neck is getting more flexible.
Bonking is no fun. I always wondered why Powerbars cost so much. I now know--and they are worth it!
Still pedal issues. Traffic sux. Short winter days suk. Men with shaved legs are sexy. Downhill mountainbikers are crazy. There are more different kinds of pavement than I ever realized. It kills me to say it being a big equality-of-the-sexes person, but there really are girl saddles and boy saddles.
Which leads to round 2 of questions:
any suggestions for a night light? I was looking at the Night Rider headlamp, but input would be appreciated.
Do real cyclists shave their legs?
Am I ready to learn stopping without putting a foot down? Is that for the mere mortal?
Any recommendations for a maintance reference? I have a Bicycling mag maintance issue which is helpful, but not complete.
Post ride care--is a spray with a garden hose and drip dry sufficent (AL frame, Tiagra components)? How often to grease/lube?
I seem to be doing something spastic when shifting the front chain ring (which I do a lot). It tends not to engage right away--I have to go up and down couple times before it catches (triple ring, Tiagra shifter/deraileur). Any ideas?
Ok, I have not bought shoes. I am wearing not sports shoes, but a pair of street Rockports that were to firm to wear at work all day. Do I really need "cycling shoes"? I have not gone to the clipless yet, I am still afraid of sudden death, but I think by the sping I will be ready. Will I need real shoes then?
Handlebar bag or backpack? Lower center of gravity seems to make sense...
Gatorade or water?
Dogs??!!!!!??
Thanks guys!
buff
Contributor
I have the Nite Rider both top of the line helmet and dual handlebar mount and they are great. Don't ride at night on the ROAD!!!!
I don't shave my legs but I'm not in the Tour de France and I don't have the much hair on them to begin with.
Shouldn't have to clean your road bike with a garden hose after road riding-it's made of metal not neoprene and it will rust. I power spray wash my MOUTAIN bike when I'm done but then I also strip it down and relube it often-I wouldn't wash a bike with a hose if I couldn't or wouldn't lube it inside and out-especially but not limited to the chain. I recommend "While Lightning" chain lube-it cost money-but it's worth it-and I'm very cheap.
Professional women cyclist use "mens'" saddles-no such thing as women's or men's saddles only proper saddle height adjustment, angle and distance(very important) from the handlebar. The rest is marketing.
Throw away your Powerbars-they are hard to open and are so chewy-it's like eating a Tootsie Roll!!! I hate them-but if you like them keep them. Eat a lot of carbohydrates in your regular meals. I like Cliff bars or Balance bars on my bike rides-easy to open and eat. Eat and drink often-the more often the better and BEFORE you bonk or get dehydrated-this is very hard to master since you will be concentrating on bike riding.
Shimano has a "ramped system". Small pins and ramps in the chainring. It makes it easier to shift but the chain has to "catch" on one of the pins and move up the ramp. Only a certain number of pins and ramps and therefore you have to wait for the chain to move up to the bigger chainring.
Clipless pedals and shoes are the cheapest and best way to increase the efficiency of your biking. Check out the Shimano ones-they are easy to disengage for the beginner. And easier to get out of than clip pedals when set on the easiest setting. Cheap too!!! at www.nashbar.com or www.performancebike.com
Study after study has shown that all those stupid, expensive sports drinks are a waste of money-just salty sugar water!! Having said that, I sweat like a beached whale in the summer. I have salt stains all over my clothes and CamelBak. Your sports bar will help replace your lost electrolytes but most people don't ride that hard to justify a sports drink. Invest your money in clipless pedals and when you can get to a point that you are REALLY sweating(not that glistening dew that I see most women have at the gym but a Lance Armstrong garden hose sweat) then you can make your own sports drink by adding salt or something else-I'm sure there are many competitive biking books that have recommendations.
RIDE IN A CLUB. RIDE IN A CLUB. RIDE IN A CLUB. Did I mention riding in a club?? Safety in numbers and the riders will give you advice-I don't do this for a living you know!!!!!
When you're really good you'll learn to be able to ride and when the dog runs up to you, disengage your pedals and kick that dog in the head as hard as you can. Those hard clipless pedal shoes are great for that. I had a friend who carried a pistol when he rode-not for dogs but for drivers who have tried to run him off the road. You wont' have to worry about any of this since you will be riding in a club-RIGHT??!!
Have fun!!!!!!!
I don't shave my legs but I'm not in the Tour de France and I don't have the much hair on them to begin with.
Shouldn't have to clean your road bike with a garden hose after road riding-it's made of metal not neoprene and it will rust. I power spray wash my MOUTAIN bike when I'm done but then I also strip it down and relube it often-I wouldn't wash a bike with a hose if I couldn't or wouldn't lube it inside and out-especially but not limited to the chain. I recommend "While Lightning" chain lube-it cost money-but it's worth it-and I'm very cheap.
Professional women cyclist use "mens'" saddles-no such thing as women's or men's saddles only proper saddle height adjustment, angle and distance(very important) from the handlebar. The rest is marketing.
Throw away your Powerbars-they are hard to open and are so chewy-it's like eating a Tootsie Roll!!! I hate them-but if you like them keep them. Eat a lot of carbohydrates in your regular meals. I like Cliff bars or Balance bars on my bike rides-easy to open and eat. Eat and drink often-the more often the better and BEFORE you bonk or get dehydrated-this is very hard to master since you will be concentrating on bike riding.
Shimano has a "ramped system". Small pins and ramps in the chainring. It makes it easier to shift but the chain has to "catch" on one of the pins and move up the ramp. Only a certain number of pins and ramps and therefore you have to wait for the chain to move up to the bigger chainring.
Clipless pedals and shoes are the cheapest and best way to increase the efficiency of your biking. Check out the Shimano ones-they are easy to disengage for the beginner. And easier to get out of than clip pedals when set on the easiest setting. Cheap too!!! at www.nashbar.com or www.performancebike.com
Study after study has shown that all those stupid, expensive sports drinks are a waste of money-just salty sugar water!! Having said that, I sweat like a beached whale in the summer. I have salt stains all over my clothes and CamelBak. Your sports bar will help replace your lost electrolytes but most people don't ride that hard to justify a sports drink. Invest your money in clipless pedals and when you can get to a point that you are REALLY sweating(not that glistening dew that I see most women have at the gym but a Lance Armstrong garden hose sweat) then you can make your own sports drink by adding salt or something else-I'm sure there are many competitive biking books that have recommendations.
RIDE IN A CLUB. RIDE IN A CLUB. RIDE IN A CLUB. Did I mention riding in a club?? Safety in numbers and the riders will give you advice-I don't do this for a living you know!!!!!
When you're really good you'll learn to be able to ride and when the dog runs up to you, disengage your pedals and kick that dog in the head as hard as you can. Those hard clipless pedal shoes are great for that. I had a friend who carried a pistol when he rode-not for dogs but for drivers who have tried to run him off the road. You wont' have to worry about any of this since you will be riding in a club-RIGHT??!!
Have fun!!!!!!!
Fishkiller
Contributor
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Get the Cycling shoes. Get the Clipless Pedals.
Learn now learn proper, like mentioned with the doorway tech.
don't try to do the no touch stopping thing, I am one those people that can't do that and resent people who can, to the point of yelling, belongs on the circle track.
as far as shaving legs, wounds heal better without having the hair pulled out. I'll admitt, under some diress, some guys have better legs than some women.
post ride washes I would say no unless you rode in mud
Learn now learn proper, like mentioned with the doorway tech.
don't try to do the no touch stopping thing, I am one those people that can't do that and resent people who can, to the point of yelling, belongs on the circle track.
as far as shaving legs, wounds heal better without having the hair pulled out. I'll admitt, under some diress, some guys have better legs than some women.
post ride washes I would say no unless you rode in mud
Fishkiller
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if you were to ride 120 miles per day 7 days aweek it might be a problem.
ANd go ahead put on the pedals
we'll be here telling you all about it
ANd go ahead put on the pedals
we'll be here telling you all about it
artsprite
Contributor
Definitely not ready for a track stand...(stopping without putting put down)
Halt...is for dogs...think postman!
yes, there are girl saddles...shorter,wider, get one with a center hole to keep from bothering the tender part...(you know what I mean) Terry Cycles makes great ones! Look them up. Anyone who tells you that it doesn't make a difference must be a man! There are great racing saddles for women that are just as light and streamlined but a lot more comfortable. Don't (whatever you do, don't) get any padding that someone tells you will make it softer. Just makes more problems. Get a high end saddle.
mirror...think mail order...Performance Bike Shop and Rhode Gear brand...if it still exists...get one that fits over the brake hood.
or get one that fits right on your helmet
yes you need bike shoes!
If you spray your chain, rings, cogs with water you better spray them after with something like WD-40 BUT! wipe it all off with a cloth. You just want to have what seeps in between parts left, anything more and it attracts more dust and grime.
DON'T GET A HANDLEBAR BAG!!! You are not ready for the added handling problems. You'd start carrying too much anyway.
Your front derailleur needs adjusting...you're not spastic. Sometimes you have to put some locktight on the adjusting screw to keep it in trim. Ask your mechanic if you can't do it.
I like half Gatorade and half water mixed together, just because I hate hot water.
Did I forget anything? Let me know. Women who ride know more about womens' riding than men do.
HAVE FUN!
Halt...is for dogs...think postman!
yes, there are girl saddles...shorter,wider, get one with a center hole to keep from bothering the tender part...(you know what I mean) Terry Cycles makes great ones! Look them up. Anyone who tells you that it doesn't make a difference must be a man! There are great racing saddles for women that are just as light and streamlined but a lot more comfortable. Don't (whatever you do, don't) get any padding that someone tells you will make it softer. Just makes more problems. Get a high end saddle.
mirror...think mail order...Performance Bike Shop and Rhode Gear brand...if it still exists...get one that fits over the brake hood.
or get one that fits right on your helmet
yes you need bike shoes!
If you spray your chain, rings, cogs with water you better spray them after with something like WD-40 BUT! wipe it all off with a cloth. You just want to have what seeps in between parts left, anything more and it attracts more dust and grime.
DON'T GET A HANDLEBAR BAG!!! You are not ready for the added handling problems. You'd start carrying too much anyway.
Your front derailleur needs adjusting...you're not spastic. Sometimes you have to put some locktight on the adjusting screw to keep it in trim. Ask your mechanic if you can't do it.
I like half Gatorade and half water mixed together, just because I hate hot water.
Did I forget anything? Let me know. Women who ride know more about womens' riding than men do.
HAVE FUN!
