January
09
Tags
Weekly photo challenge: Beginning
My beloved 1st adult bike
Beginning: when my husband basically forced me to buy a bike three years ago, I was in my early thirties, a bit overweight, and hadn’t exercised in a decade… My bike was the catalyst for a huge transformation: three years later I ride my bike almost everywhere I go (I use my car less than once a month- even in the winter!), I run six miles four to five days a week, and while I’m not as thin as I’d like to be, I eat what I want and feel better and healthier every day. And it was all thanks to that first terrifying, exhilarating ride. I now ride a much cooler Motobecane Cafe Noir, but I will always love my electric blue Cannondale.
lasesana 
I had bought a bike at the beginning of last year, intending to ride it to a college I lived nearby to. But I ended up taking online classes instead and didn’t need the bike anymore. Because I wanted to at least ride it around for exercise, I gave it a ride – but didn’t get far. I only rode around a few blocks around my neighborhood and around my parking lot. After about 3 months of trying to learn how to ride it, I gave up. I just couldn’t get myself to comfortably make the stop and go pedaling at the stop signs. I would always shake like crazy and lose my footing. So as with pretty much every other hobby, I gave it up, and sold the bike. Oh, I so wish I could be like you and could say today that I’m a ridin’ around in my bike also – and running 6 miles 4 to 5 times a week! I’m gonna try to go running again and hopefully stick to it, as you do. Thanks for the inspiration to do so!
Sf! Maybe you had the wrong bike? I started with a folding bike and felt the same- unstable, shaky, unable to turn. I then realized (or my husband made me realize) that comfort has a lot to do with the bike you pick…get back into it! I would be happy to give you advice and pep talks!
You could be right. My sis said that the bike looked too high for me, but the bike shop seller kept saying to me that it needed to be high (the seat especially), for me to be able to pedal less strenuously. But no matter how many times I practiced, I was so uncomfortable trying to tip-toe myself, whenever I thought I was going to topple over. Totally felt like a failure, especially when I’d see so MANY older folks whizzing by on their bicycles (while even talking on their cell phones or holding a cup of coffee in one hand!). The next time I’m at a bike shop, I’ll try to sit on several of ’em and see if I feel any comfier on any of them. You may be right, that the bike I got wasn’t a good fit for me. Hope I do find one next time! Thanks for offering to gimme advice!
The bike was totally to high for you! I had the same problem and my husband kept insisting that I was better off on my tippy tippy toes- but I stood my ground and lowered my seat to where the ball of my foot could rest comfortably on the ground, so that I could feel secure I wasn’t going to kill myself. Now I ride pretty high, but that was after months and months of riding around and building my confidence. Check out my other cycling articles http://lasesana.com/cycling/ . I have my personal story on how I learned and a few quick tips on how to overcome fears and feel more confident. Believe me, if I can do it anyone can!