Just a bit of self-indulgent celebrating from a newcomer

Hi everybody. Eons ago (read: late 05/early 06) I posted some questions
here seeking advice about which hybrid bicycle to get, and I decided to
go with the Trek 7200 as per what most people seemed to be telling me.
I didn't think it would take me so long to actually buy the bike but
today I finally did. (Yes, I realize that getting a bike when the ideal
cycling weather is basically over is kind of weird, but then so am
I...) For today, I limited myself to the little neighborhood park
across the street from the dealership that I bought it from, but next
week I plan to go to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, which
should be perfect for a new and trying-to-get-in-shape rider like
myself. I feel slightly sore but that's just from being woefully out of
practice in terms of doing anything physically demanding. So glad to
finally have a bike, a good one at that, and will make the most out of
the decent weather we get between now and next spring. Woo, to which I
might add, hoo.

DaWei wrote:
Hi everybody. Eons ago (read: late 05/early 06) I posted some questions
here seeking advice about which hybrid bicycle to get, and I decided to
go with the Trek 7200 as per what most people seemed to be telling me.
I didn't think it would take me so long to actually buy the bike but
today I finally did. (Yes, I realize that getting a bike when the ideal
cycling weather is basically over is kind of weird, but then so am
I...) For today, I limited myself to the little neighborhood park
across the street from the dealership that I bought it from, but next
week I plan to go to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, which
should be perfect for a new and trying-to-get-in-shape rider like
myself. I feel slightly sore but that's just from being woefully out of
practice in terms of doing anything physically demanding. So glad to
finally have a bike, a good one at that, and will make the most out of
the decent weather we get between now and next spring. Woo, to which I
might add, hoo.

Well, now that you have a new bike, let's see how fast you can wear out
your first set of tires. That would be a good milestone to shoot for. Of
course it gets harder to wear them out as you lose weight and get into
better shape, but isn't that the point? ;)

--
Bill (Sleepless biker) Baka

On 23 Oct 2006 15:38:02 -0700, "DaWei" wrote:

Hi everybody. Eons ago (read: late 05/early 06) I posted some questions
here seeking advice about which hybrid bicycle to get, and I decided to
go with the Trek 7200 as per what most people seemed to be telling me.
I didn't think it would take me so long to actually buy the bike but
today I finally did. (Yes, I realize that getting a bike when the ideal
cycling weather is basically over is kind of weird, but then so am
I...) For today, I limited myself to the little neighborhood park
across the street from the dealership that I bought it from, but next
week I plan to go to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, which
should be perfect for a new and trying-to-get-in-shape rider like
myself. I feel slightly sore but that's just from being woefully out of
practice in terms of doing anything physically demanding. So glad to
finally have a bike, a good one at that, and will make the most out of
the decent weather we get between now and next spring. Woo, to which I
might add, hoo.

You can also bike during some of the colder periods. You generate a
ton of heat while biking and can get away with surprisingly light
clothes. Just have a good windbreaker.

Congrats on the new bike, and double congrats for wanting to get in
shape. You know the saying, "just do it". Get riding and you will be
surprised at how fast your legs will strengthen, and how much you'll
enjoy the endorphin release.

Start slow, 5-10 miles a day, two or three days a week. In no time,
you'll notice how much you've improved. Have fun.

DaWei wrote:
Hi everybody. Eons ago (read: late 05/early 06) I posted some questions
here seeking advice about which hybrid bicycle to get, and I decided to
go with the Trek 7200 as per what most people seemed to be telling me.
I didn't think it would take me so long to actually buy the bike but
today I finally did. (Yes, I realize that getting a bike when the ideal
cycling weather is basically over is kind of weird, but then so am
I...) For today, I limited myself to the little neighborhood park
across the street from the dealership that I bought it from, but next
week I plan to go to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, which
should be perfect for a new and trying-to-get-in-shape rider like
myself. I feel slightly sore but that's just from being woefully out of
practice in terms of doing anything physically demanding. So glad to
finally have a bike, a good one at that, and will make the most out of
the decent weather we get between now and next spring. Woo, to which I
might add, hoo.

ihccab wrote:

Have fun.

I personally think that that phrase is the most important thing for a
new cyclist. If it's not that fun, you won't do it as often as you could
(or should).

Ken

DaWei wrote:

Hi everybody. Eons ago (read: late 05/early 06) I posted some questions
here seeking advice about which hybrid bicycle to get, and I decided to
go with the Trek 7200 as per what most people seemed to be telling me.
I didn't think it would take me so long to actually buy the bike but
today I finally did. (Yes, I realize that getting a bike when the ideal
cycling weather is basically over is kind of weird, but then so am
I...) For today, I limited myself to the little neighborhood park
across the street from the dealership that I bought it from, but next
week I plan to go to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, which
should be perfect for a new and trying-to-get-in-shape rider like
myself. I feel slightly sore but that's just from being woefully out of
practice in terms of doing anything physically demanding. So glad to
finally have a bike, a good one at that, and will make the most out of
the decent weather we get between now and next spring. Woo, to which I
might add, hoo.




--
The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets
old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without
shocking the entire community. ~Ann Strong

Congrats and Welcome! Good times await you!

Agreed... cycling is definitely something I'm confident will be a fun
and rewarding activity for me, as opposed to something I do
begrudgingly or out of some sense of obligation. I couldn't, for
instance, picture myself taking up running in any serious way. (And
someone once told me that it's more for people already in shape than
people trying to get in shape anyway, due to the pressure it puts on
the joints.) But that's a moot point. As for weather, I definitely plan
on riding in the winter months, with the exception of snowy/icy
conditions, or of course if it's brutally cold (10 degrees, and feels
like -10 with the windchill factor). Barring extreme conditions like
those, the windbreaker idea suggested by DGK sounds good. Thanks to all
of you for the support and encouragement.

David

On Oct 24, 10:09 am, "Ken C. M." wrote:
ihccab wrote:
Have fun.I personally think that that phrase is the most important thing for a
new cyclist. If it's not that fun, you won't do it as often as you could
(or should).

Ken





DaWei wrote:

Hi everybody. Eons ago (read: late 05/early 06) I posted some questions
here seeking advice about which hybrid bicycle to get, and I decided to
go with the Trek 7200 as per what most people seemed to be telling me.
I didn't think it would take me so long to actually buy the bike but
today I finally did. (Yes, I realize that getting a bike when the ideal
cycling weather is basically over is kind of weird, but then so am
I...) For today, I limited myself to the little neighborhood park
across the street from the dealership that I bought it from, but next
week I plan to go to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, which
should be perfect for a new and trying-to-get-in-shape rider like
myself. I feel slightly sore but that's just from being woefully out of
practice in terms of doing anything physically demanding. So glad to
finally have a bike, a good one at that, and will make the most out of
the decent weather we get between now and next spring. Woo, to which I
might add, hoo.--
The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets
old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without
shocking the entire community. ~Ann Strong- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

On 24 Oct 2006 09:07:22 -0700, "DaWei" wrote:

Agreed... cycling is definitely something I'm confident will be a fun
and rewarding activity for me, as opposed to something I do
begrudgingly or out of some sense of obligation. I couldn't, for
instance, picture myself taking up running in any serious way. (And
someone once told me that it's more for people already in shape than
people trying to get in shape anyway, due to the pressure it puts on
the joints.) But that's a moot point. As for weather, I definitely plan
on riding in the winter months, with the exception of snowy/icy
conditions, or of course if it's brutally cold (10 degrees, and feels
like -10 with the windchill factor). Barring extreme conditions like
those, the windbreaker idea suggested by DGK sounds good. Thanks to all
of you for the support and encouragement.


Take a look at www.icebike.com. Lots of good advice for dealing with
the cold. I once did a commute and it was 6F when I left the house.
That's pretty nuts though. My eyeballs froze but I made it. I just
wanted to see if it was possible. This morning it was 44F when I left
the house, and I was a bit overdressed. It's easy to remove stuff or
open zippers though.

I forgot my old thermocline chart. That's what I call my mental list
of how to dress for various temperature ranges. At 32 I switch the
middle layer from the light liner to the heavy liner. Or which gloves
to wear for what range. It matters; 50 is not 40 is not 30 is not 20.
It certainly isn't 10.

And those first two miles tends to be cold as you warm up. You need to
dress for miles 3 - whatever rather than the first two, so those first
two miles can be a bit of a drag. Just as my fingers are really
starting to get cold, at the two mile mark, I realize that my palms
are starting to sweat. And snot rockets are flying from my nose,
freezing in the air and cracking as they hit the ground. Ah, the joys
of winter biking.

dgk wrote:
Just as my fingers are really
starting to get cold, at the two mile mark, I realize that my palms
are starting to sweat. And snot rockets are flying from my nose,
freezing in the air and cracking as they hit the ground. Ah, the joys
of winter biking.

A career in bike industry advertising beckons. LOL. Joking around aside
though thanks for the tips. Things to take into consideration if I
manage to muster up the ambition to go riding in that kind of weather.
For now though hoping to get as much mileage, literally and
figuratively, from riding in more pleasant conditions.

DaWei wrote:
Agreed... cycling is definitely something I'm confident will be a fun
and rewarding activity for me, as opposed to something I do
begrudgingly or out of some sense of obligation. I couldn't, for
instance, picture myself taking up running in any serious way. (And
someone once told me that it's more for people already in shape than
people trying to get in shape anyway, due to the pressure it puts on
the joints.) But that's a moot point. As for weather, I definitely plan
on riding in the winter months, with the exception of snowy/icy
conditions, or of course if it's brutally cold (10 degrees, and feels
like -10 with the windchill factor). Barring extreme conditions like
those, the windbreaker idea suggested by DGK sounds good. Thanks to all
of you for the support and encouragement.

Actually a good riding jacket rather than a wind breaker is a good
idea. It will have velco at the wrists and a longer back. This keeps
one more comfortable.

Actually a set of riding gear, shorts, jersey and tights are possibly
worth the investment. I have winter commuted for years and find the
tight fit of the jacket and tights much better than regular clothes.

Anyway happy riding.

John Kane, Kingston ON Canada