Well, it's not a Harley..

[gridlore]

but at least I'm back on two wheels again.

Thanks to the generosity of my mother and sister, today we picked up a bike down at Target; a Dynacraft Magna Men's Great Divide. I also received a good solid lock and a nice green helmet. Now I just need some muscle in the appropriate places...

18 speeds. About 12 more than I needs, but hell, it was cheap. But it's been 20 years since I rode a multispeed bike, and things have changed. For example, it has both a front and rear derailer. That's new to me. So I guess I'm going to be doing a little experimenting as I ride.

Since my mom's car has no room for bikes in any state of construction, we bought the floor model, and I rode it home. About four miles, give or take. Remember what I said about not having been on a bike for 20 years? Needless to say when I got home and off the bike, I was staggering like a drunken sailor. (Or not, I'd have to get sailorjim's opinion on the quality of my staggering.)

I know I'm going to hurt tomorrow.. but I'm getting on the bike (which will be named soon enough) and try to do a few miles. One of the lessons I learned in the Army was that pain is transitory, and the pay off is worth the effort.

Now I just need a MP3 player. :)

Comments

[kengr]

As someone who went thru that sort of change a few years back. I have a couple of tips.

At first, you can pretty much ignore the front derailer. Just set it to whatever feels most comfortable on the straight and level. Then ignore it until you are more used to things.

Also, try a few *blocks* at first. Seriously. Until you get a good sense of your limits, *under*estimate your range & endurance.

Once you can do a trip with no problem. *than add a block or two to it.

Also, it's best to try to plan your training rides so it's uphill on the way out. That way it's downhill on the way back. :-)

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Did about a half-mile, with a stop at the donut place for a break in the middle. I'll keep that distance, with a few changes in route, for a few days. Almaden Lake Park has a bike/jogging trail that runs back several miles, so I can pick my turn around point as I get in better shape.

Because of all my walking, my legs seem to be doing OK, it's what the seat is doing to me fourth point of contact that is killing me!

[cmdr-zoom.livejournal.com]

Heh. Wear a cup?
(at least half-serious)

[kengr]

Add padding, adjust the seat height carefully, and when you can spare the cash, hit a *good* bike store and talk to them about seats. The standard seats, especially racing type seats, are *not* that great for many people.

And if you get any numbness down there, do something *now*. Badly placed of fitted seats can cause *permanent nerve damage rendering a certain organ useless... <wince>