[Kate]

I hadn't cycled in years but decided I wanted to try it again. I grew up in a rural area where public transit was non-existent. As a kid, riding a bike was the perfect answer. As a young adult, I would sometimes commute to work by bike. Now as an overweight late middle-aged adult with bad knees I have returned to something that I enjoyed so much as a child. I used to enjoy hiking and backpacking but my knees can't take it anymore. I can't walk more than a mile without days of residual discomfort and carrying a 35lb backpack miles into the wilderness is not even remotely possible. I tried eliptical machines at the gym and experienced the same knee pain. Exercise bikes at the gym were not even close to the same experience as a real bike and I found them to be uncomfortable too. The only machine that seemed to offer some options was the rowing machine but I still didn't like the idea of sitting in one place and doing the same repitition over and over. I hated the gym!

I tried kayaking but the intense aerobic ativity was not there. I needed something that could be more rigorous and something that could be more spontaneous. Kayaking is wonderful and very relaxing but getting ready and lugging all that equipment around gets in the way. Most adults seem to think of bikes as toys, but they are far from reality with this one. Biking has given me a new sense of accomplishment and a new sense of freedom.

Cycling has filled that void for me. Things have changed and as always technology has made vast improvements. The most important strides in cycling concern bike fit. As a kid, if you could get on and ride -- it was your size. Today, getting the right size bike and having it professionally adjusted gives you a bike that causes little stress on aging joints. Long rides of 2 hours or more are reported to burn fat. It seems early in the ride you burn off the available carbs and then your body turns to that rich resource available to it (FAT) and begins to burn it for the remainder of the ride. Having the right bike with the right fit won't stress joints or put strain on your muscles. I've not experienced a sore butt or sore leg muscles after my rides. No, I am not a Spring chicken by any means. I attribute it to having the right equipment for the right job. Interestingly, I have found the extra padded gel bike seats to be the worst invention of all time!

I started riding again about a year ago. I started out with short 5-6 miles rides and quickly found I could easily increase my miles with each session. I was lucky to live in a city with a 30 mile bike trail. By June, I was riding 30 miles in one ride and by September I rode my first metric century (65 miles). I was riding 150 miles per week. My goal for this year is to ride at least one century (100 miles at one time), if not more. I've invested in a lightweight road bike and some cycling clothes -- every mile means I've burned a few more ounces of fat. My aerobic activity has increased, my energy levels are higher, may fat thighs has become hard muscle. My 75 year old mother has even joined in and is up to a 38 mile ride. I am finding organized rides that benefit charities to be the best way to attempt long distance rides. They provide sag wagons to pick up the overly optimistic, as well as, those with mechanical problems. They also provide reststops with drinks and snacks about every 15 miles or so.

I hope this post and my enthusiasm for cycling inspires others with similar physical problems to not dispair. There are activities out there for us.

[wiredfoxterror]

I too was an avid cyclist before I packed on the pounds. I am moving to a rural area and plan to take it up again.

Dusted off the old bike, it was a top of the line Raleigh Mountain Bike 15 years ago when I invested in it, and it is currently in the shop getting oiled and ready to roll again. I cannot wait! There is nothing more enjoyable either as a solitary ride or sharing the experience with others.

Ride with the wind
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Foxye
Started Somersizing 01/03 - 230/165/165
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.


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[Taburl]

I know it doesn't compare to a real bike ride... but I have been doing 2 spin classes a week. I'd do more, but it's hard to squeeze into my life at the moment.

Anyway... wow - what a workout!!! I am so exhausted afterwards. I hear you can burn 400 - 600 calories a class. I don't doubt it, I feel like I'm gonna fall over about 20 mins in. Wadda workout!