New to cycling

[LG17]

My body is stuffed (can hardly walk, can't run etc) and I ride a hybrid. That extra bit of comfort goes a long way. Can't do the very high speeds that the boy racers do but that doesn't worry me. I use a fairly high cadence so I'm not putting too much pressure on the joints and it seems to work pretty well.
Haven't tried a recumbent but a couple of blokes I know swear by them.
They have said they always have their lights on and a tall aerial with a streamer on just for the extra safety, being so low. They reckon they are very comfortable and feel safe.

[ratter]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Thats an awesome effort Mick. Congrats mate.

As you probably already know, I have been doing some work on the trainer which I borrowed from a mate while he is over seas. I think its helping keep the fitness up but hopefully wanting it to reduce my HR and overall my resilience on harder climbs.

Thanks mate, that's why there has not been much strava activity as the trainers getting a good work out, my coach like the trainer for some stuff as you can push hard in a controlled environment

Originally Posted by LG17

Just a few more bikes than usual up our way this weekend for Ironman Cairns.
I think there's around 1400 odd starters for the big one on Sunday.

We know a few people up there racing

Originally Posted by mik

Evenin guys and gals , i used to do a bit of cycling myself in younger years, i would still do it but years jumping up and down off the back of flat top trailers has kapputen the knees, ankles, shoulder joints are knackered from a life of labouring ,If i was a building i'd be condemned lol.
my doc who is a mad biker seems to think that by not over stressing the joints , ie changing down through the gears and treating the joints gently it will actually allow the worn out cartilage's to expand, not grow.......... just sort of swell what cartilage is left a tad and improve function, dunno i may have another go one day .
i really dislike the area i'm living in but one thing it has going for it is endless dedicated bike tracks, i can just about get the whole way to the city from reservoir by bike track no problems.
i wouldn't mind trying one of those recumbent bikes, i reckon they might be a bit easier on the old bod, any of you guys have one for a comment?

My left knee has been bone on bone for many years, cycling is about the only thing that I can do, the secret is to keep a good cadence rather than grind

[LG17]

I think everyone would know a few Ratter as there's so many!

Events like this are great as there's a hell of a lot of local swimmers, cyclists and runners who join in the fun in the teams events in the half race.

[Franco Cozzo]

Hey guys, any tips for a fat **** who is looking to get fit?

I'm looking at getting a "mountain" bike to start some cycling with, as I live in rural Victoria and have some pretty sweet dirt roads/tracks/forests to explore locally.

Plus I planned on getting a 4x4 project car but I bought another vehicle instead.

I don't plan on cycling on paved road or near traffic.

What do I need to get started?

- Bike
- Safety gear

I don't want any lycra, I'd prefer to not look like a fat Lance Armstrong wannabe with man boobs. Can I ride safely in my usual street wear?

What helmet styles are available?

Thanks much guys.

[GTpilot]

Damo - I'd suggest looking at a hard tail bike, with front shocks, unless you're going hard core "mountain biking" , a brand name won't really see you wrong and budget for around $700 - $900. Go see a few reputable bike shops, see what they have and take in what they say, they will see you right,
If you're a heavy fella you may want you ask about upgrading the shocks to air instead of oil, also look for shocks with a lock out option, this means you and lock them off when you're riding on hard smooth surfaces. Especially helpful riding up the odd hill whilst you get your fitness up.

A good pair of lined (loose) mountain bike shorts usually won't go a stray, and a non cotton T-shirt. Cotton will hold sweat, stick to your and body, becoming uncomfortable.

Helmet is a must, obviously approved and most important, comfortable, this time of year a thin light rain jacket helps too.

I would not worry about clip in shoes and pedals at this point either.


I got back in to it about 9 months ago, in a similar way. I used to train daily as a semi pro in a different sport, then stopped pretty suddenly due to life changes. Not long after I stacked on about 20kg increasing to 40kg over the last 10 years. Now my fitness has returned some what and weight is coming down. I recently bought myself a carbon road bike to start riding to work daily when the days get a bit longer, daylight wise.
Good luck with it mate. Keep us posted.

[Franco Cozzo]

Here we go:

http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicyc.../vic/102206159

http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicyc.../vic/102206201

http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicyc.../vic/102206173

I like the bottom one, mainly because its black and a little bit of green, like the original Xbox

What is the expert opinion?

[blueoval]

Cant go wrong with any of those choices. Merida is a good brand, and they seem to be all kitted with decent Shimano drivetrain. In saying this, Im a big advocate for buying a bike in the shop though. I understand price is always a big deal breaker, but you cannot go wrong with the service and advice from your local LBS if you are new to the sport. They can ensure get the right size, the correct frame for the type of work your gonna do, and provide you with a full warranty with free servicing sometimes.

[GTpilot]

Agree with Blueoval 100%. All look good, but don't be scared to look at different brands, Go in, sit on the bike, sit on a few that are your size. You'll be surprised just how different they feel. Frame geometry, seat type, position Etc all make the difference.
Most shops will let you go for a quick spin to make sure your comfy.
If you get a bike your not comfortable on, it might as well be a pleasure on the eye because that's all it will be used for.

[Franco Cozzo]

I'll head into that shop on Friday and have a peek, its in Sunbury and I have to go there to drop off a workmate anyway

[Franco Cozzo]

I didn't get my fat *** into the bike shop last Friday because I felt sorry for my supervisor and pulled some OT to fix a customers vehicle we set fire to, everyone else left him and there was some electrical work to finish.

So this Friday I'll certainly waddle on over and look at some bikes.

[blueoval]

Sounds good Damo.

On another cycling related topic, who is looking forward to the start of the Tour de France?

[ratter]

ME!

Love the finishes after flattish stages and the sprint trains

[blueoval]

Awesome stuff mick. Have you joined the bna tipping league for the tdf?

[ratter]

no, not yet

[blueoval]

Ive decided to join and see how well, or not so well I go. :P

Also planning on jumping on the indoor trainer at the same time as watching the coverage and seeing if I can keep up with the cadence set. haha

[TZENU]

Best way to enjoy The Tour is on the trainer!!!! Although I do remember in 2011 trying to maintain the cadence set in the ITT... Massive failure lol!

Having said that though; Rollers are setup in front of the TV and ready to go although I haven't ridden in around 6 months, it won't take me long to get back into it (for the short time i'll be here)!
The media PC has been set to record every single live stage and the bike has been serviced..

I will be overseas from the 10th of July but convinced the Mrs that we need to stop in France (Unfortuntaley couldnt get to the Alpe de Huez in time). Instead we'll be camping at the Champs Élysées for the twilight finish!!! Can't wait!

I think this years winner is going to be Wigo's wingman... I'll submit my top5 before Stage 1.

[ratter]

don't think it would happen for a while yet but would like to see Peter Sagan be in contention fo GC

[ratter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3nu5...layer_embedded

[blueoval]

Im backing Sagan for the Green jersey. I reckon it's gonna take a monumental effort for Froome to win as the Sky team isnt as strong as last year. Saxo Tinkoff have got the strongest team they have ever had this year and I reckon Contador will be nipping at the wheel of Froome. The only way I can see Froome getting a lead is with his ITT and TTT being the key areas. Contador is a stronger climber and if he has Rogers, Kreuzinger and Roche and a few other stronger climbers to lead him in the climbs (especially Alp de Huez twice) I reckon Team Sky are in for a fight. That said, Im still backing Froome for the Maillot Jaune purely on his ITT superiority over Contador. Time will tell.

[Franco Cozzo]

I stopped by Bicycle Superstore in Sunbury and was attended to the business owner Bruce, I said I've got $1100 to lay down, what you got?

He showed me the Merida mountain bike that looked like the Xbox colour scheme and a Norco bike.

I test ride both, the Merida was a touch too tall for me, I couldn't comfortably push off without feeling like I was going to stack.

I went with the Norco bike and a Fox helmet, decided to spend up on the helmet, I feel more comfortable smashing my head into the ground with a $100 helmet than a $50 one lol.

I've chucked down a deposit, can't wait to get started.

Id like to get down to 100kg flat, its so much more exciting compared to walking.

[prydey]

good one mate.

i started cycling again in octoberish last year. i used an old steel frame ricardo that i had in the shed (still have it) and just started out doing laps of a 5km block around my area. i really forced myself to ride every day for the first 2 weeks, just doing whatever distance i could manage. most days was 2 loops, sometimes i opted for a shorter 3rd lap. normally between 12 - 16 km per ride. i was absolutely knackered each day but it was working. i dropped 5-7kg in that 2 weeks and haven't looked back.

the weight loss has slowed down now as i'm back to about 90kg from 102kg.

in november i rewarded myself with a new bike and 6 months on, let me tell you, buying the bike ($1000) was the cheap part off road may be different to on road.

so good job on the first step. i have no interest in dieting whatsoever so cycling allows me to eat however i like!!

[Franco Cozzo]

http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/...-xc/charger-9/

This is the one I got, he said if I wanted even after using it for a few months he can swap it over no charge when I get more confident if I like.

Also 4 free services in the first 12 months

[ratter]

the tour is on

[blueoval]

As u as addicted to the tour as I am mick? Gonna be a tough tour this year.

[ratter]

pretty much

[blueoval]

Its on for the intermediate sprint

[ratter]

don't think Cav gave it all he's got

[blueoval]

Yeah I reckon hes saving energy for the win.

[ratter]

21 k's to go, the sprint trains will be forming soon and the pace is going to pick right up again

[blueoval]

Now that was pure chaos. A bus blocks the finish line and forces a photo finish 3km from finish. Then an insane crash involving cav, sagan greipel and contador. Bus gets removed and marcel kittel takes the win. Wow. Just wow.