Due to my injury, I have finally started biking and finding that you know what I do enjoy it a bit. My legs are stronger and I can ride farther. Now that I have a helmet my confidence is higher so I'll ride a little more on the streets...but I still feel like there are things I could use some help on!
1. Do you need a road bike?
2. My back hurts when I ride, how do you get comfortable?
3. Cars scare the poo out of me which is largely why I don't ride...I am not afraid of them when running, just when riding I can't exactly figure out why other than maybe because I run towards cars but ride with them so I can't see them coming? How did you get over this?
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Gratitude Journal
June 26
I am grateful for my strong arms
I am grateful for my continued yoga streak
I am grateful for being back home
I am grateful for fun new vegetarian meals
I am grateful for new workout buddies
30 good vibes:
~Nope you don't need a road bike, just ride! BTW, I did buy a road bike for 1200 and I love it!
~Your back muscles being sore is normal and they will get stronger, just stick with it.
~Cars scare the shiz out of me too. Can you find a roadway where it's not so busy? We have found an area where it's not as busy and it's more than two lanes so the cars have more options to get around you.
I hope that helps beautiful!
Glad you're starting to enjoy biking!
Yeah, unless you're thinking of getting into road racing, definitely no need for a road bike. I don't have much on the back pain, but Shannon's comment makes sense to me.
As far as cars go, I still get totally freaked out on city streets, too. I know it's not the best etiquette, but can you bike on sidewalks if they aren't too crowded, at least until you get more comfortable?
The type of bike you"need" depends on the type of riding you're planning to do. I prefer my road bikes, but husband does his 2-3x commute on a mountain bike. It's all good!
Perhaps your bike doesn't fit you well. Or you need to ride more. Or both
I try to stick to areas where there is a bike lane or bike path. Do you have something like that nearby?
You don't need a road bike to ride. However, if you really start liking riding and plan on going further distances you may want to think about it.
Your back may hurt because the bike doesn't fit you well. A few minor adjustments may help!
Cars are a problem, however when I am riding I go on roads that aren't heavily travelled and I get my long rides in early in the morning. I also try not to think about them too much and stay alert.
You definitely don't need a road bike, especially if your back hurts. It can be a little more straining. You will start to feel better as far as the back and confidence go the more you ride. Eventually you'll become accustom to the cars, it takes time. Try to stay on side roads until you get more comfortable and then slowly add busier streets, if necessary. Also, pick times of the day that aren't as busy- 9a-10a if perfect if you can swing it. And always, relax and enjoy, welcome to a new addiction :)
I rarely ride my bike, just as a quick way to get to campus. (It makes me so sweaty!) It took me awhile to get used to cars, and they still make me uncomfortable. I tried really hard to learn to look over my shoulder without losing control of the bike and swerving. I think that's an important one.
I need to start riding more now that my knee is injured, too. I have the same fear of cars!! And I don't have a road bike (I have a hybrid)...I would LOVE one but you know it's the $$$ factor. :-)
I bought a hybrid. I am too afraid of the thin tires on a road bike and I hadn't been on a bike in years. Go to Bike Stop or another bike store they will help set you up.
Cars scare me so we go to a trail and quiet neighborhood. I'm not a hardcore biker, much prefer running. But it's a good side and I just completed a 20 mile ride last Sunday so I'm proud of my biking. There are lots of good trails in KC and usually a bike store can point you to them.
I'd say as long as you already have something with two wheels that fits OK, a bike is definitely something to NOT buy unless/until you're really into it and know exactly what you want.
My back hurts the most when technique is off. I have to:
1. put all my energy into my legs, hardly resting any weight at all on my arms -- when my legs are pooped (all too often) and I start to lean forward, my back pays the price.
and 2. Just like running, it really helps me to work on high cadence, spinning my legs around as quickly as possible instead of grinding on a tough gear.
I'm no help on the cars. I used to pedal around this town like nothing, but now I can hardly manage my own neighborhood without being certain I'm about to be run over.
I don't like riding on the street either. I try to stay on the sidewalks at all costs (even though I believe that is illegal here).
My bike is a hybrid and I like it just fine.
I have a Schwinn hybrid from Target, $150. I'm not racing anyone, so it works just fine for me :) And the cars, i'm terrified too...
i haven't been back on my bike since last august when i got hit by a car biking home from work.
1. wear a helmet and pick a non-trafficky route (it's a cop out but that's my best advice)
2. about back pain-- strange! perhaps consult your doc or a serious biker for positions-- could play around with your handlebars and make sure your seat height is a good level.
3. i looooooooooooove biking. sometimes it's nice to go with someone else and take turns leading. my sister and i will do a "tour of keene" and just bike our entire town.
Glad you are getting into bike riding! I love it but am also scared to ride in the street, especially here in NY! It is a great workout though and much more fun for me than the elliptical!
Ride On!!!
-I wouldn't say you need a road bike unless you plan on riding further distances - it would just be more efficient.
-like most people said back soreness will be a little bit of both - bike fit and lack of back strength. If you do end getting a road bike and you get from a bike shop, usually a fit is included.
-cars, motorcycles and Mac Trucks scare the crap out of me but you do get used to it. You could buy a mirror that fits to your bike or helmet. It'll at least give you a heads up on whats coming.
I have both a road & a mountain bike, and although the road bike is lighter, unless you're doing any kind of organized rides/races, I wouldn't worry about it for now. (I actually prefer my mt. bike.)
I would ride on over to a bike store & ask them to give you a fit adjustment on the bike. You may just need to adjust a few things to get your bike to fit you better, and that will help eliminate back pain. Also, you are probably using muscles that you didn't use before, so that's part of it, too.
I also hate riding in cars, which is why I so much prefer mountain biking. BUT, you do get used to that a little, too. Except for when I commute, I do try to time my rides for lower traffic times.
I think for casual and fitness biking, the type of bike doesn't matter. I have a mountain bike with road tires, so it's a sort of 'hybrid'. I wouldn't worry about the type of bike.
Cars scare the crap out of me too.. I'm not the most balanced of people, so I have trouble doing the turn signals and not swerving, so I hear ya there.. I think it's something that you get better at and get more used to. That being said, it's good to be somewhat afraid.. the cars are a lot bigger than you. :)
I really need to start riding again to mix things up. We have road bikes but ride 99% of the time on the highway or paved trails. Cars scare the poop out of me too.
yes! we should def meet up :) i would be up for anything- walk, run, bike, food, coffee :) let me know if you have time :) i'm around most of the time!!
Hey girlie! I want to get into biking! Josh and I are thinking about buying bikes this fall...I will be leaning on your then to see what you've learned ;)
I def. won't be caught dead (no pun intended) on a bike. I have no balance and biking for me is another way for me to lose my life. As for now I'll stick to running!
I have a hybrid bike, I don't like the road bikes, the skinny tires scare me.
As for your back, you'll get used to it. Try adding in some "supermans" (i.e. lower back strengtheners).
Cars--I hate em too. Do you have a bike trail? I do most of my riding there.
looking forward to reading the answers
- I have a hybrid (road/mountain-road), and it works just fine
- I have nothing to say about the back pain...
- Yeah, I also am scared by cars. Like the others have said, I mainly try to stick to wide areas or bike lanes. I usually don't ride on sidewalks since my friend got a ticket for that, but if you can, you can give it a shot, even in the reverse direction so you can see the cars (I do this for running).
1. you don't NEED a road bike, but they are lighter weight and go faster. = less work!
2. I don't know what kind of bike you do have, but it may be possible that it is not the right size for you if your back is hurting. A reminder when riding, don't put all your weight on your arms. Keep most of it over the saddle and engage your core while riding!
3. I think I started to get over the fear of other cars on the road by beginning with riding in a group. When I first started riding my road bike, I joined a group from our LBS and there was about 10 of us each time, mostly men. At the same time, I am the type of person that isn't really scare of something like that until I am in a bad situation, like my ride the other day.
I didn't read through other responses to this post so I am hoping I am not re-itterating what everyone else has already said!
BTW, if you do want to buy a road bike, buy an older model, during the off-season and you will get a good deal. I think I got my Trek Pilot 1.2 for about $600 in February of last year.
i dont know anything about bikes! haha i wanna start riding though :) i wish we had better roads to ride around on here
Definitely do not need a road bike but a proper bike fit is important and may help your back. I too was very afraid of cars when I first started riding a few years back. Could only ride on bike paths or roads with very few cars initially. But with continued practice and riding in groups (which made me feel safer) it got easier. Still now, though, I find wearing a rearview mirror on my sunglasses (Third Eye) and being able to see cars coming up behind me helps, esp. when making left turns as I swerve a lot when I turn my head.
Great to hear you're interested in cycling. I've found it to be a wonderful complement to running.
I am trying to get into cycling more too, I am actully saving for a road bike right now!!!
Yay for the bike! All you need is to swim and you'll be all ready for a triathlon!
So to answer your questions:
1. Do you need a road bike? No, especially if you are just starting out. If triathlon does interest you, then down the line a road bike would be the most beneficial. But if you are just out to toodle around then you can ride a hybrid or a mountain bike for sure!
2. If your back is hurting then you should get your bike fitted. A good local bike shop or tri shop should have someone well qualified to help you out. They can make a few tweaks here or there that make a huge difference. It is definitely worth getting done.
3. You definitely do need to take care around cars. You may have some local bike path around your city that you can ride on. Look for routes with good shoulders and low traffic. Always wear a helmet and don't wear an iPod so you can hear traffic coming. You can also look for bike rides that other folks in your area have done on mapmyride.com.
Good luck!
I LOVE road biking and got into it a couple of years ago when I couldn't run due to knee issues. It is one of my favorite things to do! I found that biking really strengthened my legs in ways that running couldn't, and I swear it was the thing that helped my knee issues improve and got me running again! I just got back from a road ride and every time I go out, I LOVE it!!!!
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