We're buying bicycles this week!

[bicentennial_baby]

:bounce:

Hopefully tomorrow evening. We're getting hybrids.

And me, I'm joining the campus gym tomorrow, and plan to spend my summer working out, swimming, and biking. IE Getting in shape!

I'm getting fatter by the millisecond, and it has to stop NOW. I won't even say what I weigh right now, but it ain't pretty. It's well distributed, so only I can really tell, but I'm like Tubby the Whale over here (by my standards), and I can't stand it. And, it's my own fault. I don't eat correctly, drink too much, and sit on my ass all the time.

:hi: Wish me luck!

[malta blue]

1. Congrats bi_baby...

on the bikes, not the "Tubby the Whale" :rofl:

Good luck in your endeavor. I've lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. :bounce:

:pals:

[bicentennial_baby]

2. I'd like to lose 15

but more than anything, I just want to burn off the innertube around my waist before I have to buy all new clothes. The pants are one thing, but the combination of my tummy and my large breasts is making all of my shirts ride up in a most unfortunate way. x(

Thanks babe! I need all the luck I can get, as I am also generally supremely unmotivated about exercise. I have to do it though, or I'll never get a handle on it.

:pals:

[malta blue]

3. I'm sure you can do it once you

put your mind to it :hug:

I hate exercise, and the fibromyalgia makes it all the more difficult. :( I was on a roll taking the dogs out for walks and then the pollen kicked up, and the rains, etc..... and I lost the groove.

I am looking to lose 50 total, but at least 20 by my cousin's wedding in July - halfway there :D

:pals:

[bicentennial_baby]

6. Congrats!

:hug:

I'm sorry about the fibro...that sucks!

:)

[Shakespeare]

4. oooohh---what kind of bikes??

I want one of these: http://www.landrider.com

Good luck & the bikes should make it a little more fun. :hi: :loveya:

[bicentennial_baby]

5. I don't know yet...We're going here:

http://www.cambridgebicycle.com/

They have a large selection of used/refurbished Hybrids. We're not flush with $, so...

I'm excited, I love biking, especially since I live close to the ocean and can bike along the shore. My goal is to be able to bike to school (about 6 miles) by Fall. My only issue with that is the traffic :scared:

:loveya:

[Shakespeare]

13. I think even Target carries some pretty decent bikes these days.

And like Solon said, don't forget the helmet! Protect that brilliant economist's brain!

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Yeah, I need to go to a bike shop, so I can get the right size

Y'know, 'cause I'm such a shorty. :P

And of course...Boston is no place for an un-helmeted rider. I remember when I lived in Pgh, my first day I saw a guy who got hit by a bus... :o

He lived...ended up being my bf's manager at a coffee shop many months later. :)

[Solon]

7. Bike riding is fun and practical, be sure to stay safe...

Wear one of these to protect that noggin of yours!



I had one save my life as a kid, just remember to stay safe! :)

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Oh, I will, promise! We live in the Boston area!

:crazy:

Thanks :pals:

[Solon]

12. No problem...

I've been spending money like mad restoring my bike so I could use it to go to work. New Chain, new Seatpost, new brakepads, bike helmet, headlight and tail light(for night riding).

This is what my bike looks like, not bad, just need the seat post and I'm all set.

[SallyMander]

8. Iza is a bike mechanic

So if you need any advice on your bike selection, let me know, or PM him!

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

10. Could you ask him

what to avoid when shopping for a hybrid?

Thanks babe! :loveya:

:hug:

[SallyMander]

11. Sure will

He is off picking up a pizza for dinner -- speaking of unhealthy lifestyles :rofl:

I'll ask him when he gets home.

:loveya:

[yvr girl]

15. The thought of riding a bike in Boston makes me

:scared:

Have you seen how they drive? HAVE YOU?!

Biking is great exercise though.

[bicentennial_baby]

16. Well, we're on the South Shore...

You won't see me riding downtown...Oh HELL no! :rofl:

:hi: you!

[yvr girl]

18. I want to start riding too

I live minutes away from miles and miles of seawall. I have no excuse.

[bicentennial_baby]

20. Get on it babe!

:bounce:

[bixente]

17. Good luck

A bike seems a good idea because riding is a fun enough exercise and of course purposeful for your health at the same time.

Random note: on a lonely planet episode focusing on Amsterdam, it was said that bicycles are left stranded all over the place for people to pick up at their leisure. When you're done, you put it down, thus the bike waits for its next passenger.

[bicentennial_baby]

19. Hey you!!

:hi:

:bounce:

Yes, I've heard that! How cool!

How's life Down Under? :)

[bixente]

22. double

so, delete :D never mind

[bixente]

23. Steady enough

Thanks for asking. This week I'll finally order "Les Miserables". While I wait for it in the mail, I've been re-reading an intense work called "Out" by Natsuo Kirino. It focuses on the lives of four women who work the night shift, a depressing time spent in front of a conveyor belt. At home their family lives are cold, harsh and altogether miserable. One of these women reaches her breaking point and strangles her husband who had been beating her up, as well as blowing all their savings on gambling and booze.

I'm sorry to go off-topic, but it's one of those things that make me realise that it's not so simple to pronounce someone good or bad. OK, this lady... she's a murderer. But judging on her character, she was pleasant enough, well-meaning in general. And her circumstances were awful. Is she a bad person for what she did?

This all happens early on, not a huge spoiler. Sorry anyway.

My best wishes, hope it all works out for the best. You deserve it.

[bicentennial_baby]

26. That sounds really interesting, I'll look for it...

Awwww, thank you friend. And the same to you, of course :hug:

[bixente]

30. Another thing

I think I heard that swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. Of course you're moving all of your body. Also it can be great fun. Unfortunately I never learnt how to swim. I have these terrifying memories of lessons at the local pool. I'd panic and a teacher would have to rescue me. :D I do like the water, though. Pleasant enough is to wade out into shallow depths, relaxing all the while.

[bicentennial_baby]

31. I actually drowned when I was 4...

Came *this* close to dead. :o

But, in boarding school, they forced me to learn in order to graduate. I'm not an awesome swimmer, but I no longer sink to the bottom. Our final test, in addition to demonstrating that we could do laps of the crawl, butterfly, breast and back strokes, we had to put on a sweatsuit much larger than our size, and big sneakers, jump off of the diving board, and tread water while we removed all of the clothing. I did it!! :D

[bixente]

32. Forced you to learn?

That sounds harsh. Well, in the end I suppose it was for the best. I never went to boarding school so am unfamiliar with what makes boarding school boarding school, I guess. I hope those years weren't bad for you.

Congrats.

[bicentennial_baby]

33. No, Sniffa tells me that it was the same for him in public school...

Their test was slightly less harsh though :)

Actually, those were the best 4 years of my life. I loved my high school. Here's where I went:

http://www.nmhschool.org/index.php

It's a little different now than it was in the 90s, but the spirit is the same. :)

[bixente]

34. High school intimidated me

I've always been quite shy and to transition from the top to the bottom, seeing the stature of the older kids... that was tough for me. Amongst other reasons, I ended up leaving and took up home schooling.

In the ensuing years I had thee reoccurring dreams where I'd be back at this school. I'd feel so out of place, and yet there I was, standing amongst all the other kids. I felt as a spy would exposed and yet the alarm doesn't ring out.

[Solon]

21. Another thing, if you're going to drive in traffic(especially in Boston)...

it would probably be wise to wear one of these:



I know, I'm being uptight about this, but I just want you guys to be safe! :)

[bicentennial_baby]

24. Awww, thanks! And actually, Sniffa wears one for work!

:rofl: So he's all set!

Thanks friend :pals:

[Solon]

29. Your welcome...

Just a few precautions and you'll be enjoying the great outdoors and losing weight at the same time.

Have fun!

:pals:

[Inchworm]

25. You can't trick me. I see what you're doing

You are trying to beat those Carbon Footprint tests!

cheater~~!

Hope ya'll have a blast :)

:hi:

[mike_c]

27. some general advice from a passionate bike rider...

...who is also planning to spend lots of time riding this summer for all of the reasons you noted.

I presume you're going to buy a chrome-moly frame-- they're heavier than aluminum and I'm further assuming that's as exotic as you're considering, but chome-moly steel is bomb-proof. Store it indoors and watch for rust so you can catch it early and a chrome-moly frame will last a lifetime. There are characteristic places that bike manufacturers cut corners to keep costs down. Some of those are important in the short run, others more as long term issues. The biggest shortcut is probably in the wheels. After the frame, wheels comprise a big chunk of the weight, rolling resistance, air resistance, and so on. Unfortunately, unless you've really done your research (or ride/work on bikes a lot) you probably won't know whether you're buying good wheels or cheap wheels. One thing you can do is replace the knobby-ish tires that many hybrids have with street tires right away, i.e. before you leave the bike store. I'm assuming you don't want a real mountain bike, so why ride half-assed MTB tires on pavement?

Another place manufacturers cut corners is on components, i.e. the bearings, derailleurs, cranksets, freewheel sprockets, and so on. Most of that doesn't add much relative weight-- not in that class of bike-- and you might end up adding back any weight you might have saved with more expensive components anyway if you're using the bikes for commuting and the like. These are mostly weight dividends in the grams to ounces range. Cheaper components simply don't stand up to wear as well, require more frequent adjustment, etc. Don't be frustrated by this-- just get it done when necessary to keep the bikes working well and riding comfortably. Plan on replacing the chain and the freewheel cluster (the gear cluster on the back wheel) after about a year. They will wear, even if they don't look worn.

Most important piece of advice-- buy frames that fit you well. If the bike doesn't fit, you'll be cramped, uncomfortable, and miserable. Really miserable. I'd be willing to bet that 80% or more of the comfort issues people have with bikes are related to poor fit. Google "bicycle fit" for info on what to look for. DO NOT LET THE SALESPERSON TELL YOU IT FITS IF IT DOESN'T!

Keep your chain clean and lubricated. Clean it and the sprockets a couple of time a year at least, more often if you ride a lot. Lube it every hundred miles or so. Clean and lube it ANYTIME it gets wet and muddy. A quiet drive train is an efficient drive train-- if it's noisy, either from lack of lubrication, wear, or from poorly adjusted moving parts, it's wasting precious energy-- your energy.

Likewise, keep your tires inflated to the maximum recommended by the manufacturer, or a bit more. I routinely inflate my tires about 10 percent above manufacturer's recommendations. Hard tires mean less friction, less rolling resistance. The difference can be dramatic-- just a few pounds underinflated and the bike feels sluggish and hard to pedal.

If you have seat issues, I've found the best solution is to just install a Brooks saddle straight away. You'll be tempted by gel thingies and ergonomically padded concoctions in plastic and vinyl, but they'll all disappoint you in the end, no pun intended. A Brooks will break in to your anatomy and fit like a soft glove. My Brooks saddles have all been more comfortable than any "comfort saddle" or computer designed thingie I've ever sat upon, right out of the box-- and they get better with wear.

Gotta go-- you inspired me to tune up my road bike tonight!

[bicentennial_baby]

28. Wow, thank you!!

You've given me much to think about. The bike shop we're going to has a great reputation, and I'm going there b/c I really don't know what's the right size for me.

I'll probably be picking your brain in the future :D

[madrchsod]

35. big bike auction tomorrow where i live ---60+ bikes

got to get me a couple of bikes....

[madrchsod]

36. in Illinois the motorists have to give bike riders 3ft when passing

course it`s going to be hard to enforce but it`s a step in the right direction

[NJmaverick]

37. I just ordered a new bicycle from an american company

with my stimulus money. Plan to use it to run errands, so that I save gas and stay in shape.

[Pierre.Suave]

38. I don't eat correctly, drink too much, and sit on my ass all the time.

you and I are so alike!!!1

:rofl:

[bicentennial_baby]

39. Ha! But I'm going to exercise! So there!

:P

Seriously...if my stomach grows any larger, I'm going to cry. It's so not cool. As much as I hate exercising, it's gotta go!

:hi:

[Pierre.Suave]

40. HA! ME too...

:P

My Fiance and I are going to go buy bikes too!!!!!!!!1

I don't call it a stomach, it is an Abdominal Beer Storage Unit...

In all seriousness, I need to exercise too.

:hi: