Back to basics...

[Edbear]

We made the choice to get back into biking. Today we bought a bike each. Unfortunately not the type with a nice V-Twin engine to propel it along, the two pistons we need are our legs!

I need to get fitter and stronger and the physio exercises I do at home are rather boring, so I now can go riding with Mrs. Bear again around the nice cycleways we have here.

Got a bargain with all the necessary gear, including gel seats for our rather tender nether regions and assembled them this evening while it was still light. Apart from the neighbour pointing out I'd got the forks facing backwards, :rolleyes: I think I did a sterling job, not having worked on pushbikes since I was a teenager... They did look much better once I turned the forks around! :lol:

Mrs. Bear and I tried them out in our street, yes we even put our matching helmets on, and despite having fun working out how to change the 18sp. Shimano gearset, ( my last pushbike way back was a very modern 5sp), and having the rear tyres too low in pressure, we managed to go at least 50m without falling off! :niceone: Best of all the bikes didn't fall apart!!! :first:

Mrs. Bear was exhausted by the time we got home, even though we'd gone a total of probably 100m... :( Still we are determined to get right around the Eastury track once we get the hang of them. :soon:

[FJRider]

Your's is the pink one ... right ... :cool:

[unstuck]

Good on ya.:niceone:

[BMWST?]

you will be ready for the lake taupo ride before you know it!

[Fatt Max]

Happy to do regular 'nursey' visits to help out here dude......

[Edbear]

Your's is the pink one ... right ... :cool:

No, darn it, she wanted it! I had to settle for the blue one...


Good on ya.:niceone:

Thanks mate! Just hope I don't kill myself on it...


you will be ready for the lake taupo ride before you know it!

You haven't seen me in shorts with my shirt off, have you..? Does lollipop conjour a picture?

[Edbear]

Happy to do regular 'nursey' visits to help out here dude......

That's all the incentive I need to pedal really fast...

[mashman]

onya Mr and Mrs Ed... shoulda got a pair of

http://pennyfarthingtours.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Penny-farthing.gif

We bought a football the other day, took the kids to the park. Mrs M strained what we think was a groin and I nearly had a heart attack... me thinks practice for al of us eh :)

[neels]

Beware, pedally type bikes can be as bad as motorbikes.

I bought one because I thought I might like to go for a ride occasionally, now I have 4 of the things cluttering up the garage.

[haydes55]

Wheelie competitions!:first:

[curly]

Do a skid...

[nzspokes]

If you need any help or advice let me know mate. Im a bike mechanic and have been in the trade 25 years. Ex cyclist as well.

[Edbear]

onya Mr and Mrs Ed... shoulda got a pair of

http://pennyfarthingtours.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Penny-farthing.gif

We bought a football the other day, took the kids to the park. Mrs M strained what we think was a groin and I nearly had a heart attack... me thinks practice for al of us eh :)

Trouble with age, I didn't think I'd have any problem, but found it hard at first, too. Might have to get fit enough to ride around our street before tackling that Eastury ride...


Beware, pedally type bikes can be as bad as motorbikes.

I bought one because I thought I might like to go for a ride occasionally, now I have 4 of the things cluttering up the garage.

Hmmmm... Depemds how fit and enthusiastic we get I suppose.


Wheelie competitions!:first:


Do a skid...

I think I'm past acrobatics... :shifty:


If you need any help or advice let me know mate. Im a bike mechanic and have been in the trade 25 years. Ex cyclist as well.

Thanks mate, if they do fall apart I might call on you.

[Edbear]

Well, I got out yesterday for a ride around our street. When I bought the bikes, I had visions of easy riding around the cycleways and down town to save taking the car. :yes:

Hmmm.... May be a bit longer yet before those so-called "easy rides" become even possible. Despite having 18 gears to choose from, even in low-low-low I couldn't quite make it up the wee hill past the old folks resthome at the end of the street! :bye: I had thoughts of turning in right then and there and booking a unit... :wacko:

I knew my legs weren't up to much, but was shocked at just how weak I am! I turned around and coasted back down and made it along the relative flat back home. Of course I had to get off and push the bike up our driveway. :sweatdrop I was exhausted and realised I still had a long way to go in my rehabilitation yet. My dear wife also was amazed how unfit she was so it looks like we need to get out every fine day and ride just a bit more until we can both get around our street.

I watch everyone who does ride in our street and they make it look so easy, of course they are mostly younger than we are, but I can recall as a teenager how fast and far I used to ride and think nothing of it. Those were the days when 3-sp hubs were just coming onto the market and I fitted one to my single-speed bike. Boy was I fast then!

I shouldn't be so surprised really, as I can't run or even jog any more, a fast-ish walk is the best I can do these days. My spring has definitely sprung! :bye:

[yungatart]

We have some fantastic cycleways around here. You should load your bikes on the back of your Suzuki and come for a 'ride'...

[Edbear]

We have some fantastic cycleways around here. You should load your bikes on the back of your Suzuki and come for a 'ride'...

Once we are able to ride around a cycleway, we will no doubt be taking them to other places. I looked at the towbar mounting systems for bikes but decided we better wait until we can ride them some distance. :yes: I think that means a bit further than 300 meters then collapsing... :2thumbsup

[yungatart]

John and I aren't that fit.
The paths are flat (mostly), wide, and really easy...it is a great way to get fit!

[Edbear]

John and I aren't that fit.
The paths are flat (mostly), wide, and really easy...it is a great way to get fit!

It sure is! I'm sure we'll progress quite quickly if we keep it up.

I'm in the medically disabled category though, not just unfit. I'm not even cleared to work a 40hr week at a sedentary job! I have clearance for 20hrs only so I am virtually unemployable.

Fortunately the business is doing well and we should be able to live off it by the end of the year, all going well.

[neels]

It takes time, and you're right, you don't realise how unfit you are.

I thought the other day when I was cranking up a small hill at our local mtb track that when I first started riding there I was down to the lowest gear I had and still struggling, now I only have one gear on the bike I ride there.

[Edbear]

It takes time, and you're right, you don't realise how unfit you are.

I thought the other day when I was cranking up a small hill at our local mtb track that when I first started riding there I was down to the lowest gear I had and still struggling, now I only have one gear on the bike I ride there.

Yep! That's where we are right now, lowest gear and struggling! However if my back holds up I should progress to where I can ride a reasonable distance. At first I was struggling to walk through the house but now I can walk pretty much anywhere I want to. Just have to be patient and persevere, eh?

[Oblivion]

In a few years time you might be able to cycle to Wellington and back :apumpin:

[Edbear]

In a few years time you might be able to cycle to Wellington and back :apumpin:

Lol! In a few years time I hope to be retired...

[Maha]

Might come for a visit in tomorrow, should finish what I have to at a reasonable hour, need to take the bike for a wee ride anyway before we go away on Saturday.

[Edbear]

Might come for a visit in tomorrow, should finish what I have to at a reasonable hour, need to take the bike for a wee ride anyway before we go away on Saturday.

I could race you up our street... :scooter:

[SPman]

Had yr legs fold up under you when you get off....that's always fun....doing the buggered legs rhumba......

[Edbear]

Had yr legs fold up under you when you get off....that's always fun....doing the buggered legs rhumba......

Comes under the category of Funny Walks, doesn't it..?

[Padmei]

Do a skid...

That kind of irreponsible encouragement should get you banned from here.



Anyway on a more serious note I advise waxing rather than shaving the legs & nether-regions. It may hurt more intially but the appearance is cleaner & you won't need to straddle a mirror.:yes:

[Edbear]

That kind of irreponsible encouragement should get you banned from here.

Anyway on a more serious note I advise waxing rather than shaving the legs & nether-regions. It may hurt more intially but the appearance is cleaner & you won't need to straddle a mirror.:yes:

????????????

[FJRider]

????????????

A pic of both of you's in your Lycra outfits please ... :yes:

[FJRider]

I could race you up our street... :scooter:

They have bike races on this "cycleway" ...

http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/

[Edbear]

A pic of both of you's in your Lycra outfits please ... :yes:

:crazy: while Mrs. Bear may pass scrutiny in Lycra she would never wear it in public and the sight of me in Lycra would undoubtably cause many to stab themselves in their eyes with scissors...:argh:

[nzspokes]

Make sure you get your seat height close. Thats an error most new riders make. They run it to low and make it to hard for themselfs.

Stick your heel on the pedal when it's at its lowest. Your leg should be straightish then.

[Edbear]

They have bike races on this "cycleway" ...

http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/

Not on the cycleway, no. Too many innocents may get bowled over. In our cul-de-sac though we have a loop at the end going uphill past the old folk's home and around and down back to the single entrance. Google Tauranga Pl. you'll see what I mean.

I may have to hold off the race until I can actually ride right around and back again though ...:pinch:

[Edbear]

Make sure you get your seat height close. Thats an error most new riders make. They run it to low and make it to hard for themselfs.

Stick your heel on the pedal when it's at its lowest. Your leg should be straightish then.

That's one thing I did know, it's just a small matter of an almost complete lack of muscle tone. The brain says, "Push!" and the legs say,"What with?" :Oops:

[Edbear]

Went out this mowning and felt a bit better on the bike. Took it nice and easy along the flat preparing myself to tackle the hill again. I got up to the entrance of the old folk's home before having to change into the lowest gear and still had some legs left so carried on. As I approached the summit I rapidly weakened and was starting to struggle but gritting my teeth I forced my legs to keep pushing and just before I died I made it to the top!

I was exhilarated and despite feeling faint with exertion I happily coasted down to the flat and took it real easy back to our driveway. I nearly fell over getting off to push it up the driveway but managed to stumble in and break the news to Mrs. Bear who was of course very pleased for me!

Now I have done it once I will keep going until I can do it fairly easily then see about taking on an easy cycle track.

[Edbear]

As a reward I took the MX5 for a run over the hill to Waiwera. Bit too much traffic to really give it some stick but managed a good second gear blat up the passing lane coming home. Each time I drive it I am reminded what fun is all about!

[ducatilover]

Good on you Ed! The exercise will make you feel a million bucks! (Ap[art from the moments where you are adamant that you're going to die)

[hellokitty]

A pic of both of you's in your Lycra outfits please ... :yes:

My brother does a lot of cycling and he swears by lycra shorts with normal shorts over the top of them for decency's sake!
Otherwise you chafe apparently.... :eek:

[TrentNz]

i bought a downhill bike for $3500 about 4 years ago now, still goes as good as new but i don't use it as much seeing as i bought a dirtbike :tugger:

[Edbear]

My brother does a lot of cycling and he swears by lycra shorts with normal shorts over the top of them for decency's sake!
Otherwise you chafe apparently.... :eek:

Hmmm... If I find chafing a problem I'll bear this in mind...


i bought a downhill bike for $3500 about 4 years ago now, still goes as good as new but i don't use it as much seeing as i bought a dirtbike :tugger:

$475.00 for two bikes, gel seats, helmets, bike locks, pump and carrier. I took the carrier back as it was rubbish. Rest is pretty good for what we want.

[neels]

As I approached the summit I rapidly weakened and was starting to struggle but gritting my teeth I forced my legs to keep pushing and just before I died I made it to the top!
You'll find you've got a lot more in your legs than you think you do, as a mate of mine found out a while ago when a wild pig popped out of the bush and started chasing him, he discovered a whole bunch of speed he didn't know he had.

When you start seeing stars dancing in front of your eyes, that's when you're getting near your limits.


Hmmm... If I find chafing a problem I'll bear this in mind...
If you start spending extended periods in the saddle, you'll realise why cyclists wear cycle shorts, but if you're the modest type another pair of shorts over top works fine. And to be honest, I think overweight middle aged men in full lycra is not something the world needs to see. :confused:

[Edbear]

You'll find you've got a lot more in your legs than you think you do, as a mate of mine found out a while ago when a wild pig popped out of the bush and started chasing him, he discovered a whole bunch of speed he didn't know he had.

When you start seeing stars dancing in front of your eyes, that's when you're getting near your limits.


If you start spending extended periods in the saddle, you'll realise why cyclists wear cycle shorts, but if you're the modest type another pair of shorts over top works fine. And to be honest, I think overweight middle aged men in full lycra is not something the world needs to see. :confused:

I agree, see my post #31 above. LoL!