I started a few weeks ago and loved it but was only using a starter (crap) bike and got up to 16-20 miles per week, in 4 miles stints on bumpy, hilly terrain. Now I'm nursing a 3-week-old neck and shoulder pain and not cycling at all. So I realize that a bike fit for me with suspension etc would have been a better way to start, but really, if I buy a new, fitted mountain bike, which will really be a stretch for me, and start cycling more and more am I going to have more issues?
I'm trying to figure out if the expenditure is worth it (I'm thinking along the lines of a $500 Marin). I really want to be fit and am still about 25 pounds overweight and have be hcrv since Dec. 2010. I currently also strength train, rebound, dance, yoga and walk.
Do old farts like me really start cycling and succeed?
Yes, I love swimming, but with three kids, whenever I am swimming I am also watching 3 kids so can't do a whole lot of it. Ususally I have to just tread water while I watch them or play around.
I just realized that if I bike 4 and 1/2 miles instead of 4 I could actually ride to a swimming hole! I guess I just have to stop making excuses. If I can find the time in the morning to go for a ride before hubby goes to work, I can at least drive the 2 miles to swim and then back.
Permalink Reply by David Costa on I agree with the swimming, have to add randomness, fun, cross training, some gentile activities that keep you moving in a relaxed stress free way all day.
I'm having trouble getting started swimming, I live on Cape Cod, there's the YMCA pool but I don't want to swim in chlorine water or hear the echo of the large room erected over the pool that also blocks away the sun. Best choice seems like ponds or the ocean, there's a pond close by, kinda murky and lots of screaming kids at the small beach that is there. There's miles of coastline and that is looking the most attractive to me right now, just worried about getting caught in a riptide or something, no friend that wants to go swimming.
Think I need to go observe the beaches and find one with a really big area that has buoys around it and a lifeguard, since all I have swam in the last 13 years is about 10 min.
Don't mean to distract from Mary's query but talking about this seems helpful to her too.
As far as pools, a lot of places are using salt-water filtration systems which make make their own chlorine from salt. We have a 15 ft. kids pool with it and the water is always crystal clear and we put in salt at beginning of the summer and don't have to add any chemicals at all. It's not that salty either like the ocean. Really nice. We stayed at a hotel in Boston, that had a fabulous salt water pool, Dedham Hilton. If you're near hotels some may offer memberships to their fitness facility and salt filtration pools are the new rave I guess. Just a thought.
I think I did get the pain from cycling, because I felt the pain during it and wouldd often feel the need to straighten my back and arch. I haven't really done anything new otherwise lately. I've gotten a crick in my neck before, but this thing has lasted 3 weeks now, getting better slowly, and not cycling during that time. I guess I was a little worried that cycling in a properly fitted situation may still give me trouble and after spending some moolah.
Permalink Reply by banana - boy on 
Permalink Reply by Green Liberation on For what it's worth: I took up basketball a year ago. Started shooting hoops at my new neighborhood's playground. I'm super fit now, and I make more hoops each time I play. Something about making baskets gives my brain and body a surge endorphins/seratonin/dopamine every time. I LOVE IT!
P.S. Older than you!
That sounds great, I love basketball and we have a hoop here; the slanted dirt driveway gives it a new twist. I am so glad to hear of a superfit woman OLDER THAN ME ;) That's just what I want to be, superfit. Thanks for responding, I was hoping another young-at-heart woman would share her experience.
Permalink Reply by Green Liberation on Thanks, Mary!
A little embarrassing but here's video of me shooting hoops. As a result of watching the videos I had a break-thru (no, not break-down, hahaha!) So I'm way better now! But these are the only videos I have so far. I don't know how to dub them to music, but that's how I play (i-pod) so I'm pretty sure it would help the videos!
3 months ago I'm Beaming (Lupe Fiasco)
9 months ago Hip-Hop Saved My Life (Niki Jean/Lupe Fiasco)
I love b-ball, but cycling would be awesome, too!
Peace,
Anne
It's beyond me why basketball leagues for women like us aren't available. It's so fun! Look like you're really enjoying yourself. And yes, break thru's much better than breakdowns.
Permalink Reply by Green Liberation on hahaha Agreed!
I wish for amateur shooting tournaments...travel, and a big pot of gold for competitors.
Fun talking with you, Mary. Any decisions yet? I love riding, but traditional bikes kill my neck, and all that pressure on my hands and wrists. Can't take it.
Bye for now!
Peace,
Anne
Fruit of Life replied to Toni Jessop's discussion What did we eat in the wild when there was no fruit?
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