Join in the fun; The Calorie-Count Cycling Club...

Welcome to all who have an interest in anything cycling of any kind.( road, mountain, commuting, stationary, whatever).

This is the place to come to ask that question you have been wanting to ask,

or tell that story about your latest adventure riding your bike,

find out how to use cycling to get in better shape, or anything else you can think of.

So, to start, tell us, what you ride, where you ride and what type of riding you enjoy.

Come back often too check out what's going on and see what's on everyones mind or add your knowledge to the group. 

 

(good bump trhawley!)

Today was my first ride outside in ... (I can't believe this)... 5 months!!! It was weird - the first ten minutes I actually felt wobbly! But then I got all excited. It was awesome. Then I realized how out of shape I was.... and I remembered that thing called 'headwind'. I'll start commuting next week!!! I'm starting to miss the race scene now that all my old teammates and racemates are starting their seasons....

I've been riding outdoors sparingly because of the wet weather.  I did much better last year.  By April 1 I was riding almost every day, if was raining I rode the mountain bike.  I am on the trainer more this year so I guess there is a trade off.

How's everyone else doing?

I'm dying to get out and ride. We've had either rain, ice, sleet, snow, high winds or some combination every weekend this year. Saturday is finally supposed to be sunny and warm.

We have had pretty good weather here so I have been able to ride outside fairly regularly.  I have been commuting once or twice a week all year.  Last week, I was only able to manage one commute. Unfortunately, the weather forecast didn't break my way.  The chance of rain was only 30% for the afternoon ride but it turned out to be one wet, cold ride.

It was warm enough yesterday to ride in shorts and short sleeves.  Hooray!

I'm beginning to wonder if all the weightlifters on this forum have scared the cyclists away.

I started commuting again this week! Life is SO much better. I have lost my high-end fitness, but I still can't help hammering to and from work! Welcome back nice weather!!!!

Last Saturday I took the new Trek road bike up the coast range hill for the first time.  The new bike definitely made the climb easier. I was pretty tired on Saturday because I'd worked out 6 straight days before that. After that ride I took two days off.  Now that the days are longer, I've gone riding a couple of days after work, too!

Weather permitting, I've got my first group ride of the season planned for Sunday morning.  And if the trails would ever dry up, it will be a treat to get the mtb out again. TRHawley, you may be right about people being scared off. I think we're safe in here, unless someone from the other camp wants to come in and start badmouthing cycling because it's too much cardio.

oh, noes.... going cycling for 2 hours will turn all my muscles into a puddle of goo.... must trade in my road bike for an exercycle and get off after exactly 18 minutes!!!! every workout must be HIIT!!!! intervals longer than 15 seconds are worthless!!!

Fresh air is toxic! The trees, they hurt me!!  The smell of sweat and disinfectant burns fat!!!

LOL, I don't even want to think that all of this silly marathon and triathlon training is doing to me, it's a miracle I have the strength to type this message. 

LOL, yeah I think were safe here.  I rode 4 days this week before the storms hit.  I hope to be able to get out this weekend. I did a 50 miler last Sunday I hope to again this Sunday.  No group rides yet but those should be starting soon.

haha.. you guys are hilarious. We crazy cyclists couldn't survive without hours of bike rides to clear the mind and soul. Being in the gym when it is nice outside is bad for the soul, never mind the body!!!

This thread is pure gold...

hkd, how is the commuting going? With the price of gas, I'm contemplating giving it a try when the weather levels out.

abaker the commute is wonderful. I did it Mon thru Thurs this week (heavy rain Friday). It chops up to 25 minutes off my public transit ride, and is comparable door to door (maybe a touch longer) than a drive and parking in nearby public lot.

It is 'free' (minus the cost of the odd flat tire patch or new tube, and a bit of chain lube), whereas as transit costs me $4.50 round trip and driving costs about $6 with gas and parking).

And it is environmentally friendly, and best, it makes you feel great!

Your first few times will take a little longer as figure out your gear, what to pack in your bag, where to lock up your bike, etc... but you will soon fall into a routine!

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for some advice about cycling in general, mostly to increase my fitness level.  I'm in college, so from September to April I can't bike because of school (and biking in snow scares me!).  But now that it's summer I'm hoping to start biking a lot more.  Last summer I biked to work every day, about a 40 minute bike ride each way and it was awesome.  I use a Giant (not sure the exact type) hybrid bike and it's in pretty good shape.

Anyway I was just wondering if you had any tips for getting back into things?  I'm probably going to be biking 30-90 minutes a day starting next week, in a pretty hilly area.

Thanks! 

No tips really just take care of your bike and start slow and build up over time.  Enjoy!

Yesterday I went for a lovely 32 mile ride. Don't know how fast it was because the spedometer is still broken and the shop hasn't gotten the  replacement in, and I didn't time the stops for water and restroom.

Greetings fellow cycling enthusiasts!

The weather here has been absolutely awful thus far (I live in Iowa), but it's supposed to be upper 60's this weekend so I'm hoping I can finally ride outdoors! Riding the trainer has gotten so old... I have a Specialized Roubaix that hasn't seen sunlight since September! I've got Ragbrai coming up in July, so I've got to start getting the miles in ASAP. Plus, I just plain miss it. I've had knee injuries in the past, so biking has been one of the best forms of exercise, and really just a great way to relax.

Hi leafsfan,

as a fellow GTA'er, I can recommend the Brampton Cycling Club, or the Toronto Bike Network if you want to boost your riding beyond commuting. Both have organized rides around the city - beginner to advanced.

As for commuting - the weather is great this week - why not commit to commuting every day, and maybe for one or two days try throwing in an extra loop somewhere on the way home? Boost this over the weeks as you get stronger. Nothing to suggest other than to just get on the bike! For riding longer and longer, make sure your bike fits you properly.

oh, and I don't buy the can't bike during college time theory - attire yourself properly and you can bike the GTA and surrounds right into November and from early April without worry of snow! Just work it into your schedule as workout/relaxation time.

Edit to add: as you lose weight (as per your goals in your profile), you may find you want to raise your saddle a smidgen - especially if you start to get pain in the front of the knees.