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Original poster

Anyone else taken up cycling?

56 replies

JumpingDizzy · 11/03/2009 20:50

I don't mean the proper road cycling that dp does.
I bought a used hybrid from ebay and it's great I've only gone 5 miles up to now with dp (he bought himself a used one from the same guy when we went to pick mine up) Dp has a proper road bike but I won't be getting into that.

There's a great cycle path that goes straight to my mum's and it's 5 mile round trip. It takes around 15 minutes to get there at the moment and would take me an hour by bus as I'd get 2. I only have to cross 2 roads and I'm there.

I've been looking at other local cycle routes so will try them out too.

OP posts:
sfxmum · 11/03/2009 20:52

funnily enough am about to start learning to ride a bike at the ripe old age of 40, just bought a bike, or rather was bought for me as I would not know what to get

Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 11/03/2009 20:53

Excellent! I felt like I'd just learnt as it's been 11 years since I rode one.

Keep posting on your progress

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Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 11/03/2009 20:54

Oh and I'm 40 too, 41 in June.

Just told dp about you and he said good for her.

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Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 11/03/2009 20:56

Check out this site I sent for the cycle packs for us and the dcs.

I'm rather over keen when I get into something

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sfxmum · 11/03/2009 20:58

well thanks for the encouragement I suppose I must try as there are loads of nice cycling places around here DH rides everywhere and dd nearly 4 is keen to get on too

I run too so how knows senior triathlon?
maybe not

sfxmum · 11/03/2009 21:00

LOL nothing wrong with being keen

thaks for link, am in west London lots of parks and lovely cycle routes but not going on main roads anytime soon

Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 11/03/2009 21:58

Ahh you run so you're fit anyway. I walk a lot but not into running...yet!

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Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 12/03/2009 09:14

We're thinking of cycling into town this morning to get a local walks booklet from the Tourist information. That'll save us at least £5 Every penny counts at the moment as it does with a lot of us.

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Galava · 12/03/2009 09:17

Its great.

I'm just waiting till DS is a bit older so he can hold on to the tag along bike we have.

hippipotamiHasLostSixPounds · 12/03/2009 09:19

Thanks for the link - have just sent off for our pack

I bought myself a bike last summer but am too nervous of traffic to get on it.
However, there is a canal towpath nearby that runs straight into the nearest town (a 20 minute cycle) and am hoping to start using that. Friends of ours cycled along it into town at the half term and took their dc to the cinema. Then cycled back. I love that idea

Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 12/03/2009 09:35

Glad there's more of us

That sounds good Galava. My 2 are 11 and 8 so have bikes but ds2's needs the brake fixing. Dp is going to get the bits today for it.

Hippi glad to be of service The canal path sounds great you'll love it.

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Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 12/03/2009 09:36

oh and I'm also scared of the roads. I live on the corner of 2 main roads so it's always busy. Luckily the cycle path is over the road going away from the main roads so it's nice and quiet.

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Galava · 12/03/2009 09:42

We dont have any designated cycle paths near us but we are on a cycling route along country lanes.

I dont like being on the road it has to be said and my heart is in my mouth when a car passes us. Luckily its remote enough to ususlly hear it coming though.

We were in holland recently and I'm really envious of their system and the flatness ! I would love to live somewhere like that where you are seen as the odd one out if you jump in a car.

Just a warning... once you get the bug it can turn out to be expensive or at least DH has found it to be that way

I dont mind though its his way of keeping fit !

hippipotamiHasLostSixPounds · 12/03/2009 09:53

I am terrified of the roads. I grew up in Holland (am Dutch) and it was so safe and so normal to cycle. Here in Surrey it just feels scary. And there are some cycle lanes painted alongside busy roads, but these disappear at junctions and roundabouts. It is just not safe.
But yes, canal towpath sounds great. Just need to muster the courage to get on my bike to get to it!!

Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 12/03/2009 09:55

Funny I was telling my dutch doctor about my new hobby and said to her I wish I was in Holland I reckon that'll be my next break abroad?

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futurity · 12/03/2009 10:00

Interested in your thread..what's a hybrid bike? Did you search for hybrid on e-bay or is there a certain brand to look for?

FannyWaglour · 12/03/2009 10:07

I cycle. I took up cycling 3 years ago, when dh bought me an offroader. It has really chunky tires, so it is not so suitable on roads, but I cycle along the river and in parks. It is great exercise, and much better than the gym.

hippipotamiHasLostSixPounds · 12/03/2009 10:19

junmping - a cycle holiday in holland would be great!!

sfxmum · 12/03/2009 11:25

so many great, will try my first lesson this weekend
and btw jumpingdizzy am not that fit a jog with pretensions describes best what I do

hippipotamiHasLostSixPounds · 12/03/2009 12:12

Good luck with your lessons sfx - you will love it I'm sure!

Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 13/03/2009 13:30

Hope your lesson goes well sfxmum

futurity a hybrid is a bike has mixed features, some road and some mountain so it's ok for road but not as chunky as mountain bike.

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Original poster
JumpingDizzy · 13/03/2009 13:31

Oh and try your tourist info as we got some great cycle routes, map and pack from ours for free.

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sfxmum · 14/03/2009 17:23

today left me still unable to ride, with bruised shins and a tad sore on my 'seat' LOL will kept try and I will manage to ride the thing

hope everyone is doing well

sfxmum · 14/03/2009 17:23

will keep trying that is

Ivykaty44 · 14/03/2009 17:31

Just to say

If you are going to cycle along the tow path at this time of year March/April, it is when the waterways do a lot of pruning - which leads to plenty of puncture! I have some tyres with puncture stoping stuff pumped in them and yet last year this time I still got two puncutes on the same trip. So do take a puncture repair kit and a pump with you - you can kit small kits to pop in a saddle bag or a new inertube if you are cleaver (I can change inner tube!)

Also there is a website or two where you can plan your route, this is ideal if you want to know the distance before you start or after when you return. map my ride is one website.

Happy cycling I love it