Riding Bikes

@Tb0n3 you are on the right track, or should I say trail, or road, or you get it...

In addition to the weight consideration, one of the biggest benefits is the improved circulation, the vascular system.
Especially in the lower extremities, where because of our sitting for long periods of time, blood pools in the lower legs, ankles and feet.

As opposed to cardio vascular training which might require longer riding periods, almost any ride will improve that "pumping action" in the legs muscles and help the heart do its job. Any movement is beneficiary. So take even modest rides if the opportunity presents itself.

Good Luck...

 

Went for a ride today. Got up the big hill and onto the rail trail. Weather has been iffy all day. I was not expecting this though right as I got out of the trees.

 

I'm posting more in this thread hoping it might get visibility in the wider forum. It's made such a massive difference to me both in my own health and getting me back into shape for doing flatbed tarping without feeling winded or tired.

If there's anybody thinking about riding, whether it be at home or on the road, then let this be your sign. Get out there and have some fun while you're still able!

 

That’s awesome to hear about how riding has helped you get back into shape. Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing more about it and the places you go on the road. Got any little rides planned or want to do while you’re out there?

 

I used to be a roadie. Just can't do it anymore. It has nothing to do with fitness, it has to do with all the idiots on the roads. There is nowhere but a road to really ride a road bike and the general population has ruined it.

I was in really amazing shape then, best I've ever been in my life. I miss the speed, the way you become one with a good road bike, dicing it up with a peloton of friends, but I think those days are over for me. I'd rather ride in the woods where it's safe.

I wish you luck if you have a safe place to ride.

 

I was hemming and hawing about getting power meters. I finally thought I'd go with a single sided pedal meter since it was the cheapest. I'd had my eye on Geoid PM500 cranks, which are a hell of a deal, but my bike has GRX cranks. The issue there is there's a built in offset to allow for wider chain stays and tires. Before I bought the pedals I remembered I had a set of road cranks I bought to swap my folder to an external BB so I swapped and what do you know there's plenty of clearance.

Long story short I have a Garmin 850 and Geoid PM500 cranks coming monday. Now I'll be able to see my actual power numbers instead of what Strava calculates.

https://www.amazon.com/GEOID-PM500-Lightweight-Bluetooth-Waterproof/dp/B0FS1FNJ7N
I mean, really. Can you beat $180 for dual sided power meters?

 

I’ve had this bike for a while. I’ve never really owned a very nice bike. This one is having some shifting issues and needs some work. I’d like to start riding back and forth to work about 6 miles each way. Is a bike like this worth fixing up or should I get something better? It’s a Fuji Absolute 4.0.

 

Might be worth a shot. A working bike is a good bike. Often times shifting issues can be as simple as some oil in the cable housing or a tweaked derailleur hanger. A new hanger is like $10 and a shop could include a check in a service/grease. The only thing bad about old bikes is old tires. Seems that model is only about 15 years old. Definitely worth it

 

So, about that power meter idea. Great if you've got big chain rings I guess. Live and learn. It's a 110BCD which is what my GRX is, for the big ring. I didn't realize that there was a second bolt pattern inside for the smaller ring. I kind of assumed there was a link like on a triple. Oh well. In better news I finally rode up the super steep dirt road behind my house to the top. This fat truck driver is slowly raising his life expectancy.

 

I did some hiking this afternoon on the Continental Divide Trail. Pretty steep terrain, I gained 33-3400 feet of elevation to the high point at 6.5 miles in.

A mile in, on the first ascent, I hear some talking coming from behind me, and look back to see 2 bikes coming on pretty hard.

I waved as they passed, but didn't see their faces. I caught up to them as they were coming back around 5 miles in. I seriously thought as they passed me "Man, they are killin it". And no, no e bikes.

Well, as they sat there chatting taking a break, I roll on by and say hi. Short, small conversation and I'm on to the summit.

Well what I thought were probably a young man and young lady, were 2 seniors probably closing in on 70.

Yeah, they probably didn't earn a livin drivin trucks, but pretty dahm impressive IMO.

Hopefully putting the work in now will let us all do what we enjoy later in life.