Originally Posted by Sertsa

Yesterday morning, at 53 years old, I took my first non-trial bike ride in about 30 years, around a trail I've regularly hiked. Later in the afternoon I also went for a ride on a paved rail trail. I'm hoping to take a ride today, but's cold and raining. Hopefully I'll get a chance if the trails aren't too busy.

I've wanted to get back to riding for a long time, but I needed to drop a lot of weight before doing so. And I have. Still have a bit further to go, though, and hopefully the bike will help (especially without being able to go to a gym).

Anyway, some things I learned on the first day:

• moderate uphill and downhill sections I was aware of while hiking are a lot more pronounced on a bike.
• Biking uses a lot more muscles that an exercise bike. Or at least more body parts get a bit sore.
• I should get a bike rack for my car. Removing and installing the front wheel is more involved (with risk of complications if I accidentally engage the front brake with nothing there), at least compared to my early 90s Schwinn road bike. And I broke the handlebar reflector before my first ride.
• I need to re-learn to look behind me and not swerve, especially on the rail trail.
• You don't need to be going that fast for it to feel much cooler.
• It's more fun than I remembered, especially with more available trails and many options away from motor vehicle traffic.

Bonus picture on the rail trail later in the day.