CoyDawg

So here is my story. I have been following (stalking) you 50+ for some time now. I'm 63.

In 2013 my son had a bike built for him from the frame up. It was his! In the spring of 2014 he said, "dad, you need to buy a bike so we can go cycling together." I did. I purchased a Trek Series 1; 1.2 a great beginners road bike. We rode together ONCE. I rode by myself a couple of times after that. Never got used to the saddle. Winter came (I am in Vermont) so I put the bike on a trainer with the intentions of riding on the trainer during the winter (the trainer was given to me by a neighbor who quit riding) and go riding the next spring. Six years later the bike was still on the trainer never touched. My son had sold his bike and we never went on another ride. I decided in the spring of 2020 to retire at the end of May. In April 2020, I looked at myself, very much over weight; obese from years at a desk and I needed to do something; and there was the bike setting on the trainer. I decided to start riding while my wife was on the treadmill. We did that together for the month of April. This was good. I rode so I was comfortable on the trainer up to about 45 minutes. The 'stock' saddle was still an issue. Finally, spring came this past May (again, I'm in Vermont) and I got an appointment for the bike for a tune up since it hadn't been on the road since 2014. May 16 was my first ride on the road, my notes said I rode 5.4 miles. It was painful. Since then I have had a professional fit and today I went over the 400 mile mark since that first ride. Might not be much for some, but it is a start. I am trying to do this smartly; I don't want to overdue it and take it in stages. If I do to much I will be tired and sore and will be hesitant to go out again. If I do a little at a time I will keep coming back. It is so enjoyable. I am loving it and trying to absorb all the knowledge I can. This winter will be key. Will I ride it on the trainer or not? I don't want to start over again in 2021.

Anyway, 400 miles and going...from a 10.5 mph avg. in May for 5.4 miles to a 15.3 avg today at 18 miles. I am pretty much used to the saddle but will upgrade soon . I enjoy it and hopefully will continue. I appreciate all the knowledge you are providing and may pick your brains in the future.

GlennR

You earned a better bike, good job.

blakcloud

There is that saying that is "it's never too late" and you are living proof of this. Congrats on making this far. Even if you don't cycle on the trainer this winter, don't let that get you down. You can ALWAYS start again next spring, you don't have to make it a make or break situation.

As for the bike, it is just fine, no need to change it. Maybe if the saddle is still not comfortable replace that. Stock saddles are usually not that great. One of the things I recommend is a smart trainer to help in those winter months. There is a huge difference between that and what you have now.

Wildwood 

Welcome, lurker.

I say take it easy and keep it fun.

Cycling is a Sport offering the best results when practiced for life.
Slow and steady, beats anything that results in burn-out and is short lived.
Also, your body likely appreciates the time to adapt.

Others may counsel otherwise.
Ride On.

berner

I agree completely. The best exercise is the one you like and will maintain. Regarding saddles, in my early days of cycling I experienced severe butt pain to the point I considered giving up the bike. However, being stubborn I persisted and over time and a number of different saddles, I learned the shape of saddle was best for me. It also became evident that time in the saddle also contributed to increased comfort. If severe discomfort persists, try different saddles.

Wildwood 

The 'butt muscles' also need time to adapt to cycling's demands.
I have found as my fitness improves and legs strengthen I spend less time with my full weight on the saddle. Strong legs and a forward leaning 'roadie' position allow me to ride for miles with my butt one millimeter off the saddle = seated, but relieving your bottom as the full weight bearing point..
YMMV

Mountain Mitch

I have a few comments: 1) What about riding with your son again. One of my sons lives overseas but we often ride when we can get together. It’s a great motivator.
2) Get a saddle that suits you. But I’d suggest avoiding a ‘comfort seat’. Real saddles are designed that way for a reason so, get a good one that fits and you will come to appreciate it.
3) I also live in a wintery climate (Summer is 3 months a year of bad sledding). By all means ride on the trainer. But the joy in that is limited. I’d suggest trying some ‘cross-training’. Buy some cross-country skis for you and your wife and join a local club or, at least, find some nearby trails. It’s a great way to keep fit. After a while you won’t know (or care) if you are skiing to keep fit for biking or biking to keep fit for skiing.
Enjoy retirement!

jppe

Great start! I rode in Vermont July 2019 and it's really beautiful. Just getting out in the countryside and exploring should be plenty of motivation for you to keep it going. Enjoy the journey!

CyclingBK

Amazing progress 😊 And you’re doing it right. Take it slow with your body telling you how hard to push.

Yes, the winter is an issue. I’m in the NE also and don’t have a trainer so I did a lot of as intense cardio workouts as possible along with strength training. But the trainer sounds great.

For now, though, we can just...enjoy the ride ; )

Classtime 

Awesome story. 15mph is respectable over 18 miles. Just keep riding and hold off for a few hundred more miles before you start buying/replacing stuff like saddles and gears and entire bikes. Your body is adapting and will adapt to positions and efforts you'd never think possible. The weights coming off, water only on the bike while riding less than 20 miles, you'll put the hurt on your son when you ride together next. 😉

BobbyG

Yes, please. 50+ is one of the more patient and gracious forums...usually.

go, Go, GO!

bruce19

Sounds to me like you are doing it right. Patience and consistency are key. If you do something on the bike and it makes you want to ride again, you are doing the right thing.

John_V 

Looks like you started at the same age I did. That was 10 years ago when I came home from work, on my birthday, and the wife says, "Lets go get your birthday present." Couldn't figure out why we had to take the pickup to get it unless it was a new BBQ grill that I was looking at. To my surprise, we went to a bike shop and I came home with a bike I really didn't want and thought she had paid way too much money for. Had she bought the bike at Walmart, I probably wouldn't be riding today. Since she spent more than I would ever spend on a bicycle ($300), I decided to give this cycling thing a try. The rest is history. Don't be surprised if you fall into the same addiction trap as the rest of us.

Congrats on upping your average speed. Keep up the good work.

Wanderer

I hope you can work up to more miles at a time! Fall in Vermont is a beautiful time of year!

mpath

Best value for my money on this hobby has been a professional bike fit. No amount of upgrading components or tinkering with the other parts of the bike - though fun and maybe expensive - is worth it without a proper bike fit.