Hello all. I've lurked this forum for a while and should have joined sooner.
My story; when I was younger I was always in great shape. I played every sport I could, ran cross country, and cycled to commute in college. After about 10 years in the oilfields I found myself in a nice "no manual labor" job, and considerably overweight. Starting a couple years ago I decided to make some lifestyle changes. I am eating a balanced diet, with a slight calorie deficit,with lots of fruit and veggies. I wanted to run again, because that's what I love. My knee hurt quite often and I decided to use cycling to cross train. No one told me this cycling was so addictive! I've lost 50 lbs, I'm 6ft and 210. I jog several times a week and lift weights.
About a year and a half ago I bought a used Orbea MX20 for 500 bucks, with some accessories too. I generally love this bike, but the frame is a 23 inch, and I've had to replace the factory seat post with one that is not offset, and slam the seat all the way forward to be even remotely comfortable. I've put a lot of miles on this bike, around 750. My butt still hurts a lot! I rode regularly until about 6 months ago, I kind of got frustrated, and my knee wasn't really hurting so I focused on running. I've been riding the past month and my fitness level seems really good compared to when I started. Today I rode 22.25 miles and I could have gone further but my butt was just so sore. At first on this bike my sit bones weren't even really contacting the seat and I was getting terrible groin pain but after I figured out to move my seat forward that went away. I'm not sure how long it takes to build up a tolerance to riding longer distances. My knee has started to hurt slightly again since I started cycling too. I can take some ibuprofen for it, it's pretty minor, but I don't want it to get worse and prevent me from exercising.
I think I would like to get a new bike, something lighter, but that can still handle some trails and gravel roads that I frequent. I do mostly ride on the road though. Maybe a hybrid? My local bike shop sells Specialized so that is what I will most likely get, if I don't tap the used market.
On my ride today I had so much fun, my previous longest ride was about 14 miles. I noticed being quite hungry, and when I stopped to rest I was even a little shaky feeling. I ate about 650 calories from breakfast that morning before the ride, and until my last rest stop, so I think I ate plenty. After all I am trying to LOOSE weight. I hear a lot of guys drinking Gatorade but I really prefer water, does it help much? I live in rural Arkansas and it was really hot and humid today, I drank 4 bottles of water along my ride.
I seem to stop an awful lot, I actually plan rest points in my rides. I stop every 5-7 miles for 2-5 mins. I've been trying to plan longer rest points in the middle, like going into a thrift store along the way or visiting a friend. How long should I be able to ride at one go without stopping if I'm wanting to go on some group rides?
There is a 50 mile round trip ride that I want to make very badly, it's sort of my motivation at this time.
Thanks in advance.
My story; when I was younger I was always in great shape. I played every sport I could, ran cross country, and cycled to commute in college. After about 10 years in the oilfields I found myself in a nice "no manual labor" job, and considerably overweight. Starting a couple years ago I decided to make some lifestyle changes. I am eating a balanced diet, with a slight calorie deficit,with lots of fruit and veggies. I wanted to run again, because that's what I love. My knee hurt quite often and I decided to use cycling to cross train. No one told me this cycling was so addictive! I've lost 50 lbs, I'm 6ft and 210. I jog several times a week and lift weights.
About a year and a half ago I bought a used Orbea MX20 for 500 bucks, with some accessories too. I generally love this bike, but the frame is a 23 inch, and I've had to replace the factory seat post with one that is not offset, and slam the seat all the way forward to be even remotely comfortable. I've put a lot of miles on this bike, around 750. My butt still hurts a lot! I rode regularly until about 6 months ago, I kind of got frustrated, and my knee wasn't really hurting so I focused on running. I've been riding the past month and my fitness level seems really good compared to when I started. Today I rode 22.25 miles and I could have gone further but my butt was just so sore. At first on this bike my sit bones weren't even really contacting the seat and I was getting terrible groin pain but after I figured out to move my seat forward that went away. I'm not sure how long it takes to build up a tolerance to riding longer distances. My knee has started to hurt slightly again since I started cycling too. I can take some ibuprofen for it, it's pretty minor, but I don't want it to get worse and prevent me from exercising.
I think I would like to get a new bike, something lighter, but that can still handle some trails and gravel roads that I frequent. I do mostly ride on the road though. Maybe a hybrid? My local bike shop sells Specialized so that is what I will most likely get, if I don't tap the used market.
On my ride today I had so much fun, my previous longest ride was about 14 miles. I noticed being quite hungry, and when I stopped to rest I was even a little shaky feeling. I ate about 650 calories from breakfast that morning before the ride, and until my last rest stop, so I think I ate plenty. After all I am trying to LOOSE weight. I hear a lot of guys drinking Gatorade but I really prefer water, does it help much? I live in rural Arkansas and it was really hot and humid today, I drank 4 bottles of water along my ride.
I seem to stop an awful lot, I actually plan rest points in my rides. I stop every 5-7 miles for 2-5 mins. I've been trying to plan longer rest points in the middle, like going into a thrift store along the way or visiting a friend. How long should I be able to ride at one go without stopping if I'm wanting to go on some group rides?
There is a 50 mile round trip ride that I want to make very badly, it's sort of my motivation at this time.
Thanks in advance.