And my ass hurts!

But the good news, is that I did it!

7.8 miles 450 elevation change (thanks strava)

and I LIVED, oh and it was fun.

Ok I went mountain biking again!

It was HOT and scary! My husband took me on another trail. This time only 6.9 miles and nothing really as far as elevation... But I did a little "single track" too scary! Really...TOO SCARY! I almost fell more than once... And I felt like I was going to throw up half way through (damn sleeve somedays)

Me after

Look at those collar bones....you skinny thang. Keep it up, it will get easier as your bike skill improves. Pretty soon you're gonna be hooked.

Look at those collar bones....you skinny thang. Keep it up' date=' it will get easier as your bike skill improves. Pretty soon you're gonna be hooked.[/quote']

Lol. I forgot the funniest thing about that ride!

Right before that picture we ran into an friend he and I started out as friends (stay at home dad) but now he's more of my husbands friend and they mountain bike together.

So he sees me and says "wow you look great"

"I mean you look really good, what did you lose about 20 pounds?" Lol!!

I said "Yeah, 20 pounds..Something like that"

Laura welcome to the world of cycling. As Butterthebean said a pair of cycling shorts is worth their weight in gold. It takes a while to break into a seat each season unless you ride in all seasons. Even if you switch off to a spinning class during winter, you still have to break into your saddle again. Another thing if you are going to start riding on a regular basis, invest in some chamois butter it helps with the chafing and reduces friction. Also you might want to get some socks that have wicking capability to remove the moisture. Remember the phrase "cotton is rotten." when riding.

I hope you wear a helmet when riding. It amazes me when I ride to see so many people riding without helmets.

Laura welcome to the world of cycling. As Butterthebean said a pair of cycling shorts is worth their weight in gold. It takes a while to break into a seat each season unless you ride in all seasons. Even if you switch off to a spinning class during winter, you still have to break into your saddle again. Another thing if you are going to start riding on a regular basis, invest in some chamois butter it helps with the chafing and reduces friction. Also you might want to get some socks that have wicking capability to remove the moisture. Remember the phrase "cotton is rotten." when riding.

I hope you wear a helmet when riding. It amazes me when I ride to see so many people riding without helmets.

Cool,

Yes we have helmets (as per that ugly mug picture up there from today)

Riding a single track will guarantee that I will fall and need it soon!

Thanks for the tips I will look into that cream.

You'll appreciate this:

I love this thread. Great job on starting your biking experience. I am looking to get back into biking again. Many many years ago I did some mountain biking and had a Gary Fisher mountain bike. I loved that thing...til it was stolen and I lost my motivation. But it is back and I am ready. I do have a question though. I a 2 weeks post op right now, how long should I wait before starting a bike exercise program? I live in Louisiana so there are no mountains, just flat with the occasional hill. I am already walking a couple miles a day but I prefer biking to walking. Thanks everyone and everyone is looking great!

I love this thread. Great job on starting your biking experience. I am looking to get back into biking again. Many many years ago I did some mountain biking and had a Gary Fisher mountain bike. I loved that thing...til it was stolen and I lost my motivation. But it is back and I am ready. I do have a question though. I a 2 weeks post op right now' date=' how long should I wait before starting a bike exercise program? I live in Louisiana so there are no mountains, just flat with the occasional hill. I am already walking a couple miles a day but I prefer biking to walking. Thanks everyone and everyone is looking great![/quote']

Hey....I'm near Houston....same terrain. I started cycling nice and easy at 2 weeks....but I felt very good. And it was just on road, not off road. I was also cycling quite a bit before surgery so I was some what in shape for it. Since you haven't ridden in so long, I'd say give it a try as soon as you feel really good and not sore....but go real easy those first few rides. Don't let your enthusiasm get you carried away.

Oh no...I would do it like I have been doing my walking. Started slow and adding a little more distance at a time. Biking would be the same. As for post surgery soreness, I feel great! I still get a little tired easy, but I am not letting it slow me down. Just taking it easy. I have also given myself a date of Oct 1st to start the Couch to 5K program. I just need to start looking for a decent bike, I don't want a cheapo from Wally world or anything. I want one that will last.

Ok mountain biking today! A little over 8 miles!

That's the good news..... The other news is I took an epic fall or fail!

We started at wilder ranch for the first three easy miles along the ocean. Beautiful

After that my husband took me to an other mountain biking single track spot by UC Santa Cruz. Well I was out front and made a wrong turn on the maze of trails and ended up on a "black diamond" run according to my husband

I was on this scary thing not even a hundred feet down this thing when I had to ride/ jump over a massive log.

Caught my peddle and flip over the bars!!!

Oh yah there was blood! My arm and shoulder is all rug burned up. But nothing broken

Hehehe..... ouch hehe..

A view from the first trail....

And a cave we came upon.

Ouch.....girl when I said jump head first into fitness that's not what I meant. LOL

Proud of you for those miles Laura.

Ouch.....girl when I said jump head first into fitness that's not what I meant. LOL

Proud of you for those miles Laura.

Lol! Battle scars!!!

Lol! Battle scars!!!

Laura, glad you're not hurt too bad. Wait until you switch to a road bike and start riding clipped in. There is a learning curve. I fell on day two and rolled in a ditch and didn't clip out. My ankle to this day still acts up sometimes. It was 101 yesterday and felt like 98 today. Shooting for 20 miles in the a.m. tomorrow.

Some of my most memorable rides ended up with blood and even stitches. One time I rode 10 miles home with my wife's shirt wrapped around my bloody knee while she rode in her sports bra. You don't forget those rides.

My husband clips in on his mountain bike!

He's crazy....

Butter you have a nice wife, not sure if I would if been so nice

I don't know that I'll ever road bike its scary im a different way.. I don't like that my husband does it either... He rides the steep winding mountains around here and always scared he will be taken out by a crazy driver..

Oh I rode a different bike today it was much better!

I'd say you're an official mountain-biker now that you have the scars