Has anyone taken up Bycyling?

[hoosierpoms 0]

does your seat adjust forward and back??? What kind of bike is it??

You could take it to the local bike shop and have them help you. BUT.....you may end up on a new bike!!!!

[2BHealthE! 1]

I agree with HP, it may not be height of seat as much as front/back. Although, keep in mind that your knees should be straight when your leg is fully extended on the downstroke. Not locked, but fully extended.

Also, if you are wearing shoes with clips, check how your feet are positioned when you are clipped in. Are your knees facing forward, or out in a "V"? It's the "V" that will get you! If you are not wearing clips, then check for the same thing when you place you feet on the pedals, you may need to reposition them more towards the inside or outside of the pedal.

Good luck and ice, ice, ice sore knees. KY

[areellady 1]

Yes, I agree. You don't want to be able to touch the ground necessarily. We get taught that as kids and it is hard to get out of our heads!!!

[areellady 1]

three more pages....just sayin

[Great2BThin 5]

Wow so much great advice on my knee problem already!! Thanks! I am not sure if my seat adjusts front or back but I doubt it. My bike is just a cheap one I just got at Walmart, Schwinn Sidewinder 'comfort' bike. I wanted to test the waters before investing too much money so to speak. I guess I feel timid still on the bike and want to be able to touch the ground if need be, but I am building confidence. Also in my still very overweight, out of shape body it's hard for me to get my leg over the seat if it were any higher. I already lie the bike down on the ground to step out of it. LOL I fell once on a boys bike and feet didn't touch and well I got that bar in the crotch and have been scared since (I have a womens bike now so that won't happen). I will check more closer as I pedal how my feet are facing I have a feeling it is outward in the V. It is more comfortable if I put my heels on the pedals but that's awkward pedalling. Thanks for the tips. Not sure I will try today or not, depends on the knees. I bought some childrens liquid ibuprofen and took a double dose since my dr. said no nsaids, I'm hoping that's okay to take since it shouldn't sit in my pouch.

[danj 0]

I bought bicycle shoes about three years ago right before a very long ride. I have fallen about 8 times and always it's because I don't get my shoe out before I stop. I suspect on a regular bike it would be more scary. I have a recumbent so I don't have as far to fall. I have done many centuries and one double (when I was about 40 lbs. lighter) and I can tell you that I don't think I could ride that distance on a regular bike. On my recumbent I'm sitting on 3 inches of foam and leaning against a backrest as my pedals are out in front of me instead of under me. The downside is that I can't stand on my pedals going up hills, i have to puch harder.

[hoosierpoms 0]

I agree with you on the step over....I had a target hybrid bike when i first started, and quickly switched to a Trek Hybrid. it has a step through which made it SO much easier for my bigggggg butt to get on the seat.....I rode it all last season. I did not switch to a road bike until this past May. I still lay my bike over at times to get on...I feel like it is way easier for me still. I fell on a mens bike on the bar before too......wow.....that god bigggg fast!!!!! OUCH!

D....I know what you mean about touching the ground....and I think my seat should go up as well. I am just more confortable getting out of my pedals right now and moving it up would make it harder....but....I am also having a left knee issue....it hurts really bad...but we adjusted my cleat for my foot problem, now it is a knee problem...go freakin figure....???????????????????????????

Sometimes I wish I just could go home and not do anything....or have to think about riding..but than I walk outside, smell the air, and it is in my blood and I am raring to go.....

[claykiller 0]

Try a recumbent to see if the different pedaling angle helps.

[OH Juli 15]

I finally got back on my bike last night. It cooled way down and wasn't so miserable to be out there. I went all the way to the park which is further than I've gone before. But, OH MY KNEES!! They are killing me. I got the bike because of my bad knee (left is bone on bone) and it didn't hurt. Now it hurts terribly and the other knee is starting. It's not the down push on the pedalling either, it's when the knee is up the highest and bent. I've tried raising my seat but it's about as high as it goes (I'm 5'9") that I can hardly swing my leg over to get on and off or touch the ground from my seat. any suggestions? Today I can hardly walk.

I know others have answered this. Might I suggest you go to your local bike shop and see what they can tell you. I was riding and my knee hurt. Some old salty cycling dude said, point to where it hurts on your knee. I showed him and he said, it's probably the height of the seat. I suppose if I pointed elsewhere it would have been something else.

My point is you're not sitting on your bike right and they can help you. They may tell you your bike is too short for you, bieng that you are 5'9", and I say that with spite. I'm short and resent it. :biggrin: But really don't do more damage when there are some simple solutions.

AND I write this all the time...DON'T let your size keep you out of the bike store. There are some super excited cycling people working in there and they love to share their passion. Anyone worth the time of day will be able to help you out. I tend to shy away from the YOUNG boys who work there but even they have been great at times. Really you're not the biggest person to ride a bike...

[OH Juli 15]

Anyone around here like to go 4 wheeling? ATVs?

Shut up! Is that something you do too? You continue to surprise me.

And hell to the no.

[Great2BThin 5]

Try a recumbent to see if the different pedaling angle helps.

Well considering I just bought this bike, that isn't going to really help. I can't afford to go out and get another. I do ride a recumbant at the gym and it's a little better on the knees but not much.

I know others have answered this. Might I suggest you go to your local bike shop and see what they can tell you. I was riding and my knee hurt. Some old salty cycling dude said, point to where it hurts on your knee. I showed him and he said, it's probably the height of the seat. I suppose if I pointed elsewhere it would have been something else.

My point is you're not sitting on your bike right and they can help you. They may tell you your bike is too short for you, bieng that you are 5'9", and I say that with spite. I'm short and resent it. :biggrin: But really don't do more damage when there are some simple solutions.

AND I write this all the time...DON'T let your size keep you out of the bike store. There are some super excited cycling people working in there and they love to share their passion. Anyone worth the time of day will be able to help you out. I tend to shy away from the YOUNG boys who work there but even they have been great at times. Really you're not the biggest person to ride a bike...

Thanks, because it is exactly that, my size that would've kept me from the bike shop. There's one near my mother in law, next time I go over there I will stop in. Going to experiment with seat height and foot positions in the meantime. Thanks everyone for their help!

[loveangelpet 0]

so i'm doing something right..making my own path....however this week the dreaded scale did not move.....i lost 5 lbs for last weeks weigh in.....I WANT THAT EVERY WEEK LOL....i am a lil tighter and not eating very much....but still biking and loving it... today i started out by eating something...hopefully that will help!! :biggrin:

[OH Juli 15]

LAP-

5 pounds a week? You're out of your freakin' mind.

But I hear you! I'd love to see a pound a week at this point!

[OH Juli 15]

Thanks, because it is exactly that, my size that would've kept me from the bike shop. There's one near my mother in law, next time I go over there I will stop in. Going to experiment with seat height and foot positions in the meantime. Thanks everyone for their help!

Oh hell, You're tall and only 261? You are by FAR not the biggest person to put their butt on a bike.

Keep riding chica.

[OH Juli 15]

Your video works here. Very cute!