Hey!

A friend wants me to ride the Carolina's MS Breakout to the Beach 150 bike even next Sept. I didn't see any biking threads so I thought I'd send a shout out and see where the cyclists are hiding. Any tips for a newbie?

Here here! There's a great biking forum at Team Estrogen . com, with lots of tips and great gear.

I love to ride, and am going to train to do a century (100 mile ride) before my birthday in April.

If you don't have a bike, go to your local bike store and get fitted for one. (Team Estrogen has a lot of threads on saddles, etc once you get the right fit for the bike.) Get some bike shoes, even if you don't use the clip in peddles, I use the ones with the cages, but I have stiff soled bike shoes. Get the padded chamois shorts. Some brightly colored shirts.

Then, time in the saddle is what you need. I rode 17 on Thanksgiving, 35 yesterday, 10 today.

My plan is to at some point take a cycling class or hire a coach for a session or 2 to learn about efficient spinning and make sure my form is good.

fyreflie 24 - Thanks for starting this thread. I was planning on starting one shortly. I have been riding for several years. I plan on riding a metric century (65 miles) in March and my first century in April. I have been slowly building up my miles, but plan on training seriously starting in January. I have been following the Bicycling Magazine century training program. You train at a different pace each day and eventually build up your endurance.

I agree with seagirl. Look at the Team Estrogen web page. I have a Specialized hybrid bicycle and I don't use clips. I also recommend sturdy bicycling shoes. I wear Mountain Bike shoes because of the rugged soles. I also like the protection. My must haves are: a helmet, padded shorts/pants, padded riding gloves, lights front and back, and pepper spray in case a dog gets a little too friendly. Also wear bright clothing. I usually ride on a two-lane country road with no shoulders, and the speed limit is 55 mph. I want to be sure that people see me.

The best part of bicycling is the great work out you get, and getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the sights. Have fun!

Thanks for mentioning the Bicycling Magazine century training program, just googled it and that's what I need!

Got my bike today!

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...0#ReviewHeader

Yay for new bikes!

I did 19 miles today. Up to 148 since I got it last Saturday.

I just took mine out for a 4 mile run as I was running out of light and was feeling tired as heck! The cool thing is my average speed was 13.9/mph which is up about 3 mph from my other bike! The team wants to run at 15 so, I know it's not a long distance, but it was a nice comparison on the equipment. We're supposed to have rain Mon and Tuesday but I'll be out as soon as I can!

My speed went up with my new bike, too!

Nice Bike! Looks like you are doing great. Remember to go slow and build up your distance and speed. You don't want any injuries.

Me, me, me! I am cycling. I'm doing a metric century in February and I have a little group of friends that ride together (so we have our own little pelaton).

Anyway, I also rode a hybrid for a year, that was decked out to be half road bike, but a year later I decided that I need the full road bike. My speed went up when I got the hybrid and I am even faster on the road bike.

Tips for a Newbie:
- Ride, ride, ride
- I think clipless is the way to go, I highly recommend it
- Be safe, use your safety gear (helmets, especially!)
- Learn to fix a flat (your local LBS might have classes on how to do it) (My LBS told me "Just look pretty and someone will help you." Well, my friend got a flat and no one stopped to help us!)
- Have fun with it!

I have a Specialized Dolce Sport Compact. It's a good entry level bike, but I have a feeling I'm going to end up getting a new one in a few years...