[sprzepiora]

Hello All, it seems the more I read D forums and blog four major forms of exercise come up all the time:

walking/running
biking
swimming
machines/weights

Now I am sure there is more, but this is just something I noticed. Anyway I tried walking and I like it, but it can be boring after a while and I would like to mix it up some. I though I might try biking, strictly on the road for now. I was thinking of picking up a cheap bike road bike at walmart or at a garage sale or something. I do not want to spend a ton of money if this exercise doesn't work out for me.

So the questions I have are what are some of the other essentials I will need, baring in mind I don't want to spend any money

How long should I bike for? Also very close to my house are a lot of steep hills, but then the roads level out so this needs to be taken account for.

Where can I find the cheapest bike?

Hey, thanks everyone for letting me pick your brains.

[Carwy]

Wal-mart has cheap road bikes. You will also need a helmet, gloves to protect your hands if you fall, Either a water bottle or hydration pack. Also might want to include a small air pump for flats along with a patch kit and an adjustable wrench to fix that flat. You will also need lights if you wish to ride after dark.
As for how long to ride. That's up to you. I think it's like for every 20 minutes you ride you burn 100 calories. However do not push yourself to hard and get hurt.

Bikes - Wal-mart

[sprzepiora]

Thanks, I would have never had thought to use gloves.

[notme]

Costco has some decent bikes for sale right now. I would also suggest Craigslist as you might pick up a used one that is nice for a reasonable amount of money. Don't forget a helmet.....please!

[sprzepiora]

Originally Posted by notme

Costco has some decent bikes for sale right now. I would also suggest Craigslist as you might pick up a used one that is nice for a reasonable amount of money. Don't forget a helmet.....please!

Well, my wife would say my had is hard enough, but it was the first thing on my list after a bike. I have been looking at craigslist, but nothing has popped up lately. I am still keeping an eye on it though, but I will probably make a purchase within the next week.

[Alice]

Don't ride without a helmet. My family just attended a funeral recently...bike accident.

Biking is fun as long as safety concerns are met. I plan on purchasing a bike very soon...will also be getting a bright shiny helmet!

[notme]

Bike stores sometimes take in bikes and give them a tune up and sell them. You might take a look and see what they have to offer.

[mortis505]

About a month ago I picked up a nice Mtn bike at a garage sale for $20. Needed some work and I wanted different shifters on it. Now she runs like a champ and I spent about an hour today widing up and down the street with my kids. I'm looking for a helmet now because I dont want to take "that" chance. Carwy, thanks for the suggestion on the gloves.

[sprzepiora]

You'll never believe what happened. I was in the basement yesterday on the radio and I looked over to a part of the basement that isn't "mine" and saw a men's mountain bike. I have no idea how it got there and my wife doesn't really know either, but she thinks her friend gave it to her. Anyway, I am going to change the tires and clean it up. SO I got that bit, I just have to get the rest of the stuff.

[Carwy]

This is what I use while riding my bike in the day. Doesn't matter either road or mountain.
1. Helmet. Keeps the head safe. I fell once and hit my head on cement. Good thing I was wearing a helmet.
2. Gloves. Protected my hands when I fell.
3. A Hydration pack. It carries 2 litters of water (or what ever you wish to use to stay hydrated).
Inside my pack I carry;
1. Air pump in case of a flat.
2. adjustable wrenches. To take a flat tire off.
3. A patch kit to cover the whole.
Please note there are tubes that are self sealing. I have them and for small holes they do work. But will not stop a leak if it's bigger the a pin prick.Like a sand-bur/sticker.
4. Cell phone. For emergencies.
5. My MP3 player For tunes. Do not play so loud you can not hear what is going on around you. Keep it low.

[Gordonm]

I ride quite a bit and routinly ride between 20 to 50 miles. For me it is not worth suiting up for anything under 15 miles. My bike is quite expensive but that is definitly not needed to get a good workout. If you can tune it up do it, if not take it somewhere that can. Nothing worse than flying down a hill with no brakes or the wheel falls off. Definitly have a good helmet. Get one that fits properly. Remember it is your head you are protecting not a pumpkin. A decent set of fingerless gloves for summer riding and fingered for colder weather. Hydration of some sort is definitly needed. I carry at least 2 GU packs, 26Gs of carbs. I carry 2 tubes and a patch kit and some small tools for road side repairs. Small air pump. I always carry my cell phone also. The big thing is just get out there and do it. As you progress and fell you enjoy it then you might want to upgrade a little in the bike.

[mortis505]

I got a 72oz hydration pack for free from a co-worker.

[dar917]

I got a cheap $35 dollar mountain bike at WalMart about ten years ago; I've put more miles on it in the last couple months or so than the whole ten years I've had it! You'll find it's quite addictive I think, but you are going to spend money no matter what, I think. At the very least you'll need a helmet and bike lock and cable. I also got a gel cushion seat cover, and a basket for the front of mine, and a light. I always carry glucose tablets and my cell phone. Oh and I got bungee chords too, but that's for my one job where I carry work home. ^_^ Have fun out there!

[ant hill]

I would agree with Darlene, See that you take some jelly beans and a BG meter and mobile phone with you as you may never know.

[HelenM]

I'm not very technical but experience has taught me that gears are important.If you are in a hilly area and not superfit you need to have a good range of low gear ratios.
I have 2 bikes, a very cheapy hybrid at my parents in the UK and a lighter, better specification mountain bike here.
I can cope with the cheapy in the UK because its almost flat so I only have to use a narrow range of gears. I wouldn't be able to use it here, and would soon give up if I had to give up and push all the time.