[Ronin]

It's time to start a long thread for those of us who find bicycling to be our exercise/sport/recreation/obsession/et cetera of choice.

We can share our "bragging rights" keep each other motivated, and even suggestions during the year. After all we all have a vested interest in burning off those pesky carbohydrates.

So, let the pedaling begin!

[sprzepiora]

I have ridden zero miles so far this year

Actually I probably will not ride (outside) for a couple of more months. I have an old exercise bike I need to pull out of the basement, will that count?

Once better weather is here I tend to do all my riding as commuting.

[fenagle]

I am so jealous. I wish I could get motivated to ride daily. It is such a joy to peddle in a quiet, peaceful surrounding. The hills of nw NJ are just beautiful. I will ride to the gym in nice weather on a daily basis. There is just way too much traffic in this area and there is not enough time in the day. I live less than 1/4 mile from the gym but my route takes me on about a 2 1/2 mile loop. I remember the feeling when I hit 100 miles in the spring. Enjoy yourselves. I am with you in spirit.

[Debbie Sue]

Cool! This is an interesting idea! I have a recumbent in the basement that I ride, but I'd really rather have the street type. It'll be indoors cycling for me until the weather warms up, but count me in if indoor cycling can count too.

[Gordonm]

Ok. I'll update mine. So far it has been 0 miles. Pretty cold and windy today, may not make it out. wife has "other" plans also.

[Ronin]

Hi Everyone!

Since it's my thread, I guess it has to be my rules. Simple: a mile is a mile is a mile. Road, rollers, trainers, trails all count as you are pedaling. The main thing is to get those legs moving, hearts pumping, and lungs working all to feed those muscles consuming glucose from your system.

Now, I'm off to the first 2009 stage of the Tour-de-Garage for a "flat stage" (the garage is too cold for Linda on the tandem so it's rollers instead of the mag-resistance that makes a hilly stage). I finally completed all the chores I could think of to avoid the T-d-G.

Let the pedalling begin!

[Gordonm]

I was not counting the Tour de Basement riding. I don't have a computer hooked up to my back wheel. I was just keeping track of hours. I'll have to rig up my cycle computer to the back tire. I did count the 100 to 150 miles on another bike that I ride. No puter on that but I know the distance I rode.

I was able to download the manual for my puter so I can reset it and set the time. Reset the wifes also. Ready to go for 09 now.

[Ronin]

Gordon, et al.,

Motivation is what it is all about, so why not count Tour-de-Garage or Tour-de-Basement or even Tour-de-Health Club miles? Not counting them only leads to de-motivation, feeling like the weather is conspiring against your best efforts and handing you an excuse.

I just finished 30 miles on the rollers in 1:07:37. Now I could never do 30 on the road that fast but, I did get a lot of speed pedaling practice and after the first nine miles the pedaling got harder and harder. As I type this I'm in warm-down mode and feeling very good that I accomplished the daily goal.

Tomorrow, if all comes together, Linda and I will do 16 on the old tandem mounted in a mag-resistance trainer. Now that is a more difficult ride and trains the muscles for climbing. So, one day rollers the next day mag-resistance, hard/easy which is what all the trainers recommend.

As far as re-wiring your computer -- you can do that or work out a reasonable estimate of speed over time. Like I said, it's all about pedaling and eliminating excuses. Or, you can find a set of used rollers from somebody who gave up -- they are a trip but great once you learn to ride them.

[Ronin]

Hey Everyone!

I got out on the road again. Todays temps were just a bit shy of Linda's lower limits and the roads were questionable, so I went out on my single (carbon fiber so it doesn't rust). Logged a nice 25 miles (1:28:30) and realized that if we go out tomorrow it will be on the older tandem with fenders as most of the roads are white with salt.

Tomorrow looks good for another ride but the rest of the week is iffy for outdoor riding.

[Caravaggio]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Gordon, et al.,

Motivation is what it is all about, so why not count Tour-de-Garage or Tour-de-Basement or even Tour-de-Health Club miles? Not counting them only leads to de-motivation, feeling like the weather is conspiring against your best efforts and handing you an excuse.

Does it still count if I do only Tour-de-Health Club miles all the time? It's embarrassing to admit that I'm still trying to learn how to ride a bike! So, for now my cycling-cross-training is confined to the stationary bike.

[Ronin]

Hi Caravaggio!

All pedaled miles count! Stationary bike, spin class, whatever. It's all about moving those legs in circles. As far as learning to ride a bicycle, it's not that hard but adults tend to be too nervous.

The trick is to use the proven technique for teaching kids. Start with a loaner bike where you can lower the saddle so that your feet touch the ground. Start on a hill and roll down to learn balance, then add pedaling, and pretty soon you can raise the saddle and ride on any flat surface -- faster than you can say "Lance Armstrong" you'll be wondering what you were so worried about.

[Gordonm]

Originally Posted by Caravaggio

Does it still count if I do only Tour-de-Health Club miles all the time? It's embarrassing to admit that I'm still trying to learn how to ride a bike! So, for now my cycling-cross-training is confined to the stationary bike.

It counts. As long as you are doing miles it all counts. Whatever you do to stay motivated keep doing it. Just got in from 25 miles. Heat wave here it was 49 degrees!

[Caravaggio]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Hi Caravaggio!

All pedaled miles count! Stationary bike, spin class, whatever. It's all about moving those legs in circles. As far as learning to ride a bicycle, it's not that hard but adults tend to be too nervous.

The trick is to use the proven technique for teaching kids. Start with a loaner bike where you can lower the saddle so that your feet touch the ground. Start on a hill and roll down to learn balance, then add pedaling, and pretty soon you can raise the saddle and ride on any flat surface -- faster than you can say "Lance Armstrong" you'll be wondering what you were so worried about.

Just waiting for a warm winter day to practice.... in the meantime, I'll pedal away in the gym!

[Ronin]

Hi Caravaggio!

Spin classes can be fun, I'm told by a fellow cyclist. He even had a funny story about a guy who brought his own pedals, shoes, et cetera to a spin class and actually managed to crash the spin bike when he didn't realize that the wheel doesn't freewheel when he stops pedaling and he got thrown.

BTW: what's the verdict on your C-Peptide readings?

Also: I remember reading something about Japan in one of your posts. As a Japan-a-phile myself I'm interested in what you do/did in Japan -- send me a PM on that.

[Caravaggio]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Hi Caravaggio!

Spin classes can be fun, I'm told by a fellow cyclist. He even had a funny story about a guy who brought his own pedals, shoes, et cetera to a spin class and actually managed to crash the spin bike when he didn't realize that the wheel doesn't freewheel when he stops pedaling and he got thrown.

BTW: what's the verdict on your C-Peptide readings?

Also: I remember reading something about Japan in one of your posts. As a Japan-a-phile myself I'm interested in what you do/did in Japan -- send me a PM on that.

As far as I know (but I could be wrong), spin classes are not yet the rage in Tokyo. I ride the bike as cross-training for my running and part of my long-term training to do triathlons in the future!

I've checked my past medical tests and found no sign that my c-peptides were checked. I've emailed my doctor to let him know I want the test, and will see him next week for this. Will let you know the verdict once I have it.