Biking

Hey fellow cycle enthusiast! You're so right; a comfortable seat is key. My bike came with gorgeous wide, cushy seat but it still hurt like crazy when I started last year at my high weight, so I bought a gel seat cover and it made such a difference. I still use it today.

So glad you had a helmet on when you fell. Scary. I need to buy a new one, but I usually ride on quiet side streets or bike trails so go without. I have one and I think it's in the garage somewhere but I can't find it. I remember hating how hot my head felt wearing it though.

I your biking photos you have shared with us Kathy....keep it going

You can get helmets with LOTS Of ventilation! Mine is Garneau brand, it's super-lightweight and very breezy. My head doesn't get sweaty, and I ride in the hot Arizona summer!

I just rode my new bike today! I say get out there. I'm at the high end of "overweight" and it was fine. You don't even have to learn again so much as remind yourself...

I love love riding my bike, but haven't been able to this summer because of my asthma and fear around some additional weight gain and just wondering if I can - hence it's finally time for wls.

I bought a great bike a few years ago. I had a lot of problems relearning, and would grumble "if I hear one more person use that expression it's just like riding a bike!" I lowered my seat to help with balance, because I was afraid of falling off. I got a wider seat, because the skinny one that came with the bike hurt my rear. I got my nephew to come out with me, and he was my biggest cheerleader. I finally got good enough that we would even race!!!!

So yes, jump on. It might be hard. You may fall (I did, I wore a helmet). Find a great cheerleader. Make adjustments. Have fun!! I can't wait to get back on. :)

I understand your fear. I had it also , soo I bought what is called a 'step thru' bike. I am 67 and ride approx 5 miles a day.

I was in the exact same boat. As a kid, I rode my bike to school and all over the neighborhood, but when I was fat I couldn't do more than a mile before getting completely exhausted.

After surgery, I re-discovered biking and found that I LOVE it. One of my post-op goals was to ride 40mi in the big city bike race one year post-op, and I absolutely did!

It was absolutely easier as I lost weight. I was initially afraid of getting stranded far from home, too exhausted to ride back... not a problem at all. I started by doing one mile, then two, then five, increasing by a mile or so every weekend. And now, I'm preparing for a three-day, 200-mile ride this summer!

Here are a few thoughts that may help you get more comfortable as you get back on your bike.

• Many LBS (local bike shops) and county transportation departments offer "riding skills 101" courses. My county does one for free and does a short ride around the area, offering help on traffic safety and basic fix-it skills. It was a great help!
  
  
• Download an app like MapMyRide or Strava. Bring the phone with you while you ride (tucked in a bike bag), and it will record your path, speed, and elevation. Then you can compare your progress from ride to ride and see how you improve, which is super motivating!
  
  
• If your city has any off-road bike paths, check those out. It'll be a lot safer, and less to worry about if you're not dealing with cars blowing past you at high speed!
  
  
• Always always ALWAYS wear a helmet. Protect that precious brain of yours!
  
  
• Invest in a pair of bike shorts to make riding much more comfortable. They have padding in the crotch that helps keep things from getting sore. If spandex makes you feel self-conscious, look for "baggy shorts" used by mountain bikers; they're like loose cargo shorts over a padded liner (like a swimsuit bottom).

Feel free to PM if you have any bike questions, I'm happy to help!!

Julie, you're doing a bike tour for 3 days? That is awesome! That's my goal, and something i am working toward. I hope to start with a short overnight trip later this summer or perhaps in the fall, when the leaves change but after I reach goal I want to do a longer trip. I need to buy a lightweight tent first.

When I started riding last year I was super morbidly obese, and this year by the time the snow was gone and I could ride, I was morbidly obese and now I am plain obese. I can't wait to get into the overweight and normal categories.

I hope you'll blog of vlog your bike tour; I'd love to share your experience vicariously :-).

I'm doing RAGBRAI, which is a 7-day, ~450mi ride across Iowa. There are at least 10,000 riders, it's a huge deal! I'm only doing the first three days, but you bet I'll be posting pictures :)

Wow, that sounds great! Can't wait to see the photos.