Background:
I have owned a nice mountain bike (not hardcore off-roading capabilities, but good all-around cycle) for about 10 years now. It is fully functional and I like it. For the past 8 years, it has gotten very little use. However, I am slowly changing that. DD learned to ride a two wheeler without training wheels this summer and we've taken a 3-mile family bike ride on flat ground and have another 5-mile lake loop (more elevation changes) this coming weekend. Meanwhile, I rode for 30 minutes in our community today since other obligations prevented me from going to our Y for a new class I want to take.
Today:
So, I had quite a challenging ride this morning for a couple reasons. 1) My gears were all wacky and wouldn't stay put; 2) Although I exercise daily in a variety of ways over any given week, I am clearly not in shape for cycling; and 3) We live in a neighborhood full of hills regardless of which way I go. Also, my clothing is not conducive to riding.
Questions:
~ What do you wear for an outdoor fitness bike ride? Capris keep catching on things, so I changed into shorts (came down to mid-thigh while standing...not so much while riding...LOL) and now I have major chafing on my upper inner thighs. T-shirt was so sticky 10 minutes into the ride. Blah!
~ Where do you find such clothing items?
~ Do you carry a cell phone with you? I brought my ID and shuffle iPod, but that's it. At one point, I would have liked to call for help since the gears were so darn challenging and I needed to go UP no matter which way I were to get back home.
I plan to make this a weekly thing and even have a "date" with a friend to ride next week. She's just as new to this as I am, though. LOL I'd love to hear any tips and suggestions. Thanks!
I have owned a nice mountain bike (not hardcore off-roading capabilities, but good all-around cycle) for about 10 years now. It is fully functional and I like it. For the past 8 years, it has gotten very little use. However, I am slowly changing that. DD learned to ride a two wheeler without training wheels this summer and we've taken a 3-mile family bike ride on flat ground and have another 5-mile lake loop (more elevation changes) this coming weekend. Meanwhile, I rode for 30 minutes in our community today since other obligations prevented me from going to our Y for a new class I want to take.
Today:
So, I had quite a challenging ride this morning for a couple reasons. 1) My gears were all wacky and wouldn't stay put; 2) Although I exercise daily in a variety of ways over any given week, I am clearly not in shape for cycling; and 3) We live in a neighborhood full of hills regardless of which way I go. Also, my clothing is not conducive to riding.
Questions:
~ What do you wear for an outdoor fitness bike ride? Capris keep catching on things, so I changed into shorts (came down to mid-thigh while standing...not so much while riding...LOL) and now I have major chafing on my upper inner thighs. T-shirt was so sticky 10 minutes into the ride. Blah!
~ Where do you find such clothing items?
~ Do you carry a cell phone with you? I brought my ID and shuffle iPod, but that's it. At one point, I would have liked to call for help since the gears were so darn challenging and I needed to go UP no matter which way I were to get back home.
I plan to make this a weekly thing and even have a "date" with a friend to ride next week. She's just as new to this as I am, though. LOL I'd love to hear any tips and suggestions. Thanks!
