this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025
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Bicycles
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training, conditioning (more than a month) routes, gear (you'd be surprised an how much you gain from new wheels, for example)...oh....and age?
Basically be comfortable where you are right now, you just started. Set yourself up for incremental and sustainable gains, the when you are able to try and hit the higher speeds.
I'm 28, a tiny bit overweight but working on it. My bike is new, but it's not top end by any means, but also not a department store bike.
I guess I am comfortable, I'm just worried that I'm kind of sucking at cycling.
Nah man, you're at the beginning
Get an app to keep tabs on your progress (in the beginning just worry about distance, not time). Try to be consistent (I used to 'commute' to work....started with 20 min, ended up 1.25h 5x per week).
The fun part is starting to figure out what gear you need, then try and not go broke... Bike Nash are has some really good deals, and also go to the same bike shop for all your repairs and once they see you for awhile they'll know not to upsell you recreation gear.
Keep it up and one day, you'll wake up with a flat stomach and eat whatever the fuck you want.
The flats stomach part sounds quite fun, along with the eat whatever I want thing.
At this point, I don't see myself needing anything. I'm perfectly happy with the bike I have and have fun riding it, and as my legs get stronger, I'll probably get faster.
I use my smart watch to track every ride on GPS and my HR, so that I get a good baseline of what I'm looking at.
Yup, that sounds right....I think what I was trying to convey is that once you start thinking about upgrading your gear be careful - it gets silly quickly!
Also, the Doc told me: 'as far a s coping mechanisms go, this is a good one'
great for the mental health!
Have fun!
Spending money on gear is a good coping mechanism? I agree! My fiancee hates it though:D
Nonono.....the biking is the coping mechanisms!!! (I had a v. high stress job)
Buying gear is for dopamine, silly person...
Already looking for new tires and I feel the dopamine.