this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025
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Bicycles

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How do I start/proceed (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 5 days ago by hangyor@sh.itjust.works to c/bicycles@lemmy.ca
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I want to begin riding bikes more for exercise and ultimately to commute to work.

Unfortunately I'm overweight and very out of shape. Work is about 20 miles away, along busy highways with big shoulders but moderate traffic. About 55 mph is the speed limit.

I'm trepidatious about obviously getting hit, but also I don't think I'd be able to go the whole way right off the bat. I'll train some first.

I'm thinking some kind of ebike like a Specialized Tero 3.0 but don't know. The shoulders can be pretty tricky/ gravelly so I was shying away from road bikes with thinner tires. I was leaning ebike because I think they're cool/fun, help me better keep up speed, and will ultimately help keep me motivated.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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[โ€“] pc486@sh.itjust.works 14 points 5 days ago (1 children)

A very common mistake is to commute what you'd drive. In many cases you'd do better on paths and neighborhood streets. For example, maybe part of an unavoidable highway segment has a frontage road. Hop off onto the frontage for that segment, even if it's technically 60 seconds slower.

Google Maps is a decent start, though imperfect in detail (routing through a busy park on footpaths, or not routing through a park that has a good dirt path). Use street view and OpenStreetMaps to explore ways that auto routing won't pick.

+1 to the suggestions on starting with shorter trips. They'll work out any kinks in your setup and give you time to become confident on your bike.

[โ€“] pezhore@infosec.pub 5 points 5 days ago

A very common mistake is to commute what you'd drive.

This right here.

When I was living in western NY and bike commuting, I took the Towpath along the Erie Canal instead of following the roads to work. It ended up being about the same distance, but was significantly less stressful to not worry about getting clobbered by a driver not paying attention.