Cycling

[bill_schubert]

I rode for another 7 mile loop on top of our morning Zoewalk.  My ass was still hurting from riding on Sunday but the only way to fix that is to work through it by riding more.  And various other muscles hurt.  But the same is true.  The only way is through. 

When we first moved here in 2005 I'd go on 40+ mile rides hardly thinking about it.   And on weekends I'd do the 20 mile round trip down to Einstein Bagels with a suitable stop in the middle for breakfast.  But that was 35 pounds and 15 years ago.  

I've got a ways to go but nothing more pressing than this so I'll get back to Einstein for breakfast eventually.  The nice thing about cycling is it builds up the largest muscle group in my body which burns up the most calories which makes it easier to ride so I can further build up the muscle group.

Somehow I got older so the cycle of larger muscles and more caloric burn is not what it used to be.  But I'm optimistic.  

No mask needed on a cycle!

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Can you recommend any kind of bicycle seat that doesn't hurt. It pains me to sit on bikes, so I've never turned to them for exercise.

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

A little counter intuitive and there's no magic bullet. A soft seat is not better than a hard one. The only fix is to set it up so the two points of your sitz bones hit on the seat. They get bruised and the only way to fix it is to ride multiple days until it stops hurting. I don't usually ride every day if I've not been riding for a while. I give the bruising a day or two to get better. Then back in the saddle. It does not take very long before they get used to it but it does take a few rides.
The other half of the equation is chafe. That does not appear usually until around 9 or so miles but then it pops up very fast and can be dangerous if the skin is broken. Wearing riding pants with no underwear is critical to protection. And, again, the skin gets used to it. But there are various kinds of anti-chafing creams available at any bike store. Which brings me to my third point.
If you want to do any riding other than around the block, take your bike to a bike store and have them be sure it is set up right. Seat height, seat tilt, and seat placement fore and aft is critical not only to the problem of a sore ass but ruining the knees. Any bike shop will do the basic adjustments for free. I buy my bike pants at a bike store. The best ones are not available online. The companies try to support the local stores.
Unfortunately it does take a bit of technology and work to get it all set up right. But for those of us who can't run and can't walk forever it is worth it. This guy explains stuff pretty well without referring to racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh5Zv6Dcn6k