retro cycling

bob syr

You guys were so kind with your advice to me recently, I thought I’d
post some other issues (lucky you!). Since I started riding back in
August ‘07, I've been enjoying it more and more every day. I'd like to
post my progress if only to keep a record to myself, and also if you
guys see I'm blundering about something, you can tell me immediately.
I often think of things to ask while I’m out riding and then promptly
forget them as soon as I’m back home.

I'm 63 and last year bought a Sun Retro-Alloy Cruiser. It’s a 3-
speed with pedal brakes. I was assured the bike would hold my weight
and last forever. That’s what the salesman told me, consequently, it
must be true. I weighed over 300 pounds when I started last summer
and am “down” to 282 thanks in a large part to cycling.

When I started up again as an adult, I had trouble getting my feet on
the pedals (don’t forget, I’m fat). It took me two or three tries to
just get rolling. Once I got to where I could get started on one try,
I'd ride my couch (my bike is so comfortable I call it my couch.) to
the church parking lot next door and perform figure eights.

The next step: I now ride on some of the less-traveled streets. My
area is somewhat hilly and it’s easy to find the right-sized hills on
which to train. I've been wearing a helmet, I have a bell (more to
greet folks and give them a warning I'm coming through) and a rear-
view mirror on the left.

Thanks for listening. I look forward to the day when I can talk more
on a more advanced level of cycling.

Bob