2010 was my best ever year for biking

[coriolis]

I go nuts with the spreadsheets - Here it is by the numbers:

3444 Miles total in 2010
2222 Miles on Road Bike
1222 Miles on Mountain Bike
465 Miles in June - Highest Month
180 Miles - Highest in any 7-day period
123 Days with a bike ride
99 Degrees F - hottest bike ride
80 Miles - longest single ride
66 Number of times commuted to work by bike
52 My age
43 Miles in December - Lowest Month
24 Miles round trip to work
21 Degrees F - coldest bike ride
17 Bike rides in September - Highest Month
6 Days - Most consecutive days riding
3 Number of times crashed - just flesh wounds, no broken bones.


Regarding the commuting, I estimate that I drove to work about 30 times and took the bus the remaining 130-odd times

[vbhoutex]

We're going to have to change your username to green man since you leave so small a carbon footprint. You're probably at your high school weight too. You are to be congratulated.

[Pburgh]

Ed, I'm tired just reading that!!!!! Good Job

[vbhoutex]

Ed, I'm tired just reading that!!!!! Good Job

Heck, I passed out after the first 10 miles!! Ed you are an example to be followed, at least with your physical exercise. I will reserve comment otherwise.

[Stephanie]

We're going to have to change your username to green man since you leave so small a carbon footprint. You're probably at your high school weight too. You are to be congratulated.

Ditto!

I think the only carbon footprint Ed left was during the 3 crashes with the flesh wounds.

I am VERY impressed.

[Aquawind]

That's awesome! Nice Job!

[chris_fit]

Inspiring. Great job!

I want to get into bike riding, I loved it when I was a teen; I'm now in my mid/late 20s and I want to get back into it. I only have a "mountain bike" from Wal-Mart.

What's a good inexpensive way to get back into this sport? I would assume I need to buy a "real" bike first. Any advice you can give on what bikes are good, how to start, how many miles, etc.? I am in fairly decent shape.

Thanks,
Chris

[Tireman4]

Well, I ran over 2200 miles last year. Your biking seems better though...

[coriolis]

I don't know about that tireman. I'd put the ratio at about 15:1, with 15 bike miles equal to one running mile in terms of effort and cardio workout.

Awesome!

[coriolis]

Inspiring. Great job!

I want to get into bike riding, I loved it when I was a teen; I'm now in my mid/late 20s and I want to get back into it. I only have a "mountain bike" from Wal-Mart.

What's a good inexpensive way to get back into this sport? I would assume I need to buy a "real" bike first. Any advice you can give on what bikes are good, how to start, how many miles, etc.? I am in fairly decent shape.

Thanks,
Chris

Any bike from a bike shop. Brand is not important. You will need to decide road bike/mountain bike/ or hybrid. The staff will be helpful about getting the right fit, and suggesting needed accessories. A helmet is a no brainer. Gloves are important to keep your hands from going to sleep and also to land on in a crash. Shorts (yes those dreaded lycra shorts) keep your nether regions from chafing. Snap-in shoes are not necessary, but add a lot of efficiency to the biomechanics. For a bike and helmet, shop around, but you should plan to spend at least $300-400 dollars.

You really need the support that a bike shop will give you. You can bring it back for checkups - the cables will stretch soon and everything will require at least one follow up. You'll get a warranty and free advice.

You start by getting on the bike and going. For the benefit of exercise, I believe that they say 4 times a week for a half hour. You can go up from there as your skill, endurance, and enjoyment increase. Find some like minded people to go with. Join a club, find someone at your work or church or neighborhood that ride. That's the best way to keep it going.

[Frank2]

Congratulations - your total mileage was double my own, so know how you feel, though I'll guess you're much younger than me (lol)...

I had a very nice park to ride from and the people who work there made my reason to be there 2 or 3 or 4 times a week even more enjoyable, so that's always a good thing...

I've found that riding in 10K segments really works - 10K up to 50K - whether I get up to 100K again is another thing - it's been about 19 years since that happened...

Frank