I hurt my ankle!/I'm buying a bike.

A couple of weeks ago I'm running on a treadmill trying to do three consecutive seven minute miles - I've never done this before, but I think I'm in shape to where I can do it now. I set the pace, start running, and at 17:30 I decide that I'm spent and it wouldn't be prudent for me to continue any longer. Fine, I think, that's not too far off. Two or three more tries and I'll get there. So, everything is fine until I return from the gym. I get out of my car and *oh shit!* my left ankle hurts like hell and I'm limping! Everything felt fine during my run, and I never noticed a point where I felt I had any injury. I limp for about a day after that. Now I can walk normally, but my ankle still hurts.

I've been wanting a road bike for a few months now, and that injury was just what I needed to provoke me to buy one. I'm looking at a Trek 1.2 and I plan on buying it to use as my primary method of cardio to replace running. If all goes well I should have it by the end of the week.

I have a trek 7.2. I like the fact that it has similar perforance to a road bike without the tendency to... bend a rim if I go offroad a tish.

I applaud you for getting your lazy ass outside.

I can't wait for spring to show up so I can start biking outside.

No idea about your ankle though. There are some strengthening exercises you can do to help. The University of Michigan guy that trains hockey players designed a good one, although I doubt you'll be able to find it online. We got a pamphlet at a hockey school last winter. I sprained both my ankles when I was 16 in the same summer....and I had problems until I did those ankle exercises.

I got a bike!!!!!!


http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/1_series/12/



I rode a few miles today. My hands, back, arms, and ass gave out. My lungs did not and I barely broke a sweat. Looks like I'm going to have to get in bike shape before I can get a good cardio workout on a bike.

Yeah, bike shape sucks.

But, its worth it.

Christ, I hurt right now. But, yes, it will be worth it.

My legs and ass don't hurt anymore. I can get pretty much anywhere in town I would want to go by car, by bike now.

So now you're a dirty hippie too?

Save the environment.

If you do it for the right reasons, you're not a dirty hippie.
1. Save money on gas.
2. Get in better shape
3. Enjoy being outside.

However, if you do it to save the environment, you're a horrible, horrible person who needs to be put in a washing machine until you give up the (hippie) ghost.

Is there a way to do the first three *without* doing the fourth by default?

Sweet bike! Might want to get a gel seat, though. Those skinny little saddles can be painful on long trips.

Being environmentally friendly by accident is no problem with me. It's just not anywhere near the top of my list of reasons for riding a bike. I don't have a superiority complex about how I'm helping save the environment, I have a superiority complex about how much better shape I'm in than people who don't ride.

Thanks!

I'm sure those kind of seats are comfy, but I'm keeping my bike as close to a racing bike as I practically can. If the pro tour guys can ride on a skinny seat for hours and weeks on end, I can ride one for a few hours a day.

^Is it very hilly where you are?

This is my baby (with a basket upfront for errands):

Relaxed geometry and very stylish.


As for hills, I'm in East-central Alabama. There are quite a few hills, but they're just hills, not mountains. Fairly easy climbing.

Thanks. I get compliments all the time. The best was a 30-something guy in a Jag at a stop sign who gave me the and yelled "Nice ride!"

All right, then. And you'll find you build stamina week by week. Good choice for staying in shape.

Still a dirty hippie.



You sold your gun too. To 'become' a dirty hippie.

I did 23 miles today on bike. That's my longest ride so far combined with the steepest hills I've dealt with so far. I love the pain.

Starting tomorrow I'm going to live car-free for a week.

I know I'm about three weeks late, but is your bike adjusted right?

I used to have a cheapo Wal-Mart bike that killed my back every time I rode it very far ... until I took it to a bike shop and had it fitted with a new, longer stem. I'm fairly tall, and the original stem, even at its maximum extension, resulted in me hunching over whenever I rode. The longer stem made biking a lot more comfortable.

I was fitted perfectly at a local bike shop before I bought my bike. And I spent a cringe-inducing amount of money to get started on an entry-level Real Road Bike. It was worth it.

Do you ride a lot? You should look into getting a bike from your bike shop that has a frame that's your size.

I won't post in your thread if you don't post in mine.

Of course, I was hoping to get my bike out this weekend too, and then it snowed 'another' foot.

Fuck!

Well, this thread just cost me $450.

Pics?

I've always thought it hugely ironic that any time someone yells "Pics?!" at me when talking about my bike, I snap one of it on the bike rack on the back of my Audi. Irony!

How is that ironic?

It's ironic that the bike bought for the purpose of fitness is normally hauled somewhere by a car.

It just strikes my funny bone.

I see what you mean.

Around here, it's a Hummer with a couple of $3,000 mountain bikes on a roof rack.

Back East I had a neighbor who used to drive to the health club...three blocks from her house.

I wish I could bike to my health club. Alas, they have no bike racks/bike storage.

They don't even have pole lights in the parking lot?

I hadn't thought of that.