OK, so I thought I would start this thread to see how many people out there are also into biking on the road.

I just got reacquainted with it again this past summer. I live in Dallas which has the climate (it's in the 70's and 80's this weekend) and the bike paths for it.

So I bought a Raliegh Grand Sport road bike for about $650.00. I noticed the stock tires were an issue after averaging a flat tire a month. So I replaced those with highly puncture resistant Gator Skin tires. Put a digital spedometer / odometer and added LED lights on the front and back.

Purchased a Saris Bones 2 to carry the bike to other locales and to the bike store. That was about $115 but was worth it since I don't have a pickup truck (it's lightweight, easy to put on and take off and customized to the car you drive).

Started around 1 mile at the end of March 2007 and I am now up to 13-15 miles (it sounds like a lot but it's not because Texas is mostly flat so some of that is coasting). Used to ride every other day but it's now limited to Saturday and Sunday because the days are shorter. Last weekend I did 26 miles (that was far) but probably won't go that far again until next summer since we are entering winter down here and I can only go out on weekends now.

Great way to exercise and being on the border with rural Texas Ranch Country, see lots of wildlife in action along the ride....so great stress reducer as well.

Good for you. I too am just getting back into cycling after a long time away. I try to get 5 miles a day a nice pace the only time I take off is if it is raining. I do my riding after I get off work it helps me eliminate the days stress as an investment broker as well as keeping me in some kind of condition. Keep up the good work.

As long as I can remember I've been biking. I have just recently been shopping around to get a road bike because I just don't have any need of a mountain bike anymore. Also, biking is a great way to keep up the cardio exercise when I need a break from running.
Still not sure exactly what road bike to get yet...any tips? looking in about the $650-$700 range.

Perhaps this thread is getting old, but maybe someone can help me with a question.

My agency is participating in a 26 mile bicycle run to raise funds for veterans. If I'm capable of running 11-12 miles on the track, is a 26 mile bike ride much different? Is it utilizing the same muscles?

I'm an avid runner myself.

To answer your qustion, the activity of running and cycling are both considered aerobic exercise, as opposed to non-aerobic.

Which means you are utilizing the same primary muscles for running as for cycling; hip, hamstring, quadriceps, gluteus maximus, and calf.

hope this helps. Please keep us posted on your event! That rocks, what your doing!

I know that I can run 10-12 miles on a flat track during a cool night, but attempting half that distance on a hilly run or in sand would be a challenge. The heat knocks me out too, but you answered my question. There shouldn't be much of a difference. I still have to train first.

My dep't had 2,600 members. The guys tried to start a USMC club, but low attendance made the idea fizzle. Someone started a veterans club and it has grown faster than ever expected. The only way I'll miss this bike ride is if I'm dead and buried. Dead ain't good enough.

Thank you Pipedreams.

Scpd, just so you know, biking and running are both aerobic activities, but you will notice a burn in your quads that running never gave you. Running and biking are great complimentary exercises. I use them for cross training. I run 3 miles 3 times a week and bike 16 miles 2 times a week. I am 6'-6" tall and 250#. Running gets to my knees at times, so I added the biking about 4 months ago. It is great.

A note to bike buyers. If you are not necessarily interested in road racing and don't care about getting a whole lot of miles under your belt, I recommend riding a mountain bike and mounting some smooth tires on it. It is a more durable bike and more ergonomic for most new riders. You can also get them with suspension for us old farts

I apologize for not responding earlier than this. I will fine myself $25.00

For our July's bike ride to the beach and back, do I need a racing bicycle? Or can I get away with someting that's sitting in the garage since Carter was president? It will be just a once-a-year event.

On another thread someone posted a 1 to 3 1/2 ratio; in that, running is 3 1/2 times more difficult than biking. As EGHansen said, there are hamstring muscles that aren't used as much in running. I'll have to start riding soon to prevent an injury.

Thanks
Kevin

I do a bit of biking, and more running. I like to bike, but its hard up here in the boston area to find routes that are not so congested with cars and potholes in the roads etc. One idea to get some good rides in is to search for charity rides in your area. You get all the road support, sometimes traffic support and you don't always have to raise a ton of money, and what you do raise goes to a good cause. You also get to ride with a bunch of great people as well. as an example check out
++http://WWW.PMC.ORG]WWW.PMC.ORG
I also agree with the continental ultra gatorskin tires. I have ridden hundreds of miles without a flat on those tires. I will be jinxed now I guess...

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: pipedreamsandbabies,

I easily bike 7000 or more miles a year. Got into cycling in 2004, I run maybe couple hundred miles a year. When I started cycling I weighed 225 pounds, as of today. yes I was this bored. I weigh 166. The only thing that I have changed is the fact that I ride a bike. I have not changed one chili cheese dog in my diet. Started with 8 miles a week and at my high point I was riding 235 miles a week.

Although I do prefer Mountain, no traffic, fresh air and some killer views in Washington State when I lived there and Central Valley California where I'm currently living.

Love cycling so much, that I'm a rider, mechanic, coach, and racer.

I like to trail bike. At Cedar Hill State Park(Joe Pool Lake) here in the DFW area we have some really challenging dirt trails. The DORMA trails. If anyone is in DFW and likes to bike I'm usually at the park on Sundays(its my church). The best part is after your done trail biking these are also hiking trails. So you can turn around and run them after you get done riding.