lucklesspedestrian
Senior Member
- Location
- Perth (ish)
Hi there
So, the story is, I am currently 50, used to do a lot of cycling when I was in my teens and 20's (commuting, days out, youth hostelling etc). Then I basically got old and fat, went 7 stone overweight, High blood pressure etc etc. I bought a Raleigh Sport 200 hybrid 13 years ago, rode it approx twice then it sat under plastic sheeting in the garage for the next 13 years making me feel guilty.
After a health scare last Nov, I started getting into shape, bought an exercise bike and over the winter/spring lost 4 stone and got the BP back down to normal. Now, exercise bikes are deadly boring so in May I decided to get the Raleigh out (all it needed was lubing, tyres blowing up, brakes adjusting) and off I went.
I had forgotten just how enjoyable cycling was! I've been doing about 10 miles a night most nights after work and about 50 more over the weekend since early May. I'm getting slightly addicted, stamina is getting better every week, hills and headwinds don't bother me too much and my quads are starting to look like Chris Hoy's. I live in rural Perthshire in Scotland so the back roads around where I live are just spectacular and cycling is of course the best way to appreciate the countryside.
I'm looking for general advice on what to replace the Raleigh with. It's 13 or so years old and whilst it's a nice bike, I'd quite like a new toy! I'm also starting to max out on the gearing on a nice flat road with a slight breeze behind me. I come from an era when you basically went out and bought a "12 speed racer" but I'm aware that times have changed and there seems to be a whole different language out there.
I won't be doing any off road cycling of any description. I quite like the 700x35c hybrid wheels/tyres for the protection against the potholes and broken road surfaces (they've not improved really over the last 13 years have they?) but I suppose I need a road bike of some description, again it's the same use, evenings and weekends, recreational cycling, might persuade a few friends to go youth hostelling again next summer. I'm 6'2'' and still weigh 16 and a half stone and that will drop to around 14 stone by next spring. That's still overweight but better that the 21 stone I was 18 months ago. My point is I'm not too bothered about an ultra-lightweight machine given that realistically I'm never going to ba a 'racing snake'
Any thoughts? I wondered about new or second hand?
Thanks in advance
Steve
ps: Joe Blow floor pumps....best £25 I ever spent!
So, the story is, I am currently 50, used to do a lot of cycling when I was in my teens and 20's (commuting, days out, youth hostelling etc). Then I basically got old and fat, went 7 stone overweight, High blood pressure etc etc. I bought a Raleigh Sport 200 hybrid 13 years ago, rode it approx twice then it sat under plastic sheeting in the garage for the next 13 years making me feel guilty.
After a health scare last Nov, I started getting into shape, bought an exercise bike and over the winter/spring lost 4 stone and got the BP back down to normal. Now, exercise bikes are deadly boring so in May I decided to get the Raleigh out (all it needed was lubing, tyres blowing up, brakes adjusting) and off I went.
I had forgotten just how enjoyable cycling was! I've been doing about 10 miles a night most nights after work and about 50 more over the weekend since early May. I'm getting slightly addicted, stamina is getting better every week, hills and headwinds don't bother me too much and my quads are starting to look like Chris Hoy's. I live in rural Perthshire in Scotland so the back roads around where I live are just spectacular and cycling is of course the best way to appreciate the countryside.
I'm looking for general advice on what to replace the Raleigh with. It's 13 or so years old and whilst it's a nice bike, I'd quite like a new toy! I'm also starting to max out on the gearing on a nice flat road with a slight breeze behind me. I come from an era when you basically went out and bought a "12 speed racer" but I'm aware that times have changed and there seems to be a whole different language out there.
I won't be doing any off road cycling of any description. I quite like the 700x35c hybrid wheels/tyres for the protection against the potholes and broken road surfaces (they've not improved really over the last 13 years have they?) but I suppose I need a road bike of some description, again it's the same use, evenings and weekends, recreational cycling, might persuade a few friends to go youth hostelling again next summer. I'm 6'2'' and still weigh 16 and a half stone and that will drop to around 14 stone by next spring. That's still overweight but better that the 21 stone I was 18 months ago. My point is I'm not too bothered about an ultra-lightweight machine given that realistically I'm never going to ba a 'racing snake'
Any thoughts? I wondered about new or second hand?
Thanks in advance
Steve
ps: Joe Blow floor pumps....best £25 I ever spent!
Which one will depend on your budget. Edinburgh Bike Company have a good selection and some good deals
