Larger beginner giving a wave from the North West.

[PhunkPilot]

Welcome to the Forum fella,

You're a stone lighter than me!!! I've lost a stone and a bit in the last six months cycling. Find a bike that suits you and go for it.

 

[billy1561]

Welcome buddy,you will enjoy this forum,it's full of good people and all happy to help.Once you get going going there is no turning back,cycling gets in your blood and you will want more !
Where abouts in the NW are you ? We go one a few group rides during the year (something still new to me but brilliant ) so you get to meet like minded people and see new places plus we always look after newer riders and don't leave them struggling.

Hey i didn't know there were group rides in the north west. Im' in Warrington but can get to most places and i would enjoy joining in something like that if it's possible. So long as it's not a mad pace!

 

[Banjo]

Hiya guys.

I'm a beginner from the North West UK... Infact, I don't think I could even be considered a beginner, since I don't even own a cycle!

I'm at a point where I'm looking in the mirror, and I'm not liking what I see. I'm just tipping the scales at 20 stone. I've spent the last 10 years sat at home, eating take away's and playing PC games. It's been fun, especially for a more reclusive chap. But after a sharp wakeup call from my GP, I've realised that there's more for me out there. I'd like to focus my energies on making my life longer, and better. Not shorter, and rubbish. So here I am, taking the first steps into some intimidating territory!

I've browsed through the forums for a few hours or so prior to registering, and it seems like a positive and friendly community. I know there isn't much I can do by way of actually contributing since I'm so clueless, and although I know I will be asking a lot of questions of you guys, I do hope that in a few years, when I'm not panting after that long walk up the stairs to my computer, I will be able to repay the favours by maybe offering some advice of my own.

So thats me! Looking forward to getting to know you guys.

Welcome aboard biglad. I restarted cycling a couple of years back and went from 16 stone to 12 stone in less than a year. I am presently on 12.5 so need to be carefull for a while.

In the early days it was seriously hard. My commute to work is less than 3 miles each way but with good hills. I arrived home (the uphill journey) soaked in sweat and unable to speak. Now its a doddle and I look forward to the ride.

Stick with it mate, little and often is good at first, if you use your bike for commuting to shops work library etc then it becomes part of your routine and you are getting ther miles in without even realizing.

Get a bike that can take a rack and panniers it makes it more versatile.

Good Luck let us know how it goes.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Welcome, BigLad. Good luck with the cycling and the weight loss... the first few pounds will be easy... they'll be from your wallet when you get the cycling bug!!

As has been said, there are a number of bods in the NW region and there are quite a few rides organised throughout the year (including Track do's at the Velodrome in Manchester - next one in June, I believe) so take a look round the rides section and try to join in - great fun and an easier/nicer way to get the miles in with likeminded people.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Hey i didn't know there were group rides in the north west. Im' in Warrington but can get to most places and i would enjoy joining in something like that if it's possible. So long as it's not a mad pace!

Take a look in the Rides section. Track do at the Velodrome in June if you fancy it. Been to a few myself (and hoping to make that one too) and they are a great laugh (hard work, but fun!).

 

[biglad]

Cheers for all the support guys.

I went along to a local bike shop after spending a lot of time on their website, unfortunately, I didn't check the address properly, even though it was in the name of their shop (Picton cycles in Liverpool... on Picton Road) and walked for 25 minutes to the shop I THOUGHT it was, only to discover it wasn't, and that that shop has closed down. 25 minutes to walk to a disused building. haha.

For the chap who asked, I'm in Liverpool mate. And I would love to partake in some rides with groups of cyclists, but it wouldn't be for a while. Not only is it an ability issue, but a confidence one too. Once I am comfortable with riding and feel a bit better about myself, I think joining some guys for a ride would be something I would greatly enjoy. I can't see it in my immediate future though!

I'm going to view a new place to live on Saturday morning with the Mrs. Its really close to the bike shop I mentioned (the actual one... not the abandoned building...) I'm also waiting on some new funds to come in which will be used to purchase my bike. But I'm going to need a lot of advice from these shop guys before I walk out with something usable. I'd love to say that I'm not utterly intimidated by this project. But I'm also really exited about making a transition form an old life to a new one. I have every intention of chronicling my progress by both weight and mileage so that in 2, maybe 3 years time I can see how I have learned to crawl, walk and then run. I REALLY do believe I'll be 'crawling' at first too. Not only am I large, I am extremely unfit. Walking up gentle slops absolutely kills me, so its going to be a challenge, but thats cool man, I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Aperitif]

Hello biglad. Someone mentioned earlier about Gaz, of this forum who lost a tremendous amount of weight using cycling as his tool of choice. Here's his blog, and there are many posts within this forum - he's become a right pest!
Ask away - no one will think your questions are silly.
As for joining in on the rides, well, just do it! We all have to start somewhere, and group riding at any level is the best form of mutual encouragement available. Good luck with your house, make sure it has n+1 rooms for your 'bike' (you'll get to know what that means too if you stick around here ).
There are one or two idiots on here, but mostly we're down South - the Northern posse I have met have all been house trained. In London, we even have a Liverpool FC fan riding around - he uses cycling as a pain killer for the footie results! Have fun!

 

[RedRider]

Back at ya biglad

Perfect time of year to start cycling and it's surprising how quickly your body gets used to it. I'd recommend cutting through the backstreets for a turn or two around Sefton Park!

 

[biglad]

Funnily enough, me and the better half are looking at places just south of Sefton Park. Viewing a gaff nearer Wavertree this weekend but I think I would like to look a bit further south, closer to St Michaels station for ease of getting to work. I'm gonna miss being able to walk to work and not having to own a Trio!

 

[skudupnorth]

The forum rides are just brilliant,there is no mad sprints,just a nice ride through the countryside with cafe/ice-cream/tea stops on route.Last one to Waddiington from Hebden Bridge was just fantastic,once you get going you will want to do more and more.
You proberly won't be too far from the Trans Pennine Trail which is a good flat trail which passes our end of the ship canal.

 

[andynlorrs]

hi big lad , andy here from Blackburn . New here myself too . Folk on here seem really helpfull . Good luck with your cycling , where u in n west ?

 

[Scoosh]

biglad and

to CycleChat

!


You've already been 'introduced' to the redoubtable gaz, his blog, his weight loss etc. You can read about it too, in the April edition of Cycling Active magazine (which is one of the better cycling mags around

, particularly for beginners)

Don't be afraid of going along to a CC Forum ride. I'm sure those around your area have a similar ethos to ours in Ecosse- no one gets left behind; relaxed pace ; any bike

; cake stop essential

; good chat (well, we ARE CycleChat !); lots of good advice; lots of stories of having been where you are now; n+1 .....

Once you have done one - you'll be back !


Keep us posted on how the bike buying, weight loss, house buying etc all pan out. There are so many helpful and encouraging folk on CC (just avoid P&L

!)

 

[gb155]

Welcome to the forum, if you do want to ask me anything, as suggested by others, I am always MORE than willing to help.

Good luck on your journey , its a wild one

 

[ohnovino]

Hello and from another Liverpool cyclist.

If you're looking for a decent LBS, Quinns on Edge Lane are pretty good. They seem to have the right balance of being knowledgeable but not looking down on newbies.

 

[biglad]

Well guys, I took the plunge!

Today on my day off work I headed to Picton Cycles in Liverpool and bought myself a Saracen Hybrid bike. The lads at the shop we're:

a.) VERY easy to deal with. Most 'specialist' shops, be they record shops, bike shops, computer shops have a certain level of potential intimidation when it comes to wimps like myself. But even when you stroll in, the lads there just seem laid back, and really approachable.
b.) Knowledgeable, At least for a new cyclist such as myself
c.) Not pushy in the slightest, and didn't encourage me to go for the most expensive bike there.

A very pleasant shopping experience indeed, and they will certainly be getting repeat business from me.

So I walked out with a fully assembled ready to ride bike and thought "oh bugger... I'm actually going to have to ride this thing now!" I waited until I got off the main road and then hopped on and had a go, got to the train station then rode all the way home after my shop (about a 10 minute ride.)

My knees hurt and I was super out of breath, but felt good! I just installed a little cycling computer so I can keep a note of my distance, and tried to figure out how to fit the bracket that came with the lock I bought, but was completely unable to do so, so I think I'm going to stick to keeping it in my backpack for now! haha.

Its going to be an agonising few weeks, but I'm exited!