FancyPants Group- CLOSED (Page 11)

Thoughts and prayers are with you Anne.

Good job on the miles Matt.

No idea on the trainer, I don't even know what a trainer looks like (Well except maybe the cute personal trainer at the gym   )  I am definitely not a bike person.    I actually have been wondering if there are any tri's out there that are only swim run swim.  or run swim run.  The whole idea of having to deal with equipment is freaking me out!

Don't sweat the bike!  Just think back to when you were little, and your bike let you go anywhere you want!  Here's a link to what a trainer is.  I love mine!  Keeps me going all winter long!

http://search.performancebike.com/search?p=Q&ts=custom&w=trainer

So instead of going to the gym and riding on their stationary or spinning bikes you can just use the bike you ride on outside?  Wow that looks great

I'm not so much afraid of the bike itself.  I love to go out on the bike paths with my mountain bike and my "big butt seat" and relax and just take all day riding from one town to another etc.  It's the whole idea that during a race I could have to deal with a chain coming off or a tire blowing etc.  Changing a tire would take so long that in a short sprint you might as well forget about the rest of the race, by the time I got it changed it would be over.  And then there's those skinny seats!  Ugh, that old ten speed of mine hasn't been ridden in years for a reason, it's not comfortable.  I guess it's just the fact that I am relying on something other than just my body to do a race.   Something mechanical that I can't necessarily predict if something will break on it or go wrong.   (Does that make sense?)

But I do need to dig out that bike and get it cleaned up and fixed up.  Maybe once I try racing on a bike it won't be as scarey

You're exactly right about the trainer.  My bike has been in my trainer in the basement just about all winter long.  The only thing that I do at the Y is swim.  No treadmill (unless absolutely necessary) and definitely no stationary bikes.

As for the mechanical aspects of it, if your LBS tunes up your bike correctly there shouldn't be any chain issues.  As for flats, well, they happen and there isn't too much you can do short of making sure that your tubes and tires are in good shape.  Tubes are cheap, and depending on the tires you pick, they can be reasonable or outregeous.  I tend to put new tubes and tires on my bike every spring.

Scout

Hey gang, Could ya help a brother out?

My significant other (Betsy) and I have ended a long and wonderful relationship.  Frankly, I'm crushed.  I thought we were getting better and better, but i obviously missed the 'signs' she giving me.  I'm having a difficult time staying focused, but I've missed a good deal of workouts lately, so I'm gonna have to drag myself to the gym and try to sweat away my sorrows.  Thanks for listening to a grown man pout.   Hope everyone is doing well.  Spring is near. 

So sorry Jeff.  It's definitely hard to deal with.  Been there! 

Take one day at a time and allow yourself time to grieve.  Training may help with a distraction or it may not.  Do what's best for you.

First time posting pictures so not sure if this will work or not

I went to the garage today to get the old ten speed out and see what type of work it needs.  I remember now why I haven't had it out in a long time.  It's missing a pedal.  I hate to load it up and take it to the bike shop just to find out what it is that I need to buy.  Do you think this picture shows it well enough to print out and tell them what I want?

or is there a specific size or something I'm looking for to tell them?

(P4050003edit.JPG)

Looks like you need a crank and a pedal.  I'd still take it into the LBS.  They may have a 'junk box' in the back that has a crank and pedal that would work for your bike.  You can at least talk to them before taking the bike in and see if they think they'd be able to help.

Jeff - Don't know what to say except that I'm sorry to hear about your situation.

Matt

A new bike makes everything better! I highly recommend. If you have been reading my blog, I had a dear friend die last week. I was in such a funk and am trying hard to pull out of it. I have always wanted this bike and the trek store had a sale. I decided that life is too short and they had 12 months same as cash so I can pay it off slowly.

I tried attaching a pic but wasn't successful.  If you click on my name, the pictures are there and if you click on the pictures you get a huge picture of me and my new baby.   

Matt, May 17, how cold will the water be?  Are you going to rent a wetsuit?  Brrrrr, I'm cold just thinking about it.  My first this year is May 31 and last year the water was 69 on race day. 

Congrats on signing up for your first race!  Its good to have a goal. 

Jeff, it sounds like you are getting on the right track.  I was a single parent of 3 for 7 years.  I know all about refocusing and time constraints.  I have worked midnights and will tell you once your body gets used to a day shift only you will be much happier.  Our circadian rhythms just don't match with night shifts and you may not notice it now but you will feel like a totally different person.  You will get a routine and life will just seem easier.  You couldn't pay me enough to ever work another night shift.  The world is just brighter on the day shift. We are here for you.