Time to start this months challenge.
I'm still in newbie mode with my bike, and still only getting the 2mile ride in.

but I'm going to get the stationery one set up also.
For sure 3x week @ 2 miles, so 25 miles.
but setting my goal at 45 to push myself - which is the purpose of these challenges, right?

45/45/0

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Mary Kay 1/1/04 - 232
5/19/08 (5/23/08) - sw226/(cw222)/mg210/fg160

Mary Kay, you have inspired me!! I got my husbands bike out and ready to ride. I hope to start (in the morning) riding it to curves. I go at 5:30 in the a.m and it is 3 1/2 miles away. Lucky for me there is no traffic at 5 am!! So that is 7 miles per day if I ride the 3x's I hope to get to curves, that is 21 miles per week, 84 miles for the month. Maybe I will give myself a break and say 50 miles on the bike for the month. I have loved reading your biking and Curves 6 week challenge updates! Keep it up, you will be under that dreaded 200 mark before you know it! And you will feel so good!! I can't wait to get under it again. I told myself I would never again see 200, and I passed it up so fast, I didn't even notice. Oh well, not to beat myself up, tomorrow is a new day and a great time to start! Thank you for being so willing to share in your journey! Dani~

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Hi MaryKay,
I have set my goal for biking at 45 miles. Am hoping to walk 90 and bike 45 for June. We have a new Curves close to where I live. Is it expensive to join? I may take the leap and do that too.
Happy Trails!

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320/279/150
Started Atkins 1-19-04

Thanks for the info about Curves. I called today and go Thursday for a complimentary visit and to try out the machines. Woohoo-----

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320/279/150
Started Atkins 1-19-04

Mary Kay - I am in. Didn't get started last month on my training for the charity ride in Auguts (weather has been crappy and I don't ride in the rain). Tonight - I haul out my gear. Tomorrow AM, I will try to wheeze through my 7 mile loop. I gotta tell you, I love biking, but always have a hard time getting on the bike for that first ride of the season.

Dani, may I make a suggestion. You may want to have you local bike shop adjust your husband's bike to fit you (I am assuming he has no p,lans to ride it himself). I found through painful experience that if the seat is not at just the right height you can do a number on your knees, even if you are riding only three or four miles at a time. Your local shop should be able to adjust the bike quickly and either for free or a nominal charge - just watch out for the hard court press to sell you your own bike!

Good biking, everybody!

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Jen



179/179/120

Hi fellow Cyclists, I have not gotten on the bike yet this month.....:( It is at the top of my list for in the morning!!

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320/279/150
Started Atkins 1-19-04

Hello Everyone! Didn't get to bike yesterday and I have eaten rotten both yesterday and today, but I did get a 2 mile walk in and a 3 mile bike ride. Tomorrow is a new day, eating wise. I bought the ingredients in Maggie's cereal today, and even though I am going to be on induction, I am going to try it. Will count the carbs, and hope for the best. I will be going to Curves in the morning, and I think I can ride the bike, but there is this MAJOR hill between my house and Curves, so I am a bit nervous about that. I don't mind walking up part of it (especially because there is no one around that early!) I just hope I will be able to ride home after exercising. It is a big gully-so up hill both ways! Thank you, Mary Kay, for starting this challenge!

Jestey, thank you for the suggestion about my husband's bike. He has shorter legs than I do, but the seat was way high, so the slant I was sitting at was hurting my wrists. Tonight he lowered the seat(after I read your post, thank you!) and my wrists don't hurt, but it was too short on the legs. I wonder if I can raise the handle bars? I will have to take it down to Mike's Bike shop and see what they can do.

So, 3 down, 47 to go for the month!

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Well, it poured rain this morning - I think I already mentioned this, but I don;t ride in the rain (too dangerous since I ride early in the morning, by myslef, and that white paint when wet can be brutal - guaranteed to flatten myself all over the road). Anyhoo, I did walk when I got home yesterday. It's supposed to be nice tomorrow morning, so I'm hoping to get out then.

Dani - a coupleof pointers here. 1) when you are coming up to the hill, shift into a lower gear (one where you are spinning faster) - if you can keep your pedaling the same speed in a lighter gear, you are more likely to climb the hill. Harder gears and hills do not mix! Great way to really tire out the leg muscles. 2) Love the hill - hills are just about the best butt exercise going! And, what goes up must come down, so pedal like hell on the way down rather than coasting, and your momentum will carry you further up the next hill. 3) Definitely hit Mike's for an adjustment - they will get everything just right - sometimes the angle of the seat, if it off, can cause - er - numbness in the nether regions. 4) I know of know other exercise in which you can get stronger quickly. Trust me on this one - you will see marked improvements in your strength and endurance in just a few rides. Good luck!

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Jen



179/179/120

jestey, Thank you for all of the pointers. I hope to get my dad's truck to take the bike down. I am wondering about a wider seat, this one feels like it is leaving bruises on the part that is sitting on it! I will figure out which way to shift to make it easier. The hills are pretty big, I was thinking about the coasting factor, but I am afraid of the big WIPE OUT at the bottom if I can't handle the bike well enough! It has been an awfully long time since I have ridden for any amount of time! I will just have to brave it, and then the next time won't be so bad.

Havn't gotten any more biking done, did get a nice walk today. Rain forcast for tomorrow, but I don't know if I trust those weathermen after listening to Maggie and her plant dancing!

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well, off to a slow start - haven't felt too good this week until today. Tummy & bathroom problems.
so, rode the bike to curves today (and did a workout). 3 miles. I gotta get moving on this now.

45/3/42

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Mary Kay 1/1/04 - 232
5/19/08 (5/23/08) - sw226/(cw222)/mg210/fg160

Weather has been horrid, so no biking yet (I am such a wuss!) Hey, Dani - you may want to rethink a wider seat - the larger the surface area, the more it presses on your bottom, the sorer you will be. My first season, I had one of those gel seat covers, thinking that that would really cushion my poor bum - weeks went by and my butt was still sore! I explained my problem to this guy I used to work with who rode pro for years (yes, you do have the most unusual conversations with people when you bike) and he told me to get rid of the seat cover. Sure enough, within three days, no more soreness. Sounds like a good seat adjustment is in order for you - the angle could be wrong. It'll probably take a day or two to get your "sit bones" to the point where they don't hurt.

Mary Kay - I think you are doing great!

I'm thinking I'll try to get out tomorrow morning before church, if it is someone clear. Why oh why is the first ride of the season so tough?

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Jen



179/179/120

Hi Everyone... Finally got a couple miles in -- That makes 45/2/43 to go

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320/279/150
Started Atkins 1-19-04

Decided at the last minute tonight to go out on the bike. It was just such a nice evening.

45/5/40

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Mary Kay 1/1/04 - 232
5/19/08 (5/23/08) - sw226/(cw222)/mg210/fg160

Have not been on the bike for a while.. Just wanted to check in -- You're doing great MK..

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320/279/150
Started Atkins 1-19-04

Got a mile and 1/2 in. 45/3.5/41.5 to go

Slow going with my challenge, but hanging in there!

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320/279/150
Started Atkins 1-19-04