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Bicycles @lemmy.ca
hangyor @sh.itjust.works

How do I start/proceed

I want to begin riding bikes more for exercise and ultimately to commute to work.

Unfortunately I'm overweight and very out of shape. Work is about 20 miles away, along busy highways with big shoulders but moderate traffic. About 55 mph is the speed limit.

I'm trepidatious about obviously getting hit, but also I don't think I'd be able to go the whole way right off the bat. I'll train some first.

I'm thinking some kind of ebike like a Specialized Tero 3.0 but don't know. The shoulders can be pretty tricky/ gravelly so I was shying away from road bikes with thinner tires. I was leaning ebike because I think they're cool/fun, help me better keep up speed, and will ultimately help keep me motivated.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

14 comments

  • If the roads are truly highways, you will want to check the laws where you are to confirm if it is legal to ride your bike on those roads. Typically, bikes are not allowed on highways. Regardless, you may want to see if there is an alternate route available. Riding on high speed roads with moderate to heavy traffic is not something I like to do if there is a different option available.

    As someone else suggested, a gravel bike may be a good option. Personally I would avoid an e-bike. Nothing wrong with them, but if the goal is to get exercise, then why get a bike that is designed to minimize the amount of work you have to do? It will be tougher in the beginning while you get used to it, but once you do, you'll be fine.

    By far, the single most valuable resource available to new riders is a good local bike store. Find one and talk to them about what you're trying to do. They'll be able to make recommendations that are right for you. They'll also be familiar with the roads in your area and be able to offer good advice about potential routes.

    • So, the reality is, getting out on any bike e or no is better than not riding a bike. There are proven health benefits for ebikes too, it's not as much as non ebike, but it's also non negligible.

      IMO yes, start with a non ebike, but for a 20 mile commute, get an ebike. You're already going to need to find another route, so it isn't going to be a straight 20 miles, and if you're doing it every day, the days you're late you're gonna drive, whereas with an Ebike, you're more likely to do it every day. So set yourself up for success and get a cheap gravel bike and then a commuter centric ebike. Now to be clear, not the ebikes you don't have to pedal. Get a tern hsd or something.

      I am an avid cyclist, and I love having an ebike in the stable so that on days I'm late, I can still stay on a bike vs driving. Just stay away from the "ebikes" that you don't pedal. Look for ones with the motor inbetween the pedals. I also kind of think saying to stay away from an ebike because you're trying to get in shape is backwards. An ebike is an easier stepping stone towards being more active assuming you get the right kind.

      Consistency is typically better for getting in shape than how hard you do it. So if you bike 1 or 2 times a week because you're biking on the weekends, vs 5 (10 since 2x a day) commuting to work, the commuting on an ebike is probably going to actually net you more than the weekend warrior exercise.

      Edit: one more thing. Route route route. It's been said above, but finding the most bike friendly route to get somewhere is absolutely key. That means not biking on 55mph roads.

  • Lots of supportive great advice here. My only two adds here are:

    1. there is actually a guidebook for biking safely. Very much similar to a driver manual. The SoCal Bike Associative used to have it posted years ago but look that up and give it a read.
    2. find a local recreational biking group on your region and ride with them. There should be one that's beginner friendly. If you can't find one immediately look for a bike build community. We have a few in my city. One called Bike Kitchen. They teach you how to repair your bike and introduce you to other new riders and experts who love teaching.
14 comments