Pedal that bike

[Crickshir]

I like to ride bikes. I think I like that better than walking. I started riding my bike a little over two weeks ago. I made one destination goal, then made another destination goal. Today I accomplished another goal:thumb: but I believe I bit off more than I could chew, went to far.:crazy: I'm just getting back into riding after not riding for quite some time. I have a gimpy left knee and arthritis in several places, the worst in my right ankle and fibromyalgia. So I just have to take more medicine and it helps at times. Guess how I rewarded my self? With a coffee and apple fritter.:sad: Maybe some of you can share what or how you reward yourself for an accomplishment. I have never been good about disciplining myself. I grew up an only child and quite spoiled, never was disciplined. So it needs to be done by me now and that has been hard over the years. I do think I'm disciplined in some ways but obvious not with food. I'm a food addict.:sad:
I'm going to cut back on distance with my bike til I know I'm ready to go farther.

[Stitchy]

I like to ride bikes. I think I like that better than walking. I started riding my bike a little over two weeks ago. I made one destination goal, then made another destination goal. Today I accomplished another goal:thumb: but I believe I bit off more than I could chew, went to far.:crazy: I'm just getting back into riding after not riding for quite some time. I have a gimpy left knee and arthritis in several places, the worst in my right ankle and fibromyalgia. So I just have to take more medicine and it helps at times. Guess how I rewarded my self? With a coffee and apple fritter.:sad: Maybe some of you can share what or how you reward yourself for an accomplishment. I have never been good about disciplining myself. I grew up an only child and quite spoiled, never was disciplined. So it needs to be done by me now and that has been hard over the years. I do think I'm disciplined in some ways but obvious not with food. I'm a food addict.:sad:
I'm going to cut back on distance with my bike til I know I'm ready to go farther.


I do fun things for myself. Get a pedi/manicure. Buy a trinket. Go somewhere fun - like the Zoo or to an afternoon movie. Get your hair done - not just a cut but styled. To a department store and have them do your makeup. There's lots of fun stuff.

[MarkB]

You might want to try a lower gear on the bike when you pedal so that your pedals are spinning faster. This will take some of the loading off of your knees. You can go just as fast and as far, but it will be a lot easier on your knees.

For reference: Most bicycle racers turn their pedals at a rate of 100 rpm (revolutions per minute). Most riders who have not had training typically want to only pedal at a rate of less than 60 rpm, but to decrease the stress on your knees go up to 80 rpm and it will decrease the torque required for the same amount of output from your body. If you have trouble figuring out what your pedal rate is buy a cheap cycle meter with cadence on it. You can probably find one on the internet at one of the bike shops there for less than $30.