Getting more Comfortable on the Comfort Bike
November 10, 2010 by MJP
Filed under Boomer Lifestyle
I’ve been using my comfort bike for about 100 days. It is now my primary method of aerobic exercise, although walking could go back on the exercise agenda if my knee pain stays away. Using the bike, I get a good aerobic workout while running errands (grocery store, bank, etc.) without using gas.
< I am getting more comfortable riding the bike on our nearby four lane road. With the time change, I now have more light early in the morning. I bought a $3 fluorescent green safety vest at Harbor Freight Tools to wear over my cold weather clothing when I ride.
BTW – Have you ever shopped in a Harbor Freight Tools store? The deals there can be amazing. While I was there, I bought a digital multi-meter with a back lit LCD display for $5.99. Wow. That store is a very dangerous place for me to be.
Back to the comfort bike. With the vest combined with my front and rear strobe lights, I am highly visible from all directions. If anyone hits me, there will be a lawsuit and Mrs. P will probably win. Sadly, I will still be injured or dead but at least it won’t have been my fault.
I am eager to try the bike on the packed gravel roads and off-road trails at Long Branch Lakes. My hope is being able to easily ride the bike from our condo to the LBL General Store for breakfast or to pick up some groceries. Comfort bikes are designed to be pedaled while seated at all times, i.e. no standing up going up hills. There are hills at LBL so that will be the challenge. Hopefully, the 21 speed shifter on the bike will give me the gearing I need to get up those hills without a problem. We are scheduled to close on the condo next week so that test should come soon.
I have to give a shout out to REI for their service on my comfort bike. I brought it in last month for its post-sale, in-warranty “tune-up.” They told me that they would have to keep it 4-5 days because of their work load. Amazingly, they called me later that day and told me that they had completed the tune-up already. I like that our local REI store is only a short bike ride from our house.
I am going to be watching Craigslist for a used bike trainer that will allow me to use my comfort bike as an indoor stationary bike on poor weather days.
I’m curious if many of my fellow boomers are getting back into biking as a primary mode of exercise. How about it?
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Glad to hear your experiences with the new bike are so far all positive. I’m 66 and have been biking for over 30 years. These days most of my trips are in the 15-30 mile range; a decade ago I logged an occasional “century” (100 mile ride)and enjoyed a few extended tours as well.
I was a little concerned that a helmet did not appear on your list of safety equipment. Hopefully that was an editorial oversight and not an indication that you haven’t equipped yourself with this critically important piece of gear. You don’t have to be hit by a car to find yourself upside down on the roadway. A spot of sand or a few wet leaves will put you there too. And critical head injuries are all too often the result of failing to strap on a “brain bucket.”
Aside from riding without a helmet, another mistake that new riders often make is to pedal slowly and try to muscle their way up a grade. This is the worst thing you can do as it puts way too much stress on your feet and knee joints. Experienced bikers maintain a steady pedaling cadence, generally in excess of 80 rpm, and shift up and down as terrain and wind require. Spinning takes you farther with less effort and minimizes strain on your joints.
BTW, “Comfort Bike” seems to be the nom-de-jour for what was previously known as a hybrid, a lightweight cross between a road bike and a trail bike.
Happy biking.
John – Thanks for the input. Indeed, I purchased a helmet with the bike and wear it at all times. And I do not try to muscle my way up a grade. I downshift instead, as you recommend. I’m not sure I maintain an 80 RPM pedal cadence but next time I ride I will evaluate it. The comfort bike is somewhat different from a hybrid (which I used to own) mostly because of the handle bar and relative geometry of the seat and pedal positions.
My hubby & I are 55 and 53 (he is retired & I’m 3 years out), and have both had recent-year injuries & minor surgeries. With lots of trails in our area, we do bike (including some spin/stationary biking), as well as walk, hike, xc ski, & snowshoe moderately for exercise-gave up the higher intensity activities like aerobocs & running. Hard to admit to limitations & adjust to physical problems, but we’re trying to stay fit!
PS-I enjoy your posts (and this is my first comment)! Thanks.