First post

Not a lot to report at this time. After a long layoff, I've returned to bicycling. My bikes include a Nishiki Cresta touring bike, 1983 model of which I'm the original owner and a 1996 Gary Fisher Xcaliber mountain bike I picked up for a very very low price. Both bikes, despite neglect over the past few years, are in very good shape. So far, I've only replaced tires on both. The bottom bracket on the Nishiki was rebuilt and the chain replaced. I also replaced the seat on the Nishiki, having found a duplicate of the original seat, only in a different color, tan rather than black.

My oldest son, a mountain bike aficionado, turned up his nose when I replaced the tires on the Gary Fisher with slicks, but I don't see myself as knocking about on the trails. The GF will see duty primarily as my rainy day and utility bike.

I've been back riding about a month. Long years ago, I put in about 150 miles per week riding primarily for exercise. While that is certainly a reason for getting back on my bikes, its not the only one. I plan on using the bikes for short trips of up to 10 miles shopping and the like. Assuming I can figure it out, I plan on building a trailer to haul my canoes and kayaks to the nearby lake for paddling and fishing. The GF also serves as the tow vehicle for the trailer I pull Drake, my five year old grandson in when we go to the park. Drake lives with me and his MeMa.

Of course, one of the reasons for my return to bicycling is losing weight. I ballooned to 250 lbs on a 5'9" frame. That has to come off. But, at this point, I'll not include serious dieting with the exercise routine. Basically, I find that, as I increase my exercise level, the diet improves and I lose weight. Past experience with heavy diet/exercise routines have resulted in lots of weight loss, but I'm not one to keep up a diet for long. Hopefully, healthier eating will supplant the need to diet.

For now, I'm attempting to ride 10+ miles three to five times a week, with one of the rides being a long ride. I'll move that distance up, especially with cooler fall weather and to meet my goal of riding a century, hopefully in October. By Spring, I will attempt short tours of 50-150 miles if all goes well.