Hello all,
I am new to the site and mountain biking. I was in the process of getting my pilots license and when the physical came around the doctor didn't like the sugars in my urine. They did an A1C test and mine was 11... not good. I have decided to try and beat it with better diet and exercise. Looked at several different exercise programs like running, crossfit, and a few others. Mountain biking has the most appeal to me I think because when I was a kid I rode a BMX and dirt bikes on trails. I am 43 and about 270 which is down from about 320 as my heaviest. I recently purchased a 2015 Giant Talon 4 27.5. I looked at many bikes and was actually planning on spending allot more than I did. Went into a shop and they had some new Talons. I rode it and liked the way it felt. I also felt that I shouldn't spend a couple grand until I found out if it is something I will do long term. Easier to have $500 hanging in the garage than $2000. I have rode it around the area I live a couple times about a 3.5 mile ride each time. I told my wife it looks much easier on youtube. It is my understanding that we are lucky to have real good trails around the area. Would you continue to ride the roads to build stamina or just hit the trails and work it out? I guess worst case is I walk my bike back to the parking lot if I can't finish the trail.
I am new to the site and mountain biking. I was in the process of getting my pilots license and when the physical came around the doctor didn't like the sugars in my urine. They did an A1C test and mine was 11... not good. I have decided to try and beat it with better diet and exercise. Looked at several different exercise programs like running, crossfit, and a few others. Mountain biking has the most appeal to me I think because when I was a kid I rode a BMX and dirt bikes on trails. I am 43 and about 270 which is down from about 320 as my heaviest. I recently purchased a 2015 Giant Talon 4 27.5. I looked at many bikes and was actually planning on spending allot more than I did. Went into a shop and they had some new Talons. I rode it and liked the way it felt. I also felt that I shouldn't spend a couple grand until I found out if it is something I will do long term. Easier to have $500 hanging in the garage than $2000. I have rode it around the area I live a couple times about a 3.5 mile ride each time. I told my wife it looks much easier on youtube. It is my understanding that we are lucky to have real good trails around the area. Would you continue to ride the roads to build stamina or just hit the trails and work it out? I guess worst case is I walk my bike back to the parking lot if I can't finish the trail.