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Plus one in health and physical fitness. Buying a bicycle and using it daily was probably the best investment I ever made in myself. Also, I can't believe that

Plus one in health and physical fitness. Buying a bicycle and using it daily was probably the best investment I ever made in myself. Also, I can't believe that I smoked those filthy cigarretes for so long, but how good is that I stopped this habit. About material realizations please remind that the average successful enterpreneur age is about 45. I only started being able to save serious, retirement-style money when I've got 40.

tomerbd 5y ago
Which bike did you buy?
- theturtletalks 5y ago
  Buy a used road bike off Craigslist. Look for brands like Trek, Cannondale, Specialized. Even their vintage models (80s and 90s) still ride very smooth and can be around $150-250. This way, if your bike gets stolen or you simply don't ride enough, you're not too much out of pocket.
  - hughrr 5y ago
    This. I have a Dawes ultra galaxy about a decade old. It has an unhealthy amount of duct tape around it which seems to put people off. I saw someone think about stealing it and choose something less cranky looking.
- mrweasel 5y ago
  At the risk of sounding like an ass: It doesn't matter, just get one that's the right size. I understand why you ask, I'm very much the same way (unless you're asking just because you're curious). Some times I decide that it's time to make a change, and I start to look for thing I can buy to facilitate the process, exercise equipment, kitchen aids, clothing, essentially attempting to buy into a lifestyle. The thing that made me notice was when I started getting into minimalism, and I started to look for "minimalist things" I could buy... That sort of highlighted the absurdity of the idea.
- dwiel 5y ago
  The one at the used bike store that feels the best to ride on a quick test ride.
- drran 5y ago
  Buy a bike with matching frame for your height, with good double suspension, e.g. with front and rear RockShox or better, and raise the handlebar to a comfortable height. Your back will thank you. Install all safety systems: front and rear bike lights, mirror, reflectors, use helmet, reflectors, wear reflective jacket, etc. You must be visible at the road at all times. (I use no helmet, because I'm trained to fall properly, but I recommend to wear helmet until you fall at least 10 times.) Ensure that your legs are working for the full length, by raising the seat as much as you can, to avoid problems with joints. I'm raising my seat so much, that it feels like running, because I press pedal with toe instead of whole foot. Otherwise, you will have powerful legs, but weak foots, so you can break your heel just by running. (I did). If you ride in winter conditions, lower the bike seat until you can reach the ground with the tips of your shoes instead, so you can reach the ground quickly when the road is slippery. Bike will make your legs strong and healthy, but your upper body will require additional training. AFAIK, the best way to keep the whole body in good condition is to combine biking with swimming or sport dancing. (I use biking + ballroom dancing). Ballroom dancing also improves situation awareness a lot: I never had a collision with somebody else after few years of ballroom dancing.
  - CorrectHorseBat 5y ago
    > with front and rear RockShox or better If you're only biking on the road I wouldn't get that, only slows you down. >(I use no helmet, because I'm trained to fall properly, but I recommend to wear helmet until you fall at least 10 times.). Not sure if you're serious...
    - boomskats 5y ago
      I used to work with someone who was an avid cyclist, in his mid 50s, and insisted you didn't need a helmet when cycling because 'if you think about it, when you're falling, you will use your hands to stop yourself - so all you really need is a decent pair of gloves'. He was totally serious, and I assume the previous poster might also be. It's a slightly bizarre viewpoint, but not that dissimilar - this idea that you should wear a helmet to start with, and then stop wearing it once you're confident that you no longer need it because you know how to fall without it.
- analog31 5y ago
  Bear in mind there's still a bike shortage right now. Something that fits your body and is comfortable is the most important thing. I'm 58 and an avid cyclist, but realized that my body just doesn't like road style bikes, so I actually dismantled my fancy Trek road bike and built something that was more comfortable to ride. For me, making it easy to "just get out and ride" is the key thing. Even if it means less exciting rides. I don't have to get into special clothing or put my bike in a car and take it somewhere. I also enjoy the outdoors in general. I treat it as a way to get away from technology for a while, so I'm into simple things like hiking, walking, cross country skiing, etc.
- speedcoder 5y ago
  Yes. Get whatever bike fits you. And I love my Tern [1] foldable bicycle. It folds into a bag which I can take anywhere in my car or on the bus or train and bike when I get there. [1] https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes
  - bosie 5y ago
    Funny, I have been looking at Tern too (as well as Riese & Müller). Do you use it in the city as well? Which one do you have? How often do you really fold it up?
    - rowanajmarshall 5y ago
      Alternatively, I've got a Brompton and I love the thing to bits. It folds in 30 seconds or less, small enough to put under a table at a coffee shop. They're incredibly well-built, and parts are easy to find. You can even get electric conversion kits.
      - bosie 5y ago
        I had a Brompton for about two years but did not like how it felt riding it to be honest. The rather weird six gear box thing and lack of disc brakes (especially in rain and winter) was also not that amazing But yes, the folding mechanism is superb.
- elzbardico 5y ago
  A simple one from Oggi, nothing too fancy. disk breaks, 29" wheels, front suspension. but it doesn't matter. The single most important thing is having an adequate bike seat for your anatomy and an aluminum frame which is not too heavy. The expensive stuff gets important if you're a competitive person.
wnolens 5y ago
Biking is a pillar of my mental health. It instantly transports me to feeling 10 years old again, when I lived in a state of joy and acted on intuition.
mikebelanger 5y ago
There should be a shorthand phrase for "I agree with all parent nodes of this". Like a pseudo OOP-type syntax. Buying a bike and riding it regularly was my single best investment in terms of physical and mental health. A close second would be resistance training equipment, but this depends on what kind of resistance training you decide to do. I'd also say that part of the OP's issues stem from an expectation that one should always be passionate or excited about their work. Especially in tech, there's this weird idea that every job someone holds is something that resonates with them personally. I think this expectation is strange and unreasonable. I think it's perfectly ok to view your job as "just a job". But if you truly want to pursue a job that resonates with you, you have a significant financial buffer to facilitate a career-change. As someone who didn't shift into programming until their mid-30s, I think mid-30s career changes are perfectly fine, and almost expected in a turbulent economy.
- mathgeek 5y ago
  > There should be a shorthand phrase for "I agree with all parent nodes of this". Like a pseudo OOP-type syntax. +1 to everything above
  - mikebelanger 5y ago
    Ah cool, good to know
  - sowbug 5y ago
    Please don't do this. Vote instead. Vote-like comments such as "+1," "Disagree," and "This." take up vertical space and reading time. Yet they convey hardly any more meaning than a vote. Let the ranking and shading of comments reflect your opinion.
    - mathgeek 5y ago
      Check out the thread for context to understand what I was replying to (assuming this isn't an automated comment of some sort).
  - 5y ago
ridiculous_leke 5y ago
Smoking is also terrible for your social life, unless you only prefer the company of smokers. Most of my childhood friends became weed/cigarette addicts. For my own well-being, I had to stop being in contact with them.
- SantalBlush 5y ago
  This was not my experience when I used to smoke. Stepping out for a cigarette was the easiest way to strike up a chat with a complete stranger. The best conversations I've ever had were probably done while smoking, with other smokers. People who have never smoked just won't get it. There is no ice breaker in the world like a cigarette. My social life became harder once I quit, but my body thanks me for it.
  - hughrr 5y ago
    Depend on what you do. I haven’t met anyone who actually smokes in the last year in the UK apart from a guy who was vaping in the middle of a hike and we all thought he was a dickhead.
    - ipaddr 5y ago
      You haven't seen anyone smoking in the UK at all? Are you in the north or south east?
      - hughrr 5y ago
        No one at social events at all. South East / London. It’s actually quite pleasant these days. Less nicotine all over stuff.
        SantalBlush 5y ago
        That's totally fair, but it looks like you commented to say you don't like smoking, and not to weigh in on the social aspects of it.
unobatbayar 5y ago
But cycling doesn't cut it, right? Especially when you do it daily, you build some kind of immunity. Can't even sweat from cycling. Of course, it depends on duration and probably weather. I guess winter affected my experience. Running is way better for me.
- CRConrad 5y ago
  > But cycling doesn't cut it, right? Especially when you do it daily, you build some kind of immunity. Yeah, it's called getting in shape.
- camel_gopher 5y ago
  Can’t sweat from cycling? Find a hill
  - xedrac 5y ago
    And if that doesn't work, try doing it with a single gear heavy steel bike.
    - dsnr 5y ago
      Without brakes.
      - unobatbayar 5y ago
        Actually, I've unwillingly cycled without brakes once; My brakes broke mid-journey. Had to bump into something to stop, multiple times. Not recommended.
- drran 5y ago
  If you want to sweat — lower tire pressure.
- hermitcrab 5y ago
  Running can be hard on the joints though. A mix of different exercize is best, if you can manage it. Both for health and to keep it interesting. I do running, cycling, swimming and kick boxing (less swimming during COVID).

tomerbd 5y ago

Which bike did you buy?

theturtletalks 5y ago
Buy a used road bike off Craigslist. Look for brands like Trek, Cannondale, Specialized. Even their vintage models (80s and 90s) still ride very smooth and can be around $150-250. This way, if your bike gets stolen or you simply don't ride enough, you're not too much out of pocket.
- hughrr 5y ago
  This. I have a Dawes ultra galaxy about a decade old. It has an unhealthy amount of duct tape around it which seems to put people off. I saw someone think about stealing it and choose something less cranky looking.
mrweasel 5y ago
At the risk of sounding like an ass: It doesn't matter, just get one that's the right size. I understand why you ask, I'm very much the same way (unless you're asking just because you're curious). Some times I decide that it's time to make a change, and I start to look for thing I can buy to facilitate the process, exercise equipment, kitchen aids, clothing, essentially attempting to buy into a lifestyle. The thing that made me notice was when I started getting into minimalism, and I started to look for "minimalist things" I could buy... That sort of highlighted the absurdity of the idea.
dwiel 5y ago
The one at the used bike store that feels the best to ride on a quick test ride.
drran 5y ago
Buy a bike with matching frame for your height, with good double suspension, e.g. with front and rear RockShox or better, and raise the handlebar to a comfortable height. Your back will thank you. Install all safety systems: front and rear bike lights, mirror, reflectors, use helmet, reflectors, wear reflective jacket, etc. You must be visible at the road at all times. (I use no helmet, because I'm trained to fall properly, but I recommend to wear helmet until you fall at least 10 times.) Ensure that your legs are working for the full length, by raising the seat as much as you can, to avoid problems with joints. I'm raising my seat so much, that it feels like running, because I press pedal with toe instead of whole foot. Otherwise, you will have powerful legs, but weak foots, so you can break your heel just by running. (I did). If you ride in winter conditions, lower the bike seat until you can reach the ground with the tips of your shoes instead, so you can reach the ground quickly when the road is slippery. Bike will make your legs strong and healthy, but your upper body will require additional training. AFAIK, the best way to keep the whole body in good condition is to combine biking with swimming or sport dancing. (I use biking + ballroom dancing). Ballroom dancing also improves situation awareness a lot: I never had a collision with somebody else after few years of ballroom dancing.
- CorrectHorseBat 5y ago
  > with front and rear RockShox or better If you're only biking on the road I wouldn't get that, only slows you down. >(I use no helmet, because I'm trained to fall properly, but I recommend to wear helmet until you fall at least 10 times.). Not sure if you're serious...
  - boomskats 5y ago
    I used to work with someone who was an avid cyclist, in his mid 50s, and insisted you didn't need a helmet when cycling because 'if you think about it, when you're falling, you will use your hands to stop yourself - so all you really need is a decent pair of gloves'. He was totally serious, and I assume the previous poster might also be. It's a slightly bizarre viewpoint, but not that dissimilar - this idea that you should wear a helmet to start with, and then stop wearing it once you're confident that you no longer need it because you know how to fall without it.
analog31 5y ago
Bear in mind there's still a bike shortage right now. Something that fits your body and is comfortable is the most important thing. I'm 58 and an avid cyclist, but realized that my body just doesn't like road style bikes, so I actually dismantled my fancy Trek road bike and built something that was more comfortable to ride. For me, making it easy to "just get out and ride" is the key thing. Even if it means less exciting rides. I don't have to get into special clothing or put my bike in a car and take it somewhere. I also enjoy the outdoors in general. I treat it as a way to get away from technology for a while, so I'm into simple things like hiking, walking, cross country skiing, etc.
speedcoder 5y ago
Yes. Get whatever bike fits you. And I love my Tern [1] foldable bicycle. It folds into a bag which I can take anywhere in my car or on the bus or train and bike when I get there. [1] https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes
- bosie 5y ago
  Funny, I have been looking at Tern too (as well as Riese & Müller). Do you use it in the city as well? Which one do you have? How often do you really fold it up?
  - rowanajmarshall 5y ago
    Alternatively, I've got a Brompton and I love the thing to bits. It folds in 30 seconds or less, small enough to put under a table at a coffee shop. They're incredibly well-built, and parts are easy to find. You can even get electric conversion kits.
    - bosie 5y ago
      I had a Brompton for about two years but did not like how it felt riding it to be honest. The rather weird six gear box thing and lack of disc brakes (especially in rain and winter) was also not that amazing But yes, the folding mechanism is superb.
elzbardico 5y ago
A simple one from Oggi, nothing too fancy. disk breaks, 29" wheels, front suspension. but it doesn't matter. The single most important thing is having an adequate bike seat for your anatomy and an aluminum frame which is not too heavy. The expensive stuff gets important if you're a competitive person.

wnolens 5y ago

Biking is a pillar of my mental health. It instantly transports me to feeling 10 years old again, when I lived in a state of joy and acted on intuition.

mikebelanger 5y ago

There should be a shorthand phrase for "I agree with all parent nodes of this". Like a pseudo OOP-type syntax. Buying a bike and riding it regularly was my single best investment in terms of physical and mental health. A close second would be resistance training equipment, but this depends on what kind of resistance training you decide to do. I'd also say that part of the OP's issues stem from an expectation that one should always be passionate or excited about their work. Especially in tech, there's this weird idea that every job someone holds is something that resonates with them personally. I think this expectation is strange and unreasonable. I think it's perfectly ok to view your job as "just a job". But if you truly want to pursue a job that resonates with you, you have a significant financial buffer to facilitate a career-change. As someone who didn't shift into programming until their mid-30s, I think mid-30s career changes are perfectly fine, and almost expected in a turbulent economy.

mathgeek 5y ago
> There should be a shorthand phrase for "I agree with all parent nodes of this". Like a pseudo OOP-type syntax. +1 to everything above
- mikebelanger 5y ago
  Ah cool, good to know
- sowbug 5y ago
  Please don't do this. Vote instead. Vote-like comments such as "+1," "Disagree," and "This." take up vertical space and reading time. Yet they convey hardly any more meaning than a vote. Let the ranking and shading of comments reflect your opinion.
  - mathgeek 5y ago
    Check out the thread for context to understand what I was replying to (assuming this isn't an automated comment of some sort).
- 5y ago

ridiculous_leke 5y ago

Smoking is also terrible for your social life, unless you only prefer the company of smokers. Most of my childhood friends became weed/cigarette addicts. For my own well-being, I had to stop being in contact with them.

SantalBlush 5y ago
This was not my experience when I used to smoke. Stepping out for a cigarette was the easiest way to strike up a chat with a complete stranger. The best conversations I've ever had were probably done while smoking, with other smokers. People who have never smoked just won't get it. There is no ice breaker in the world like a cigarette. My social life became harder once I quit, but my body thanks me for it.
- hughrr 5y ago
  Depend on what you do. I haven’t met anyone who actually smokes in the last year in the UK apart from a guy who was vaping in the middle of a hike and we all thought he was a dickhead.
  - ipaddr 5y ago
    You haven't seen anyone smoking in the UK at all? Are you in the north or south east?
    - hughrr 5y ago
      No one at social events at all. South East / London. It’s actually quite pleasant these days. Less nicotine all over stuff.
      - SantalBlush 5y ago
        That's totally fair, but it looks like you commented to say you don't like smoking, and not to weigh in on the social aspects of it.

unobatbayar 5y ago

But cycling doesn't cut it, right? Especially when you do it daily, you build some kind of immunity. Can't even sweat from cycling. Of course, it depends on duration and probably weather. I guess winter affected my experience. Running is way better for me.

CRConrad 5y ago
> But cycling doesn't cut it, right? Especially when you do it daily, you build some kind of immunity. Yeah, it's called getting in shape.
camel_gopher 5y ago
Can’t sweat from cycling? Find a hill
- xedrac 5y ago
  And if that doesn't work, try doing it with a single gear heavy steel bike.
  - dsnr 5y ago
    Without brakes.
    - unobatbayar 5y ago
      Actually, I've unwillingly cycled without brakes once; My brakes broke mid-journey. Had to bump into something to stop, multiple times. Not recommended.
drran 5y ago
If you want to sweat — lower tire pressure.
hermitcrab 5y ago
Running can be hard on the joints though. A mix of different exercize is best, if you can manage it. Both for health and to keep it interesting. I do running, cycling, swimming and kick boxing (less swimming during COVID).