A beginner's 1st ride; Mongoose Deceptor 29"

Hello all,
I haven't ridden a bicycle since like the mid '80s. But being just retired because of knee surgery, etc., 55 yrs old and weigh 300lbs, I figure it is time I get some excersize and do something about it. The doc said I will never be able to run again, and walking or standing any length of time would be bad for my knee. He recommended I get a bicycle to get excersize; no jarring and all to my knee and all my weight on it. So yester day I went to Walmart to get the Genisis 29" bike I saw on the internet. The lady had no clue. So I looked around and bought me a Mongoose 29" Decepter I think it is called. I thought all they made were 26 inchers. But anyway, just rode it today for the first time.

I only did probably a mile and a half, maybe two. But for someone like me that has not had any real excersize in years, with a bad knee, that is a start!! For the first 100 yards or so my thighs and bad knee were on fire (I kept the gears to where it would feel like my old bike did without all the gears). But after that it quit hurting, although I could feel it working them. But on slight upgrades you could tell I was out of shape. My heart was pounding here and there, thighs burning, etc.. Time I got home I had worked up a bit of a slight sweat. But I feel great. My lungs and chest feel almost cleaned out. Dang I feel good y'all! And proud of myself for finally taking that first step to better my health and change my lifestyle. I intend on riding that bik every day. Longer and longer each day. I have plans to go ride some trails I have read about over in Tuskeegee NF or up around Lake Martin on that Russell land, etc..

If anyone is wondering about the bike, it is a nice bike to me. Functioned flawlessly the few times I changed gears. I could feel the front shock/forks move a time or two. I can't wait until tomorrow to ride some more!! Just wanted to share my experience with everyone!
Freebooter