First time back on the bike...this is gonna be a long road

[Chrisc]

I did find myself, from time to time, 'flicking' my thumb at the rapid shift lever on the left. I couldn't work out why I kept doing it, and it was starting to annoy me as I knew that the front gears won't shift.

As I was about to turn right into my street, I did it again...then realised why - I'm a motorbike rider, and my brain automatically tells me to push the indicator switch

Surely I can't be the only person to suffer from this?

Nope, I ride a motorbike every day. Still go for the switches on the pushbike...and look in the mirrors.
Worst thing is when I set off from a junction on the pushbike and forget I have no engine... can't quite accelerate into the traffic flow as fast as my beemer

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I did find myself, from time to time, 'flicking' my thumb at the rapid shift lever on the left. I couldn't work out why I kept doing it, and it was starting to annoy me as I knew that the front gears won't shift.

As I was about to turn right into my street, I did it again...then realised why - I'm a motorbike rider, and my brain automatically tells me to push the indicator switch

Surely I can't be the only person to suffer from this?

It took me a while to get over my habit of locking the back wheel on the bicycle as I rolled to a stop and tried to pull the clutch in.

 

[Arch]

I'm making it hard using my Dutch bike which is a 22kg fatty so that the road bike I plan to treat myself to in spring will pedal itself up the hills....

How can I break this to you... You still have to do the work. I went though a phase of thinking, well, if I just had lower gears... But even in my bottom gear, I still have make the pedals turn... Although in my bottom gear, I'm faster walking....

But seriously, yes, you'll find a road bike very frisky. Like moving from a carthorse to a thoroughbred...

 

[tmcd35]

To be honest if your routes arent too steep the middle ring will do for now .

I suppose it depends on gear ratios and number of gears available - but so far, on any of my rides, I've not come off the middle ring. I'm working the rear mech something chronic, but I've not had cause to move off the middle ring.

I suppose thats a blessing on living in Norfolk though. My 'hills' are bumps in the road to the rest of you

 

[Chrisc]

How can I break this to you... You still have to do the work. I went though a phase of thinking, well, if I just had lower gears... But even in my bottom gear, I still have make the pedals turn... Although in my bottom gear, I'm faster walking....

But seriously, yes, you'll find a road bike very frisky. Like moving from a carthorse to a thoroughbred...

I thought that if I went as far as a carbon frame it wouldn't need pedals...
My LBS has offered me a test ride on an Orbea Onix, if we ever get a dry day again, just so I can see the difference. He may be thinking I'll be unable to give it back. He may be right...

 

[Willo]

Must admit, whilst I knew that a road bike would be faster, I didn't quite realise how much difference it would make; and that's just a entry level Allez. The route I used to take to the station on the mountain bike has a gradual long incline which used to have my legs burning around half-way up. Now, before I now it I'm at the top in a flash. I'm now taking a longer route in the same time. Best move I made was going to a road bike - so much fun to ride and gets me up early in the cold and dark mornings when previously I might have been inclined to give it a miss. If a bike makes me want to go out and keep fit, then it's a sound investment in my book.

 

[Chrisc]

Must admit, whilst I knew that a road bike would be faster, I didn't quite realise how much difference it would make; and that's just a entry level Allez. The route I used to take to the station on the mountain bike has a gradual long incline which used to have my legs burning around half-way up. Now, before I now it I'm at the top in a flash. I'm now taking a longer route in the same time. Best move I made was going to a road bike - so much fun to ride and gets me up early in the cold and dark mornings when previously I might have been inclined to give it a miss. If a bike makes me want to go out and keep fit, then it's a sound investment in my book.

I'm hanging in there with the heavy bike till spring then going for it! If I can wait that long...a bit of my usual route takes me up a 3 mile incline rising 600 ft which I can do but in about 15 minutes so steady away. Be interesting to see the difference come spring. Hoping to have built up to 50 miles or so on a weekend morning by then.

 

[g0kmt]

Keep at it is all I can say, theres plenty of advice and encouragement on here.

I started riding at the end of September after 30 years of driving cars. I weigh in at 23 stone, have lost half a stone since starting. I dont ride every day - not in the weather we have had recently, but last weekend I did 15 miles.

Check out
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngm6dr-1na0
for front derrailer adjustment.

 

[JediGoat]

Check out
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngm6dr-1na0
for front derrailer adjustment.

With much shame I return to my front gear issue over a month after I asked for help...and this video showed me what a muppet I'd been

I'd tightened and tightened and tightened the barrel adjuster at the gear lever - well I wouldn't want it coming undone would I?

Undone it a couple of turns, and the front mech that had behaved like it was welded in place now moves between the gears

So, I have pretty much all my gears working...in a moment of excitement I decided to go out to resume my 're-introduction' to cycling tonight. So I popped outside to get the foot pump out of the car, and almost fell on my a*se on the icy road.

It had better not snow tomorrow afternoon, as I really want to go out and test my gears (and legs and lungs).

Have decided to stay in the warm instead tonight, and try to work out how to completely reset my cycle computer so that I can start recording my miles for the year from scratch.

Jo

 

[Barbelier]

You guys give me hope!

I am returning to cycling after 15+ years away. Would never have even thought about it had I not bought my 8 year old son a bike last summer and he asked if we could go cycling together .Just about to make some pathetic excuse when I reminded myself that one of my happiest childhood memories was when my father took me youth hostelling on a bike.

So bought a heavy £200 MTB and we managed a few enjoyable trips out last year - job done! Or so I thought................

Following a familiy holiday and a visit to Lands End, I half-jokingly suggested to a mate at work that we do LEJOG and he jumped at the idea (oh sh*t!). Now we're going in May, I ordered a touring bike (which arrives today - hopefully) and have started training.

On the downside: I'm 52, 2 stone overweight, unfit and have a slightly dodgey knee
On the upside: I've already managed to get up to a 25 mile session (which I really enjoyed), absolutely determined to to make it and put in the training and miles and totally looking forward to the trip

 

[JediGoat]

I'm 52

That's not old, that's mature.

2 stone overweight, unfit and have a slightly dodgey knee

Only 2? You skinny sod

Best of luck to you

 

[Barbelier]

Only 2? You skinny sod

Yeah but I'm only 5' 7" and all 2 stone is round the waist.
Really expecting that training for LEJOG will result in some significant weight loss!

 

[Banjo]

Have decided to stay in the warm instead tonight, and try to work out how to completely reset my cycle computer so that I can start recording my miles for the year from scratch.

Jo

I accidently zeroed mine (halfords 8 function)by taking the battery out and not replacing it straight away.you then have to go through the wheel size set up again.