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BeccaGeddes
Member
- Location
- Kirkcaldy
Thanks, I'll have a look at that just now. Perfect procrastination for the essay I should be writing!
First time cycling in years, advice needed
- Thread starter BeccaGeddes
- Start date
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Trull
Über Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
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So sorry Becca - my mistake I should have given this link as well http://ctcfifeandkinross.org.uk/newbies.html its useful for you. My younger sister works for the CTC and occasionally bikes into Leith from Burntisland in the Kingdom. She also coaches beginners and females who want to progress in the sport http://www.fillesavelo.cc/cycle-club.html
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BeccaGeddes
Member
- Location
- Kirkcaldy
Aw brill, thanks very much! I'll have to have a look into it once I get my fitness levels up a bit!
Old Plodder
Living at the top of a steep 2 mile climb
- Location
- Surrey/Hants border
My main bit of advice for a newbie is 'don't ride in the gutter', you should ride about 4 foot into the road. This is so that drivers can 'see' you when they are looking up the road, & also all the crap gets swept into the first 1 foot or so of road, which is the usual cause of punctures. Saying that have a pump & repair kit (& any neccessary tools) on the bike; practice repairing a tube at home in comfort, before needing to do it for real. All the best & enjoy.
damiengreathouse
Regular
- Location
- San Jacinto California
I also recently started riding and have been documenting my progress, my ride is 5 miles to work and 6 miles home (the route home is safer going that direction). Like everyone else has been saying just keeping going and you will work through many of your issues. I also found myself to be crazy out of shape (I still am). I started with 1 mile rides five days a week, then went to a mile and a half. I pushed up to three miles a few weeks later. Then one Sunday I decided to see if I could make the five mile ride into work, I did but I felt as if I was going to die when I got there. I then started riding to work three days a week. Now I am riding to and from work three to five days a week.
A list of things that may pop-up:
Saddle soreness: Ensure it is not due to rubbing but it is normal as your sit bones get used to the bike seat
Sore hands/cramping: Get some gloves and possibly change out your grips (a cheap easy fix that will allow for a more enjoyable ride.
Jerk Drivers: Just obey the laws of the road and be very defensive (You have just as much right to use the road as them)
A list of things that may pop-up:
Saddle soreness: Ensure it is not due to rubbing but it is normal as your sit bones get used to the bike seat
Sore hands/cramping: Get some gloves and possibly change out your grips (a cheap easy fix that will allow for a more enjoyable ride.
Jerk Drivers: Just obey the laws of the road and be very defensive (You have just as much right to use the road as them)
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
Just take it easy and your fitness levels will slowly improve. You don't say how your weight is but you might have to change your diet, a healthier regime will also give you more energy. Good luck!
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BeccaGeddes
Member
- Location
- Kirkcaldy
Guys I did it! Finally plucked up the courage to do the commute, although I really underestimated the hills. Took about 15 minutes to get there and over an hour to get home! I'll really need to work on hills haha. Was a nice ride, and only encountered courteous drivers, they're not all bad! Thanks for the advice everyone, really appreciate it!
I'm carrying a bit of chub atm, but I've recently started a clean eating diet and the weight is dropping off, slowly but surely! Should get easier when I'm carrying less weight, thanks!
I'm carrying a bit of chub atm, but I've recently started a clean eating diet and the weight is dropping off, slowly but surely! Should get easier when I'm carrying less weight, thanks!
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
+ 1 for pump up tyres. Use the gears so you are spinning not grinding (ie whizzing round). If you can do it once, you can do it again and after about three weeks you will be doing it in your sleep. So to speak
Hi Becca,
Ive also recently took the bicycle to get fitter and healthier, no doubt i weigh more than yourself but i weight over 300lbs at the moment.
I can comfortably cycle 15miles at the mo, normally give myself a day off after a long ride like that. My commute to work wouldnt be more than 3.5 miles so i set out in the morning and do around 6 miles before I get to work, then come straight home. I've found smaller rides often are better than 1 big ride of a weekend.
Hills are tough for me cause i dont like to stand on the pedals, just drop it into a low enough gear and power through it the best you can. Dont be ashamed to get off and walk it if you cant make it or need a breather. I can cycle up many places now that I had to stop and walk up just after a few weeks of regular riding, I always try and go down the routes that are challenging for me cause I wont learn or get better by avoiding them.
all the best.
Ive also recently took the bicycle to get fitter and healthier, no doubt i weigh more than yourself but i weight over 300lbs at the moment.
I can comfortably cycle 15miles at the mo, normally give myself a day off after a long ride like that. My commute to work wouldnt be more than 3.5 miles so i set out in the morning and do around 6 miles before I get to work, then come straight home. I've found smaller rides often are better than 1 big ride of a weekend.
Hills are tough for me cause i dont like to stand on the pedals, just drop it into a low enough gear and power through it the best you can. Dont be ashamed to get off and walk it if you cant make it or need a breather. I can cycle up many places now that I had to stop and walk up just after a few weeks of regular riding, I always try and go down the routes that are challenging for me cause I wont learn or get better by avoiding them.
all the best.
Well done. It only gets better from here.
You'll be out with the CC Ecosse guys and girls before you know it
Don't worry about your fitness. When I started cycling again I felt unfit despite not feeling out of shape doing other things.
It only took me about 1-2weeks to notice an obvious improvement in fitness.
Perhaps a slightly different kettle of fish but I started out cycling 10k each morning before work. My time slowly improved over 2 weeks and by week 2 I needed higher resistance to feel any challenge.
I only just recently started biking outdoors again. The indoor exercise helped as I has no issue powering along towpaths for quite a few miles. The hills were challenging but I think they always will be unless you are a lightweight athlete riding an endurance racer with stamina to match.
Keep at it the health benefits are excellent and as suggested do some leisure rides so your body and muscles ease into it.
It only took me about 1-2weeks to notice an obvious improvement in fitness.
Perhaps a slightly different kettle of fish but I started out cycling 10k each morning before work. My time slowly improved over 2 weeks and by week 2 I needed higher resistance to feel any challenge.
I only just recently started biking outdoors again. The indoor exercise helped as I has no issue powering along towpaths for quite a few miles. The hills were challenging but I think they always will be unless you are a lightweight athlete riding an endurance racer with stamina to match.
Keep at it the health benefits are excellent and as suggested do some leisure rides so your body and muscles ease into it.
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Don't worry about your weight at the moment - the important thing is that you will get fitter. I remember reading an article about a 19 stone cyclist who did 100 mile Sportives most weekends in a respectable time.
Weight will start to come off gradually, but focus on waist size rather than pure weight. You will need a budget for some new clothes to show off your new body in a couple of years time!
Weight will start to come off gradually, but focus on waist size rather than pure weight. You will need a budget for some new clothes to show off your new body in a couple of years time!
