How long are you a "Beginner"?

[martint235]

I suppose if I compare myself to a couple of people I ride with then I could be regarded as the Chris Froome of the group but then I could just as easily be the Chris Tarrant...

Always try to better yourself. I feel competent enough to give advice on a few topics but while there are people I think are better cyclists than me in the group, I can't be the expert.

 

[Sharky]

Over half of all cyclists consider themselves better than average.

 

[martint235]

Over half of all cyclists consider themselves better than average.

They do. It's such a shame it's the half that isn't.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Good question and the answer is "it depends". We're all learning, all the time.

I fell off last weekend due to my own stupid fault, where a more sensible/experienced/better rider wouldn't have done, which shows I have a lot more to learn.

(By the way, I got 7/8 on @Dayvo 's quiz. the one I didn't get I think may have saved me from some injury last weekend, as I'm guessing that my tough MTB shorts held out where lycra would have cut up).

 

[sight-pin]

I'd suggest you'll be a beginner until you can confidently strip the bike down for repair, undertake running repairs upon breakdowns etc, ride with confidence on the road/cycle paths/tracks, and so on......Maybe?

 

[BEHMOTH66]

a beginner as a rider? no.... a beginner as there are always things you can learn? yes.
I'm a commuter I try and be out of breath after every ride sometimes I'm faster sometimes I am slower but as long as I feel I've put a big effort into my ride I'm happy as I only have a 5 mile commute to work.

 

[G3CWI]

I'd suggest you'll be a beginner until you can confidently strip the bike down for repair, undertake running repairs upon breakdowns etc, ride with confidence on the road/cycle paths/tracks, and so on......Maybe?

I suspect quite a number of the Tour peloton are beginners then.

 

[Lonestar]

I must admit im always learning how best/better ways of dealing with the many situations on the roads with the least amount of fuss and aggro.

 

[Sbudge]

a beginner as a rider? no.... a beginner as there are always things you can learn? yes.
I'm a commuter I try and be out of breath after every ride sometimes I'm faster sometimes I am slower but as long as I feel I've put a big effort into my ride I'm happy as I only have a 5 mile commute to work.

I'm absolutely with you on that one. The "trying to always be out of breath after a ride" certainly resonates.

 

[jonny jeez]

A more enlightened soul would perhaps suggest we are all students.

Personally I would say that the moment you feel you are no longer a beginner...you are not.

There are no other criteria that I would consider important.

You will however, forever remain an amateur until you can make some cash out of the deal.

 

[steveindenmark]

When I started with Barclays bank as a cashier I had a name board for my till window that said "trainee". Four years later I still had the trainee board in the window and fought to keep it.

By being a trainee or beginner it gives you the right to make basic, silly mistakes. Without looking a total plonker.

I have been cycling for over 50 years and unfortunately I have got to the lower level intermediate stage this year. I miss being a beginner.

When I look at the word under my photo on the left, I dispair.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Dont confuse beginner cyclist, with expert person who rides a bike, it's easily done.

 

[sight-pin]

I suspect quite a number of the Tour peloton are beginners then.

Well some of them do fall over now an again

 

[Sbudge]

A more enlightened soul would perhaps suggest we are all students.

Personally I would say that the moment you feel you are no longer a beginner...you are not.

In my case I suspect the moment I feel I'm no longer a beginner .... is just before I make a complete newbie *** of myself!

 

[Truth]

When I started with Barclays bank as a cashier I had a name board for my till window that said "trainee". Four years later I still had the trainee board in the window and fought to keep it.

By being a trainee or beginner it gives you the right to make basic, silly mistakes. Without looking a total plonker.

I have been cycling for over 50 years and unfortunately I have got to the lower level intermediate stage this year. I miss being a beginner.

When I look at the word under my photo on the left, I dispair.

Couldn't agree more ! I like being a beginner for the same reason , no one SHOULD shoot you down for making mistakes or asking stupid questions. In fairness it's never happened on here either
Cheers