If you could give a newbie one bit of advice it would be...

[slowmotion]

As you get better....
Ditchling Beacon, Alpe d'Huez, Mt Ventoux....all will seem attractive. That's understandable, but here's a gentle piece of advice.....
















......people die in Current Affairs and Debates on Cycle Chat......

 

[Stu_Robertson]

Spin the pedals fairly fast in lower gear than you'd think, rather than grunt up hills.

Lol - I took the hills in the lowest gear, and it still seemed too high!

 

[derrick]

Join a club, Sunday rides are a lot more fun when there is a crowd of you, we are lucky we have a good club locally, met some really nice people and there is always some one to help.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

......people die in Current Affairs and Debates on Cycle Chat......

Yeah, mostly of repetitive brain strain injury

 

[slowmotion]

Yeah, mostly of repetitive brain strain injury

....it's usually simple mob battery and multiple piercing trauma wounds isn't it?

 

[themosquitoking]

Keep pedaling.

 

[mcshroom]

Number one - remember to enjoy yourself, and if you have to walk up a hill then do so.

On a practical note, get a map of the area you live (online or paper) and have a look at all the little country roads and back roads you wouldn't normally use when driving. THere are usually much more pleasant ways of getting from A-B than the main roads

 

[SWSteve]

^^ free maps of your area inc. cycle routes may be available from your local library.

edit: the maps near me also highlight busy/quiet roads so you can plan a route with lower levels of traffic

 

[slowmotion]

Number one - remember to enjoy yourself, and if you have to walk up a hill then do so.

On a practical note, get a map of the area you live (online or paper) and have a look at all the little country roads and back roads you wouldn't normally use when driving. THere are usually much more pleasant ways of getting from A-B than the main roads

Good advice. If you live in a city, get a large -scale map that shows the alleys and snickets that you would never visit by car or on foot. You will discover stuff that you can only do on a bike, and it really is fun.

 

[Shortmember]

Don't be embarrassed to get off and walk up a hill if you find it's too steep to cycle up. Sometimes it's quicker on foot than pedalling a low 'granny' gear.

 

[Saluki]

Don't buy a bike at a budget shop. A £99 bike might seem a good deal but it'll be made of pig iron and you'll hate it and then give up.

 

[Minotier]

All of the above plus at junctions try to make eye contact with the driver waiting there, make sure they see you.
Welcome to life behind bars.

 

[Lanzecki]

Keep pedaling.

Until you've spun out on the big dog down the steepest hill you know of.

 

[Stu_Robertson]

Thanks for all the responses - you've all made me feel very welcome here. I only joined the forum yesterday and have already had 43 responses to my first post!
I think this is possibly the friendliest forum I have ever joined! Any more pearls of wisdom are still greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Stu

 

[Minotier]

Don't trust Klingons!