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

[DooDah]

Rob a bank, you will need all the money you can get once you get into cycling

 

[Amanda P]

If you want to get fitter and thinner and see real progress, my advice would be to make cycling a habit, part of your daily routine so that you do it without thinking.

If you don't do this, then it's all too easy to find excuses not to get out on your bike. After the first day you miss, the next one is even easier to miss and before you know it the habit is broken and you're back in the car/on the bus/whatever getting fat and flabby again.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

If you want to get fitter and thinner and see real progress, my advice would be to make cycling a habit, part of your daily routine so that you do it without thinking.

If you don't do this, then it's all too easy to find excuses not to get out on your bike. After the first day you miss, the next one is even easier to miss and before you know it the habit is broken and you're back in the car/on the bus/whatever getting fat and flabby again.

Not to sure about that one, I sometimes take 3 or 4 days off, I usually come back fitter and stronger.

 

[mcshroom]

Also just riding without controlling your diet is unlikely to help you lose weight. Partly because the exercise makes you more hungry.

(DAMHIKT )

 

[Gravity Aided]

Bicycle frames, handlebars,cranksets, and stems all come in different sizes. A good fitting will get you off on the right foot.

 

[Stu_Robertson]

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.

I think mine cost £15

 

[Stu_Robertson]

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.

It's more like a 99lb bike than a £99 bike

 

[MaxInc]

It's more like a 99lb bike than a £99 bike

It is perfect for working hard if loosing weight is your primary goal It won't be long until you'll start dreaming about road bikes.

 

[Saluki]

It is perfect for working hard if loosing weight is your primary goal It won't be long until you'll start dreaming about road bikes.

The reason I mentioned it is I was given free (by the gym that we were members of) an Apollo XC26. It weighed 40lbs - we lived in The Highlands at the time - the front forks were spongy and it was a pile of poo. I loathed that bike with a passion but I rode it as I had a couple of stone to shift and saving for my Giant really motivated me. It was a waste of money at free, that bike.

 

[byegad]

Forget about how far and how fast you ride and enjoy every ride. Be it in town or spectacular scenery, enjoy the wind and the fact that you are taking you from A to B.

 

[Paulus]

Get your saddle at the correct height for you, and pump your tyres up to the correct pressure. Soft tyres make peddling harder.

 

[Nick Stone]

Stop looking at posts whilst its glorious outside....damm buggered with my own tip

 

[SWSteve]

Keep your eyes on the road/track/path not the beauties walking around you

 

[ianrauk]

If you do decide to get off and do the walk of shame up a hill (of which you should try your hardest not to - well at least until your lungs are trying to make an escape through your nostrils) If there is another cyclist following, stop and pretend that you have a mechanical or a very important phone call. When the other cyclist has disappeared, you can then continue the walk of shame.

 

[DooDah]

If you do decide to get off and do the walk of shame up a hill (of which you should try your hardest not to - well at least until your lungs are trying to make an escape through your nostrils) If there is another cyclist following, stop and pretend that you have a mechanical or a very important phone call. When the other cyclist has disappeared, you can then continue the walk of shame.

I can't believe you would even suggest such skulduggery. I only ever stop on hills to take photos of the amazing scenery