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

[ianrauk]

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

Yes.. of course...indeed... yes.. nice...

 

[hopless500]

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.

 

[Stu_Robertson]

Thanks for all the comments so far. I did my second ride tonight after raising my seat by about an inch and a half, and properly inflating my tyres (I know I said I didn't plan on buying any kit, but I bought a track pump as it was nearly impossible to get the tyres over 40psi with the little handheld pump that I had).

The difference was really noticable but my seat was still too low. I've now raised it a couple more inches and am confident that it is now in the right position (heel just reaches the pedal when it is at it's lowest position) so I'll let you know how my next ride goes.

There's a long steep hill towards the end which was slightly easier than the first time round, so I feel like I've made some progress. Please keep the advice coming - it's been really helpful as well as entertaining.

Cheers
Stu

 

[buggi]

learn correct road positioning and DON'T cycle up the side of lorries under any circumstance. Wait behind them at lights.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Don't fall off

 

[themosquitoking]

Don't fall off

Fall off twice when you've first got clipless pedals though, all the cool people do that.

 

[slowmotion]

Look at Christopher's video here...

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAl_5e7bIHk[/media]

 

[Frood42]

If you are going to ride on the road, remember to communicate with other road users.

See and be seen!

Negotiate roundabouts as if you were driving a car or riding a motorbike, and use the middle of your chosen lane (primary), so that car
drivers can see you and can see clearly any signals you make.
Try to avoid filtering on the left, especially past large vehicles, better to have a lorry or bus in front of you where you can see it.
Cycle outside the door zone, getting hit by a door could send you into the road and potentially under someones wheels, better to be outside the door zone and controlling the road.

I have had no major issues with doing this and in a few circumstances my positioning has stopped people from doing silly things.

Most of all, Enjoy The Ride!

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/cycletraining/article/trav20111121-Effective-Traffic-Riding-home0
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/commuting/article/trav20111121-Effective-Traffic-Riding-pt-1-0
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/co...Effective-Traffic-Riding-Part-2---Filtering-0
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/co...ctive-Traffic-Riding---Part-3---Roundabouts-0

 

[themosquitoking]

Fall off twice when you've first got clipless pedals though, all the cool people do that.

As of today all the cool people are officially on 3 clipless moments.

 

[steve52]

find a way to enjoy every ride, getting out should never be a task

 

[MontyVeda]

1, it's all about the journey.*

2, enjoy it, don't endure it.*

3, you don't have to dress like a cyclist to be a cyclist.*


* unless of course it's all about competitive cycling, then forget all the above... and shave your legs!

 

[Licramite]

[QUOTE 2558770, member: 30090"]Develop a sense of humour for all the idiots out on the road.

Develop a sense of fear for all the idiots out on the road.[/quote]

Also Develop a sense of humour for all the rude , closed minded people on this site. - don't ask questions you will just get abuse, - but the threads are worth reading, but I would be very cautious about contributing.

 

[spyda665]

I'm pretty much a noobie too, but found this website pretty helpful for finding "offload" pathways and bike routes, I'm sure someone else has probably suggested something similar, but might help you stay off the roads while you're getting use to it all .. Only advice i could offer is stick too it and don't give up
((http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/JourneyPlanning/FindCycleInput.aspx))

 

[Archeress]

If you're in England then the website http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/Home.aspx?&repeatingloop=Y is good for plotting routes. It is how I found my commuting route, and it does avoid some seriously busy routes through Bristol.

Hugs
Archeress x

Edit: Too slow it seems! lol, seriously though, this was the website we recommended to Jobseekers when I worked for the Jobcentre.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Also Develop a sense of humour for all the rude , closed minded people on this site. - don't ask questions you will just get abuse, - but the threads are worth reading, but I would be very cautious about contributing.

On occasion I'd agree with you but in general I think you are way off beam there. 'Beginners' is generally well behaved.