Hey guys I am new to cycling, I never tried it out because I been too reliant on public transport. However I want to start cycling for a healthier and cheaper mode of commuting, so would 19 be too late to start? I had one trail, I managed to handle it for a while, however I kept on falling a lot.
Is 19 too age to start cycling
- Thread starter Steen
- Start date
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mark st1
Plastic Manc
- Location
- Leafy Berkshire
lol never to old mate im sure some other forum members will have something to say about that. The few times ive used public transport remind me why im so lucky to be able to commute to work. Enjoy your cycling buddy. Try and find a quiet industrial estate near your home and have a play around on a bike there just to give you a bit of confidence. It does feel a bit weird to start as i found out after quite a few years off a bike. You will be entering forum rides and training for Lejog before you know it 
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
I started riding a bike again at 36
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I think I was 26or27 before I bought a bike for transport and would have been 28 or 29 before it became a leisure thing and 30 before it came a serious leisure thing. 19 is probably the perfect age I wish I had started then 
Kins
Über Member
- Location
- Ystradgynlais, S. Wales
19? sheesh I have underpants older than that! 
Never to old.
Never to old.
Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
My husband started cycling at age 47, well over twice your age so no, 19 is not too old to start cycling.
I have got tee shirts older than you
I have got tee shirts older than you
Jodee1kenobi
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Stourport On Severn
RWright
Guru
- Location
- North Carolina
They are so cute at that age.
Go for it! Of course it is not too old. If you are nervous get you a helmet, gloves and some pads for your knees and elbows and find a big empty parking lot and practice. I am sure you can find someone to go with you to help you out if there is a problem. Just stay out of traffic until you figure things out.
shouldbeinbed
Rollin' along
- Location
- Manchester way
My wife learned to ride a bike at 41. Go for it, you'll have a whale of a time cycling, its great.
Find your local bikeability or bikeright etc group, many offer free good quality intro and intermediate courses.
Find your local bikeability or bikeright etc group, many offer free good quality intro and intermediate courses.
deptfordmarmoset
Full time tea drinker
- Location
- Armonmy Way
Learning to ride is like reminding your body how to do something it's already fully equipped to do. All you have to do is help it by making it simple, one thing at a time. So, for example, if balance is weak, saddle down so the balls of your feet reach the ground, pedals off, and gently push yourself off on a flattish piece of ground. That's all the body needs to learn to balance automatically. And after that, your body knows, and you're ready to put a pedal on, then two, then the saddle back up.
Road craft takes longer, of course, and the learning never ends. But if it wasn't so, 19 would also be too old to learn to drive.
Road craft takes longer, of course, and the learning never ends. But if it wasn't so, 19 would also be too old to learn to drive.
oilyormo
gettin warmer??
- Location
- warrington, cheshire
+1 thisThey are so cute at that age.
Just stay out of traffic until you figure things out.
This is good advice. Stick to quiet routes till your confidence builds
mickle
innit
- Location
- 53.933606, -1.076131
Ask your local council if they offer free adult cycle training.
sidevalve
Über Member
+1 for that if you're at all nervous. TBH however I came back after nearly a 30 year gap [although I admit I used to ride quite a lot at your age]. Just one bit of advice - practice gear changing untill you can do it without thinking about it, and have a few goes at braking [off road, maybe on some wet grass] untill you can get the feel of slippery surfaces, do it SLOWLY. Knowing you can change gear and stop really does boost your confidence 100%.
