Learnt to ride (at 33 years)

[mobi]

Hi fellow riders

My first posting here. I recently learnt to ride a bicycle - yes, at the age of 33 years . I was always bit nervous for riding a bike from childhood, but finally managed to ride (with some inspiration and advise from my wife).

I've now no problem in riding. But after half an hour or so, I'm feeling pain in bums But my legs are not hurting. Is this normal? How do I overcome it?

 

[Willow]

just keep riding and you'll get used to it. Fantastic achievement well done and enjoy the bike.

 

[Hilldodger]

Welcome to cycling!

It's quite normal to get a numb/sore bum when taking up ridng a bike but your body soon gets used to it. Try shorter rides more often for a week or so.

If you've still got the problem it's worth investing in a decent saddle.

Don't worry, every cyclists takes time adapting to a new bike or saddle.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Welcome, congratulations and don't be embarassed.

This is probably normal: your sitter just ain't used to it. I guess the best way to overcome it is to get it used to it. When I got back in the saddle last year (for the first time since passing my driving test 20+ years before!!), I found little and often to be the best approach. I went out for a small ride every day .. "small" here meaning a distance that means you don't hurt when you get off and I found that "small" gradually got further and further and off I went ..

I was also pleasantly surprised (nay, amazed) at how much difference "proper" cycling shorts made: that bit of padding underneath you makes more difference than I'd expected it to.

Proper seat height helps in other respects, so that's worth bearing in mind: there's loads of threads on here about it. If you're not too confident yet, it might better to raise the seat a little (0.5cm / quarter inch) at a time.

Course, you can get "posh" saddles, but consensus seems to be that it's better to have a try at breaking in your existing one / your bum first.

 

[ChrisKH]

Give consideration to participating in Bikeability training sessions to get you used to the road and the rules. If you need a training company I can provide the details (or a few others can). It's not just for kids.

 

[mobi]

Thanks for the encouraging replies

Currently my saddle is adjusted such a way that sitting there I can reach ground with my foot. Do I need to raise the saddle? I'm bit worried that if I can't reach ground with my foot, I might fall down

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Firstly congratulations and welcome on a magnificent achievement. As everyone has said a sore / numb bum is perfectly normal. Keep at it, don't over do your and you will soon come to realise the pain in your arse is noticeable only by its' absence

Hi fellow riders

My first posting here. I recently learnt to ride a bicycle - yes, at the age of 33 years . I was always bit nervous for riding a bike from childhood, but finally managed to ride (with some inspiration and advise from my wife).

I've now no problem in riding. But after half an hour or so, I'm feeling pain in bums But my legs are not hurting. Is this normal? How do I overcome it?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

You should adjust your saddle so that with your foot on the down pedal your leg is not quite at full extension. Only the tips of your toes should be able to touch the ground. Don't worry, you will find that they give you more than adequate control. This will provide you with a far more comfortable riding experience and prevent other aches and pains.

Thanks for the encouraging replies

Currently my saddle is adjusted such a way that sitting there I can reach ground with my foot. Do I need to raise the saddle? I'm bit worried that if I can't reach ground with my foot, I might fall down

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I'm bit worried that if I can't reach ground with my foot, I might fall down

I did it a bit at a time: just 5mm or so. Get used to that and then up again. Each time I did it, it was like the bike (and me!!) got much lighter: I found it a lot easier to pedal. Then there came a point where I started to feel stretched to the pedals, so I stopped there.

I'm a real shorta**e, so I get on and off the bike by standing astride the cross-bar, foot on one pedal, push down and lift my bum up on the seat at the same time. To stop, stand on the pedals, and kind of rotate yourself down as the bike stops.

It takes a bit of getting used to, but it works fine. I even managed to do it in an emergency stop situation on a busy roundabout the other week when a nice old gentleman in his motor car "just didn't see" me. (Well, actually he claimed he had seem me and that I'd have been OK if I just kept going, but that's another story ...)

 

[Fab Foodie]

Welcome!
Well done on learning to ride.
Discomfort is quite usual in the early days. Saddle is a factor as is good bike set-up (see attached articles), when all is in the right position you'll find that the various aches start to dissapear with increased riding. Proper padded shorts are a real bonus too. It does not have to be the full race lycra, padded underpants are available to wear under more normal clothing.
Good to have another person on 2 wheels.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

 

[HLaB]

Well done, congratulations

Some pains are quite normal if you've never ridden a bike before they should subside with time as your body becomes used to things, if not contact somebody. If you are considering lengthening your rides I'd highly reccomend padded shorts and gloves.

BTW I met a Dutch woman once and her job back in Holland was to teach middle aged people who had never ridden a bike before, mostly Muslim womem apparently.

 

[summerdays]

Well done - I'm glad I learnt when I was young and didn't have the same sort of fears that an adult would have - I'm glad you overcame any fears and did it. Spoke to someone today who has been challenged by her boyfriend, to learn to ride a bike in a month or face a forfeit.