My list of extra things I wish I had been told about cycling

[element]

1. When you try to corner quickly stop pedalling and make sure the right hand side pedal is up if turning right etc otherwise the pedals hit the floor when you lean the bike over and you fall off.

2. If you buy anything form halfords check it works in the shop before you take it home.

3. Remember the straps holding your feet in otherwise when you stop you can fall over in a comedy style.

4. What ever you have bought in terms of gear when you look on the interweb it will seem cheap an unsuitable for the job when compared to something someone else has.

5. Bunny hopping up big kerbs is harder than you remember as a child.

6. Its fine to walk up a hill as long as no one can see you.

please add your own.

 

[BrumJim]

Its addictive and fun.

You'll get better legs, which will make your torso look puny in comparison.

 

[abo]

You'll get better legs, which will make your torso look puny in comparison.

I wish

 

[palinurus]

6. Its fine to walk up a hill as long as no one can see you.

This never happens. It goes like this: you look around, there's no-one about so you get off and walk. Within seconds an ageing, bearded, cyclist with an ale-belly on a ratty, loaded, touring bike will overtake you. He'll probably make some sort of cheery comment just to rub it in too.

 

[david k]

it takes more effort now than it did when you were young

 

[Glover Fan]

You will never earn enough to match your monthly spend on stuff you tell yourself you NEED!

 

[sdr gb]

You'll get tan lines that cause nurses to laugh when you end up in hospital following an accident.

 

[derrick]

Like the Halfords one, so true,
What about pulling up at the light puffing and panting, then when some one else pulls along side you try and breath normally, or is this only me.

 

[smokeysmoo]

It takes a lot longer to recover from a broken [insert bone of choice], or a road rashed/gashed [insert skin area of choice] than it did when you were a kid

 

[Davidc]

Since you were a teenager the hills have got steeper and the headwinds stronger, the rolling resistance of tyres and the friction in the drivetrain have increased dramatically, and the atmosphere has got thinner with less oxygen in it.

Proof: It takes more effort now to average 11 mph on a ride than it did to average 25 mph on a ride 40 years ago.

 

[pepecat]

When you forget your waterproof, it will rain. When you have it with you, it will be hot.

When you get on a bike, you become magically invisible to some car /bus drivers. Likewise some pedestrians who think nothing of stepping out in front of you.

Going down hills feels a lot faster than when you were a kid.

Your partner will take the piss out of your shorts, and henceforth they shall be 'the mankini.'

 

[MontyVeda]

...

3. Remember the straps holding your feet in otherwise when you stop you can fall over in a comedy style.

...

You don't need straps to hold your feet on the pedals, just the pedal will suffice. Cvcling has been much more fun since i got rid of those things!

Just because somebody spent 2grand on their bike, then another £500 upgrading the back wheel doesn't mean you should too... they have more money than sense.

you don't need special clothing to ride a bike, jeans and a t-shirt will do.

all you need is a bike. (and some road sense)

 

[biggs682]

you need more than 1 bike

 

[phil_hg_uk]

What about pulling up at the light puffing and panting, then when some one else pulls along side you try and breath normally, or is this only me.

You also need to hum a tune just to get the message across then turn off shortly after to catch your breath check your phone

 

[jefmcg]

There's an advantage in having a shitty bike. If someone is faster than you, well "no wonder, look what they're riding." If you pass them on their fine machine: hell yes, I'm good!