New Bike - Where to start?

[Maisie65]

I got a new bike for Christmas, all I need to do is ride it.

I'm female, 48years old, 5ft 5in and 16.5 stone. I used to love riding as a kid, but heck that was an awful long time ago. I need to get fit, but I don't really know where to start. I like swimming, but you have to travel to the pool and change and...well it's not really instant is it.

So I asked for a bike for Christmas, because I remember it being such fun, and this is what I got:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_762087_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

I've sat on it in the garden, but I'm surprised to find I'm really nervous. What if I fall off? What if I get too far and don't have the energy to get home? What if I get a puncture, will I be able to get myself and my bike home? What if I can't ride anymore.

All the initial excitement is seeping away. I really really want to do this, so why have I got no further than scooting around the garden?

 

[ScotiaLass]

Hi Maisie
I decided back in mid October that I was going to get back on my bike after several years.
It took me until mid November to actually do it, and then I only went round the garden a few times and put it away.
A week later I then took it to the bottom of our street and back.
Then a few days after that the same, with a few laps around an empty car park.

See where this is going?

I was extremely nervous of getting back in the saddle and yes, I did wobble a bit but now I regularly cycle 10-15 miles.
I think you need to just take it easy to start with....is there somewhere local and quiet you can go (like a park) so you can just potter around?
Could someone go with you so you feel more confident?

By the way, I am 50, overweight (though I'm losing it now I've starting cycling again) and have numerous medical issues including a balance disorder.
You can do this! You'll get lots of support here (as I did), and no question is too daft!

 

[Peteaud]

My wife managed about 400 yards 1st time out on a bike again a few years ago.

She rode a 35 miler in the summer.


Take it easy and just do a little at a time.

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi. Like Scotialass says, just take yourt ime, take it easy, and take it slowly. You don't have to go far to begin with. You can even just go down to the bottom of the road and back, or round your local car park. Even if you only go a mile that's all right. Slowly work your way up to longer distances.

Soon you will get confident and be able to go further and for longer periods of time. Don't think to much about losing weight, just get used to your bike. Enjoy. I didnt ride a bike for 45 years and if I can do it then so can you.

Good luck, and keep us informed of you progress.

 

[Gravity Aided]

It is very hard to scoot around the garden on a bicycle, compared to riding it on the street. The surface is much more uneven, and the bicycle really doesn't like the yard or garden very well as a place to learn to ride it, try a car park or something. You may fall off, but sooner or later you are going to get back into the swing of things. Folks worry about going too fast, but it is only by going faster that you generate the gyroscopic effect that actually does a great deal toward stabilizing the bicycle. You will very quickly regain the balance skills needed to ride well.

 

[Easytigers]

Just keep at it and good luck...excellent advice above :-) We all start somewhere and think of the gains at the end...great way to lose weight, de-stress, meet people and spend money!!!

 

[Maisie65]

Thank you so much for the advice. We have lots of cycle paths here so I would like to be able to use them at some point.

There is a playing field near here, that I could cycle to I think. But would it be okay to start on grass? Although mind you, it does have a little car park so I could go round that a couple of times.

I think it's a case of grabbing the bull by the horns so to speak. It helps to know that others have started here and done it. So I will do it too. I'll let you know how I get on. What's the weather meant to be like tomorrow? lol

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

Tarmac is easier to ride on than Grass

 

[F70100]

Go for it Masie - little & often!

 

[ScotiaLass]

Tarmac is easier to ride on than Grass

What he said

 

[biggs682]

aint no point in rushing .

do it as often and far as want or manage

 

[Lincov]

Is there a canal or reservoir with a path round it you could cycle on? It would be nice and flat and away from cars. My top tip is to arrange to go with a friend so you can't back out, which is what got me back into cycling after being nervous about the much higher levels of traffic round here compared to where I grew up.

 

[Maisie65]

There is a lake but not within cycling distance, and my bike won't fit in the car. So that's a no-no at the moment. I don't have any cycling friends either...well not yet. I'm working on it here.

 

[Bryony]

I agree with everything that's been said!

I too was very nervous when I got back on a bike after a 10 year break. I was a bit wobbly to start with but it soon all came back me.

2 months later I did a 25 mile charity ride

 

[MikeW-71]

Hello and

It really is a "pick a day and go for it" thing, and as others have said, it doesn't matter if the first ride is only 1 mile... it's a start. When I started riding again about a year and a half ago, I did 5 miles and had to stop, gasping, every mile. That stage will soon pass.

Work out a route of about 5 miles that loops back to the start point, stick to quiet and flatter routes to begin with and take it steady. Increase from there as you want.

Have a look on Youtube for videos about bike fitting, I know most will be showing road bikes, but the most important bit that will apply to you and your bike is the saddle position. A lot of new riders have their saddle too low and it puts a lot of strain on the knees. With your heel on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke, your leg should be straight. That way, when you move the foot to riding position, your leg will have a slight bend and that should be about right.

Punctures.... Get yourself a basic emergency kit: spare inner tube, puncture patches, tyre levers, spanner for the wheel nuts and a mini pump. Pop them in a saddle bag and leave on the bike. Youtube is your friend again for demonstrating puncture repair, it is quite straightforward, as is much of the basic bike maintenance.

Good luck