Where are you based? There may be someone on here that would join you for a quick ride.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.
New Bike - Where to start?
- Thread starter Maisie65
- Start date
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@Maisie65 and 
to CycleChat ! 
Loads of good advice up thread and loads on all the other "Help ! I've got a bike - what do I do with it/ how do I ride it" threads !
As @Lincov has said - tell us where you live and you'll be overwhelmed with fellow CC Members willing to
to a CAKE 
stop. This may not be the best thing for your weight-loss but they'll soon start introducing you to cake stops that are just a bit further away 
..... and yet further away ... then even further away ... 
and, before you know it, you'll be going at least 5 miles to the cafe ! 
Let us know how you get on, please .
Cubist
Still wavin'
- Location
- Ovver 'thill
You've made the first step, and I suspect from your posting that you aren't far off the next step. Never mind the weather, if you only get to the end of the street and back you'll have made that crucial first milestone, and as long as you put a jacket on the rain will mean nothing to your feeling of satisfaction. Tell you what. I've just driven home and told myself that the torrential rain has just given me the excuse not to ride tomorrow. Now I've read your post I 'll do a deal with you, I'll have a virtual ride alongside you, (unless of course you're in west yorks, in which case I'll come and really ride alongside you!) so come back and tell us how it went, and I'll let you know how I got on.
OP
OP
Maisie65
Active Member
- Location
- Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Oh wow. What a lot of good advice and incredible support. Thank you so much.
MikeW very good advice about the bike fitting and puncture repair, I will do that today.
I live in Stevenage, cycle paths galore so cycling should be safe. I'm in Symonds Green if anyone knows the area. Anyway whatever the weather, I do plan to 'do it' today. I've checked google maps and I'm going to attempt a cycle down the footpath/bridlepath to the playing fields. Twice round the car park and then home again. If you don't hear from me by lunchtime, please send out a search party.
MikeW very good advice about the bike fitting and puncture repair, I will do that today.
I live in Stevenage, cycle paths galore so cycling should be safe. I'm in Symonds Green if anyone knows the area. Anyway whatever the weather, I do plan to 'do it' today. I've checked google maps and I'm going to attempt a cycle down the footpath/bridlepath to the playing fields. Twice round the car park and then home again. If you don't hear from me by lunchtime, please send out a search party.
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Maisie65
Active Member
- Location
- Stevenage, Hertfordshire
OMG I did it! I was only out for ten minutes and I'm knackered.
I left here at a very slow pace and cycled to the footpath/bridleway. It's a little steep down the very last bit to the pathway and a sharp turn right which I had a bit of trouble co-ordinating. Then I cruised down the pathway to the playing fields. I used my brakes quite a lot as I seemed to be going fast. Round the car park twice, I kept catching my left foot against the wheel when I bend to the right at one certain corner, I need to stop that. Then back home. I felt really good, thought I could have gone further, and then I realised what comes down has to go back up and my goodness, I'm sure there wasn't a hill there before today. I did eventually get to the top without stopping but with continuous OMG on every pedal turn. Reached the road to my house, now a sharp turn left and sharp uphill. Got into a muddle. Couldn't get the bike going again, so scooted along to a flat bit and cycled home. Now collapsed in the living room pondering on the mileage I may have done and feeling very proud.
I left here at a very slow pace and cycled to the footpath/bridleway. It's a little steep down the very last bit to the pathway and a sharp turn right which I had a bit of trouble co-ordinating. Then I cruised down the pathway to the playing fields. I used my brakes quite a lot as I seemed to be going fast. Round the car park twice, I kept catching my left foot against the wheel when I bend to the right at one certain corner, I need to stop that. Then back home. I felt really good, thought I could have gone further, and then I realised what comes down has to go back up and my goodness, I'm sure there wasn't a hill there before today. I did eventually get to the top without stopping but with continuous OMG on every pedal turn. Reached the road to my house, now a sharp turn left and sharp uphill. Got into a muddle. Couldn't get the bike going again, so scooted along to a flat bit and cycled home. Now collapsed in the living room pondering on the mileage I may have done and feeling very proud.
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Maisie65
Active Member
- Location
- Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Couple of things to add. I mapped the route as best I could on Map my Walk and it comes in at 1.36miles. I thought I went further than that, lol.
Secondly I've just watched a bike fitting video and also taking in Mike's comments my seat is too low. I will need to raise it before I go out next time.
Secondly I've just watched a bike fitting video and also taking in Mike's comments my seat is too low. I will need to raise it before I go out next time.
Bryony
Veteran
- Location
- Ramsgate, Kent
Yay well done!!
SquareDaff
Über Member
- Location
- Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Well done. That's just the way to go.
Sounds like you have a little toe overlap at some points. Watch where your foot is positioned on the right hand turns. If it's forward you may be catching it on the front wheel.
Spinney
Bimbleur extraordinaire
- Location
- Back up north
You are cycling with the ball of your foot on the pedal, aren't you?
Some beginners feel their feet are more secure with the pedal under their instep, which (apart from really not being the way to push the pedals round) will also put your toes further forward and therefore more likely to catch on the wheel/mudguard when you are turning.
Some beginners feel their feet are more secure with the pedal under their instep, which (apart from really not being the way to push the pedals round) will also put your toes further forward and therefore more likely to catch on the wheel/mudguard when you are turning.
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Maisie65
Active Member
- Location
- Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Ooh, not sure where my feet are on the pedal. I'll have to check tomorrow. 
Cubist
Still wavin'
- Location
- Ovver 'thill
Waheeeeey! I knew you'd do it, so to keep you company I cycled from Salterhebble to Hebden Bridge
on the Rochdale Canal, and found a load of cheeky singletrack in Copley and Mytholmroyd.
Well done.... Good effort.
on the Rochdale Canal, and found a load of cheeky singletrack in Copley and Mytholmroyd.
Well done.... Good effort.
