New to the sport.

[Stevec047]

Hi after many years away from the saddle and becoming a self confessed couch potato I have taken the plunge and purchased a second hand Carrear road bike from eBay which I hope will get me into cycling more than just to the local shop and back.

I will be honest I have a basic knowledge and understanding of bikes but I have so much to learn. The idea is to start off slow then start to commute the 10 miles to work each day with rides out at the weekend but I haven't really got a clue about best practices, general maintenence and the right equipment needed and have found that the local bikes shops are all about the sale and not so much about the sport.

That's partly the reason I joined this forum. I live just outside Chelmsford essex so if anyone is willing to let a newbie tag along for a ride and teach me the ropes I would greatly appreciate any advise.

Steve

 

[Milkfloat]

Is it a sport or a lifestyle?

In all seriousness, if you want to get into the sport side of things, then try and find your local clubs and start on the beginner rides, bounce around a few different clubs as they are all different.

 

[mjr]

What sport?

I just ride a bike and I don't do sport, but I think road bikes could let you try road racing, time-trialling, sportives, audaxing and probably other stuff I'm forgetting. Saying what you're interested in trying might help the right people step forwards. A topic title like "Chelmsford newbie would like to try ..." might get the attention of the right people.

Chelmsford looks like it has a fair spread of shops. The most interesting-looking ones IMO are Chelmer Cycles and the Cycle Company. Several of the others do look very much sales-led, shall we say...

Keep the rubber side down!

 

[Sbudge]

Hi after many years away from the saddle and becoming a self confessed couch potato I have taken the plunge and purchased a second hand Carrear road bike from eBay which I hope will get me into cycling more than just to the local shop and back.

I will be honest I have a basic knowledge and understanding of bikes but I have so much to learn. The idea is to start off slow then start to commute the 10 miles to work each day with rides out at the weekend but I haven't really got a clue about best practices, general maintenence and the right equipment needed and have found that the local bikes shops are all about the sale and not so much about the sport.

That's partly the reason I joined this forum. I live just outside Chelmsford essex so if anyone is willing to let a newbie tag along for a ride and teach me the ropes I would greatly appreciate any advise.

Steve

I'd say you'd come to the right place then. They're a good bunch here.

 

[raleighnut]

 

[Slioch]

 

[Mrs M]

Hello

 

[Tin Pot]

Have a look in the Training forum for the sport aspects, basic rule is to cycle hard and a lot

 

[Stevec047]

Is it a sport or a lifestyle?

In all seriousness, if you want to get into the sport side of things, then try and find your local clubs and start on the beginner rides, bounce around a few different clubs as they are all different.

I hope that it starts as a sport and becomes a lifestyle for me. Will definitely have a look at local clubs thanks for the advice

 

[Stevec047]

What sport?

I just ride a bike and I don't do sport, but I think road bikes could let you try road racing, time-trialling, sportives, audaxing and probably other stuff I'm forgetting. Saying what you're interested in trying might help the right people step forwards. A topic title like "Chelmsford newbie would like to try ..." might get the attention of the right people.

Chelmsford looks like it has a fair spread of shops. The most interesting-looking ones IMO are Chelmer Cycles and the Cycle Company. Several of the others do look very much sales-led, shall we say...

Keep the rubber side down!

Thanks for the advice. I have been to most of the shops around Chelmsford and yes there are a couple of family run shops that are more service orientated so I may well start to get friendly with them.

The main aim of all of this is to become fitter and hopefully get sucker into the whole world or cycling and meet people with the same intrested.

 

[Stevec047]

Have a look in the Training forum for the sport aspects, basic rule is to cycle hard and a lot

I will do thank you.☺

 

[Seevio]

Pick a day when you don't have to be home early and give the commute a try. If your job has stairs involved it may hurt a bit at first during the day but that passes.

You can cycle a lot further in one go than you think you can but your legs will ache for a while. As you cycle more, your leg muscles will get stronger and the recovery time will be less.

As an example, I'm a slightly portly bloke in my 40s and I started riding properly (ie further than to the pub) just over a year ago. When I started with an 8 mile commute, if I did 2 consecutive days I would be taking the lift up to the first floor. Then after a while of doing every other day I went to Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday. Now I can do all week. It still used to hurt within bearable tolerances but now it's easy.

As others have pointed out, while cycling can be a sport, it is more of a hobby, a pastime, a way of getting exercise or even just a form of transport.

 

[Dave 123]

Bridge and darts are a sport. Cycling isn't!

With winter around the corner maybe try a spin class at your local gym/sports centre. There are people on here (me) who love it, and people on here who detest it... one things for sure, by spring you'll be a lot fitter with a tough pair of lungs, legs and an arse of steel!

 

[leedsmick]

I've not considered it a sport, definitely a new hobby. I suspect you will love it based on what you seem to want out of it. Good luck and enjoy

 

[MichaelW2]

"The idea is to start off slow then start to commute the 10 miles to work each day with rides out at the weekend"
Transportation, esp through most of the winter, requires a different mindset to athletic or sport riding.
First, equip your machine for practicality, which means a capacity for winter tyres (28mm), + full length mudguards. If you need to transport stuff, a rear luggage rack option is useful. Once you have a bike with suitable eyelets and clearance, you are not obligated to use them, but if you do want them, it is so much easier and neater .
Removing all the winter/commuting stuff is hassle, so many riders have a winter/commuter bike and a summer/race/event bike.
Consider your budget. What do you currently spend annually on transportation within a 10 mile radius? Now work out your spend over 5 years.
How much would you spend on alt means of getting fit? Swimming/gym, over 5 years.
Once you crunch the numbers, you will understand the value of a bike.

A race club will teach you about riding peleton-style, but more important is to learn roadcraft. The more experienced, less competitive, and slower paced riders of the Cyclist Tourist Club will probably be a good place to learn.