Newbie First Ride

[jasonmccullum]

I have not ridden a bike for 20 years and thought i would get a bike and maybe plan to ride the L2B next year.

Bought a Viking Giro D'Italia from Action Bikes for a reasonable £170.

Anyway, went on a 3 mile bike ride which consisted of large hills both up and down (boy going downhill was scary, might actually pedal one day lol).

Loved every second of it but cycling for 1 hour in the gym is nothing like doing it for real.

Still i have 10 months to learn to ride it properly, build up the confidence and build up the much need fitness levels ( even though i goto the gym 5 days a week i was more knackered in 3 mile riding that doing 1 hour cardio in the gym)

Any advice you guys have would be greatfully recieved

 

[ACS]

Welcome

Advice?

Enjoy it, keep an eye on your bank account because cycling can be more expensive than children and remember to smile when passing a fully blinged up roadie on that hill.

 

[accountantpete]

Hi Jason -it didn't take you an hour to do three miles did it?

 

[jasonmccullum]

Hi Jason -it didn't take you an hour to do three miles did it?

lol no

i usually do 1 hour in a bike at the gym (usually cover 35K in that time).

No it only took 15 mins i guess. not long at all

 

[numbnuts]

No it only took 15 mins i guess. not long at all

Hi &
3 miles in 15 minutes well that 12 miles in an hour, that’s not bad you have taken the first step, all I’ll say is sit back spin those pedals and enjoy the ride, speed and distance will come later

 

[accountantpete]

If you are planning the L2B next year then

1) Start planning your winter training regime now - you should at least aim at maintaining the level of fitness that you get to before the bad weather arrives.

2) Get some clip-in pedals/shoes and learn how to pedal in them.

3) Get some decent tyres - Michelin Pro Race etc.

 

[mike e]

Hi and welcome to the friendliest of forums Jason,

1. Pump, Spare Tube, Tyre Levers and Multitool

Don't what a flat or a mechanical and be stranded miles from home

2. Decent padded shorts

Especially when cycling a long time and or distance

3. Helmet

Some do and some don't but it's saved my nogin more than once

 

[jasonmccullum]

thanks for the reply and the advice

 

[Randochap]

Keep riding and check out the touring and long-distance (rando) sections of VeloWeb (link below). That's my advice.