Newbie help and guidance needed

[craig kennedy]

ok this could be long so bear with me.

My first bike was a 3 speed something, it had road style tyres but mountain bike handlebars, and 3 gears on the handlebars. It was second hand back in 1984. After a short time it was perm stuck in 3rd gear, and I cycled everywhere, too school and back (ten miles each way) everywhere.

I now live in Kent and recently stopped smoking and re-took up cycling, though I have to date not done a great deal of actual cycling. Today I did my first 12 mile cycle, invigurating, legs were a little jelly ish but I felt good.

My bike is nothing expensive, it cost me £350 in a sale down from £500
It has shimano gears, 18 I believe
Traditional road bike handlebars, slick tyres, everything appears to work

Questions.

How do I determine the correct height of seat for me.
How do I raise, if I need to, the handlebars (not like the bike I had in 84)
Whats the best and easiest way to get myself fit enough to cycle on longer runs without too much dificulty.

Also, anyone reasonably local to me, I would like to do some evening cycling but would rather do it with one or more than myself, safety etc.

Thanks all in advance. You can see what I look like on mu linkedin profile.
Linkedin

 

[vickster]

Try Cyclingbuddy for cycling pals http://www.cyclingbuddy.com/

Youtube has lots of cyclefit vids, there's also one that often gets posted on here, sure someone will be along soon

 

[SWSteve]

re: riding further

ride on your bike for longer time/distance compared to last week and you'll soon find you were riding further than you were a month ago

 

[craig kennedy]

Thanks both, I need to find a good place to cycle, cycling in maidsotne itself is a tad painful, traffic, lights and clip on pedals, all causing issues :-)

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Saddle height: search for @Rickshaw Phil 's excellent post in the beginners section.
Wait, done it for you, here it is.

 

[SWSteve]

When unclipping, bring your ankle into the bike, this makes it much easier! Why it took me a couple of months to learn this I do not know

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks both, I need to find a good place to cycle, cycling in maidsotne itself is a tad painful, traffic, lights and clip on pedals, all causing issues :-)

You have 100's of miles of Lanes circling Maidstone. Perfect for cycling.

 

[MikeW-71]

How do I determine the correct height of seat for me.
How do I raise, if I need to, the handlebars (not like the bike I had in 84)
Whats the best and easiest way to get myself fit enough to cycle on longer runs without too much dificulty.

1. To get saddle height at a good starting point, sit on the saddle, put your heel on the pedal. At the bottom of the pedal stroke, your leg should be straight. When you then move your foot back to the correct position on the pedal, your leg should be slightly bent at the bottom of the stroke.

2. You should be able to flip the stem so that it points upwards.

3. Ride your bike Add a bit more distance every couple of weeks, you'll be knocking on the door of 50 miles before you know it.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Thanks both, I need to find a good place to cycle, cycling in maidsotne itself is a tad painful, traffic, lights and clip on pedals, all causing issues :-)

Go to map my ride and search for routes in Yalding or Marden. Any with DS225 or Hill Wimp on them are mine and are lovely rides and mainly flat and you can stretch out into Paddock Wood, Hadlow and East Peckham.

Enjoy

 

[craig kennedy]

well my ride tonight, as said first in a long long time, I set off from Ringlestone, up behind the prizon, up boxly road towards penenden heath, along the main road from penenden heath to maidstone (Motorway junction) then accross to aylesford, up towards the retail park, up towards the hospital, down tun road through maidstone back to home again. A few hills long ones.