Not the best start

[MaxInc]

Definatelly normal for the first few rides, and you bum will probably hurt from the saddle a couple of weeks too. Unfortunate about the fall, I would blame that on not being completely used with the new bike and it's control rather than balance and all. Brakes take a little time to bed in properly and you can easily panic and squeze them too harsy. This happened to me when I picked up a brand new bike and almost ran a red light

The other's advice is excellent, practice slowly in a safe area and get familiar with the bike.

 

[OriginalTobby]

Cheers guys, nice to find a friendly community this soon, will hopefully get out a bit tomorrow providing I don't feel like I've been hit by a truck.

 

[Saluki]

It will all come back to you. Keep on keeping on and, if you could ride a bike before, there is a high probability that you can ride a bike again.
When we restarted riding in 2009, neither of us had ridden a bike for 9 years or so and we felt very wobbly and unsafe on our heavy halfords MTB things. We found a nice quiet cycle path, not along side a road and rode up and down there a bit until we got our confidence back. Only then did we attempt riding to the pub for lunch, along the canal towpath. Didn't want to wobble and fall in the canal!

I look forward to reading your posts as you progress and get well and truly bitten by the cycling bug.

 

[philinmerthyr]

Cheers guys, nice to find a friendly community this soon, will hopefully get out a bit tomorrow providing I don't feel like I've been hit by a truck.

Good luck. I've been riding regularly for just over 7 months. It was hard at first but I've now ridden 1,800 miles and did over 60 miles today. I'm not a typical cyclist. I'm a 5ft 7in, 21st ex prop forward.

If I can do it anybody can. It all starts with the first short ride. You can do it.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

You could also practise riding on a convenient grassy area, provided nobody's going to demand you stay off it. Then if you fall, it's a soft landing . Good luck with the cycling practice, and have fun!

 

[Louch]

I hadnt riden in about 14 years when I got my road bike in January. Took me a few weeks to feel confident, and took me weeks of staring at the box to fit clip less pedals. Now in my 4th month and cycled 75 miles and fell off at start of my first ride with other people this weekend. A bruised ego heels as quickly as you want it too. Try and get out tomorrow so it doesn't play on your mind .good luck amd let us all know how you get on.

 

[Louch]

And since no one has asked........is the bike ok from the fall? :P

 

[OriginalTobby]

Chains popped off and lost a reflector. Easy enough to get the chain back on though.

 

[guitarpete247]

Hi and .

As some others have suggested, lower the saddle a little. But don't lower it to much. If you do you do you will feel it in the muscles on the top of your thighs. You need to have saddle at the height so that your legs are straight when your heel is on the pedal. You should then be able to touch your toes on the ground on both sides. You could lower saddle a little till you feel safe but remember that if you do any distance you will feel it.

The GF was very insecure when we got her her bike as it was the first bike she'd ever had. She had the saddle low to make her feel secure but could only ride for 1/2 mile before having to stop as her legs ached as saddle was too low. She did 15 mile a few weeks ago and felt she could have gone further now she has saddle at correct height and is feeling more confident after having done an adult bikeability course.
That might be something you could look into. I don't know where you're from "OriginalTobby" but Leicestershire CC offer these courses for free. Your council may have similar courses. Don't be too proud to look at this as they have links to other rides and groups.

You could also try Skyrides and put in your Postcode to see what they have offer near to you.

Whatever you do, don't give up

 

[Sillyoldman]

When I went from a more laid back hybrid to my current bike with much different frame geometry, that too felt very twitchy and almost unstable in comparison to the hybrid. Soon got used to it. So, that is somebody who since returning to cycling had done 800 miles and was very at ease on the bike.
Coming back to a bike after such a long lay off to me is totally believable that you can be unsteady for a while. Bet you will very quickly be back on it and rock steady. Don't give up the rewards are huge.

 

[fullcycle]

No shame in falling off especially after 10 years a bit of practice and youll have the hang of it in no time

 

[OriginalTobby]

Not gone out today, shame Cuz the weather has been lovely but I've got some terrific road rash on my knee so walking with a limp. Glad to say though I'm genuinely looking forward to getting back in the saddle once I start to heal up. Cheers for the support guys.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Keep at it. Glad to hear you're still excited about getting back on the bicycle. These things just happen. Could be your first ride or your 400th. I fell off my bicycle right in front of my house when I messed up getting into pedals. Luckily, my wife was gardening and did not see this fantastic feat of cycling, or it would have been blamed on Jameson's in the water-bottles.

 

[deadpool7]

Was it mostly when starting from a stop? Remember to start pedaling with your lead pedal in the highest point so you can get some momentum going. Helps immensely. Good luck!

 

[Gravity Aided]

In my case, it was a strap from a toe clip . Quite the unsightly dismount. Got back on and went as if nothing happened. Took care of road rash and bruise later.