Novice to the road!

[Enjolras]

Hello gang,

Got myself a road bike a while back and have enjoyed using it in Swansea whilst I am at uni along nice flat dedicated cycle paths along the beach front.

However over summer I’m back in Brum, and I live right next to a busy main road and I’m a little bit terrified of using it.

I’m looking for a bit of advice on to how best to warm myself to it?

Enjolras.

 

[HJ]

Read a copy of Cyclecraft, lots of useful information for new and old cyclists alike...

 

[Arch]

+1 for cyclcraft.

Also, you might find out if there is adult cycle training available in Brum - there will be, just ask the council. You can get structured training, or often you can get a 'buddy' to accompany you on a regular route, and give you some pointers.

 

[jimboalee]

Which main road?

 

[accountantpete]

Usual thing - try and get to a quieter bit of road or pick a quieter time and gradually ease yourself in.

Have you done the Mumbles run yet or have they shut all the pubs down?

 

[Enjolras]

Cheers for the replies,

Book is on order!

I’ll have a mooch at the lessons as well...

Which main road?

The Pershore / Redditch Road if you are familiar with it?

Have you done the Mumbles run yet or have they shut all the pubs down?

Sadly a lot of the pubs and the club have shutdown, though there is now a killer curry house which isn't a pub... but does good curry.



Enjolras

 

[Randochap]

Practice on quieter streets and work your way "up." Takes time to feel comfortable. But don't get too comfortable. A bit of fear is a good thing. Lots of commuter links here.

 

[Banjo]

Welcome to the forum Enjolras. +1 for cyclecraft I havent had any training but it can only be good. After that you will get more confident with practice. Apparently the biggest danger to bikes is cars hitting you from the side so be very cautious of cars waiting to come out of side roads.

Re Mumbles.I cycled along the path from Swansea to Mumbles a month ago,When I have time I want to do the Clyne Valley route up onto the Gower. I didnt see the start of this track when I did the Mumbles ride.Do you know where it joins the Mumbles route ?

 

[Enjolras]

I’m actually starting to look forward to the challenge now...

Practice on quieter streets and work your way "up." Takes time to feel comfortable. But don't get too comfortable. A bit of fear is a good thing. Lots of commuter links here.

I’m thinking after familiarising myself with the book, I’ll get up at stupid o’clock when the roads are quiet and have a dry run.

Re Mumbles.I cycled along the path from Swansea to Mumbles a month ago,When I have time I want to do the Clyne Valley route up onto the Gower. I didnt see the start of this track when I did the Mumbles ride.Do you know where it joins the Mumbles route ?

I wasn’t very adventurous; I just used to thrash my bike mumbles and back. I’m going to take an educated guess... when heading towards mumbles there comes a point where you have a choice to hog the beach front all the way to mumbles or follow the track closer to the main road; I am thinking that you would come across the alternative route following the latter.
I don’t suppose you know whether the route is tarmaced?

Any tips tackling roundabouts?

 

[HJ]

Read Chapter 9 of Cyclecraft...

 

[Sam Kennedy]

I'm not too sure with roundabouts, but I got told if your taking the 1st exit or 2nd exit, go in the left lane, if its the 3rd, take the right lane. But it might be more complex than that.

 

[HJ]

Ok so my last post might not help strait away, approach roundabout as if you were driving, get into a primary position on approach and stay in primary until you exit the roundabout. If you can you want to avoid stopping, so look for opportunities to feed into the roundabout, also it is a good idea to change to a lower gear so that you can accelerate easily if you need to.

If you are turning left, do NOT be tempted to position your self to the left, keep in a primary position as this will make you more visible, the same is true when on the roundabout.