Scared to cycle to far from home
- Thread starter cabby
- Start date
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Bayerd
Über Member
- Location
- Marsden, Huddersfield
Do a search on here for the basic survival kit to take out with you. Personally don't bother with anything most of the time as I'm not normally more than 10 miles away from home (which makes for a big circuit). It's easy enough to be able to take a spare inner tube, tyre levers and pump with you, which will take care of (the first) puncture you have.
How many 5 mile circuits have you done? You're probably noticing by now that mishaps are infrequent.....
How many 5 mile circuits have you done? You're probably noticing by now that mishaps are infrequent.....
rowan 46
Über Member
- Location
- birmingham
I think it's just you
welcome to the forum by the way. Seriously though its just confidence the more you do it the easier it will become. a 10 mile run is only 2 x 5 mile days strung together take a couple of inner tubes in case of punctures for a quick change if necessary. There is no need to worry get out on your bike and explore that's what they are for have fun
One of the great things for me is the distance I can travel under my own steam!
Bikes are more reliable than you think, punctures can be fixed at the roadside, and if I really need to bail I could probably call my wife to collect me.
Build it up slowly, concentrate on enjoying it, and the confidence will come.
Like the poster above I have been offered help. I had a puncture on a small country road, with the temperature hovering around zero. I was changing the tube and a car stopped to offer help. Despite my reassurance that I was ok, he asked several times and hung about for a few minutes, which was very kind of him.
Bikes are more reliable than you think, punctures can be fixed at the roadside, and if I really need to bail I could probably call my wife to collect me.
Build it up slowly, concentrate on enjoying it, and the confidence will come.
Like the poster above I have been offered help. I had a puncture on a small country road, with the temperature hovering around zero. I was changing the tube and a car stopped to offer help. Despite my reassurance that I was ok, he asked several times and hung about for a few minutes, which was very kind of him.
I am useless mechanically but even I can fix punctures - make sure you can do this and 90% of any issues are dealt with. I've had 5 punctures in 6,000 miles of cycling. I also carry enough money to get me home if I really need it (taxi, train, bus) but in 2 years of cycling I've not needed it.
Just do it.
Martin
Just do it.
Martin
david k
Hi
- Location
- North West
always take some cash and a mobile phone, that way you can phone a cab
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
Welcome to the forum cabby, modern bikes are very reliable, you're unlikely to have to deal with anything other than a puncture by the roadside, get yourself a small saddlebag and carry a basic tool kit plus a spare inner tube and patches. Do you have friends who cycle that you can cycle with? Do you have a friend with a car who would be willing to pick you up in the unlikely event of a breakdown, just carry their phone number and a mobile phone, it might give you the confidence to explore more.
ELL
Über Member
- Location
- Outside your window looking in
+1 to all that has already been said. Also try and find other cyclists you can go out with maybe a local club CTC may have a group go out near you. This way if anything happens you have a group of people who will more often than not know how to sort it and teach you.
Oldbloke
Guru
- Location
- Mayenne, France
Try changing a tube to give you confidence to fix punctures & fit the best puncture resistant tyres you can afford.
If you're not mechanically competent, get a good LBS to service the bike.
Take a mobile with you to use in a real emergency.
Keep at it & your self reliance will soon get you out exploring...
As an aside, I used to live in a "one-horse" town in Berkshire where I met quite a few people who would never venture further than a few miles (10-15) from home in their cars; I found this quite disturbing. Anyone else come across this?
If you're not mechanically competent, get a good LBS to service the bike.
Take a mobile with you to use in a real emergency.
Keep at it & your self reliance will soon get you out exploring...
As an aside, I used to live in a "one-horse" town in Berkshire where I met quite a few people who would never venture further than a few miles (10-15) from home in their cars; I found this quite disturbing. Anyone else come across this?
Wades
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Horley, Surrey
Agree with everthing these folks have all said. With regard to Cabs it could be worth ringing round local firms to see if they have vehicles suitable to take your bike. My cousin is a cabbie and runs a regular service for a chap who's always getting out of his depth!
Overall I find there is nothing better than the feeling of looking on a map after a long ride and seeing how far you've gone under your own steam.
Overall I find there is nothing better than the feeling of looking on a map after a long ride and seeing how far you've gone under your own steam.
Angelfishsolo
A Velocipedian
- Location
- Cwmbach, South Wales
Basic tool kit - two spare tubes, tyre leavers, multi tool, pump, Puncture repair kit. Also mobile phone and some coins. Once you are comfortable you can fix a puncture you should feel the weight lifting off your shoulders 
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Oh and if you don't have a bail out phone number, I'd suggest the cycling equivalent of the AA - it's less than £30 a year (I think it's about £16). They won't come out for punctures, but if you blew a rim (ahem) or crashed and damaged the bike, they would get you home.
I have only ever called home once in 25 years, and that was recently when commuting home, went the long way, and the rim exploded.
I have only ever called home once in 25 years, and that was recently when commuting home, went the long way, and the rim exploded.
No they don't.
