Should I start cycling?

[sarahtheclarke]

Hey Everyone,

Despite being 25 and very active, I have never ridden a bike and have reached the point that I feel too old to learn. I have been interested in cycling for years but because I live in Shropshire and have a good 10-15 mile trip to go shopping and get to work, etc. I have never felt that a bike would be suitable for my travelling needs, what do you think?

I would like to learn to ride but, as I have already said, feel like I am too old to learn now and wouldn't know where to start, if I was to start.

Any Help, Information, Advice, Tips, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You in Advance
Sarah

 

[biking_fox]

Yes of course you should. cycling is a great hobby, a fantastic way to get around, and Shropshire gorgeous countryside with quiet roads to see by bike. It will take you some time to work up the necessary leg fitness, but if you're generally active you won't have any trouble.

Many councils run cycle schemes aimed at teaching adults, providing training and helping you feel comfortable on the road. If they aren't available in your area one of the local bike shops may be able to point you in the right direction. Or you can just learn by yourself - On a soft surface, sit on a bike in low gear peddle and off you go! You'll feel very wobbly to start with, but quickly get the hang of the balance! There's lots of threads on here about getting a bike the right size for you- again the local bike shop should be very valuable advice.

 

[raleighnut]

25 too old. Plenty of time to learn

 

[ianrauk]

Yes!

This is in reply to your thread header and not the post.

 

[Markymark]

Do you mean actually learnt to ride a bike (as in balance) or on the road?

If the former, take the pedals off (or ignore them) and coast around until you can do a few meters by pushing along. When ready, start pedalling and you'll be fine.

If you mean the latter, do short trips, buy cyclecraft and tag along with a friend who is a regular.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Go for it!!

 

[Garry A]

Yes!
Yes!
You will love it.
25 or 65 it doesn't matter, you'll learn quickly. I cycle because I enjoy it not just for transport. Bikes are some of the best things I've spent money on.

 

[Jayaly]

Do it. Mr Jayaly has just learned at the age of 52. He had a couple of lessons with a trainer who works out of a community cycle centre.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

My wife learned to ride a bike at 45 & she's not particularly fit or active.

your local.council or transport authority will surely have learn to ride courses and private organisations do too if you feel the need for structured lessons (wife was up and away inside an afternoon) but you could borrow/hire a bike and head off to the local park or find a straight flat bit of road / trail somewhere and get the knack yourself.

cycling is a wonderful thing to do whether you are killer competitive and racing clubmates or just having an hour or so commute or quiet jaunt just to clear your head from the worries of day to day life. Give it a go.

 

[Fab Foodie]

It's never too late .... and 25 is sooooo young.
You could also ask in a local bike shop or the local CTC if they know somebody who would be willing to help get you started.
Do you have access to a bicycle?
If so @0-markymark-0 advice is spot-on, remove the pedals and find somewhere to push yourself around to get a concept of balance. Once that's achieved, sticking the pedals back on and turning them is fairly straightforward.

Where are you based? Somebody here might take you under their wing?

Be warned .... it can be terribly addictive!

 

[Roadrider48]

Do it!
You will not look back....

 

[mjr]

I have been interested in cycling for years but because I live in Shropshire and have a good 10-15 mile trip to go shopping and get to work, etc. I have never felt that a bike would be suitable for my travelling needs, what do you think?

I think I don't understand why a bike wouldn't be suitable. It's at least a 10 mile trip for me to go shopping and the bike means my journey time is fairly constant and about the same as using the car now the roads are so busy (this surprised me when I timed the car journey - it's only just faster with clear roads), plus it's multi-tasking: travelling and exercising at the same time.

So I think: yes, on your bike

 

[Deleted member 35268]

NO.

I'm joking. Of course, you can do it.

 

[Jayaly]

I have been interested in cycling for years but because I live in Shropshire and have a good 10-15 mile trip to go shopping and get to work, etc. I have never felt that a bike would be suitable for my travelling needs, what do you think?

Those are the sort of distances that look intimidating when you start out, until you realise how a bike just eats up the miles and how good you feel at the other end. I'd learn and ride for fun first, and make sure I got a bike which was suitable for that kind of riding, but think about building up to using it that way if you wanted to with no pressure. Just don't do what I did and knacker yourself out on an unsuitable bike fitted with the knobbly tyres it came with, and wonder why it's such hard work getting anywhere .

 

[howard2107]

As is usual on this forum, some excellent advice and encouragement, i agree with all of the previous, go for it, and they only thing you will regret is not doing it sooner. You will quickly build up confidence riding, if you intend to be riding in traffic, build up your confidence by riding in light traffic before you jump into rush hour stuff, or better still see if there are alternatives such as restricted roads to less than 7.5 tonnes, cycle paths, bridleways etc you could use in preference to the main roads. It may take a bit longer, but you will be much safer, and it will be a lot more enjoyable as well.

Cheers..................Howard