Starting Out

[Innes]

Had a generic Halfords mtb for about 3 weeks but only been out once what with weather and work. I want to change to road tyres and pedal clips with a view to going clipless. I've also got a pair of old bar ends which I'll fit soon. What sort of distance should I be looking at to start with. Lol, I've even had to buy bib shorts to hide my builder's crack :$
Does shoe style effect performance, I'm using normal running trainers at the mo?

 

[Joffey]

Cycling shoes with a stiff sole when using clipless help get the power down.

Just start with what feels comfortable distance wise and build from there. I started at 15 miles and every couple of week moved it up 5 miles until I was happy doing 50 miles. I did a 100 mile ride last year.

Road tyres will help you lots. Good luck and happy cycling!

 

[Ganymede]

I agree re distance - you really have to just start cycling and see how you go. There are people on here who started by cycling up and down their street!

Personally I wouldn't have started at 15 miles as 7.5 miles home when you've discovered your saddle is uncomfortable or your legs are shot isn't a fun experience. I'd start with a 6 - 8 mile round trip and feel free to turn back at any point, and if you're fine when you get near home you can always do more. But that depends on your fitness - if it's good and you have no injuries then you'll be fine with more. Then build up.

Re going clipless - use the search function on this forum to find posts about the trials and triumphs of those who have made the transition...

 

[welsh dragon]

I agree with Ganymede re distance. There is no bottom limit. Do the distance you can. I started off doing time not distance and 20 minutes was more than enough. Dont overdo it. You may well soon discover that what you think you can do, and what you can do in real life are worlds apart. Above all have fun. If you make a chore of it, you will soon stop cycling. Fun is the name of the game, always. And welcome to the forum.

 

[iamRayRay]

Guys have got it spot on here, no distance starting point. But time wise I'd stick to 30 minute stints. Then you are never too far from home.
Distance from home is also crucial, on your first few rides, no matter how far you go, stick to within a mile or so from home, then if anything goes wrong - puncture, seat, wheel spoke etc etc then you can also call someone to pick you up or walk home.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Firstly I would suggest is leave the bike as it is for now, get used to riding it for short distances first of all then, increasing the distance you ride, maybe find a nice cafe a few miles out of town, ride to that have a nice cup of tea or coffee then return home. Give it a week or two of increasing your speed, if there some bridleways or canal routes in your area, use these to help build you your handling skills around other users, cyclists, walkers, horse riders riding the trails can be great fun and enjoyable. Then once you realise you have gotten the Bug, that is the time to either replace the Pedals to SPD, and buy the proper cycling shoes. I have found that at this time of year lots of people want to take up cycling, buy all the gear, then once they have had a few weeks riding on the Roads, the sheer scale of traffic tend to scare them off. See if the Local cycling clubs are running any social rides, likewise approach your council to find out if they have any cycling training schemes running.

 

[Col5632]

As others have said just start out doing what you feel comfortable with, I used to do 3 miles with my jeans, jumper and trainers on, now I won't go out without all the kit on and think nothing (well not nothing) of doing 20 miles a day to my work

 

[Innes]

Guys, some fantastic advice here, I think I'm kinda guilty of running before walking (rubbish cliché ;-)) I'll keep you all posted ;-)

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

As others have said it's just a question of what you feel comfortable with. I based my initial training before I got ill on time and not distance. I wanted to keep slow/steady pace for 30 minutes , then increased to 45... my goal was to reach 2 hours at a steady pace before turning to the dark side of the force and doing sections at full pace. A lot depends on what you want to achieve from your cycling. Do you want to take in the beautiful country side we have or a few sportives or etape.

I crashed and burned big time with the e-tape but it was great fun.

 

[iamRayRay]

Another piece of advice is to set cleats to the least resistance clipping in / out.

I did a fantastic splat when I forgot I was clipped in the first few times. Luckily I was only pea-rolling around my estate.

 

[MichaelW2]

I would not advise an inexperienced newbie to ride clipless pedals.
They require a good standard of bike handling skill.
Many advocates who converted to clipless were already skilled and experienced riders.
Try doing a track stand for 5 seconds, and riding really slowly around a slalom course. People have clipless moments at low speed.

 

[DEFENDER01]

I agree with all the above advice.
I have just got back into cycling after being off since 1986 just take it easy and build up to longer trips.
Its surprising how quickly you start to know when you can go that bit further.

 

[stoatsngroats]

All great advice, and similar to how I started. I found a safe(ish) route near home which allowed a turn=back, or a loop shortner, based on a 10 mile route. this meant I could cut short at regular intervals, if I felt the need.
10 miles soon became 15, then 20, changing the route to include a change of scenery. I loosely timed myself, to show any improvement.

I still use flat pedals (tandem rider now, but used to do 60+ miles on fat pedals), but road tyres will ease your journey.
The point is to ride regularly, and to rest too.
Good luck!