Very 1st time on a bike...

[Mathias 1987]

Today was a big day for me as it is the first time I have ever got on and ride a bike!! A very girly old pink bike - my sisters from yesteryear - and apart from being extremely wobbly (few close calls with some parked cars) and fatigued (no running crossover in bike fitness I've discovered) it was actually a lot more fun than I thought! Just would like to know some good ways to improve my bike handling skills. Fitness will come I know but is it a simple enough case of practise to improve bike handling skills?
Ian

 

[taximan]

Find somewhere quiet and just have fun

 

[Saluki]

Hi & Welcome to the forums. Someone with far more knowledge than I will be along in a mo. I can't advise as I can't ever remember being without a bike of some kind. I would think that if you call your local council they run bikeability courses which will help you and you could also sign up for your nearest skyride too, then you can ride with others and it might well help your confidence grow.
Welcome to your new addiction

 

[derrick]

Find a forest close by and ride the trails, my other half did this, built up her confidence no end.

 

[roadrash]

practice, practice and when youve done that practice some more ,but above all ENJOY

 

[matthat]

Hi there!! Where about's are you NSEW?? Have a look at sustrans website they have local links for bike training etc Or find a friend or colleague to get out with you to help build confidence! Before you know it you'll be going round the block, Only trouble is the block gets bigger and bigger till your doing 20-30-50 miles!!! And as roadrash says ENJOY.

 

[okeydokey79]

+1 on the sky rides depending on your area there are lots starting to appeear now as most run april to october, lead by ride leaders and different levels to suit,also on the sky ride page you have options to search for buddies in your area so find some new people to get out there with and discover some quiet routes. And like others have said enjoy

 

[cyberknight]

Well done !
Keep it up and you will soon get the hang of it and start flying along , one more thing to check is your seat height as most people start with it to low and that can make it hard work on the thighs
heel on pedal with leg straight generally is a good starting point so when your foot is on the pedal you have a bit of a bend to the knee.

 

[Dave 123]

Just have fun
and wear lycra
hang on a minute......that's right! One leads to the other and vice versa.

 

[on the road]

Today was a big day for me as it is the first time I have ever got on and ride a bike!! A very girly old pink bike - my sisters from yesteryear - and apart from being extremely wobbly (few close calls with some parked cars) and fatigued (no running crossover in bike fitness I've discovered) it was actually a lot more fun than I thought! Just would like to know some good ways to improve my bike handling skills. Fitness will come I know but is it a simple enough case of practise to improve bike handling skills?
Ian

Bike handling skills come with experience, the more you ride the more you get used to it and the less you wobble.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Ian!
Don't worry, you'll soon pick it up by practice: have fun!

 

[sheffgirl]

Today was a big day for me as it is the first time I have ever got on and ride a bike!! A very girly old pink bike - my sisters from yesteryear - and apart from being extremely wobbly (few close calls with some parked cars) and fatigued (no running crossover in bike fitness I've discovered) it was actually a lot more fun than I thought! Just would like to know some good ways to improve my bike handling skills. Fitness will come I know but is it a simple enough case of practise to improve bike handling skills?
Ian

It will just take practice to get used to it. Cycling uses different muscles to running and walking; I thought I was pretty fit with cycling regularly but if I go out hiking my legs and bum muscles still ache afterwards, but its all good

 

[Haz]

Have fun! And your running fitness will be helpful, even if it doesn't feel like it right now!

 

[Mathias 1987]

Hey guys another day out yesterday, feel more comfy will be getting up at crack of dawn tomorrow to go on the roads around me as its pretty quiet and more importantly very WIDE! Cheers for all feedback much appreciated!

 

[biggs682]

Hey guys another day out yesterday, feel more comfy will be getting up at crack of dawn tomorrow to go on the roads around me as its pretty quiet and more importantly very WIDE! Cheers for all feedback much appreciated!

go for it you will enjoy it