where should i start from.

[star84]

hello guys i have been reading the forum lately and i must admit that you guys a very helpful...i have few questions to ask and hope someone would help me out...i want to start cycling for fun and fitness but if im honest im abit scared and don't know where to start from as i haven't ride in a very long time the last time i rode was about 16 or 18yrs ago and im 28 now.. i don't know where to start from and i don't have a bike at the moment but would be getting one as soon as possible my fear is riding on the road..should i go for an adult cycling training before getting a bike or get a bike and join a cycling club?how do i motivate myself ,i was wondering if they offer adult training in cycling club i don't know any club here in my area (southend on sea) any advice would be appreciated...thanks

btw is there any member living around my area who i can cycle with when i get my bike.

 

[sidevalve]

The adult classes [if there is one near you] are a start but TBH after a gap of nearly 30 years I came back and it didn't take long to get back into the game. Remember two things 1 - on a bike, if you are a bit unsure of a junction just hop off and walk round it [there are no medals for bravery on the road], and 2 - at first you can confine yourself to quiet roads towpaths and bridleways. Cycle clubs suit some but not others but each to his / her own on that one.
The only other advice I would give is [and I've said it before] practice gear changing untill you can do it without thinking about it and practice braking on differing surfaces and with different brakes. Once you know which brake does what and on what and which gear you need on your particular bike you'll find your confidence grows fast.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Hi and welcome aboard star84

Until you get a little confidence, I wouldn't look at any club.
Try a few jaunts round a local park or along be sea front to get yourself used to the bike and gears, brakes etc.
Once you ave built a bit of confidence, try a local cycling group rather than a club, or just find yourself a local route away from the traffic and get a few miles in.
There are often local weekend ride groups attached to clubs, and the riders are of all abilities and do rides varying in distance and ability.

Once you gt fully confident, you could really start to challenge yourself

Good luck

 

[Dave 123]

Have a look here
http://www.goskyride.com/
There may be a ride in your area. It could be a place to start from.

There are many folk on here who will advise tou to buy a Triban 3 road bike.

Whatever route you choose, enjoy yourself!

 

[Easytigers]

Might be worth sticking to canal pathways etc for the first few rides or try riding round the local reservoir...you'll soon build confidence...big thing is just getting out there. Just remember to always take stuff in case you get a puncture or have a phone with you so that you get someone to pick you up. At first it will seem a little daunting to go further afield but just keep at it doing a bit more each week. You'll soon be riding 10-20 miles from home and thinking nothing of it.
Have fun and let us know how you're getting on...
Russ

 

[vickster]

Have a look here
http://www.goskyride.com/
There may be a ride in your area. It could be a place to start from.

There are many folk on here who will advise tou to buy a Triban 3 road bike.

Whatever route you choose, enjoy yourself!

Sky rides are great Go for one of the mixed gentler rides, there'll be kids so no pressure in any way shape or form

You don't need a Triban 3 unless you specifically want a road bike. I'd get a used flat bar bike for £100-150 (or Decathlon have a new one for £150, Halfords' excellent Carrera Subways start at £200 at sale times). When you get into your cycling, then you can start looking at building up the stable (unless you're loaded, then you may as well buy a 3k carbon bike now )

The most important thing is to buy a bike that fits you properly or you won't get comfy (and then probably some padded shorts to help you be comfy)

It's a cold, wet, dark, slippy time of year to start riding - personally I'd wait until the spring

Good luck with it

 

[star84]

thnx a million guys,i contacted my local council today about the adult cycling training and they promise to get someone to contact me i dont think i can wait for them if they dont contact me tomorrow or next as i honestly cant wait to start riding lol i visited a bike shop today and fell inlove with the look of a MERIDA 2013 but its gbp599 which is quit expensive for me and they didnt have alot of bike in the shop so i will visit other shop tomorrow..i would like to get a reliable bike that i can use for atleast a year or more before changing i was wondering if it would make sense to look for one of them ones they sell for 1kplus but in second hand for around 400/450gbp or go for a brand new one for 300/450 or should i just save up for the Merida?any recommendation guys???

 

[bainy16]

if you work does the company offer the C2W sceme (cycle to work scheme)? you can get upto 1k to spend on bike and gear and pay it back through your wages and making a saving aswell for both you and the company i was the the same not rode a bike for over ten years then took the plunge and bought a new road bike, gears on the brake levers took some getting use to also the clipless pedals but after a few miles round the quiet lanes all was fine i did a couple of hundred miles with just me and the bike to make sure i was confident then joined a cycle group which was very helpful......hope you find the right bike but most of all enjoy your cycling.
i would recomend using a LBS (local bike shop) to make sure you buy the right size frame and that its set up properly.1 more recomendation get some padded shorts.... your bum will thank you for it.
keep us posted how you get on.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

A Triban 3 would be a great start if you're interested in a road bike. But perhaps you're not. Maybe you'd prefer to stick to tow paths, as has already been said, or perhaps you'll develop a taste for bombing down forest paths. The thing is to make sure you get a bike that suits the sort of cycling you're interested in - and that it's the right size (very, very important that!). A racer is great for the road, but pretty lousy on rough ground. Personally, after having racers for most of my life, I now ride a touring bike. It's much easier to ride on the road than a mountain bike, can zoom along pretty quickly, but is sturdier, more comfortable and has the added bonus that I can do my week's shopping with it. Decide your style and choose your bike. Don't spend too much right now, though: cycling can get very expensive as a leisure activity, although it's very cheap as a form of transport.
Oh, and don't worry about being 28. A lot of people here started riding much later than you. After all, riding a bike is something you don't forget how to do. It's like - well, riding a bike!
Good luck!

 

[Kins]

Besides the bike don't forget to factor in the gear to ride it and maintain it.

These hidden expenses soon mount up. This time of year its only going to get colder/ wetter/ icer so clothing will be important as freezing your arse off will soon put you off getting the bike out (unless your a masochist!)

Then Helmet and lights, then oils/ grease and tools to maintain it, then spare parts you need to carry like tubes, glues, spanners, tyre levers etc (some good posts on here about what to carry for emergencies and punctures etc)

I hadn't riden a bike in 25-30 years before end of last year. You soon get used to it again, though some of your muscles don't for awhile!

 

[Dave 123]

Get to a shop that is willing to let you try lots of bikes.
Where do you live?

 

[star84]

Get to a shop that is willing to let you try lots of bikes.
Where do you live?

i live south east essex (southend on sea)

 

[star84]

A Triban 3 would be a great start if you're interested in a road bike. But perhaps you're not. Maybe you'd prefer to stick to tow paths, as has already been said, or perhaps you'll develop a taste for bombing down forest paths. The thing is to make sure you get a bike that suits the sort of cycling you're interested in - and that it's the right size (very, very important that!). A racer is great for the road, but pretty lousy on rough ground. Personally, after having racers for most of my life, I now ride a touring bike. It's much easier to ride on the road than a mountain bike, can zoom along pretty quickly, but is sturdier, more comfortable and has the added bonus that I can do my week's shopping with it. Decide your style and choose your bike. Don't spend too much right now, though: cycling can get very expensive as a leisure activity, although it's very cheap as a form of transport.
Oh, and don't worry about being 28. A lot of people here started riding much later than you. After all, riding a bike is something you don't forget how to do. It's like - well, riding a bike!
Good luck!

i am instrested in a road bike as i will be cycling for fun/fitness between do you mind if i ask why Triban 3?..i like the review i read abt them though but i think they kinda look plain mayb becos im lookin at jus the pic online or something.i will go to a LBS and have a proper look at it between is there any other nicer / reliable one you would recommend as i wouldnt mind paying abit more..i wanna be able to fall inlove with my bike each time i look at it and jus feel like ridin it all the time and not get bored and wanna change it after few month or so hope you get me

 

[nickg]

Do you come Colchester way? If so there is cycle revolution and they are very good, they listen to what you want to get from riding and then pick bikes for you to try that will suit you and your budget. The triban 3 is a great bike, almost bought it myself as only just getting into cycling, but I got offered a wilier at a great price so took that otherwise I would of got the triban.

I'm always happy to meet up for a ride anytime as I'm in Colchester, not to far away.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

You'll only get the Triban 3 from Décathlon as its their own brand (B-Twin). The reason why I recommend it is that in my opinion you shouldn't spend too much money right now - what if you discover you don't like cycling? Don't forget that the bike is only the start - you also need to keep some money for all the other things. You'll probably want a computer to tell you how far you've gone and your speed; you might need to change the pedals and buy the shoes with them; someone's already mentioned the padded shorts, but I'm guessing you'll want a different saddle too; and don't forget all the other bits 'n' bobs, clothes and tools.
Personally, I don't like Décathlon but I still recommend the Triban 3. If you can get to Edinburugh Bicycle Cooperative (only in the north), you could spend a little more on this.