New to Cycling advice appreciated
- Thread starter DiddlyDum
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Keep cycling and keep pushing it (faster, longer, bigger hills) and you'll find your thighs are hard, and you'll be on fire!
Ganymede
Veteran
- Location
- Rural Kent
Hi DiddlyDum 
You will feel like a kid again soon! I'm a 50-year old woman but I feel about 9 years old when I'm standing up on the pedals!
NB I cycle 3.5 miles to the station and back, not even every day, and it's made a big difference in my health and energy levels. I don't do long rides but I've got so much fitter and hardly ever have a cold.
You will feel like a kid again soon! I'm a 50-year old woman but I feel about 9 years old when I'm standing up on the pedals!
NB I cycle 3.5 miles to the station and back, not even every day, and it's made a big difference in my health and energy levels. I don't do long rides but I've got so much fitter and hardly ever have a cold.
172traindriver
Legendary Member
Hello 
medavidcook
Active Member
- Location
- Cardiff, Wales
hello and welcome
i hate hills
Its my day to be brilliant
Hi mate from up the road in brechin. Keep cycling it will become easier through time and as mentioned prev you will feel like you're going back to your childhood.
i took all the advice and i raised the seat quite a bit and the ride is so much easier. im already cycling 15 miles and finding it easier everyday. ive noticed a change in my shape too! ive been looking at maps to find different routes to try. i totally love it! gonna have to find a cycling companion now 
Profpointy
Legendary Member
i took all the advice and i raised the seat quite a bit and the ride is so much easier. im already cycling 15 miles and finding it easier everyday. ive noticed a change in my shape too! ive been looking at maps to find different routes to try. i totally love it! gonna have to find a cycling companion now
fantastic - I think your original post not two weeks ago mentioned a 2 mile daily target - now 15miles and counting - well done
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
Eat porridge for breakfast. Seriously, it completely changed my riding experience for the better.Also, to begin with, ride often. You don't have to work yourself to death with huge epics, just steadily get in some miles. Just do it for the enjoyment. When it's fun, you will do it more and more, and more......
Big Nick
Senior Member
Your legs should not be on fire, you should have a sore bottom instead
Ain't that the truth!!
Globalti
Legendary Member
The advice to lock your leg and put a heel on the pedal is wrong.
Your leg should be hanging loosely in what is called the "naturally cocked" position, i.e. with a relaxed bend at the knee. Sitting on the saddle your heel should just contact the pedal at the bottom of its stroke. As others have written, if you can put your feet flat on the ground while seated your saddle is much too low and you will injure your knees quite soon. Would you walk around with your knees bent? No.
Your leg should be hanging loosely in what is called the "naturally cocked" position, i.e. with a relaxed bend at the knee. Sitting on the saddle your heel should just contact the pedal at the bottom of its stroke. As others have written, if you can put your feet flat on the ground while seated your saddle is much too low and you will injure your knees quite soon. Would you walk around with your knees bent? No.
Bobby Mhor
Wasn't born to follow
- Location
- Behind You
from the other side of the country, jings, crivvens and help ma Boab
Some cracking roads in your area, get out and enjoy them
now you are sorted...Law Hill to build yer legs up.
L14M
Über Member
I'd watch this:
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VYhyppWTDc
But good on you for riding, keep it up and you'll be surprised on how fast you progress!
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VYhyppWTDc
But good on you for riding, keep it up and you'll be surprised on how fast you progress!
david k
Hi
- Location
- North West
Hi,
So i got a bike, my first bike since i was a kid. It's in such great condition and was obviously loved by the previous owner. I try and keep myself fit, I stay in Dundee and you can't get away from the hills here so I've been using them to get fitter and to lose a bit of weight. I want to use my bike to do this instead. Ive been out on it a couple of times. I've kept myself at a steady pace on more flat roads but it's HARD! My thighs are on FIRE! I plan to cycle at least 2 miles a day, allowing myself to stop when i need to.
How long will it take for my body to get used to riding? What can i do to help with the pain in my legs? Is there any kinds of foods that can help? I really look forward to finding out more about cycling. I am so ready to get into it this year! Thank you for reading. I'd appreciate any answers to my questions..
try ridin in a lower gear than feels natural, your legs should spin quicker than they would when walking, thats to say the temp is quicker and the gears are there to make them spin easier, dont worry about speed.
remember spin dont 'stomp'
