Any advice for my first ride?

[redcard]

I'm going to take the bike out in the morning for my first ride. Got all kitted-out today and the weather looks like it's going to be half-decent, so I plan on getting in around 10-20 miles early Sunday morning, either on the roads, or on local cycle-paths.

I'll have some muesli before I leave the house, and stick a Snickers in my pocket - don't have anything healthier kicking around. I'll fill up my bottle with water and a touch of cordial.

Any tips? Should I take a puncture repair kit? Any tools?

 

[oldfatfool]

Pump, spare inner tube (Easier than repairing a puncture), tyre levers if you need them.

 

[vickster]

What did you buy in the end?

Enjoy the ride

 

[HovR]

You can make most common adjustments on modern bikes with 1 or 2 sizes of allen key - Find out what these sizes are for your bike and pack them.

They take up a minimal amount of room and will allow you to make a fair few adjustments should something go wrong.

 

[redcard]

What did you buy in the end?

Enjoy the ride

I got the Carrera from User.

 

[redcard]

You can make most common adjustments on modern bikes with 1 or 2 sizes of allen key - Find out what these sizes are for your bike and pack them.

They take up a minimal amount of room and will allow you to make a fair few adjustments should something go wrong.

Sorted. Picked up a cheap tool kit from Argos, so will pack the multi-tool thingy that came in the box.

 

[HovR]

On the note of punctures, check your tire pressure is right up before heading out on your ride to prevent pinch flats.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Take an allen key thats the right size to adjust your seat height. Things may feel a little different one you have warmed up.

Dont go too fast from your front door, give yourself a mile or 2 to warm up (I really should take my own advice here)

Pump and puncture repair kit, and tyre levers.

Smile.

 

[Muddyfox]

Go at your own pace .. dont worry about average speed and all that nonsence

Enjoy the ride

 

[musa]

get a saddle bag make it easier to carry tools...2 inners allen keys ...a mini pump a tenner in evans i think

and enjoy it...

 

[Gary E]

My first ride on a new bike usually sees me stopping every few hundred yards to tweak something or other (deraileurs, brakes, seat etc.)

No matter how well the bike has been put together the action of riding it a few miles will often loosen bolts that were torqued correctly when fitted ( I had my handlebars start twisting in the stem about 10 miles from home with no tools - lesson learnt!).

Have fun

 

[redcard]

Just back from my first ride.

I guess 10-20 miles was a tad optimistic. I managed 8.92 - Guess I should have went metric

Anyway, felt like a decent ride, bike handled ok. Cycle-path was extremely good - a few dog-walkers and even fewer cyclists. Think I passed 1 on the path. Done a couple of miles on main roads, they were fairly quiet, and everyone seemed to give me plenty of distance when passing. I risked going out without any tools / spares, and managed to get away with it.

Good thing about today is that I have at least 1 route that I enjoy, that's free of traffic, and that stretches for miles And the further I go the more scenic it becomes.

Challenge for this week is to work out my commuting route - shame it's in the other direction However, I do have a week's holiday to get the route sorted.

 

[Sittingduck]

Excellent work mate. Take it very easy to begin with, then build up the distance slowly. I would go with 3 mile increments until about 25 miles, then 5 mile jumps, then 10, when you hit 40+

Glad you enjoyed it

 

[redcard]

If you risk it without tools and spare inner tube, be sure to take a mobile phone next time!

I had the mobile! I forgot to take any cash though. I would have killed for a bottle of Lucozade - I don't feel the watery cordial did much to rehydrate me.

 

[Sittingduck]

Essentials:

Cash
Phone
Card
Pump
Tube
Levers
Mini tool
Drink

Oh and don't forget your front door keys