Bought Carrera Parva. Starting cycling advice + tips for a taxi driver

[adamhearn]

Went on my first ride today did about 15 miles.

Well done, a long way for a first ride. Mine was 7 miles and I thought I was going to die,

And please do not purchase a saddle cover; riding little and often will allow you to adapt to cycling including getting your arse used to sitting on next to nothing for hours on end

As above you may need a different saddle (I use what came as standard on my road bike and use a Charge Spoon on my hybrid).

 

[NorthernDave]

Well done on a 15-miler.

My first ride (when I started cycling again) was intended to be the long way round to home from the bike shop (2 miles), but it felt so good that I carried on to a village about 3 miles further away, then looped round back to home, doing just over 10 miles - I felt like I'd been to the moon!
Now I'm barely warmed up cycling through the same village on my way out.

+1 for the saddle cover - I bought one thinking the same as you, but it needed near constant adjustment and eventually I got fed up mid ride and took it off. It's never been put back on. Just get a pair of padded shorts (you don't need anything fancy, I started off with Muddy Fox ones from Sports Direct) and keep doing short(ish) but regular rides as you get used to it.

 

[tom73]

Well done on a 15-miler.

My first ride (when I started cycling again) was intended to be the long way round to home from the bike shop (2 miles), but it felt so good that I carried on to a village about 3 miles further away, then looped round back to home, doing just over 10 miles - I felt like I'd been to the moon!
Now I'm barely warmed up cycling through the same village on my way out.

+1 for the saddle cover - I bought one thinking the same as you, but it needed near constant adjustment and eventually I got fed up mid ride and took it off. It's never been put back on. Just get a pair of padded shorts (you don't need anything fancy, I started off with Muddy Fox ones from Sports Direct) and keep doing short(ish) but regular rides as you get used to it.

Well done my 1st ride was about 5 miles just take your time build nice and steady. +1 re padded shorts once you get use to time in the saddle you will be fine.