First bike ride in 27 years but need advice

[Andy1974]

Well this morning I got up early and went out on the bike before many people were around I stook to the concrete path down by the river so had the fork locked out. Im really unfit 5ft 8 and weighing 19 stone so this wansn't goint to be easy.

I managed to pedal off and the main problem I had was balancing I was all over the place to begin with but this was probably to looking down rather than looking straight ahead but I kept looking for the gear levers. My Bike is a Specialized Hardrock 29er sport disc and has the fast wheels and it seemed like I was going fast sometimes probably too fast (thank goodness for hydraulic brakes) these had to be used a few times when I was about to fall off. Don't know whether these are the best wheels to be starting off with

I probably managed a mile which I know isnt great but its a start but can anyone provide any tips on balancing apart from looking straight ahead. I suppose this will come with more practice. I did struggle doing a complete turn in fact I just got off and turned round. Then right as the end as I was getting more confident there was a 90 degree turn which I tried u guessed it off I went and dived into the grass!!

FIrst time I've used gears and want to avoid cross chaining so I started off with the the left gear on 2 and left it there and then just changes gears with the right.

Things I have learned I need cycling shorts my backside is killing me and maybe a more comfortable saddle. My shoes slipped off the pedal a few times so I may need some different pedals or cycling shoes. Lastly It felt a lot better than being behind the wheel of a car but i need to try and cycle straight rather than all over the place. Wont be going on any roads yet thats for sure.

Thanks Andy

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi Andy. Can't advise you about the gears, but I'm sure someone else will come along and advise you on that subject. As far a wobbling is concerned, I bought a bike and started cycling a month ago for the first time in 45 years. I didn't even go a mile. In my case it was a matter of minutes, 20 to be exact. I was wobbling all over the place in that time and nearly fell off lets just say more than once. Just give it time. Don't bother about distance. Just concentrate on staying upright. After you have been on your bike 4 or 5 times the wobbling will become less and less. Don't think that you have to go onto the road otherwise your a failure. Take your time. With a bit of practise you will wobble less, but even so be careful when you do go out onto the road. The first few times are scary especially after such a long time. Choose a quiet time when the roads are relatively clear. Stop when you feel like it. If you get scared, then get off and push your bike back if you have to. There is no shame in that. You are making a big effort to get fit and maybe lose some weight. I now cycle 10 miles 3 times a week and am looking to increae my mileage. Another problem you will have is a rather painful bum. The only thing that will make it stop hurting is get out on your bike. There are lots of people here who will help ypu

 

[ClaireSaud]

and congratulations on your 1st bike ride. 1 mile is better than none! At least you have the inclination to go out and get healthier and fitter.

There was a discussion on biking in a straight line a few weeks ago http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/got-the-wobbles.137571/ Hopefully the link will work (never posted a link but hey ho).

The key is to look straight ahead. When I started out I found that the more I thought about it, the more I wobbled! You just need to keep practising.

As for turning corners, I'm terrible at it too. Too scared of falling off my bike so I always take it steady. In time you will gain confidence

Keep at it. It is great fun and a great way to get into shape.

 

[nappadang]

Well this morning I got up early and went out on the bike before many people were around I stook to the concrete path down by the river so had the fork locked out. Im really unfit 5ft 8 and weighing 19 stone so this wansn't goint to be easy.

I managed to pedal off and the main problem I had was balancing I was all over the place to begin with but this was probably to looking down rather than looking straight ahead but I kept looking for the gear levers. My Bike is a Specialized Hardrock 29er sport disc and has the fast wheels and it seemed like I was going fast sometimes probably too fast (thank goodness for hydraulic brakes) these had to be used a few times when I was about to fall off. Don't know whether these are the best wheels to be starting off with

I probably managed a mile which I know isnt great but its a start but can anyone provide any tips on balancing apart from looking straight ahead. I suppose this will come with more practice. I did struggle doing a complete turn in fact I just got off and turned round. Then right as the end as I was getting more confident there was a 90 degree turn which I tried u guessed it off I went and dived into the grass!!

FIrst time I've used gears and want to avoid cross chaining so I started off with the the left gear on 2 and left it there and then just changes gears with the right.

Things I have learned I need cycling shorts my backside is killing me and maybe a more comfortable saddle. My shoes slipped off the pedal a few times so I may need some different pedals or cycling shoes. Lastly It felt a lot better than being behind the wheel of a car but i need to try and cycle straight rather than all over the place. Wont be going on any roads yet thats for sure.

Thanks Andy

Hello mate, we'll done for taking the plunge! I bought my bike 9weeks ago and have never looked back. All in I've lost 3 stone, 2 of that since I got the bike. I was 17 stone and only an inch taller than you. I was so unfit I could only manage a few miles at snails pace.
Things are getting better and I love cycling, and I hope you catch the bug too.
I could offer loads of advice but I'll keep it to a couple of points for now . Firstly, the stick with it because you'll see real benefits in a short space of time. Secondly, get those padded shorts, and they make a big difference but get cheap ones to start with because they'll be too big for you in a few weeks.
Any help or advice mate, just ask and good luck you're on the brink of a life changing thing, just get stuck in!

 

[sutts]

Hi Andy
Well, I can't really help you with the balance thing, because I have never experienced it. I can tell you that I look back on my times over my established routes and find it hard to believe just how much I have improved. That will be you soon and the weight will simply fall off. Keep at it!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Andy.

Keep practising. The more you ride the more instinctive it'll become.

You've done exactly what I would have suggested with the gears - keep it simple to start with.
When you are confident enough to play round with the gears a bit more, the idea is that low range (the smallest front gear) is for serious climbing or for difficult terrain and you can use all but the 2 or 3 highest (smallest) gears on the back. The middle gear up front is for your everyday riding and you can use any of the gears on the back. The high range (largest front gear) is for your high speed work and you can use all but the 2 or 3 lowest (largest) gears on the back.
Cross chaining is to be avoided as it causes excess wear to the chain.

Staying off the roads until you feel ready is a good move. Better to enjoy your cycling as you'll progress faster.

Padded shorts are probably a good idea - they have a lot of fans on here, but I'd stick with the saddle until you've got used to it a bit more as you'll always feel a bit tender for the first few rides.

Best of luck and keep us posted with how you're getting on.

 

[annedonnelly]

Well done on your first ride, Andy. The most important thing is that you said it was more fun than being in the car!! That's a great start.

It will get easier with practice and you've had some great hints above. But the wobbling will get less if you can go a bit faster. Slow speed manoeuvring is always tricky.
I'm sure it's lovely down by the river but if the path is a bit narrow you may want to find somewhere that you're not actually frightened of falling in the water! Then you can start to pick up speed. Like User13710 says a nice empty car park would be a good place to practice.

 

[Biker Joe]

You've made a start. Well done.
Ride and practice, ride and practice. It'll soon come together for you.
Have fun and enjoy.

 

[MikeW-71]

Hi Andy! Good start man.

The good news is that balance will improve with practice, I was a bit wobbly at first when getting back into it, especially at low speed. You are doing right with the gears though. If it's flat where you ride, just pick a middle gear and leave it there until balance is sorted.

Basically, look where you want to go. Same applies for turning. If you can find a nice open area where you can ride a figure-8 course, that will get you turning in both directions. As others say, low speed turning is the hardest, so try faster and more open turns to start if you can.

Don't worry about roads yet, you'll know when you are ready. Keep it up and have fun!

 

[Hip Priest]

Good on you.

The first of many thousands of miles, I'm sure.

As for improving your bike-handling and whatnot, I refer you to the advice I was given as a beginner: "Ride your bike, ride your bike, ride your bike."

 

[slowmotion]

Well done. It really does get easier and more enjoyable with practice. Just take it easy to begin with...if you enjoy it, you'll want to do more. When you get better and more confident, practice looking over your shoulder. That will be really important when you go out on the road. Then practice looking over your shoulder and indicating right while riding in a straight line. None of it is rocket science. You just need a bit of practice.
Have fun.

 

[ScotiaLass]

That's great Andy!
I'm about to take my bike out for the first time in 5 years and am really apprehensive....you've spurred me on!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I have been in a another thread that says when are you a proper cyclist, you are that from the moment you start cycling, and never give up, you have made one of the biggest changes to your health there is, and from my prospective the carbon issue, enjoying being on a bike to a car, as has been mention just ride, practise and ride, dont worry about the gears if its easy enough to pedal and it doesn't make to much noise just pedal (you are not going to wear out a chain just because you are in a high front and low back over a few miles big front and big back, though again as has been mention its not good practise), practise turning, I still find a 180 degree in a road very difficult. Look where you want to go.
Dont worry about falling off most of us do that at some point, it only really hurts at speed, and the fear of falling off is just psychological.
When you do get padded shorts the best tip I have got was vaseline I think @Biker Joe has mentioned this in other threads, sorry if I have it wrong Joe, it really does work, though there are other things you can use like E45 cream, but thats for the future.
Just ride as often as you can, practise and more practise, it's not easy (took me ages) but over time you will be more confident

 

[Fab Foodie]

Bravo.
To stop wobbling ... simply relax.
Cycle shorts will help the bum, but for the odd few miles just learn harden your backside, it get's better.
Agree with other, find a big empty car park or similar, relax and just try some simple lowish speed turns and stuff. Also get the feel of the brakes. Remember the front brake does 95% of the work!
Most of all, relax

 

[swede54]

Well done. I would definitely look for somewhere away from the water to practice as the chances are half your brain is concentrating on staying dry rather than balance and gears.