In your opinion, what are your top 3 cycling tips for a new rider.

[S-Express]

Go Commando (no pants) for any ride over 2 miles

I've ridden more than two miles in jeans. Should I have not worn pants with them?

 

[topcat1]

I've ridden more than two miles in jeans. Should I have not worn pants with them?

tips for new riders

 

[nickyboy]

1. Get some inexpensive bike
2. Ride it and discover some nice places by riding it
3. If you enjoy this, ride some more and then keep doing it. You can buy more stuff if and when your budget allows

 

[S-Express]

tips for new riders

So if a new rider plans to ride more than two miles in jeans, he should take his pants off first? Did you read my earlier post on 'clarity' ??

 

[Paulus]

Get a bike that fits.
Build up your confidence.
Get some decent lights and winter clothing so you don't have to stop riding when the weather turns a bit cold and shitty.

 

[winjim]

Just tried that and it didn't really work. Then I reversed 1 and 2. Found that when I started to pedal the bike balanced itself.

Explain this:

Current thinking is that balance should come first. Or are you still wedded to the idea of stabilisers?

 

[swee'pea99]

1) Get your saddle at the right height (google it if you don't know how)
2) Pump your tyres as hard as you can get them
3) When riding, anticipate, anticipate, anticipate

 

[BrumJim]

Difficult. I suppose I never really got over the idea of being a kid riding a bike.

I guess they would be:
1) Ride confidently, but be wary.
2) You'll get fitter, stronger and more a**e resilient very quickly
3) Get out there and ride to places you have never been to before.

 

[Southside Mike]

To a large extent, it depends on what type of cycling you are doing, but my tips for city/commuting type cycling are -

1. Spend some time reading up about safe cycling - good road positioning will protect you every bit as much (more probably) as hi-viz clothing or flashing lights (although I do use them too)

2. Plan your routes - if you are a car driver, you need to alter your thinking about how to get to places and find routes that keep you away from traffic. You'd be surprised at how a bit of time spent with Google maps or the like can show you how to navigate through a city without having to expose yourself (fnarr fnarr) much to scary heavy traffic

3. Use disc brakes (only joking)

3. Learn how to fix a puncture before you have to do it in the dark, in the rain

 

[Southside Mike]

There's far too much evidence-free bad advice in that now to make it a blanket rule, like the bit saying cyclists can stay in the left-turn lane and signal right to continue around roundabouts, which would mean doing scary and dangerous over-the-shoulder crossings of every exit. Maybe "read the Highway Code and Cyclecraft" or "consider the Highway Code".

Yeah, I remember reading the roundabout advice for the first time and thinking - "No way am I going to do that - are these people insane?"

 

[Oxo]

Explain this:

Current thinking is that balance should come first. Or are you still wedded to the idea of stabilisers?

Replace pedal with attain forward momentum and then you can balance.

 

[cyberknight]

My avatar say enough .

 

[winjim]

Replace pedal with attain forward momentum and then you can balance.

This is like one of those making a cup of tea SOPs they make you write at school. OK:

1. Mount bike
2. Attain forward momentum
3. Balance
4. Pedal

So pedalling's not even in the top three!

 

[steveindenmark]

Your paying for it. I don't have to like it.

Buy good, not cheap.

To go far, you need to slow down.

 

[roadrash]

only one piece of advice .... ENJOY