Just been out for my first ride!

[Pat "5mph"]

Skyrocket, and well done on your first ride!
I well remember the "gripping the handlebars for dear life" feeling don't worry, you will soon zoom along the road with confidence!
I only started cycling about a year ago, really enjoying the freedom to go places without waiting for the bus.

 

[Primal Scream]

well done you it will soon become second nature

 

[Nigelnaturist]

The wobbling will disappear once your brain goes from "manual handlebar management" to "auto-pilot".

Not sure about this one, I still wobble.

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

Not sure about this one, I still wobble.

Really?? Maybe your stem bearings are too tight and front tyre almost flat?
(Only joking).

 

[Saluki]

Great news on your first ride.
When I got my old MTB, in 09, I hadn't ridden for about 9 years and I was hanging on for grim death and my hands and wrists hurt like anything. I changed the bar grips fairly quickly as they were more knobbly than my tyres. Once I got going and could do 3 miles without being in total agony, I started to feel better about things. I rode that bike until August last year and then I got my Giant Defy, which is way better.
I have had breaks in my riding since restarting in 09 until now, due to illness, a broken wrist (I did not fall off my bike but was knocked off my rollerblades) and tomorrow will be riding in my first event since 2000.

A new bike might well be the way to go for you as size does matter in cycling. Any decent bike shop will let you try a variety of bikes until you find 'the one' for you. You could try your local council and ask about their bike auctions. My hubby got a good road bike for £60 that way.

 

[Noodle Legs]

I am 5ft 6 and have an inside leg of 31"

you have long legs for someone your height! I'm 6' and "only" have an inside leg of 32.5"! Maybe I have short legs? ah well............
I would say you want a slightly smaller frame than 20 - a decent bike shop should be able to advise you of the right size frame. Good luck with your goals

 

[BrumJim]

If she's a woman, then she will have longer legs in proportion to her body, compared to men.

Yes, and you do have short legs. I'm of the same proportions, and my shirts always come untucked from my waist, I never buy trousers in Long leg length, and most other 6 footers I know have longer legs than me.

 

[Noodle Legs]

If she's a woman, then she will have longer legs in proportion to her body, compared to men.

Yes, and you do have short legs. I'm of the same proportions, and my shirts always come untucked from my waist, I never buy trousers in Long leg length, and most other 6 footers I know have longer legs than me.

I knew it! I'm a short guy trapped in a taller guy's body!

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

If she's a woman, then she will have longer legs in proportion to her body, compared to men.

Yes, and you do have short legs. I'm of the same proportions, and my shirts always come untucked from my waist, I never buy trousers in Long leg length, and most other 6 footers I know have longer legs than me.

I'm also long in the body and short in the legs department.
Legs are like conrods inside a car engine ... and some of the shortest conrods are found inside
race car engines.

 

[MissyR]

Well done skyrocket its never easy getting started again! I was the same last year too, 20(ish) years out the saddle and off I went a few wobbles on the way but I am now happily cruising along like a 10 year old again

you have long legs for someone your height! I'm 6' and "only" have an inside leg of 32.5"! Maybe I have short legs? ah well............
I would say you want a slightly smaller frame than 20 - a decent bike shop should be able to advise you of the right size frame. Good luck with your goals

Defo a smaller frame I had a mountain bike on an 18" and I'm 5'8" with an inside leg of 33"

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

There's a couple of ladies at work on kiddies mountain bikes, with 20" wheels!!
One of the ladies is almost 6' tall.

 

[Skyrocket]

Well I'm back!! And I absolutely loved it!
I drove to a water park near me. It's almost 1.5 miles round and I rode it twice!!
It was a beautiful morning and it just seemed a bit easier to steer. I even passed some people walking the path and didn't even kill anyone!
I borrowed my sons helmet and used my horseriding gloves for now and they helped a bit. My palms are killing me now and the back of my neck and lets not even talk about my bum
But it was great!!
Can't wait to do it again!

 

[MissyR]

Well I'm back!! And I absolutely loved it!
I drove to a water park near me. It's almost 1.5 miles round and I rode it twice!!
It was a beautiful morning and it just seemed a bit easier to steer. I even passed some people walking the path and didn't even kill anyone!
I borrowed my sons helmet and used my horseriding gloves for now and they helped a bit. My palms are killing me now and the back of my neck and lets not even talk about my bum
But it was great!!
Can't wait to do it again!

Superb! It sounds like your reach is out a bit if your necks sore Bum ach well best thing for that is a pair of padded shorts and a womens spec saddle. I'm glad your enjoying it though its very easy to give up when just about everything hurts Have look on gumtree or such likes for a better fitting bike.

 

[Skyrocket]

Thank you!
I do think this one is too big, more so today than I did yesterday.
Now I'm sat still I can feel my arms aching too but I don't mind! I'll soon get used to it.
Will be heading to Decathlon at the weekend to get some proper shorts and gloves and start hunting for a bike!

 

[Mo1959]

Thank you!
I do think this one is too big, more so today than I did yesterday.
Now I'm sat still I can feel my arms aching too but I don't mind! I'll soon get used to it.
Will be heading to Decathlon at the weekend to get some proper shorts and gloves and start hunting for a bike!

Well done. My hybrid was bought secondhand and is an 18" and I am only about 5' 3" so find it a bit too stretched out too. Just found a Specialized Vita in small size for £449 which is currently winging it's way towards me at the moment I think I should feel more comfortable on it. The Dawes is a sturdy bike though so I will keep it and use it for shorter runs or when the weather is bad as I have fitted mudguards to it.

Looking forward to hearing all about your purchases.