I used to bicycle a lot when I was younger. I loved to bicycle for miles. Then, my mother was trying to be kind and purchased me a few new bicycles over the years. They absolutely terrify me, because my feet cannot touch the ground. She insisted that this was the correct way a bicycle should fit, but all I feel is unsafe — which makes me think it’s technically wrong.
She also would purchase the biggest seats I’ve ever seen for the bicycle, which didn’t make me feel much difference between that and my old, manufactory default ones, and makes me think it’s unnecessary. I read somewhere they really are unnecessary and uncomfortable for long distance, as they cause you to have to exert more effort?
As I research it feels so overwhelming. I already tried communicating with the local bicycle store, and they’re not much help and are a high pressure sale. I want to understand everything I can about a bicycle before committing to buy.
I’ll also add some obvious (yet not so obvious to me) questions.
Gears, I never understood them! I would fiddle with it on my bicycle, but always left them alone for the most part. What do all the gears really mean?
When trying out a bicycle, is the giant not-able-to-touch-the-ground feeling the right fit? Or should my feet touch the ground to a degree? I’m 5’7”.
I’d be riding my bicycle on roads 98% of the time, and the roads near my home are hilly. I live on a very steep hilled street.
How to build up endurance with daily mileage? Start out a mile a day for a week then go to two miles the next week and etc?
Lastly, I want to do the Whiskey 50 one day. My very busy father in law does it, and I know the obvious would be to simply ask him all these basic questions, but I can hardly catch him at home as he travels internationally for business. Plus, what would surprise him more than me surprise showing up to it?
Any PDF booklets, great websites (that don’t directly just say buy, buy, buy!) that this newbie could lean on if there’s way too many questions here?
She also would purchase the biggest seats I’ve ever seen for the bicycle, which didn’t make me feel much difference between that and my old, manufactory default ones, and makes me think it’s unnecessary. I read somewhere they really are unnecessary and uncomfortable for long distance, as they cause you to have to exert more effort?
As I research it feels so overwhelming. I already tried communicating with the local bicycle store, and they’re not much help and are a high pressure sale. I want to understand everything I can about a bicycle before committing to buy.
I’ll also add some obvious (yet not so obvious to me) questions.
Gears, I never understood them! I would fiddle with it on my bicycle, but always left them alone for the most part. What do all the gears really mean?
When trying out a bicycle, is the giant not-able-to-touch-the-ground feeling the right fit? Or should my feet touch the ground to a degree? I’m 5’7”.
I’d be riding my bicycle on roads 98% of the time, and the roads near my home are hilly. I live on a very steep hilled street.
How to build up endurance with daily mileage? Start out a mile a day for a week then go to two miles the next week and etc?
Lastly, I want to do the Whiskey 50 one day. My very busy father in law does it, and I know the obvious would be to simply ask him all these basic questions, but I can hardly catch him at home as he travels internationally for business. Plus, what would surprise him more than me surprise showing up to it?
Any PDF booklets, great websites (that don’t directly just say buy, buy, buy!) that this newbie could lean on if there’s way too many questions here?