BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Thinking about advice for new riders, I realised that I had never really been off my bike, although the cyclist I am now is very different from the one I started as. So here, as a starter, is my plotted history of riding a bike. Feel free to contribute or just read. No need to follow the same template, although it might help.
My stages were:
1) Got a bike. Now I need to learn how to ride it
Memories: First time I got the hang of it. Riding with my friend and family.
2) Got a better bike. Now I need to ride it more
Memories: Getting dropped badly by my fitter friends on a big ride out in the countryside. Coming a cropper on the way to scouts due to poor brakes.
3) I'm at uni. Can't afford a car an I'm spending too much time walking. I need a bike.
Memories: Falling off twice on the way home from uni on Friday evening (sober). Chasing buses up the A38
4) Haven't got a car. I need my own transport.
Memories: Daily commute through the worst of Birmingham traffic.
5) Got a car. Don't need the bike, but I can't face getting rid of it. Also good exercise if you've spend the day sitting down.
Memories: Long day out, followed by evening ride out along the Collector Road.
6) Oops! Not fit enough for ski-ing. Need to go out on a bike ride.
Memories: Grinding my way up the hill into Selly Oak, legs like jelly.
7) Would be nice to be a bit fitter. Better start riding into work.
Memories: Getting changed in the car park. Getting soaked through to the skin in my work shirt, as it was sunny when I got up!
8) Do I really care about global warming? Better use my bike every day.
Memories: Arriving each morning out of breath, out of energy, then running up the stairs on what little was left in the tank.
9) How much further can I go on my bike?
Memories: Meeting up with fellow Cycle Chatters in Halesowen.
10) Where's the next Audax / Sportive? Help! I've got an addiction.
Memories: Killer Audaxes, freezing cold Sportive, and my first 100 mile ride (with fellow Cycle Chatters!)
My stages were:
1) Got a bike. Now I need to learn how to ride it
Memories: First time I got the hang of it. Riding with my friend and family.
2) Got a better bike. Now I need to ride it more
Memories: Getting dropped badly by my fitter friends on a big ride out in the countryside. Coming a cropper on the way to scouts due to poor brakes.
3) I'm at uni. Can't afford a car an I'm spending too much time walking. I need a bike.
Memories: Falling off twice on the way home from uni on Friday evening (sober). Chasing buses up the A38
4) Haven't got a car. I need my own transport.
Memories: Daily commute through the worst of Birmingham traffic.
5) Got a car. Don't need the bike, but I can't face getting rid of it. Also good exercise if you've spend the day sitting down.
Memories: Long day out, followed by evening ride out along the Collector Road.
6) Oops! Not fit enough for ski-ing. Need to go out on a bike ride.
Memories: Grinding my way up the hill into Selly Oak, legs like jelly.
7) Would be nice to be a bit fitter. Better start riding into work.
Memories: Getting changed in the car park. Getting soaked through to the skin in my work shirt, as it was sunny when I got up!
8) Do I really care about global warming? Better use my bike every day.
Memories: Arriving each morning out of breath, out of energy, then running up the stairs on what little was left in the tank.
9) How much further can I go on my bike?
Memories: Meeting up with fellow Cycle Chatters in Halesowen.
10) Where's the next Audax / Sportive? Help! I've got an addiction.
Memories: Killer Audaxes, freezing cold Sportive, and my first 100 mile ride (with fellow Cycle Chatters!)
