Newport/Rogerstone area?.. beginners ride?

[thearmchaircyclist]

Hello everyone, reasonabily new to road cycling, been a fan for years and love to watch as much racing as possible. Been an avid Zwift user for over a year now and have a tidy base fitness level. I need to get out riding more in real life but lack confidence with riding clipless IRL. Would love to sign up for this years tour de Gwent. Any local riders, beginers out there willing to ride and guide with this newbie? All help appreciated. Thanks

 

[vickster]

There's no need to ride clipless if you're not comfortable doing so. Maybe switch to flats while you gain confidence. Maybe there's a local club or group with beginner rides?

You could take a look at let's ride, e.g.
https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/steves-birthday-ride
https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/vents-silumn

More extensive list, some are women only which may or may not be appropriate for you
https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides?location=Newport&lat=51.58415099999999&lng=-2.997663999999986&radius=10&date_from=18/01/2019&date_to=18/04/2019&distance_min=0&distance_max=40&duration_min=0&duration_max=10&permitted_gender=true&has_booking_spaces=true

 

[thearmchaircyclist]

Thanks for the reply, I do ride with flats at times but feel like I’m cheating myself to be honest. When I’m out riding clipless I tend to not use busy roads or limit the amount of climbing

 

[Banjo]

All kinds of ridiculous claims are made about how much faster you will be clipped in. W ith a good grippy pair of flat pedals you can ride fine .

I know a lady that rode the Paris Brest Paris 1200 km event on flat pedals no problem. Personally I went over to flats some years ago with no regrets other than not doing it earlier.

 

[thearmchaircyclist]

Cheers I’ve got a nice little set of giant flats, very grippy. I’d just like to gain more confidence with my spd’s