New to cycling, any tips/ advice?
Discussion
1 - get the shorts. They're an absolute must. As is a helmet. Other cycling kit can be worthwhile (cotton t shirts get sweaty, heavy and cold). Decathlon is your friend for decent kit at reasonable prices.
2 - On the road, don't cycle in the gutter. Cycle where you imagine your front let wheel to be in a car. This gives you the ability to move left if someone comes past too close.
3 - Enjoy it. This is the most important bit other than safety / comfort above.
4 - Download Strava. Never look back =)
2 - On the road, don't cycle in the gutter. Cycle where you imagine your front let wheel to be in a car. This gives you the ability to move left if someone comes past too close.
3 - Enjoy it. This is the most important bit other than safety / comfort above.
4 - Download Strava. Never look back =)
I am getting back into cycling too, albeit, off road rather than on.
I have an old clunker of a MTB that I have had for years so i'll be out in Swinley forest getting some practice in very soon.
Reason I am getting back into it? I have set myself a physical challenge to get fit and as I hate going to the gym I have come back to cycling to improve my all round fitness.
Expect many newbee questions soon on all aspects
I have an old clunker of a MTB that I have had for years so i'll be out in Swinley forest getting some practice in very soon.
Reason I am getting back into it? I have set myself a physical challenge to get fit and as I hate going to the gym I have come back to cycling to improve my all round fitness.
Expect many newbee questions soon on all aspects
Watchman said:
Best advice is...
... start looking for your next bike (read n+1) rule.
Have fun. I rediscovered cycling as I turned 40. 20 years out of the saddle makes it hard work but good fun nonetheless.
Haha, I've just read those 'rules' some funny ones in there. It does seem like It'll be an expensive hobby. Haven't even picked my bike up yet since it's being made and I'm already looking at my next one for when I get into it properly.... start looking for your next bike (read n+1) rule.
Have fun. I rediscovered cycling as I turned 40. 20 years out of the saddle makes it hard work but good fun nonetheless.
Some Gump said:
1 - get the shorts. They're an absolute must. As is a helmet. Other cycling kit can be worthwhile (cotton t shirts get sweaty, heavy and cold). Decathlon is your friend for decent kit at reasonable prices.
2 - On the road, don't cycle in the gutter. Cycle where you imagine your front let wheel to be in a car. This gives you the ability to move left if someone comes past too close.
3 - Enjoy it. This is the most important bit other than safety / comfort above.
4 - Download Strava. Never look back =)
Thank you, got a helmet when I bought the bike.2 - On the road, don't cycle in the gutter. Cycle where you imagine your front let wheel to be in a car. This gives you the ability to move left if someone comes past too close.
3 - Enjoy it. This is the most important bit other than safety / comfort above.
4 - Download Strava. Never look back =)
Is strava worth it then? Got the free version but it doesn't really do anything
TheCarFather said:
Is strava worth it then? Got the free version but it doesn't really do anything
It records your rides for later comparison, sensibly against yourself but some willy waving nerds will compare against others which is foolish as GPS is somewhat variable.That said- it certainly Does Something and its a fun tool to see how you improve over time.
As for the advice, defo buy proper shorts, I would recommend Gloves too- if you ever come off you can pick stones out of your legs and arms but you have to ride home holding the bars and palms full of grit sting like you wouldn't believe :-)
I'd suggest a multi-tool and spare inner tube if you're going far, a "short" cycle can become a LONG walk with a Very minor mechanical issue, 99% of which you can fix yourself, for free at the roadside!
TheCarFather said:
Thank you, got a helmet when I bought the bike.
Is strava worth it then? Got the free version but it doesn't really do anything
Oh yes. Just use the free version, unless you're really competing i'm not sure you get anything.Is strava worth it then? Got the free version but it doesn't really do anything
The thing with strava isn't what it is in itself. It's the data that it gives you access to.
You will be able to see your progress month to month. You go faster, further etc etc. Seeing just how far you've progressed is great for motivation. Set yourself a goal (distance, rides a week or whatever). Missing that goal? It's there recorded for all to see forever. Better get out for that last ride of the month even if you're feeling a bit tired.
Want to see everywhere you've ever ridden on 1 map? It's there. Fancy a change? Spot a gap on the map and head there - for no reason other than you have never been before.
Feeling competitive? See how many personal bests you can get on your route. Feeling even more competitive? Try to beat total strangers on the segment leaderboards.
Everyone is different, but IMO strava is the best thing to have happened to cycling (as a hobby) since Shimano created SIS gears. Last year it helped me get to the point where I could compete for real in my club time trials and not finish last - and looking at my ride history it's quite obvious that I'd not have ridden so much or as hard if it wasn't for this constant goal setting etc.
Everyone rides for different reasons though - so if all you really want is to potter about and enjoy the scenery, you'll look at it and wonder what all the fuss is about!
1. Make sure you check behind you whenever you pull out or sense a vehicle behind you, do a proper "life saver" look too, that means your chin should be touching your right shoulder when you are looking behind you not just a quick cursory glance.
2. Treat every motorist as if they have noisy children in the back seats, are texting a friend whilst changing radio station and are lost on an unfamiliar road....
2. Treat every motorist as if they have noisy children in the back seats, are texting a friend whilst changing radio station and are lost on an unfamiliar road....
TheCarFather said:
Watchman said:
Best advice is...
... start looking for your next bike (read n+1) rule.
Have fun. I rediscovered cycling as I turned 40. 20 years out of the saddle makes it hard work but good fun nonetheless.
Haha, I've just read those 'rules' some funny ones in there. It does seem like It'll be an expensive hobby. Haven't even picked my bike up yet since it's being made and I'm already looking at my next one for when I get into it properly.... start looking for your next bike (read n+1) rule.
Have fun. I rediscovered cycling as I turned 40. 20 years out of the saddle makes it hard work but good fun nonetheless.
I'm nearing 46 now, and have equipped myself with 3 bikes, plus one each for my wife, son and daughter, as well as those the kids have grown out of. I don't want to give them away because the last time I gave someone a bike, thinking he might enjoy cycling too (after what he told me) he put it on Ebay.
So I have 2 kids trailers, a TagAlong that won't be used for much longer, and a "first" pedal bike. My garage is a model in how to use minimal space to great effect.
Mr Gearchange said:
Convert to tubeless and never have a puncture.
Tubeless on MTB is the way forward - then you don't have to carry around a load of spare tubes and puncture repair kits.
Until it burps, and you lose all of the air in the tyre, or you rip the sidewall, and get a puncture that way...Tubeless on MTB is the way forward - then you don't have to carry around a load of spare tubes and puncture repair kits.
IMO, tubeless is great (I run it on my MTB), but i always still ride with a spare tube on me....
VinceFox said:
Change gear when you need to, not after. Also, changing gear is free. Make sure they work well.
Oh and be a love and stop at red lights, would you?
I never understand why the odd cyclist doesn't stop at red lights? You do it in a car with all those airbags etc so why not on something 10x more dangerousOh and be a love and stop at red lights, would you?
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