42yr old getting on bike for 1st time in 25yrs: Advice?

[shentodj]

I last rode a bike in my teens (a 5 speed racer).

Just bought bought a Mongoose hybrid, to ride on Roads and forest paths.

Any advice re:
* using 24 gears, when only used to 5?
* any riding techniques that will help?
* any "must have" gadgets/clothings etc?
* good "family friendly" routes in Dorset?

Anything that you wished someone had mentioned to you when you started again?

Thanks in advance,
Dave S.

[ewenm]

Some well-padded shorts

[deevlash]

Buy a helmet if you haven't already got one. WRT gears try to use the top 3rd of the cogs on the rear cassette with the bottom front cog, middle with middle and bottom 3rd of the rear cassette with the big front ring, that keeps the chain straighter and it'll alst longer and be less likely to fall off. Fluorescent lycra cycling shorts aren't cool anymore

[pdV6]

ewenm said:

Some well-padded shorts

No laughing here - tender knackers are a serious matter!

[mat205125]

My personal advice with regard to gears would be to simply use the middle ring 95% of the time with the variety of ratios offered by the rear cassette. When you are really pressing on go for the big ring, and the little "granny" ring when the hills get tough.

A good skid lid to protect your head in the event of a fall is always a good buy, and I'd also advise that if you carry nothing else with you on a ride, carry a spare tube and a small pump - I'm lazy and leave the repairing of punctures 'til I get home.

Another couple of good bits of kit to have to hand should the worst happen is a ten pound note for a taxi home, and a mobile phone to be in contact with the outside world (I carry mine sealed in a sandwich bag to keep it dry)

Letting someone know where you are going, and when you plan to be back is a top safety tip that is sensible to do in any circumstance. Riding in groups is safer too, plus more fun!

[Wacky Racer]

mat205125 said:

Another couple of good bits of kit to have to hand should the worst happen is a ten pound note for a taxi home, and a mobile phone to be in contact with the outside world (I carry mine sealed in a sandwich bag to keep it dry)

Providing you live less than two miles away.....

[Trooper2]

Most occasional riders ride in too high of a gear, drop down and spin those pedals...

As you ride more your legs will get more limber so raise your seat as time goes on if you stick with it.

[mat205125]

Wacky Racer said:

mat205125 said:

Another couple of good bits of kit to have to hand should the worst happen is a ten pound note for a taxi home, and a mobile phone to be in contact with the outside world (I carry mine sealed in a sandwich bag to keep it dry)

Providing you live less than two miles away.....

What I really do is call a mate to come fetch me and enjoy a tenners worth of ales in a nice yokal pub while I'm waiting

[saddle bum]

ewenm said:

Some well-padded shorts

.... and a jar of Sudocreme. Not joking.

[snotrag]

Must haves for me whenever I'm on my bike

- good undershorts ( no-one has to SEE the lycra, dont worry )
- Helmet
- Gloves - better control when full on mountainbiking, generally stop your hand getting ragged up and save you in a fall
- Sunglasses, dark or clear lenses, stop you getting muck in your eyes which can be bad at full tilt or when in traffic


Riding style - spin to win! Might not feel it but much better for your body. Think of your legs like a Japanese Vtec hot hatch, not an american auto V8!

Bike setup - spend plenty of time on your saddle and bar setup, critical to how you enjoy it. Your bike shop will be able to help, its a bit of trial and error though.

As for gears - yes, most of the time the middle ring is the most effective. But remember, its jsut the same as your car, to make proper progress and be most efficient, you have to use the full range of gears.

Also - dont cross your chainline. By this, I mean not using the opposite sprocket and chainring. this means the chain has traverse a long way from side to side, resulting in much increased wear. Again, any good bike shop will help you out.

Place to ride - dont know your area, but the Forestry Commision are a bikers best friend and most big sites have waymarked trails for all abilitis, along with cafes, bike washes, etc etc

But - Just enjoy it!

I am even more dedicated to riding bikes than I am cars, its my one true escape, and I vow to keep on doing it till my legs drop off.

[shentodj]

Thanks very much for the advice so far.

We collect our new bikes tomorrow morning, so fingers crossed for nice weather (if it's raining they'll go straight in the garage - yes, I will be a fair weather cyclist!).

Main points I've picked up are:
- use a lower gear and pedal fast (as opposed to struggling with a higher gear)
- try and keep chain as straight as possible when using gears (to avoid stretching it)
- I will get a sore bum, until I'm more used to cycling again.
- must have helmet & gloves (already got them)

Other areas I'd like more help on:
- Bike locks. I think they've thrown in an "Akita" lock. Is it ok?
- Bike racks. Do they mark the car where they clip? How secure are they (how fast can I go)? Noisy?
- Maintenance. I assume it'll say in the handbooks?
- Good family rides (possibly with 5yr old) in Dorset?

Thanks again,