First bike ride

2 As and a B · Post by **2 As and a B** » 30 Jun 2010, 06:37

A friend fixed my wife's bicycle a few weeks back and this morning, shortly after 5am, I took it out for my first time in the saddle for, oh, nearly 40 years. In fact, thinking about it, I have ridden a horse more recently than a bike - and that was about 35 years ago.

Very wobbly and far too nervous to ride one-handed and signal or to look properly behind me. Not as lithe as I used to be. All these being reasons why I went out whilst there was hardly anyone around!

hardworkinghippy · Post by **hardworkinghippy** » 30 Jun 2010, 07:22

Well done though for even thinking about it !

I had a similar experience when I started riding again after a break of ten or so years - jelly legs and panic attacks !!

Your confidence and fitness level will improve if you go for a ride regularly.

Have fun !

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 30 Jun 2010, 09:02

hardworkinghippy wrote:Well done though for even thinking about it !

I had a similar experience when I started riding again after a break of ten or so years - jelly legs and panic attacks !!

Your confidence and fitness level will improve if you go for a ride regularly.

Have fun !

+1

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » 02 Jul 2010, 23:46

Hey foodimista,

Well done

and I promise it get easier - last year I got back on my road bike after a 20 year gap, and it was hard at first.

But 1 year on I'm delighted to say I''ve ridden home from work 31 miles each way and 50 miles is a breeze.

Still, I seem to be a lot slower than I rememeber - maybe it's a just a case of middle age man disease.

"The older I get, the beter I was"

Keep up the good work. In 3 months, when you're looking back on how far you've come, and you're slightly embarrased about how toned you're getting - you'll be glad you did, don't you think?

Dave.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 02 Jul 2010, 23:58

Gentlemen on bicycles have fit legs. That's all I'm saying

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 03 Jul 2010, 00:02

My OH has just got a Brompton off eBay, and my mountain bike is in at Halfrauds for a service.

Cycling is great!!

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 03 Jul 2010, 15:29

RenewableCandy wrote:Gentlemen on bicycles have fit legs. That's all I'm saying

Don't forget the ladies.

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 03 Jul 2010, 16:06

foodimista wrote:Very wobbly and far too nervous to ride one-handed and signal or to look properly behind me. Not as lithe as I used to be. All these being reasons why I went out whilst there was hardly anyone around!

Have you thought about fitting a couple of these?

2 As and a B · Post by **2 As and a B** » 03 Jul 2010, 17:50

Actually, as it is my wife's bike, it is slightly too small and my main concern was catching my foot on the front wheel whilst turning.

I haven't been out with it again yet. Next time will be on the grass on a nearby playing field between it being light enough to spot any dog poo and people in the neighbouring houses waking up (and wondering what all the thuds and cursing are about).

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » 06 Jul 2010, 12:36

hey foodimista,

Yes as your discovering dog poo can be a major hazard when biking on fields and parks - real pet hate of mine - what are they doing walkingtheir dogs on playing fields anyway - but leaving the poo - that's unbelievable!!

On the foot catch theme, yes that is often a problem with short wheel base bikes (compact frame) or ifit's too small? It's often not a problem for normal rides, but will catch you out if you need to turn sharply.

Too small can mean bad knees too

Have you thought about seeing if you can get one cheap on ebay, or even better free of freecycle (no pun intended).

Either way, hope you're enjoying it.

Dave.

PowerSwitch

First bike ride

First bike ride

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