Help for returning to cycling after accident...

[whyismykid]

About 10 years ago I was knocked off my bike (pretty standard ‘ladies bike’) by a Range Rover who didn’t see me at a roundabout. Thankfully apart from cracking my helmet, some serious bruising and taking off some large portions of skin I was fine - was taken to A&E by the car behind (car in question drive off). However, I haven’t been back on a bike since and I feel such a wimp! I was doing everything ‘right’ and still got hit - I was quite shaken by the thought of what could have happened and now it’s been so long I don’t know where to start! I know nothing about bikes apart from the children’s bike research I’ve done which I did online.

I now have a 6 year old who was born to cycle. We live in Scotland and when he was on a 16” (Isla Bike) we got some great longer walks in whilst he circled us looking for bumps and jumps to play on. He got a 20” (Vitus) for Christmas and he is now so fast, I need to get on a bike to keep up! (Plus this type of biking looks so fun!) so I’d like two kinds of advice if anyone has time to give it:

1. what type of bike should I get? I’ll mostly be on tracks and in forests / round lochs - mostly undulating rough paths but I imagine DS will be looking to tackle some more epic hills and possibly more (!) in the future. mountain bike presumably? How much do I need to spend to get something that will make it fun for me? I’m 5”11 - can I get a bike designed for Women? Or will I need a men’s bike? I am moderately fit (walk around 18,000 steps a day, occasionally run and some Pilates). Where should I go to look at bikes? Lots of bike shops where I live but how do I find a good one where someone will take the time to work out what I need and not up sell me? What brands are affordable but good?
   
   
2. How can I fight the fear? Just avoid roads? I took a cycling proficiency course when I was a child, is there one for Adults? DS cycles to school (mostly through the park and shared use pavement but there is a section of regular pavement) and I run along behind - the thought of us cycling together is great - but also petrifing as we would need to be on the road! Also as I have never cycled on rough terrain, how do I learn techniques for not slipping - how do I know which gears to use?!
   
   (If I’m over thinking all of this you can tell me that too!)
   
   Thanks in advance!

[Ifailed]

Good for you for getting back into cycling!

A 'womens' bike is only different from a 'mens' bike in that the geometry is slightly different because women tend to have shorter limbs than men, and the saddle will be better suited to a women's bum. I really suggest you get to a bike shop and try some out, at your height you may find it difficult to get a women's bike anyway, but a decent shop should be able to set a bike up to fit you.
As to a type of bike, I suggest you go for a mountain bike, but don't go all out for really fat tyres, rear suspension etc, these quite be quite tiring to ride, unless downhill all the way. Do you have any friends who ride who will get you try out their bikes, and always go for a test ride on any bike you buy? I would avoid the very cheap end of the market as the frame will be heavy and the components cheap and short-lived, but you should be able to pick something decent up in the £350+ range. Sadly you'll find the cheaper bikes at chain stores like Halfords as your local bike shop won't be able to compete on price but they will be the best place for advice.

I've been hit by a car and I know how it feels, I was very nervous going back into traffic. Suggest you start off road for now, and then plan routes so both you and your son will be safe on quiet roads until you get your confidence back and he learns to ride properly on the road. Ask around about proficiency courses that you both can attend?

[Ifailed]

Sorry, just to add, off road is a bit lumpier than on tarmac but the techniques are similar. Many people ride in too higher gear, you legs should be spinning around at the same rate as a decent walking pace, you should not be struggling to push down on the pedals, unless going up a very steep hill. Ask around for any guided off road courses, they are getting more popular now and are an ideal way to pick up hints and tips.

[lljkk]

There are cycling confidence courses, including in Scotland.

www.cycling.scot/our-programmes/training/essential-cycling-skills
bikeabilityscotland.org

[CMOTDibbler]

Well done for getting back on the bike! I'm about the same height as you, and one of my bikes is a womans, the other is a mans. Mostly, the only differences are saddles, esp on mountain bikes, but the sizing can vary depending on whether you are long legged or long bodied - a good bike shop can sort this out, and tweak to your needs.
DS has a Boardman Comp which we've been very pleased with and the price is good for the quality.
A lot of mountain bike centres have started doing womens days which can be great for getting confidence on trails, and for roads you may find a community group who do 'back to cycling' courses. I'm a bit far from you, but the group I'm involved with does very subsidised courses and then couch to 10 mile rides