Any Newish Cyclists?

[CyclingShark]

I just got a bike. Been out it once, my arms are a bit wobbly!

Wondering if anyone else has recently started cycling?

I am on strava (all one ride at the moment)

If you don't want to wear cycling shorts, Velovixen do cycling pants which protect your bits, but let you wear anything over then

[quote TheWayOfTheWorld]@Paperdolly too much padding is bad apparently - better to get a saddle with a cutout bit to ease pressure on lady bits (apparently, I am just reading up on all this)[/quote]
Thanks for that. I’ll look into it👍🏻

Ah - I came on to say you can get padded underwear instead but I see cmot has already advised! Padded boxers to wear under anything, even a skirt. Haven't actually tried them though, so can't say whether they work as well. Obviously you'd want to change out of them on arrival at your destination, so could mean a bit of organisation.

Interesting point about the saddle being better than padding - I too will look into that.

Once they have started up again I recommend Breeze Rides. These are local rides led by a volunteer and women only. Good fun and it means you don't need to worry about navigating. They are very inclusive and always wait for me on the hills. We started at 10 miles and use to have a coffee and cake at the end

I have been going out a bit when the weather was good on my electric bike and quite enjoy it and there are a lot of hills here which I would otherwise have to walk up. I still get really out of breath so feel it is a good workout.

My saddle is like an armchair.

Also have a plan for punctures. I really struggle to change the inner tube myself because my thumbs are weak (and I'm rubbish with tyre levers) so my plans include walking home, calling my OH or calling a taxi! I've never actually had a puncture on a ride as my tyres have Kevlar in them

New cyclist here,not very good yet but hoping to get the hang of the gears properly soon. Most of family are cycling mad and have also said padded shorts are a must

Definately padded shorts, I am a size 24, 6ft who rides roughly 70km a week. More difficult to get padded shorts for my size, but a must. I use D2D bib shorts with a long t-shirt over the top to cover the bum a bit you don't have to be fully skin tight so over until you start worrying about aerodynamics and frankly at my size there are other things that would improve that for me

And no knickers.. the pads wick away sweat, stopping.. ahem ..infections and preventing chaffing. Takes a bit of confidence, but you never see a panty line on a cyclist!

I'm terrible since getting back on mine I think I need stabilisers:)

@Lurkingforawhile the other thing you might want to think about if you are anxious about dealing with punctures at the roadside is to get self sealing inner tubes with "slime" inside. They aren't infallible - they won't seal a slit in your tyre from a big piece of glass for instance, but they deal with punctures from thorns etc pretty effectively. They do add a bit of weight to your bike and increase rolling resistance a bit so you wouldn't catch anyone who races using them for that reason, but for commuting or leisure riding I think they are quite useful. I have them in the bike I usually commute on as I don't want to be messing about changing an inner tube on a cold dark morning and being late for work! It gives me confidence to ride to work in weather that might otherwise lead me to take the car. The biggest downside in my experience is that when you do eventually need to change them its all a bit vile and sticky, but fortunately you don't need to do it very often!
www.wiggle.co.uk/slime-self-healing-road-inner-tube-1/

I did my 2nd ride yesterday. Keen (if slow) runner with a little urge to do a triathlon...

Did 8 miles yesterday, about 4 last week but the major boost to my confidence was taking bike to a big open space (gravel football pitch in our case but quiet car park would work too) and practicing steering through cones, gear changes and signalling. I was much happier (apart from the number of tree roots - ouchies).

I do have a bit of a death grip going on though. Practicing letting go as often as possible.

Hi me & DH have had road bikes for a few years but we’ve never been out together before. I started at the beginning of lock down and a few weeks later he joined me. Atm we are going out once a week, I like it but I am v v wobbly I can’t turn my neck or indicate. We only ride country roads so thankful traffic isn’t an issue. Any advice on the wobble?

@mixitupalot just lots of practice! I rode up and down our quiet street indicating until I knew I would be ok in traffic. Also eye contact with drivers at junctions and defensive road placing.

Fat lad at the back is a clothing company that caters for all shapes and sizes. They have a women's section (lasses).

Keep going, you will get used to it. I'm an experienced cyclist and recently had to buy new clip in shoes and they are stiffer. Even I am having to get used to them. Anytime you change something on your bike or if you stop cycling for a while there is always a period of adjustment.

Just a note for those new cyclists using normal pedal e.g. shoes don't clip in. If you start to do a lot of a miles everyday you should make sure you work out the hamstrings (backs of your legs) to keep your muscles balanced.

Reason being is using normal pedals it is your quads that are used the most. I used to do 10-20 miles a day and the bike shop suggested to upgrade to clip in shoes to ensure i don't get an imbalance. But before you do that make sure your confident cycling :)

Ooh I picked up my bike on Sunday! I must admit I was a bit sceptical, I only really got it so that DD and I can go on adventures, but I am totally loving it!

I found when I did a lot of spin that the way to overcome the arse pain is just to grit your teeth and cycle through it. On my ride today I discovered that I have broken through the wall and my arse is pain free.

I really do think that cycling will be my preferred mode of transport even after lockdown.

Any advice on the wobble?

Is this when you're going slowly? I found that going into a lower gear helps with balancing.

The bum pain gets less the more you cycle, but padded shorts are essential (unless you are doing very short rides) in my opinion.

Roadie fashion is all about the Lycra, but mountain bikers wear baggier shorts over the top, so go for that look if you prefer it.

Agree you should learn how to fix a puncture & carry spare inner tube, tyre levers, pump. Or have another strategy to get home! In fact it’s always best to have a strategy in case of mechanical failure, snapped chain which is rare but can happen.

Wear high viz - seriously the amount of cyclists I see wearing black / grey on a dark dull evening is amazing. I only buy cycling kit in ridiculous colours as I like to be seen. Also lights can help you be seen, even in daylight.

The wobbling comes with practice. Just keep going.

If you are off roading, please remember horses can be scared of bikes so if approaching from behind please call out (in a non-sudden manner) and check if safe to pass. I ride horses too and know from experience bikes trying to whizz/squeeze past is an accident in the making.

Join Strava and get involved in some friendly competition, even if just with yourself. Love getting PBs and seeing my improvement

Oh @julietelliott is a nice female cyclist to follow on Instagram etc. For inspiration. She does road, MTB and family riding & is clearly a great cyclist but comes across as down to earth.

If you just upgrade your tyres to puncture resistant ones you dont need to worry about carrying tube etc. I have never had a puncture in all my years of cycling (15yrs).

My bike insurance covers me with roadside assistance if I'm something like lore than 5miles away so I just make sure I have phone on me and also a debit card incase I need to pay for something in emergency. Once my back derrailleur snap and swing round and got stick between the wheel an drive totally locked it up. Had to grab a cab home as I was only 3 miles from home...card came in handy for paying for the fare.

Oh yes. Consider joining British Cycling. My membership includes insurance if I’m injured or injure someone else. Also you get discounts at places like Halfords

Just ordered us all cheap bikes to see how we get on. I haven't ridden a bike in years so expect a lot of wobbling... Will also have husband and children

Wobbling with get better once you used to balance, weight distribution and smooth pedalling

I have to say I spent so much of my youth mending punctures I'm quick at it now. I feel inside the tyre for the offending thorn or shard to help find the hole and use the old fashioned glue on patches. Takes a few minutes.