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Original poster

Newbie - Riding a bike

30 replies

namechanger563 · 02/07/2023 10:00

Not proper cycling, just riding a bike! It's been 30 years or more since I rode a bike and I did it for the first time yesterday.

I was quite wobbly but surprised with how quickly I picked it up again.

I'm helping DS learn his route to high school for September, so I'm not looking to become a 'proper cyclist'.

I need tips. My bum is so sore today, and I wanted to give it another go. Should I wait?

We made it about 1/3 of the way yesterday and I wanted to build up to maybe half, but I don't want to make my bum worse. Grin TIA

OP posts:
ToBeOrNotToBee · 02/07/2023 10:07

That was me 6 years ago. I now have 2 bikes in my hallway and another in my store room 🙃

I also have a wardrobe full of lycra and a bank balance that cries.

It's seriously addictive and makes you feel like a kid again.

Make sure your saddle is set at the right height for your legs and you're not over extending your shoulders. You want your knees only slightly bent when your pedal is at the lowest to the ground and your elbows only slightly crooked when on the handlebars.

Your bum will be sore for the first few rides as your sit bones aren't used to having your torse weight completely on them. This is completely normal, and rapidly improves with more saddle time.

Don't make the assumption that a cushy saddle makes it better, it doesn't.

Have fun, and enjoy the ride.

Original poster
namechanger563 · 02/07/2023 13:16

@ToBeOrNotToBee thank you for your reply. I did really enjoy the ride and thought how lovely it would be by myself with some headphones and a good playlist.

How long should I leave my bum to recover before I try again? It hurts on the inside of my things/bum area, if that makes sense. I think the seat is the right height. I've ordered a padded seat that will arrive tomorrow.

OP posts:
lljkk · 03/07/2023 19:18

How far will he cycle each way?

pendleflyer · 04/07/2023 07:58

where are you @namechanger563

Some of the london boroughs do cycling lessons to develop confidence/safety awareness riding with traffic, which is important.

you changed your name for a cycling post? Have no shame!

Peony654 · 04/07/2023 08:01

But you are a cyclist! Well done. The padded seat should help, and you’ll quickly get used to it. Maybe give it a day to try again.

pendleflyer · 04/07/2023 08:04

>>thank you for your reply. I did really enjoy the ride and thought how lovely it would be by myself with some headphones and a good playlist

just noticed this = strongly advise against this - see above on traffic safety. Smell the roses, hear the birds. the wind in the trees.

Original poster
namechanger563 · 04/07/2023 20:18

Thanks for all the replies! I've not been back on the bike yet, padded seat arrived but we went out to dinner instead. Noted re the headphones.

Google says the cycle route is only 11 mins. When I went out with DS we went 1/3 of the way, it took about 20 mins and was v frustrating. He needs to build his confidence in crossing side streets, he currently stops for every one of them and there are bloody tons. He did his bikeability classes at school so I don't want to go against anything they have taught him.

OP posts:
notacooldad · 04/07/2023 20:35

He did his bikeability classes at school so I don't want to go against anything they have taught him.
Have a look at the Bikeability and the national cycling standards on line if you are worried about giving conflicting advice,
.
The main things are knowing when to be in primary position , that is further away from the kerb. This is passing junctions, passing cars etc and when to be in secondary nearer the kerb. Also knowing about who has priority on the road. It’s about being confident and staying safe. Eg, by doing safety checks, making your intentions clear and being able to make good decisions in regard to road safety.

HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 04/07/2023 20:38

You’re generally better with padded shorts rather than a padded seat but maybe for short distances it won’t matter. Also, no underwear! It chafes!

dinmin · 04/07/2023 20:40

Came to say padded shorts also!

SilentHedges · 04/07/2023 21:01

Padded shorts really will help. Not so much a padded seat. You will condition your behind and the pain will go.

As another poster said above, this was me in 2015, I now have a 2 mountain bikes and race in Enduros, so be careful 😉

ImBrian · 04/07/2023 21:39

I got a bike a couple of weeks ago and I love it. Managed to make myself very sore but did 100km in the first week. I’ve changed my saddle for one that’s hopefully more suitable and it’s on a 30day trial so I can change it if it’s not the one. I’ve also bought some chamois cream as I had some chafing and I got a pair of padded shorts. I’m goi g to see how that goes. I’m definitely less sore after week 2.

Original poster
namechanger563 · 04/07/2023 22:15

Thanks everyone, this gives me so much confidence. I'm going to try a solo ride tomorrow, get a good run of the route to decide which way is best for DS. He is riding on the pavement until he builds confidence with not falling off, that's ok isn't it? He's very slow and defo not in danger of hitting a pedestrian. More likely to see someone, panic, stop and fall off!

OP posts:
HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 04/07/2023 22:20

Can you google to see if your local council or British cycling have any adult cycling confidence courses for you? Because then you can teach ds what they teach you? Or your local bike shop might? I assist with adult intro cycling via my local bike shop. It’s all free.

notacooldad · 05/07/2023 08:42

He's very slow and defo not in danger of hitting a pedestrian. More likely to see someone, panic, stop and fall off!
Maybe it would be better learning at a quiet space in a local car park or similar where he can have more space to learn to gain a little speed and confidence with no people around. Maybe put some markers on the ground for him to navigate around and to practice stop and starting and turning.

theaeae · 05/07/2023 10:09

Also look at local cycling clubs. Ours do a Saturday session for kids.

notacooldad · 05/07/2023 11:12

I agree with getting in touch with British Cycling.
Have a look at 'Let's Ride' You can do Breeze rides which are relatively short rides for women only to help gain confidence and enjoy cycling.
Using the filters you can also find family rides which you and your child may enjoy.

Original poster
namechanger563 · 05/07/2023 18:55

notacooldad · 05/07/2023 08:42

He's very slow and defo not in danger of hitting a pedestrian. More likely to see someone, panic, stop and fall off!
Maybe it would be better learning at a quiet space in a local car park or similar where he can have more space to learn to gain a little speed and confidence with no people around. Maybe put some markers on the ground for him to navigate around and to practice stop and starting and turning.

Thanks for the suggestion. What he struggles with is when the pavement is really broken up and bumpy with tree roots or if there are road signs blocking the path that you have to duck under or go round. It sounds obscure but there are loads of these hazards on the route, it's ridiculous!

I've been thinking that if we ride on the road itself, at least he doesn't have to stop to pass over the side roads as road traffic would have right of way. So it's a case of building his confidence for the road on that route.

OP posts:
Original poster
namechanger563 · 05/07/2023 19:01

I looked at British Cycling and Breeze rides. The shortest local ride with 10k. Our route there is only 2.1 miles.

Massive drip feed I know, but I have a disability as well. Cycling is actually not too bad as it's non weight bearing but I still have to be careful I don't overdo things or get too ambitious!! I know 2 miles is tiny for most people but for me it's a huge distance to contemplate a 4 mile round trip on a bike.

I've checked the distance we managed the first time and it was 0.7 miles and then most of the way back before he wanted to stop and walk. So maybe 1.2 miles. We have lots of work to do.

OP posts:
ToBeOrNotToBee · 05/07/2023 19:10

Make sure you keep your tyres pumped up to the recommended psi (found on the wall of the tyres), makes it a lot easier to cycle and reduces the amount of effort you need.

brooksghost · 06/07/2023 16:09

Hopefully the padded saddle will help. You can always wear padded cycling pants (decathlon;) under your normal clothes. Don't wear knickers though as the seams dig in the wrong places making it quite painful!
Check saddle height- you should not be able to touch the floor if the seat is the correct height...but this requires confidence which will come in time.
Check the gears...if you have a range of gears on the back wheel, sim to be in the middle of them. Too big a gear (the ones closest to the frame) will tire you out quicker, the ones closest to the wheel hub will have you spinning like a hamster in a wheel! Stick to the middle ones unless going up a hill and then change to being the hamster!
Find a car park or business park and ride round that traffic free until your confidence is higher; they are good places to practice corners and using gears, brakes etc.
Have fun!

Original poster
namechanger563 · 06/07/2023 19:21

Thanks everyone, I have an update!

Padded seat arrived, didn't really help much. I've done the same distance again without DS, it was much quicker this time so I'm confident it's not my fitness/ disability holding us back.

PAIN in the bum, my god. And right at the very very top of my inner thigh.

I feel like if DS can't wear padded cycling shorts then neither should I. It's literally only 2 miles each way. I've done 1 mile tonight without stopping. Next I'm going to aim to get DS to do the 1 mile route without stopping then build him up from there.

I don't know what I'm going to do about my bum though!! Blush

OP posts:
brooksghost · 06/07/2023 23:04

I'd wear padded shorts.
DS may not need them...different saddles, different anatomy!
Most saddles are built for men so it can be worth investing in a women specific saddle. I spent a small fortune on mine, but DD finds it uncomfortable, whereas it suits me fine.

rjyoung197823 · 07/07/2023 08:28

Padded shorts will definitely help. If you don't like the lycra look you can get casual shorts with a padded chamois inside.

GOODCAT · 07/07/2023 09:42

Definitely clothing with a chamois makes a bigger difference than a padded saddle. I started cycling last November (with an ebike) and that made an instant difference to how comfortable I am. Before that I had a bike with a padded seat but it was still very uncomfortable.

I only do short distances so padded knickers are enough to be comfortable. I got some by Baleaf as they were less expensive, but still got good reviews and I found them to be brilliant so if you wanted to try something with a chamois that is probably an inexpensive way to go.

The further you cycle the more likely you are to need proper cycling tights.