Any cycling tips for a newbie?

[EmilyP]

I haven't owned a bike since I was a child and my husband bought me a "big girl" bike for Mother's Day and I would like to start riding to school. I'm a little nervous to get on the major roads because of my little experience. Does anyone have any pointers or suggestions? Anything I should know? Rules? I don't want to frustrate other cyclists. Thank you!

 

[Yon Gamarra]

OK, here is your plan, it may not be perfect but it is a starting. It is designed for any starting rider.

1) One hour ride 3 x a week, on week days. Use the other days to recover. Plus a slightly longer on weekends..
2) First week goal: 10 mph average (novice level).
3) Next 2 week's goal: 12 mph average (E level).
4) Next 3 weeks's goal: 14 mph average (E-D level).
5) Next 4 weeks goal" 15 mph average (D level). Once you can maintain 15 mph average,
6) Increase the ride time to 2 hours rides, and
7) While staying in 15 mph increase weekend's ride to 3-4 hour rides.
8) After completing 500 miles try to increase the speed to 17 mph (C level).
9) You decide if you stay in C level or go to B (19 mph).
10) Increase the ride times to train for 100 miles rides at your speed.

Join cycling club.

Additional details.
Get a computer that measures cadence.
The first 20 minutes, pedal at 70 rpm
The next 20 minutes, pedal at 80 rpm
The rest of the time at high 80 to low 90.
Once you can ride at 15 mph, try some intervals for 30 secs at a time, either increasing rpm to 100 or attacking some hills.
Learn the cyclist breath. Do not focus on air in, focus on air out in long exhalations, contracting the abdominal and using the diaphragm. Do some riding on the pedals, using your core muscles. Too much hard pedaling on high gears will increase thighs muscles. Stay in the spinning zone 70-90 rpm.

 

[Old Hippie]

Instead of me rambling on & on...read EVERYTHING on the links below. Good stuff. You are riding a "vehicle". Vehicles belong on the streets - not the sidewalks. You have the same rights & responsibilities as any car, truck, bus or motorcycle.

If I had to give you just two words of advice...BE SEEN.

 

[liberal_60]

Lots of good advice so far, especially the pointer to the link for Sheldon Brown.

Join a local bike club to learn, and check out randonneuring
http://www.rusa.org/

Bike fit is extremely important for rides that last more than a short time.There are several different ways in which the bike can be adjusted to fit you. Get it adjusted at your local shop, It's worth it.

Find a good local bike shop with a good mechanic. Ask about good bike shops at the bike club meetings you attend.

Ride with traffic on the right hand side of the road. This is important because cars turning on to the road at intersections will not see you coming if you are on the wrong side of the road. They just don't look for traffic coming from the wrong direction.

Always pass other cyclists on their left, and call out "ON YOUR LEFT" in a big loud voice. It avoids collisions. Don't be offended when someone says it to you. Its the safe thing to do.

Be extremely cautious about passing cars. Cars changing lanes, or turning right at intersections or driveways tend not to see cyclists and you can be caught in a "right hook" accident.

Parked cars can be dangerous when a person opens a door as you pass. Then you get "doored." It hurts. Don't drive close to cars parked along the road.

Don't use a soft bike saddle. Get a firm one. I know this is counter-intuitive, but ask around at the club, making sure you are talking with people who are actually riding, not rookies who are thinking about it.

But my number 1 tip for beginners [drum roll]
If you are steering to avoid a rock or pot-hole in the road, focus your eyes on where you want to go, not on the pot hole. It works like magic to help you steer around things.


Last but not least, remember to keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.
Have fun.

 

[Vladimir]

There is free courses for cyclist commuters to ride safely supported by local government or city officials . Check it out .