|
Post by nickfromherts on Apr 25, 2015 20:04:53 GMT
Good evening everyone and thanks for reading my post.
So, around this time last year, I bought a white T3. I also bought the helmet, the gloves, some cycling shorts... well, basically everything I needed to get started.
And I have ridden the bike twice. I am not proud of this fact but I need to somehow learn to love the bike, and indeed love cycling.
I just seem to lack confidence going out on it. Plus I have struggled to find the right position for the handle bars and I find my hands hurt a lot (I know, this is sounding weak!). I bought a shorter stem and have fitted that.
I have not been a cyclist in the past, but I can ride a bike. I am not looking to use it to commute, I was hoping to use it to get fit and also to help with my general stress levels.
So what am I asking for with this post? I actually don't know! What I do know is it saddens me to have a nice machine which I don't use. And I don't know how to build the confidence and the motivation to use it properly. I do know part of it is actual fear but part of it is also just not knowing how to enjoy the bike and the sport...
Any thoughts you may have on this would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks a lot
Nick
|
|
|
Post by baldbloke on Apr 25, 2015 20:15:27 GMT
nickfromherts Have you thought of getting out with other riders? Where abouts in Herts are you?
|
|
|
Post by nickfromherts on Apr 25, 2015 20:17:14 GMT
Thanks for replying. I'm based near Watford... I was having a look at the Watford Cycling Hub and they do have events sometimes... it goes back to the question of confidence I guess baldbloke
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2015 20:29:44 GMT
Go here www.goskyride.com/ click on guided rides and type in Watford These rides are designed for people who perhaps don't have much confidence or are nervous going out on there own and for people who just like to be in a nice friendly group cycling at a nice relaxed pace with a coffee stop on route. Get yourself on one and I bet you will go on more
|
|
|
Post by jdebs on Apr 25, 2015 20:29:59 GMT
I'd say give a club a go. Like minded people with routes that they know and different fitness levels. I personally like riding as part of a group as riding solo bores me rigid. That's my opinion of course!!
|
|
|
Post by baldbloke on Apr 25, 2015 20:30:57 GMT
I use the Hub for servicing my bike. They're a very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful bunch. They do social rides so that might be a good place to start.
I usually head out from Harrow into Herts on a Sunday morning. I frequently go through or near Watford. If you fancy meeting up, let me know.
|
|
|
Post by nickfromherts on Apr 25, 2015 21:33:04 GMT
Thanks @bladbloke, that's a really kind offer, I may just take you up on it (I live exactly between Harrow and Watford). I had a look at local clubs. One which seems very well organised, with regular Sunday rides, is Verulam in St Albans. But there seems to be A LOT of rules, and a lot of taking stuff seriously. Is it a normal reaction for someone like me to feel somewhat intimidated by all that??! www.verulamcc.org.uk
|
|
|
Post by baldbloke on Apr 25, 2015 21:43:57 GMT
I passed about 50 riders from VCC the other Sunday and not one of them even acknowledged my cheery "'morning". For more relaxed rides I'd go for WCH or Watford Spokes www.spokesgroup.org.uk/. It's worth popping into WCH for a chat. I'm sure they'll have plenty of advice. The offer of a Sunday amble still stands.
|
|
|
Post by taffytim on Apr 25, 2015 22:00:24 GMT
Following behind someone will take a lot off stress off you so some good advice from above. When going solo have you tried just going on short routes that circle around your house? Pick a 5 mile route (if possible) this way you should go around in just over 20 mins) and you can stop after 1 loop if you dont like it. If you are liking it then you can do a 2nd loop maybe 3 Good luck, the hardest thing is just putting your clothes on and going for a ride. Dont listen to that voice that makes excuses, lol When i started I got pains but in my arms, its not weakness its fine tuning the bike to get it right for you. If you're getting pains in your hands i would have thought a shorter stem would add to the pains, has it worked (im no expert on this though)? I found flipping the stem over brought the bars closer to me slightly and saved me stretching so much, now i dont get pains any more. Good luck, its great when you're out there, I hope you find it
|
|
|
Post by erictherat on Apr 25, 2015 22:03:53 GMT
hi nick, clubs vary, my local club is also a bit serious, i ride quite a lot and would not really feel comfortable with them. get out in the sun and get some comfience on your bike. look for some quiet roads (where learner drivers go locally) and traffic free paths, and paths through parks. this sustrans route goes near you: www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-6don't worry about going fast, just enjoy cruising and get comfortable on the bike. your sore hands are prob from gripping too hard. cycling is great for both fitness and stress. it aint about how far or how fast. just ride and have fun. post up how you get on
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 9:35:41 GMT
Hi Nick, Lots of good, helpful suggestion already been offered i'm hoping that some of them tick the right boxes for you. Mainly because (from personal experience) one of the best tools in over coming fear is hope.
I wouldn't be too concerned about the sore bits most of these will pass through adjustment and time. I've been cycling for quite a while and the tweaks to my bike are still on-going.
I wish you well in your quest my friend, have a feeling things will work out okay. The journey of a thousand miles starts with one revolution of those peddles.
It doesn't take too long to go from liking to loving and that's when the magic begins...or is that obsession?!;-)
|
|
|
Post by jimc on Apr 26, 2015 15:48:31 GMT
Find some local quiet and/or traffic free cycle paths/routes and ride on them - even if to start with it's for just 15 minutes at a time.
It'll allow you to get used to the bike and the riding position and if you can't get on with drops, change them - a friend of mine rides 100 milers but won't ride a drop handle bar bike.
Search for a local Facebook group for cycling and watch out for novice rides - we have one locally which holds weekly free rides on quiet roads especially for novices. The leader is a British cycling coach who schools people on riding efficiently and safely in groups.
Good luck and let us know how you're getting on.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2015 12:29:06 GMT
Hi Nick,
I was in a very similar position to you and can only echo what most on here are recommending.
I had some experience riding on a mountain bike, but decided to invest in a Triban 3 late last year. When I first started road riding I was extremely cautious - the whole thing just felt wrong. I also experienced the hand pain you mention. Things to try for that are a) have you flipped the stem upside down so that the bars are sitting a little higher, and b) as mentioned on here last week getting the shim spacers from Decathlon, they work as they pull the brake levers a little closer to the drops (so you don't stretch your hands so much). Your hands do get used to this though, but also try moving position whilst riding - I alternate between the hoods and just on the straight part of the bars - occasionally going down to the drops if I have a long straight bit of road.
I have only been out regularly for the last 4 weeks, but the best thing is to get a few rides in yourself - start short as others have said and slowly build up. When I started last month my cycle home was 4 miles and I had to stop going up a hill, but I managed a 15 mile loop yesterday morning with a few hills and still had fuel in the tank!
Saying all this I still wouldn't go out with my local club as there Sunday run is around 40 miles and they quote an 18mph average speed - bit rich for me, but maybe going out with a neighbour and his pals soon, and I am looking for an entry level event around 30m to enter now.
Happy riding....
|
|
|
Post by nickfromherts on Apr 28, 2015 21:10:26 GMT
I must say a really big thank you to all of you who have replied to this thread. You have found just the right balance of reassurance and advice, with a little gentle cajoling for me to get moving too. Lots of great insight and tips and it's really useful to see that I am not alone in having had these reservations. I have pumped up the tyres and intend to get out later this week, I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks again, I do really appreciate you taking the time to help...
|
|
|
Post by ChrisD on Apr 28, 2015 21:16:52 GMT
I must say a really big thank you to all of you who have replied to this thread. You have found just the right balance of reassurance and advice, with a little gentle cajoling for me to get moving too. Lots of great insight and tips and it's really useful to see that I am not alone in having had these reservations. I have pumped up the tyres and intend to get out later this week, I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again, I do really appreciate you taking the time to help... Go for it Nick and please do keep us posted. The first mile is the sweetest. Sounds like a cue for a song...
|
|