Are you an experience cyclist?

You don't need a bike that cost 4k and top of the line gear to enjoy yourself. You don't have to wear team jerseys to ride.

Most important is to be fitted into a bike that fits your budget.

Carlo Cabrera said:

Due to the thread: Why do you Cycle?

I have been inspired to become a cyclist.

I'd like to know from the experience cyclist, what are some things newbies
such as myself should keep in mind when starting out?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance.

Peace and prosperity,

-Carlo

Equipment
- helmet
- water bottle / cage, you can pick up some cheapie ones from walmart/target.
- cycle computer, you can pick up one from walmart for about 10.00
good for odometer, trip distance, time etc...
- bike gloves - some people don't consider them a requirement, but I do. They make cycling more comfortable, they help protect your hands should you fall, and if you need to wipe off debris from your tires, they are essential.
- bike shorts - not extremely necessary in the beginning but nice to have. I didn't get bike shorts until I was able to go about 10 miles on a ride.

Bike fit:
Adjust the saddle height by getting on the bike and holding yourself up next to a wall, or a pole etc. put your heel onto a pedal and spin it to the bottom.
If you can do that with your leg extended straight while sitting normally on the bike then you have the seat at a good starting point. Adjust the seat no
more than 1/4 of an inch at a time for a ride to "dial in" the right adjustment for you.

You must play around with handlebar height and angle (assuming a road bike) to determine your comfort for that.

Training:
The usual recommendation for training is to start out by time rather than distance. I would recommend that you start off doing a 1 day on/1 day off kind of split increasing saddle time, just until your backside gets acclimated to the bike.

while riding try to keep a cadence of 90 rpm's and use the gears to allow you to keep that cadence when going on flats or hills. It helps build aerobic capacity without damaging your knees...

Carlo Cabrera said:

Due to the thread: Why do you Cycle?

I have been inspired to become a cyclist.

I'd like to know from the experience cyclist, what are some things newbies
such as myself should keep in mind when starting out?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance.

Peace and prosperity,

-Carlo

When I started cycling I went to a nearby bite shop. They fitted me to a comfortable bike I could afford. I addition to that, I got a lock, some lights d a helmet. they were more budget conscious than I was! So I'd say, do be afraid to visit a bike shop or two and talk to the guys about what you need & where you can safely ride.

Carlo Cabrera said:

Due to the thread: Why do you Cycle?

I have been inspired to become a cyclist.

I'd like to know from the experience cyclist, what are some things newbies
such as myself should keep in mind when starting out?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance.

Peace and prosperity,

-Carlo

First and foremost, be happy with the bike fit! There are numerous formulae for calculating the best frame size, but you would be best to actually take the chance to ride a few bikes around at the size that a shop, or one of the formulae, would recommend. Putting it all into practice can show real discrepancies in bike sizing and your enjoyment on the road.

I ride a frame size that on paper is a bit big for me, but I can get the power down and really enjoy my cycling and of course be reasonably quick! I have tried smaller frames and it simply doesn't work - at all.

So firstly I think is frame size - if you get that far enough wrong, it could actually put you off cycling at all!

Along with size, I would note that frame geometry (compact / traditional) is worth paying a lot of attention to. Some people get on well with compacts, I can't get far with them at all. Something doesn't 'click' and I just don't know what. Try to get tests on compact and traditional frames before parting with your cash. Personally I'd have to recommend a traditional geometry as that's what works best for me. But' I guess we are all different shapes and sizes.

Secondly, expect progress to be fairly slow, unless you are already very fit. It takes a while to develop power and stamina and in can be disheartening unless you have practical targets and you don't let it get to you when you are on an off day. (There will be off days).

Thirdly, if you become totally 'into it', it's going to cost you more time, and more money, that you might think. It's not entirely a downside, but it's worth remembering that it can be a bit addictive. All too often your frame of reference for a typical day is that it would be a good, or a bad, day for a cycle right now and a distinct sense of resentment at what ever might be stopping you (usually work).

It's a great choice of hobby sop go for it. I am sure others have lots of equally / more, valid contributions, but that's mine.

Dont be so into 'the look' that you don't look. Ride areas you're familiar with and ALWAYS keep your eyes moving. You'll be surprised at the sights, sounds and smells you encounter on a beautiful sunny day. Get a map of the bike trails in your area and check them out, (no traffic worries), which is great for someone who is just starting out. Ride with someone, you'll be amazed at how you can inspire each other to go farther than you'd normally go alone. The best piece of advice has to be HAVE FUN! Welcome to the cycling world...Cheers! 😄

Perhaps another point just to keep in the back of your mind, when you're out riding around a hilly trail network thats new to you, its a good idea to figure out if there are any DH (downhill) tracks which criss-cross the more sedate tracks you'll likely be riding.

I know when I started mountain biking I had very little idea of what the downhillers would/could do, and just about got mowed down by some flying riders launching out of a DH track which crossed the XC tracks that I was learning on...

Not to put you off, just bear it in mind - downhillers go VERY fast, and are not always on the ground! 🙂

--edit--
Suddenly realised you might be talking about road cycling? In that case, you don't have to worry about flying DH riders! :P

Best advise I can give is JUST RIDE. All else will follow in good time. Find a good bike shop who is willing to work within your limits this will make a world of difference.

Make peace with the wind. Use it when you can and learn to cheat it when you can't.