my first bike.... EVER

[Catrin]

10538

Here is my new steed, and the very first one. It is a Trek 7.6 FX WSD. With some fear, I've learned how to take the front wheel off so I can transport it in my trunk. Thankfully the bike is quite light, as I need to turn it upside down to do so :eek: It is much more stable that way though.

Tomorrow I hope to be able to practice a little in my apartment complex before heading to my spinning class. I am trying to master the Fine Art of NOT Falling Over more than necessary...

I asked them to add a kick-stand and to remove those floppy toe straps that were REALLY getting in my way. I hope to go clipless by early June, but time will tell. Thankfully I am already using them in spinning class, so that should help.

[Biciclista]

your very first bike! congratulations! looks like a wonderful new part of your life. ride ride ride

[OakLeaf]

Yay! Enjoy. :)


I hope to go clipless by early June, but time will tell. Thankfully I am already using them in spinning class, so that should help.

I don't spin, but it seems to me it would be a good idea to get in the habit of clipping out whenever you stop the flywheel on the spin bike. Otherwise, you'll be in the habit of just "stopping," still clipped in.

[Catrin]

Yay! Enjoy. :)
I don't spin, but it seems to me it would be a good idea to get in the habit of clipping out whenever you stop the flywheel on the spin bike. Otherwise, you'll be in the habit of just "stopping," still clipped in.

Ooooh, this is a good thought, I will do this. Thanks!

[Red Rock]

Congratulations Catrin. There is nothing like the feeling/knowledge of having your first bike. May you have many great rides together. I had the same feeling after all of my other bike purchases too. I felt like a kid in a candy store when I brought them home. Nothing beats your first though. I actually still have that bike in my house.

Many happy rides together.

Red Rock

[Owlie]

Congrats on your new bike. It's pretty.

[owlice]

Congratulations!!!

[Tri Girl]

Congrats!!! WOW!:eek: Your new bike is AMAZING!!! I hope you love your new ride- it's sooooo pretty (I'm drooling with envy).

[blackhillsbiker]

That bike is gorgeous! I love the color. May you have many, many happy miles together!

Deb

[ny biker]

Congrats!

[Zen]

Your first bike ever?
May I ask why it took so long?

[Miranda]

:)Congrats on your new bici! Yep, do now whatever you feel comfortable with. The longer and more you ride, that can change, and you adjust. On going clipless, everyone I know has fallen over that way. Just come back and read about it when it happens. I teach spinning, and was an indoor rider before I re-found my love of outside. It did help w/riding clipped in the spin bici in ways. But, getting your balance while not stationary outside is another gig. Just don't get discouraged, keep trying:cool:.

[Trek420]

Congratulations! And look gals, she has a helmet! Smart. :D

[Serottarider]

Congratulations on your bike purchase! (Excellent choice as I am partial to Trek) The more you ride, the more you will fall in love with cycling.......that's been my experience.

I wish you many happy and safe days of riding and Happy Holidays as well!

:)

[mhami]

It looks really cool! I know you are going to love it. I like your helmet too.

[Catrin]

Your first bike ever?
May I ask why it took so long?

I think there were a few reasons - apparently it just wasn't part of the culture of either of my parents families - they never thought about teaching us. I was also born with feet that were twisted - walking without falling was an issue for much of my childhood. I got over that ;)

So now I have discovered cycling as a 50-year old woman seeking to drive diabetes back to wherever it came from - and am having a LOT of fun doing it! I am still in the stage of trying to master the Fine Art of Not Falling Over :o but that will pass.

Assuming that I don't destroy the bike while finishing the process of learning how to drive, I know that I won't out-grow it over the summer. I would like to eventually take some nice long rides - but now I have to be able to get it going without falling over :eek: Thankfully I am a stubborn woman!

[chicagogal]

Congrats on the new bike! It is beautiful!

In terms of learning how to ride a bike without falling over:
1. I would suggest lowering the saddle a little - have it a little lower than you will eventually want. You will feel safer and be able to easily get a foot on the ground. You won't be going very fast/far on your first rides (or attempted rides) so this shouldn't cause knee strain. Once you are comfortable on the bike, and going out for longer harder efforts, put the saddle back up!!!
2. Look where you want to go - don't look down at the ground, unless it is the road waaaaay ahead of you.
3. It is easier to keep a bike upright if it isn't moving too slowly. Get it going and commit. Try to keep the front wheel steady (do this by following tip 2, and by not looking at the wheel).

In terms of clipless pedals:
This will come, and you will know when it's time. You want to be totally comfortable with the bike first. Soon the bike will start to feel like an extension of you, and in time you will want it to to become even more an extension of you. When that time comes, clipless pedals will probably feel safer to you than platform pedals, especially in "dicey" situations where you need good handling skills and thereby good connection to the bike. You don't want your feet sliding off the pedals when you hit a bump (especially if you are already out of the saddle), or take a tight corner!

[kimikaw]

Beautiful bike, congrats!

[Catrin]

Thanks for all of the advice, it is appreciated. I just went out for almost 30 minutes and rode back and forth in my apartment's parking lot. I don't have the time to go somewhere else and get to spinning class tonight - especially with needing to take the front wheel off the bike so I can get it into my trunk. And out, and back again :)

However - and this is a big deal for this total cycling novice :D I "played" for 20-25 minutes and did not fall over once! Indeed, I didn't come close to it. A little wobbly, yes, but I didn't fall over! Now I need to find a larger parking lot (with no traffic) where I can really play!

[Librarygirl]

Congratulations Catrin :) You won't regret the decision, I'm sure of that! It is quite an amazing feeling getting back on the bike (or getting on the bike for the first time, in your case) as an adult - such freedom!

I bought my first adult bike about 6 or 7 months ago, and even though I had a fall before I'd even bought it (I was test riding it, stopped, went to swing my leg over the top tube - it's a step through - caught my foot on it and went over) I STILL loved it and bought it and started riding anyway. My first case of road rash, and I haven't had one since, thank goodness.

And don't ever feel bad about wobbles, falls or clumsy moments - I am eternally uncoordinated, but I reckon the lovely feeling of that first moment of reaching the top of a hill without having to stop or freewheeling along while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors makes it all worthwhile.

Cheers,

Librarygirl :cool:

[Bike Chick]

Congratulations! That's really a nice bike...........You are going to have so much fun:D

[Catrin]

Congratulations! That's really a nice bike...........You are going to have so much fun:D

I have a one-on-one basic mechanics course scheduled at my LBS, and also have a fitting scheduled that day. The bike is the right size, but it seems good to look at the fit. They have a computerized fitting system and with my proportions, it seems a good idea.

Now I just need to find a safer place to practice :)

[arielmoon]

Nice bike and that is a snazzy helmet. Many happy rides to you!