What Did You Want To Know As a New Rider?

[Crankin]

On Saturday, DH and I are working at our club's Bike Workshop. We do the "Basic Bike" session, which consists of DH explaining the differences between road, mountain, and hybrid bikes, us showing how a helmet should be properly worn, safety/mechanical equipment, and then (my part) clothing for cycling.
We do 4 sessions of an hour and this is the 3d or 4th time we've done this. However, 2 years ago, I couldn't attend, so another couple took our place. Last year, they decided to keep this other couple, but we were mysteriously asked back this year... the other couple has been relegated to the "fix a flat" session. I suspect they didn't get good reviews.
So, we have our "show" pretty down pat, but I guess I would like to know what you really wondered about as a new rider, perhaps asking about it on TE. Some of these people have some riding experience, but most are pretty new. And this is AMC, not a typical bike club. They are more of the "outdoor activity" variety, rather than cyclists, but many of them become avid riders.
They are always surprised that all of the stuff we bring to show belongs to us :).

[jlnc]

Shifting, braking and basics of riding in traffic!

[PamNY]

+1 to all above, especially Muirenn's comment about shifting and stopping/starting.

What kind of bike do I need and what are the trade-offs if you cycle in varying conditions (I'm still asking that one)

Emergency braking technique

How to get on and off bike

Proper locking technique and what are the weight/effectiveness trade-offs in locks

How to carry stuff on bike

What to eat and drink before/during/after a ride

Which accessories do I really need, and which are nice but optional

How to adjust saddle (lots of people don't realize how easy and important this is)

[Crankin]

Thank you.
I see a few things I can add in. Unfortunately, this is not a "how to ride" session... it would take much longer than the time we have. But, I will talk about bike fit in the context of explaining the different types of bikes.
We already talk about accessories, locks, what to carry, eating and drinking for fueling your ride.
I think I see where we can cut time and talk about safe riding in general and shifting. DH has a hard time shutting up and I have to be strict time keeper, so there is time for questions. Many of these people will be coming to our New Members Ride in May; most of them go with the slower group that I have someone else lead, as it was just too hard to lead a ride with average speeds between 10 and 16! I usually sweep the faster group. This has made it successful, so they come back and realize they can do the weekly rides that are for "beginners."

[tulip]

Beginners, and even many non-beginners, need to know how to fix flats--front and rear. No excuse for not knowing how to do that.

[Crankin]

There is a separate session for that...

[Jiffer]

If it's possible, "hands on" experience on fixing a flat ... ESPECIALLY putting the back wheel on. When riding with my buddy, we got pretty good at fixing flats as a team, but it kind of turned into me always filling the tire with the C02 (so she never got practice doing that) and her putting the wheel back on (so I never got practice at that). When I had to do it on my own once or twice, it took me forever to figure it out. One time my husband had me take off my back wheel, put it back on, take it off, put it back on several times until I got the hang of it. However, that was like six months ago or more and I haven't had to do it since and wonder how I'll do when forced to! I can always get it on eventually, but I'm wondering if I forgot the technique he taught me that makes it fairly easy. And I also always forget which gear you get into before taking your wheel off (or don't even think about it until I'm putting the wheel back on). After almost five years of riding, you'd think I'd have it all down, but the "back" tire only goes flat so often, and many times I'm with my husband or other guys who just take over and do it ... and I let them cause I don't want to hold up the group for me to dilly dally with the thing!

It's probably impractical to have "everyone" do hands on, but maybe you can do it with a few and you should at least encourage them to practice at home ... taking the wheel off and on ... and anything else they think they might not remember when out on the road.

Also, if you teach them about C02 cartridges, don't forget to tell them it's only intended to last for that ride, and that they have to let the air out and refill with their pump when they get home. I didn't know this, nor my riding partner ... or OTHER riding partner, nor my husband (gasp!) who was a pretty experienced rider. I went through several back to back rides getting flats. I finally went to buy new tires and mentioned the trouble I had been having. The guy at the bike shop says, "You know C02 only lasts a while and has to be replaced before you ride next, right?" Ummm. No?!!!! I couldn't believe my husband didn't know this either! Nor did he. ;)

[PamNY]

Crankin, it's really good that you do this. I'm sure your work is valuable to the attendees.

I wonder how many people give up (or don't try) cycling, when just a little help would have made all the difference?

[GLC1968]

When I was new - I needed someone to tell me that a saddle didn't have to be a torture advice. Lots of people (women in particular) give up cycling because 'the seat hurts too much' and that shouldn't be the case. It's particularly true of women who ride with men because it's really not something many guys can really understand.

Thank goodness for TE - I learned a wealth of info about choosing the right saddle and the difference between sit bone soreness and soft-tissue pain or nerve numbness! It was also very helpful to understand that body shape has nothing to do with proper saddle shape. Being a pear with a big butt, I assumed that I needed a big saddle. I was dead wrong. Turns out I have narrow sit bones and those wide saddles were torture! Thanks to TE, I was able to figure this out before I gave up on cycling (not that that was a real danger for me, but it is for many women and men).

[Crankin]

I do talk about saddles, i.e., even if you have a certain shape, it doesn't mean you need a certain saddle. We bring one of my bikes and one of DH's to show the difference in the cut out.
Again, there is a separate flat fixing session. It is hands on, but not for taking the wheel on/off. The church where we do this doesn't want 50 people bringing their bikes in the building, so they just bring a wheel.
I think the idea that "it shouldn't hurt to ride," is key.

[indysteel]

I wanted to know everything when I first started riding. With the assumption that you won't be able to tell them everything a new cyclist would want to know, you might provide them with a list of trustworthy resources on where to get more information. I, personally, turned to TE, Roadbikereview's forums, Sheldon Brown, and Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. I also had a handful of of books: Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100 and Bicycle Magazine's New Cyclist Handbook. Certainly, there are a lot more resources out there, but you might give your attendees a starting place to learn more on their own.

[Seajay]

These days road, hybrid and mountain segments are so split up into sub categories... simply saying there is a hybrid catagory that splits road and moutain is insufficient.
I would think you could spend all your time just clarifying what bikes are best for what use and what rider. (horses for courses) so your new riders are not overwelmed by details when they walk into the IBD.

[Crankin]

Seajay, that is true. We explain that. They get to see an example of a "racing" road bike and a hybrid that is steel, good for commuting, but lighter than a lot of hybrids. Since we sold our mountain bikes, someone else is donating their bike for us to show.
Actually, we talk about what bike is good for what type of riding you want to do. Most of the participants don't really even know a lot about the differences in tire size, shifters, etc.
I do give them a list of recommended books and shopping sites, local stores, etc.

[soprano]

I would have liked to have had help choosing good routes. My city has a bicycle map, but I didn't know about it for the first 6 or 8 months when I started riding here.

Also would have liked to get an explanation of how racks and panniers fit together.

[mariacycle]

if it's possible, "hands on" experience on fixing a flat ... Especially putting the back wheel on.

qft!!

[bluejellybean]

howo to shift *properly*...so it doesn't wreck your chain/chainring...I think I still have to learn...if anyone wants to share! I think I rode my 1st ruby too "hard" and don't want to make the same mistake this time!

[Artista]

These are a few things that I would have liked to have known when I started riding again:

Clipless pedals are not a requirement to be considered a cyclist, however clipless systems have come a long way with many systems offering easy entry & exit
Padded bicycle shorts are not a prerequisite for riding but may be helpful
Suggestions for first aid supplies & tools to carry in a saddle pack

[AZchick]

Everything that Muirenn said above... its like she read my mind!

[loopybunny]

I eventually had questions about the dos and don'ts of riding with a group of people.

In fact, I wish more people thought to ask that question, particularly the woman that cut me off and caused the crash that landed me in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury.

[meganm]

I had no clue about a lot of things when I started riding. It's a wonder I didn't have a flat for 3 years, because I never carried a tube or a pump- I didn't know any better and it was dumb luck that I never got stranded.

I've learned a lot from others in group rides, but the mechanical lessons I've learned from free LBS clinics have been invaluable. There is a big difference between having the tools and know how and when to use them!

[Crankin]

Thank you, everyone for all of these suggestions. We were able to shift the focus a little in the context of of the planned agenda; we spent a long time talking about gearing, like DH asked "What's your most important gear?" There was one person in each session who said "the lowest" and we went from there, talking about shifting to get up a hill, how beginners run into trouble, etc.
I also was able to give a perspective on starting with clipless pedals, from someone who is not that coordinated, which several people thanked me for.
I am exhausted from talking all day and my feet hurt from standing, but this is the one volunteer thing I do that I actually enjoy.
Now for the beer and ribs later on...

[hebe]

I'm really sorry that I missed that thread. I'm sure that you and your husband have inspired and educated a whole new set of people, what a generous thing to do with your time!

I would have (and still would) lap up anything and everything. I remember asking on here for help as to why my saddle kept sliding down on my new bike - the quick release hadn't been tightened by the LBS. It took a while to work out exactly which way a wheel should be fitted too. There is so much to trip up a newbie, but at least it's all easily learned, if less easily applied.

[Crankin]

Well, compared to a lot of the people here on TE, I know nothing. I am a mechanical dunce, from the actual "doing the job" perspective, but the difference is I *know* what questions to ask and I can talk about components, etc. with a reasonable amount of intelligence. And even that has made a world of difference. Even though DH does all of our mechanics, I feel I can walk into any shop and they are not going to give me the "stupid woman" treatment, which has occurred in the past.
Most of the people at today's event had hybrids or entry level road bikes. I was glad we had my Jamis Coda there, to show that I ride different bikes for different purposes. I could compare and contrast it with my road bike and the mountain bike we had on display.

[Catrin]

Sounds like it went great! I saw the thread earlier, but everyone had already mentioned those things that I would have :)

It certainly is much easier to walk into an LBS with an understanding of the components and what to call things, ease of communication works better for all concerned!