I want to start cycling but I AM SHY!!!

[Lunita]

I want to start cycling. I been a couple of months in spinning classes, and now I want to buy the spd shoes, and also a new bike, but I have so many questions, and I am to shy to ride outside, what if I fall over? that would be embarrassing! anyone have had in the past the same concern?
also, what are the best shoes for spinning classes?
thanks!

[HillSlugger]

I had a bike on a trainer stand in my basement for three years without ever getting out on the road. I hadn't ridden outside in almost 20 years and I wasn't sure where it was safe to ride. Then, I decided that I wanted to do a local charity ride, a 10k family ride around the neighborhood. I did one trail ride with a friend and then the charity ride. Now, I'm outside every week, usually road riding on my own. All you need is that good first experience to get you going. Do you have any friends that can take you out or a beginners ride from the LBS?

[missymaya]

Hey Lunita welcome!
Riding indoors can be fun but just stepping out the door and riding in the sun and wind just feels so good. In my opinion, you should give it a shot, especially with a local group to start. If you have a local group ride, try to join it, especially if they have beginners rides. They are really helpful, encouraging, and make riding outdoors even more fun.
As for shoes, I think anybody who started riding with clipless had the worry of falling over and honestly, it is bound to happen. My advice: if you do go clipless on your outdoor bike, practice clipping in and out either in a trainer or in an empty parking lot or vacant part of a local trail. Key: stay calm, don't freak out and if you find your not clipping out, just pedal foward. As for spinning shoes, I don't spin, so I can't help ya there.
Hope all goes well and have a great ride!

[Xrayted]

Lunita, I think you've voiced the same concerns we all had when we started riding outside, clipless or not. (I started riding again last Aug.) What I learned from these ladies is... find a bike that is sized correctly for you. It doesn't have to be an expensive bike, just one that fits you and what you want to use it for. I do encourage you however to get the best one you can afford to start with because the nicer bike is going to encourage you to keep riding.
If you want to ride trails and roads, then maybe a hybrid is the right type for you. If you are only interested in riding on the road, then maybe that is the type for you. Body mechanics have alot to do with how people pick the type of bike they buy. If you can't physically handle the more prone position of being on a road bike, then obviously that is not the style for you.
Also, I love my SPD's. But like most people, I started with flat pedals and stayed with them until I was comfy riding my bike and being out on the road. Then when I went clipless, I practiced in the house and in the yard clipping in and out before I got out on the road. Also, SPD's can be adjusted for tension so have the tension of the clips set softer so you dont have to struggle with clipping out. It's just a small screw on the pedal. It will still hold your feet in securely while pedalling but you will be able to snap right out when you need to. For flat pedals, I do encourage you to ride with very stiff soled shoes so that you have more support for your feet and get more power when you are pedalling.
As for spinning classes, I have never done them. I either ride on my trainer at home or I'm out on the road/trails with my bikes. I would assume one could use the same shoes as you do for your bike as long as the cleats fit, but I will let the more experienced ladies here tackle that one.

I've learned a lot from these ladies. Feel free to go back and read older threads, use your search button and look up what has already been covered. There is a great deal of knowledge to be gotten from this site. Good luck and welcome! I hope to see you around the forum regularly.

[equus123]

I want to start cycling. I been a couple of months in spinning classes, and now I want to buy the spd shoes, and also a new bike, but I have so many questions, and I am to shy to ride outside, what if I fall over? that would be embarrassing! anyone have had in the past the same concern?
also, what are the best shoes for spinning classes?
thanks!

what's the point of being shy about it? (i'm not trying to be mean.) i'm asking a real question.

fear doesn't always mean you shouldn't do something.

who cares if you fall, who cares if you're slow, who cares if your jersey and shorts and socks and helmet and gloves don't match. it's completely irrelevant to why you enjoy being on the bike, or spinning, or being active. being shy about something [you want to do, you enjoy doing] won't get you anywhere!

[lauraelmore1033]

Lunita, do you know if you have any bicycling trails in your area? I personally found riding trails to be a comfortable and safe way to gain the confidence necessary to just get out there and do it! Often you can find maps for them where you find info on public transportation options and routes. Google often works for finding trails too...

I can totally relate to what you're going through. I went through a more than 10 year hiatus from cycling because I didn't feel safe (physically and psychologically) riding on the roads. I started riding trails again with hubby and have graduated to riding on the roads with my local bike club and can now comfortably ride alone as well.

[teigyr]

I'd say the best shoes for spinning class are whatever fit you well. Also, you might want to be able to walk in them -- my SPDs have NO tread on them so it's a bit slippery!!!

What kind of bike do you have now? I think it takes a bit of trial and error to find out where your niche is in riding; people gravitate toward different things. I like distance and not speed though I like the option of being able to go a bit faster. When I first started riding on an old mountain bike, I went everywhere! I just played through orange groves (back in Calif) and undiscovered dirt roads. I was never good at technical riding but I learned after a few years that I rode more on the road than not so a road bike was in order.

Truth be told, I'm shy too. I used to run track in school so I'm used to my training efforts being monitored so I'm half-convinced people are watching me though I know otherwise! (I guess it's cause for concern when I hear voices?!) I know it's awkward to do something new but you did it in spinning class, right? THAT can be intimidating because spin class is difficult and gyms can be a bit clique-like.

I think you will find everyone will be so supportive. There are always jerks in every sport but for the most part, people are great. And we've ALL (haven't we?) fallen over, some of us for VERY silly reasons

[Geonz]

Yes, the question is "why shy?" Not to invalidate it...So... psych yourself up and ease into it. Hill slug's idea is excellent.
I figure that when I go out and do something stupid that I'm making it easier for somebody else who's *afraid* to do something stupid, 'cause they see me and realize that gosh, it caused no major injury or trauma. I"m afraid I have **many** such stories, though fewer now that I know not to do anything, anything at all without having that morning tea.
(Which this morning was tough because I was running late and figured I'd just make a cup in the microwave instead of putting the teapot on, except that if you forget to put water in the cup all that happens is the teabag catches fire.)

Until you go out on a group ride you've made a *huge* deal about going out on, and put your wheel on with the derailleur on the wrong side and tried to ride, don't tell me about feeling stupid ... or ridden ten miles with a kickstand stuck in the wheel... or a ball point pen in your helmet (I wondered why it hurt)... )

[equus123]

geez. the first time i ever fell over with my bike was teaching someone new how to NOT fall over. lol oh well!

[singletrackmind]

Totally understand what you mean. I was scared to ask 'stupid' questions, scared to look like a total newb.

Well, I swallowed hard and asked! I rode! I fell down! And then I didn't. I was embarrassed but I got over it and so will you. No one pointed. No one laughed. Now, after all this time I've ridden in many diverse groups and they all (except the elitist idiots who aren't worth anyone's time anyways) never laughed at someone new. Many are happy to offer advice and help out. It's good to see another person on a bike and we all had to learn.

Do it. Don't let a little worry over getting started stop you before you even step foot on the bike. If you go clipless adjust them so they are very easy to get out of and practice somewhere soft first. Try not to be afraid to ask questions and learning some basic maintenance on your bike will make you feel empowered. Being able to change a flat is a good feeling. (and then get some tire liners so you aren't as likely to have to).

You can do it you can do it you can do it you can do it........it's not about what you wear (except the helmet) or what you ride, it's about enjoying yourself. Last I checked recreational riding's not a talent or a fashion show.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I always liked the scene in the movie "PeeWee's Big Adventure"- where he's riding his bike and then does a spectacularly embarrassing fall right in front of some little kids. He gets up and says "I MEANT to do that!"- I loved it!

[amymisk]

I have fallen more than once and just recently on my brand new carbon race bike! Just laugh it off, get back on, and ride.

[LadyinWhite]

who cares if you fall, who cares if you're slow, who cares if your jersey and shorts and socks and helmet and gloves don't match.

Wow am I glad to hear you say this!

Looking forward to riding with you soon!!

T

Lunita - I wasn't shy so much as NERVOUS about taking up road cycling. I just plunged ahead on my own and have been met with SO much support from friends, family and TE'ers. I AM shy about riding with someone else. Shy? perhaps just really insecure (what's the difference really?) but I'm determined to go ahead and get together w/ a couple of TE'rs ride just for the sheer FUN of it. If it's not FUN - why bother? Get outside! You can do it.

[mimitabby]

At work here we have shop bikes, they are one speed 40 pound clunkers, but they get you where you need to go on the plant here. A coworker (female)
won't ride them. She says it would be embarrassing.

All i can say is, be a kid again and just do it. 4 year olds don' think about who is watching, they just get on and ride. And If you're really really shy,
get up at the crack of dawn while "they" are all still in bed.
Nothing better than a school playground early on a saturday (deserted)
for practicing on your bike
good luck.

[northstar]

A couple tumbles (like I had in the middle of an intersection today) will put things in perspective...you will fall, and you will do dorky things, and once you've done a few of them and the world hasn't ended, you'll be fine.

Keep reading around here...it's what really motivates me to keep at it!