Afraid to get back on

[rcolli]

Hi - I'm brand new at this and pretty disgusted with me right now.
I started trying to ride this past Saturday 7/15 in the parking lot of my local bike shop. Took about an hour but I was able to finally ride the bike. Felt pretty good too! Its been about 40 years since I've been on a bike. I know nothing about gears, trainers and when did the rules change to riding along with traffic instead of against it?
Anyway, I took the (durn) bike out to the park yesterday and it was just like I hadn't been on one on Saturday. Wobbling all over, couldn't really get started and then the ultimate defeat- I fell. Well I tried to pick myself up and start again, but I really felt the agony of defeat, along with pain in my right - palm.
I tried to just coast and balance - no feet on pedals, but gave up and went home after about 5 more minutes. No people really around so it wasn't embarrassment that made me give up, but now I'm a little afraid to try it again.
I am 56, in pretty good shape and lost about 110 lbs over the last year and 1/2. How can I get my motivation back and do they make training wheels for adults?
Help!

[WrensMom]

I can understand your fear--it's really hard to keep trying something when you have a fall. You are really brave to get back into biking after not doing it for 40 years, and that is to be applauded! I don't have any really great suggestions, other than just to be gentle with yourself and not beat yourself up for how you are feeling, but at the same time stay committed to doing it. Just approach it steadily and work with yourself bit by bit that way--that is how I have dealt with scary things myself. You are awesome for doing what you are doing, between the exercise and the weight loss--that's really incredible, so give yourself credit!
Best of luck!

[Tuckervill]

Aw, don't give up.

Have you an encouraging friend who can literally hold onto the bike for you and help you along? Is there a smooth grassy place where you can ride that won't make it so scary?

I see lots of people riding around with their seats too low, and I think they'd enjoy it more if they raised them. However, maybe a lower seat would be better for you to learn to balance, so you can reach the ground quickly and comfortably.

I'd get some gloves and elbow and knee pads, too, for the learning curve at least. Along with your helmet (you did get a helmet, didn't you?) it will make you feel less vulnerable to injury.

Good on ya for losing all that weight! Wow. You can learn to ride a bike again. Keep trying! Ride lots.

Karen

[Beth-Ro]

Congratulations on your inspiring weight loss! Quite an accomplishment!!!

Cycling is is more fun with a buddy. Do you have a buddy who will ride with you? A riding buddy makes all the difference in the world because a riding buddy will encourage you to get back in that saddle and try again. If you don't have a riding buddy, recruit one. Invite a friend to lunch, then a ride through the park. Or check out your local bike shop to find out what sort of rides there are in your area. Local riding groups can more than likely find some women riders who will help you get going. Maybe they have a ride just for "newbies".

And be patient with yourself. You can do it!!!

[mimitabby]

once your palm stops hurting please try again, but not by coasting.
You need to pedal or you won't have the momentum to keep you moving.
Is embarrassment or fear part of your problem?

My sister went to a tricycle for various reasons. It was lower to the ground.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have just gotten back on a bike after 36 years of not biking at all (I'm 52). I was lucky in that I did pretty well getting back to it with a short practice period, but I certainly understand your fears and frustrations. I experienced all your same shakiness and self doubt.

I took a borrowed bike to the big high school parking lot after dinner but before dusk, and being summer evening there were no people, parked cars, or traffic to speak of.
I went several days in a row just to practice getting my balance back, doing wobbly circles, zig-zagging, braking, getting on and off, etc. Each day was it's own mix of success and frustrations, but by the end of the week I could see I had in fact improved.
Be kind to yourself! Look at it as something you are doing wonderful for yourself rather than it a stumbling block or a failure to be dreaded. It's a learning curve. Think of it as the worst part being behind you now, just like when you started changing your habits to lose weight. The worst part is over with- you will only get better! You will be slightly more skilled at avoiding a fall now that you've had your first spill.
Do these little practices for only 15-30 minutes unless you WANT to make them longer because you are having fun. Make SMALL goals that are easier to achieve. You'll see real results after another few practice sessions. Don't give up- your biking will become a joy and a freedom in your life!

[pooks]

Wow, that's an AMAZING feat, losing that kind of weight. No wonder you're a little wobbly right now. Your body is still trying to balance "ghost weight" and hasn't figured out how to handle itself. (That's as good an excuse as any, right?)

Buy some biking gloves. You'll be glad you did -- they'll protect your palms.

And don't give up. You can do it! If you need to, ask at the bike store if they offer lessons. I was looking at one of the Dallas LBSs and there was a testimonial from a woman who had never learned to ride a bike as a kid, and found someone at the bike store to give her private lessons. She was thrilled and is now biking like a champ!

You may just need another session or two with someone who can help you figure out what to do.

[dachshund]

I also wonder if the gears are set properly for you to get going. Did the bike store go over the gear-changing at all? The idea being that setting the bike in an easy gear will help with pedaling from a stop.

[bcipam]

I lead both "newbie" road and mountain bike rides and as a 50 year rider, have difficulty understanding the fear a new rider has but most do have some fear - it's normal. I do hope you have a friend or friends who ride. If so, ask them to come out with you one day and let them assist you with gaining balance, using hte pedal, moving the bike forward. One really big problem I see newbies do is that their saddle is too low and they tend to try stopping by putting both feet down at the same time. This causes falls more often than not. Try practicing this...

Both feet on the ground, straddling the top tube. Your butt should not be on the saddle! Put one foot on the peddle - either right or left, which ever you are comfortable with (generally right handed people feel most comfortable using their left). Make sure the peddle is in a slightly upward position so when you push down the bike goes forward. Push down and as the bike moves forward lift yourself onto the saddle and put your other foot on the pedal. Once moving forward now practice stopping properly. Use your brakes to slow... as you do your butt comes off the saddle and you put on foot down as the bike stops. One foot (usually the same one) always stays on the pedal. Once you get the hang of this, you can raise your seat to the proper height and gosh forbid, think about getting clipless pedals. The balance you learn doing this will also help you ride the bike.

[doc]

Consider borrowing someone elses bike that is way too small for you such that you can place your feet flat on the ground while sitting on the saddle. You would be very unlikely to fall in that scenario. Then when you get a little confidence, get back on your bike. Remember that the little bike is not going to be too comfortable to pedal, but you are working on balance first.

Also, I agree with above, make sure you do in fact pedal. The faster you go, the easier it is to balance.

And keep reminding yourself what an amazing person you are. You made a massive life change recently with the weight loss. And as you very well know, progress is made in tiny but steady steps.

[Selkie]

Keep going! Everyone has to start somewhere and believe me, the more time in the saddle, the more confident/better skilled you become. It's worth getting over the wobble. We've all been there. Take it slow, do what feels comfortable, and ride for enjoyment. It'll all come together for you.

You ARE amazing---56 years old and getting back on a bike after 40 years? Don't be so hard on yourself.

[li10up]

I also wonder if the gears are set properly for you to get going. Did the bike store go over the gear-changing at all? The idea being that setting the bike in an easy gear will help with pedaling from a stop.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

It sounds to me like you are starting out in too high of a gear. Lift the back tire of the bike off the ground and shift into a low (easy to pedal) gear. Then get on and try to ride. If you are starting out in a monster gear it will be too hard for you to pedal and get going...and we all know that without momentum you are going to fall over...unless you can master the track stand...I'm still working on that one. Good luck...you can do it.

[Kano]

People are talking about pedaling, for some speed to keep you upright, and that's a good thing -- but something else you need to do is NOT WATCH YOUR FEET! Along with that -- look farther ahead than your front tire, too! You want to be looking more toward the end of the road you're going down -- seeing everything between there and your front tire too, of course, but the thing is, you can't balance when you're watching too close to your feet...

Welcome back to biking! I'm finding it great "place to be"!

Karen in Boise

[rcolli]

So much caring was expressed in all of your responses! I am so glad I found this site. I won't give up! I will get my seat checked, I will look for a riding buddy, I will follow all of the advice given because I can tell you all care about biking tremendously and about others getting the same enjoyment! Pads also sound like a great idea - it'll help eliminate some of the fear of falling. I haven't got back on, but the bike is still in the car. Who knows, maybe today is the day!
Thanks very much for the encouragement. I really appreciate it.
Renee

[Bikingmomof3]

Congratulations on your weight loss. :-) Please do not give up. I too an quite new to bike riding, I have only been doing it for a week. I went on my longest ride last night (7.4 miles) with real hills. I was so proud of myself and I could have continued but my riding partner (husband) was beat.
My bike is quite nice, but now that I am loving biking I am going to see a need to upgrade to a non-comfort style bike. I do not know what style of bike you are using, but mine is a "comfort" style bike. It was the bike I was most likely to get on and it worked like a charm. When I first sat on the bike I was so nervous I thought I was going to be ill (yes, I was that terrified of bike riding). After 1 week my confidence is stronger and I am really enjoying myself. I make small goals for me and have not let myself down yet. Oh, the first few days, my children helped me learn in the cul-de-sac. I was a tad embarrassed at first and then my neighbours started calling out words of encouragement.
I mention all this to show you that you are not alone.

Keep trying. Set small goals, if there is someone who you can ride with, do so. Visit here often for support. I have found the advice given here to be fantastic. I *almost* did not join because I thought I would need to have a racing bike and have logged many, many miles. I am glad I did not hesitate to join. Next year I foresee myself buying a non-comfort bike.