Newbie Needs Help

[MDrider]

Hi. I've been biking on and off for a couple of months now. Never really road biked, just go to a rail to trail near my home. But I can knock out 16, 18 or 20miles pretty easily and I really love it. I don't even know what type of bike I have (hybird maybe?). I got it back in the late 90's. It's made by Raleigh and says SC30. If anyone knows what type of bike it is, please let me know.

So I signed up for this beginner road bike course through REI (1 day 9a-4p) and I'm sooo excited, but nervous too. I don't think I've ever been on a road bike before (they let you ride theirs). Here's my question -- REI recommends you have all of this different gear. The only thing I own on the list is a helmet. Should I go out and get true bike shorts, shirt, gloves, shoes. I just bike in some old gym shorts, tshirt and tenners. I'm newly separated and this is my venture into the world again, after being gone for a long while. I want to feel comfortable and not look too out of place in my class? What should do? And as a side note, I already have a feeling this biking thing is going to stick!

Thanks for your help!

[Grog]

Hi and welcome to TE and to the wonderful world of cycling!

Usually road bikes have drop handlebars whereas hybrids have flat bars. Mountain bikes also have flat bars but often have suspensions which make them different from hybrids.

I find bike shorts to be a must, especially for riding on my road saddle, which is very narrow.

Gloves also make things more comfortable but above all safer (to avoid turning your hands into ground beef if you were to crash on the pavement).

Cycling shirts are made of sweat-wicking material but above all they have rear pockets, which I find extremely helpful, and could not cycle without. But they are by no means mandatory.

Cycling shoes... well that's taking the experience to the next level. Cycling shoes have rigid soles, so that all the effort from your legs is transfered into your pedal/crank system. They can also accommodate cleats which would click into automatic pedals (also called clipless pedals - you can use the search function on this forum for more info). You'll certainly be fine with regular shoes for now.

Enjoy!

[HillSlugger]

Welcome to TE. Please check in on the Places to Ride, Mid-Atlantic section so that you might be able to join in on one of the "TE-DC" rides that happen every month or so.

Raleigh seems to consider the SC30 a "comfort bike". Basically, it looks like a hybrid.

IMHO, I would recommend that you go to the class with what you've got. You can always buy stuff later depending on what kind of riding you end up wanting to do and your level of commitment.

[rij73]

For the day of the class, I would invest in an inexpensive pair of cycling shorts with padding, and also gloves. Everything else could wait. I think you'll be amazed at the difference when you get onto a new road bike! It will handle much differently than your Raleigh which is an old-style comfort bike. You'll zip right along!

Sorry about your separation. But, last night my DH stated dramatically that cycling is the best psychotherapy on earth!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You might want to phone them ahead of time to be sure they will have a road bike for you to use with REGULAR flat pedals on it. It would be hard to ride the class with tennis shoes on clipless pedals the size of silver dollars. Could actually lead to you having an accident if your foot slips off the pedal at the wrong time. They can make sure to have some regular pedals on just for your class if they don't have them on already.

You can easily get through the first class or two without padded shorts or special biking jerseys. By that time you might have been able to ask how others like their shorts and see some different styles so it might help you buy better informed later.
You DO need a good fitting helmet and some gloves to protect your palms if you skid out on pavement. Gloves also pad your hands and help keep them from feeling numb if your weight is too much on your hands- a common thing with new riders or with bikes that aren't well fit to you in particular.

Sounds like a lot of fun!!

[MDrider]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I never thought about the gloves protecting my hands in case of a wipe out. And I think I'll start checking out those shorts too. Shopping here I come!

[Jiffer]

I say, if you are pretty sure this is going to stick, might as well get the stuff, or at least some of it. (Sounds like you're itching to anyways!) As for gloves, I know everyone is recommending them, but Dh and I don't wear gloves, except when it's cold out to keep our hands warm. Dh started riding long before I did. He tried several different types of gloves to help with some discomfort issues before he realized he preferred not to wear any at all. I went through the same thing and decided I had no reason to really wear them. Just one more thing to deal with. We both have comfy handlebars, so we don't seem to have any problems with numbness or anything that gloves would help solve.

As for falling, if I chose to wear gloves specifically for protection from a fall, I'd be wearing knee pads and elbow pads as well. Which wouldn't be a bad idea!

I'm not saying not to buy gloves. Most people wear them. I just don't agree that they are necessary for everyone. Figure out what works for you. However, having said all of that ... I do agree that they might be good for your beginner riding classes since who knows what type of bike you'll be on, what the handlebars will be like and how it will fit you.

Good luck on your new adventures and welcome to the addicting world of cycling!

[KnottedYet]

I second the "gloves and shorts" shopping list.

Wear any ol' wicking shirt you like. I don't wear bike jerseys, even on my longer rides. I generally wear a long-sleeved wool t-shirt or turtleneck.

REI will most likely have flat pedals for you to use. So just wear some comfy tennies the first day.

And most important: HAVE FUN!!!!

(we want a full report!)

[Zen]

REI wants you to have this stuff because they want to sell it to you.

All you need for now is a helmet and gloves.

If you haven't been suffering from any chafing or other saddle/shorts issues wear what you're comfy in for the type of riding you do.

[wiseowl]

One major wipeout where you skitter down the road on your palms, and you won't ride around the corner without gloves again! At least I don't!
I can't imagine they would put you on clipless pedals for a class targeted at newbies, but call and ask. I would wait on those until you have been able to give some thought to the styles available. As an aside, I found my spd clipless double sided pedals to be very easy to adapt to- all the horror stories scared me.
So my list would be: helmet, gloves, and shorts if the rides are likely to be over 8-10 miles. Personally, I like to have cycling shorts on every time I ride, but I know some people can do 20+ comfortably first.
I have found that special bike gear really does make a difference- I love riding in jerseys because they are really cut to maximize comfort when cycling. But they cost a mint and I would wait to phase them in over time.

[Cyclesome]

MDRider, When and where is this road bike course and how did you find out about it? Sounds interesting.

[MDrider]

Thanks to those who had info about my bike. I had no idea it was considered a "comfort bike". All I know is that hills are always so challenging on it. Can't wait to try a true road bike and see how it, or should I say we, do on hills.


Cyclesome, I found it through my local REI store. Check out www.rei.com, then find your closest store. We meet at the store and then I think are taken somewhere to bike. It's a one day course called Beginner Road Biking, or something like that . It runs from 9am - 4pm.

[MDrider]

I found the class through my local REI store (www.rei.com). It's called their Outdoor School.
It's a one day course called Road Biking for Beginners, or something like that. I was just lucky that they happened to have one in 2 weeks. I also tried looking into my local community colleges, but I didn't have much luck.

Thanks so much to everyone who answered my questions. You've been a terrific help!!

[cyclechick314]

I found the class through my local REI store (www.rei.com). It's called their Outdoor School.
It's a one day course called Road Biking for Beginners, or something like that. I was just lucky that they happened to have one in 2 weeks. I also tried looking into my local community colleges, but I didn't have much luck.

Thanks so much to everyone who answered my questions. You've been a terrific help!!

I perhaps ride the same rail trail you do, the NCR trail that originates in Ashland and travels to York, Pa.

I'm looking for others to ride with during the week after work .
I own a trail bike and a road bike and switch off and on depending on how I am feeling and who I might be lucky enough to ride with. I'm not fast, but I can hold my own . I do around 20 miiles or so.....but I'm working up to more after being sick with lyme disease for 2 years. Having a riding companion is definately a better way to go sometimes. As others have said.....it helps to pass the miles and also gives you some company and /or help when you get flat tires .
I'm always looking for riding partners.... so email me if you are interested.

Bonnie

[Zen]

Both of you might want to look into the Baltimore Bike Club