Cycle Virgin

[Kalidurga]

How important is the ability to put your feet on the ground when stopped?

How important this is, is really up to the individual rider. If you're not sure you'd be comfortable only putting your toes to the ground on a regular bike, then Knotted's suggestion of a townie might be a great option for you to consider. I'm seeing more and more of these bikes advertised and I've seen a couple in downtown DC. They look pretty cool and are probably a lot of fun: Review: Electra Bicycle Company Townie 21 or Electra Townie. Plus, if you're used to riding a recumbent at the gym, a townie would probably have a similar feel but at an upright angle.

[ace]

Hi there!

My advice is to keep it simple. I'm 45, about 70 lbs overweight, and have had my bike for 7 years, but just started riding seriously this year (I used to commute on it and then didn't use it at all). I have a Trek 7300 Hybrid, and it has been completely adequate for my needs. I ride with the Light group of my local club (go Oakland Yellowjackets!), and they have taught me all the basics to keep me safe and make riding more fun- proper stopping/starting technique, hills (up and down), etc. This summer I've gone from sweating out a flat 20 mile ride, to 40 miles with 3000 ft. of elevation. For me riding with a group is really helpful- I've met other beginners and gotten great coaching, so don't be afraid to ride with a club. You don't have to be good before you go. Most have beginners' groups, and even the great cyclists with all their flashy gear are very nice and supportive of me.

So about gear- I'd say keep it really simple. I've been buying things as I need them. Start with a bike, helmet, and padded bike shorts. Get platform pedals (not clips or clipless), and just get used to your bike. Go to a store where they can fit you properly. You should be able to stand flat-footed on the ground, straddling the cross-bars of your bike. Also note that when you stop, you should always get off your seat.

Bike, helmet and shorts is what I had at the beginning of the summer. Since then I've added in the following order:

1. Camelbak (I was having serious dehydration problems, and the solution was to buy a 100 oz. Camelbak- makes me drink much more)
2. Electrolyte replacement (see number one)
3. A bike shirt. I wanted to look cool like the other kids in the club!
4. Clipless pedals and bike shoes- it got to the point where I realized that not having clipless pedals was making my cycling really inefficient, and I was ready to get them.

Next purchase: Road Bike, but probably not for a couple of months.

Honestly, I'd say just get the basics, that will cover you for short rides, and once you get into it, you can start buying additional stuff you need.

Have a fantastic time!

-Amy

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome. I do not think 60 is old at all. I bought my first bike in the middle of June-first time ever on a bike at the age of 37. It was a "mode" bike, by Giant called Giant Suede W. It was more bike than I wanted. Then 3 weeks later I wanted more power-who could have guessed? Not me. 37 years being terrified of bikes...So I had this nice bike, and wanted a new one. I ended up with a Trek 1000 and I love it. I spent $650 on it. Trek makes some lovely comfort and hybreds for less. Do I have a point? Think about what you may want to do. It hurt financially to buy another bike just 3 weeks later. Fortunately the bike store where I bought my Trek was willing to give me store credit for my Giant (bought at another LBS).

Best advice, think about your needs/future goals, and go try out as many bikes as you have time for. When a bike fits, you will know it. It will just feel as though it belongs under you.

Above all, have fun!

[Redrover]

I have just returned from my LBS and I think I have found what I like. They were in the midst of a huge Labor Day sale and were mobbed but I got lucky and was helped by a wonderfully helpful woman, Cynthia. She acted like I was the only customer in the store and we tried me on several comfort bikes. The one I think I like is the Trek Navigator. The parking lot was so crowded so I am going back tomorrow to test ride it. In the meantime I bought a helmet, gloves and an insulated water bottle. After sitting on several of the bikes I think this bike is what I want. Y'all have been so nice and helpful and I really appreciate all your kind words and support. I'll post again after I have the bike and have actually ridden it.

[Duck on Wheels]

Yesterday I remembered one other item you'll definitely need: A lock. Gotta get off the bike sometimes, ya'know, and you might want to ride it to a park or a shop or to work. Good luck with your new bike! Have fun! And no, 60 is NOT old. Two weeks ago I was visiting my Dad's cousin. 82. Just got her bike back that she'd loaned to her granddaughters and was about to get back in the saddle again.

[pooks]

60 is not old!

As the "must haves" rack up for you (bike, helmet, gloves, lock) I would add padded cycling shorts. You'll know pretty soon if you need to buy them immediately! I can't imagine riding without the padding.

Get ready to feel younger than you've felt in a long time!

[Bluetree]

I agree... 60 is definitely not old, esp. for someone who is as energetic as you.
I was driving back from the gym this morning and saw a group of four riders, slowly making their way up an mild incline. As I came up to them I saw the three men and one woman couldn't have been younger than 70, probably closer to 80... in matching yellow t-shirts and on road bikes, too!
I honked and gave them a thumbs up when I passed.
Cycling keeps everyone young!

[Redrover]

OK ladies, I have done the deed. I just got home and unloaded my new bike, a 16" Trek Navigator. It's a "girly" bike in that in has a step through but I really need it right now. Not having been on a bike in more than 30 years it was more than a little daunting. My problems are starting and stopping but I'm getting the hang of the actual riding. How did all of you learn how to shift gears? Also, how do you develp confidence in the starting and stopping? The pedals seem so tall/thick and I don't always feel my feet are securely on the pedals. When you stop, do you leave the seat before stretching to the ground?

On a positive note though, I have learned how to take off my front tire so I can put the bike in my car to transport.

[pooks]

Woohoo! You rock!

I had a couple of crashes in the first few weeks (well, one was just a tump-over) because I wasn't experienced enough stopping. The riding was easy! Turning corners, etc., piece of cake. Stopping wasn't even hard, since I slowed a lot until I could stop easily.

So I didn't recognize that I wasn't strong enough at "stopping" until I had a couple of situations where I had to react quickly. Once, I was barely rolling forward, but the realization that I really needed to stop threw me -- and I tried to use my coaster brakes! (Of course, there ARE no coaster brakes!)

The next time I was going faster when I realized I wasn't going to make the turn without hitting a curb, and panicked and didn't stop well.

So my advice is this -- find a school parking lot or some other smooth, flat, traffic-free area and simply practice stopping and starting. Do some figure 8s in both directions and circles in both directions, too. Just take it easy and experiment. First comes learning how to do it. Next, comes making it instinctive. I have to admit it's not purely instinctive for me yet, and I've ridden a couple of hundred miles. But it WILL be!

[pooks]

Also, check out this thread:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8262

[Kano]

OK ladies, I have done the deed. I just got home and unloaded my new bike, a 16" Trek Navigator. It's a "girly" bike in that in has a step through but I really need it right now. Not having been on a bike in more than 30 years it was more than a little daunting. My problems are starting and stopping but I'm getting the hang of the actual riding. How did all of you learn how to shift gears? Also, how do you develp confidence in the starting and stopping? The pedals seem so tall/thick and I don't always feel my feet are securely on the pedals. When you stop, do you leave the seat before stretching to the ground?

On a positive note though, I have learned how to take off my front tire so I can put the bike in my car to transport.

+

Congratulations! I have the step through thing too -- for some reason I don't step through, but I've got it! (I think there's not room for my big old feet!)

Shifting -- sometimes I still have problems, but practice keeping the pedaling easy and fairly consistent, and you'll get lots of shifting in. Remember that if you're not pedaling, the gear doesn't change when you shift -- sometimes I forget that, and wonder about myself....

Starting -- this is easier if the gearing is light, so I've learned to downshift when I'm likely to be stopping (and this coasting to a stop thing is where I forget that you have to be pedaling to shift to begin with!) I'm standing on the ground, with my right foot (some folk do it with left) on the pedal, and left on the ground. I spin the pedals so that the right foot is high, and then as I push off with my left, I push down on the right and boost myself up onto the seat as I'm putting my left on its pedal. Once in a while, I don't seem to get enough speed, and have to try again. Not as often anymore.

Helpful tip when starting -- don't scrape your butt up the seat, or it may grab your shorts, and that's NOT a handy thing! That sounds hard to avoid, but it's really not!

Stopping -- yup, I leave the seat before stretching to the ground, cuz I can't reach the ground from the seat, and I like staying upright! Right foot stays on pedal, which is down, left foot drops from pedal toward ground as I dismount. (I do those clipless pedals these days, so it's click out, foot off pedal, and butt off as foot drops, I guess...)

Karen in Boise

[Cindyloo]

Redrover, congrats on the new bike! Sounds like you are doing great so far with the gear you've purchased. I ditto what some of the ladies have said about the bike shorts. They make the riding experience so much more comfortable and if you don't feel like bearing it all in spandex right now you could wear some thin shorts over them.

As far as starting off goes, I find it helpful to have my feet in the right position. With one foot on the ground I put the other one on the pedal at about the 2 o'clock position (right foot) ready to produce a downstroke. This allows for propulsion from the standstill and then you can get the other foot on the other pedal.

For stopping I usually come to almost a complete stop, lean the bike slightly to usually my left side and put my foot down. I think people probably become used to using the same foot to stop and start on while riding. You just have to work out what you are comfortable with.

Also, I'm not sure what seat the Navigator comes with but don't hesitate to get another seat if the stock one is hard on the tushie or girlie parts! Good luck and enjoy that new bike!