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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    6

    Noob and then some

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    Hi all -- I'm completely new to cycling and registered with this forum in hopes of learning more while I do the trial and error thing on my own.

    The thing of it is that everyone here is speaking a foreign language! So frustrating. I thought I'd be able to read through the forum to learn, but I'm finding that your discussions and bike speak are (mostly) over my head.

    I'm not interested in joining a club right now. I've been unsuccessful in finding other online educational resources that are geared to the complete novice who'd like to learn the basics. (I did read up on purchasing a bike -- and got one that I LOVE.)

    Right now, I don't even know the questions to ask (other than this one). Any recommendations? I truly appreciate any words of wisdom. E.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Posts
    612
    Hello. Welcome to the forum. Do you have a bike right now? If you do, where to you like to ride? How often - how far?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    531
    Welcome! Maybe you could let us know what bike/cycling terms/phrases/bikespeak etc you're finding difficult? We're always happy to explain things, and no one is going to look down on you. We always enjoy welcoming a new cyclist to the fold!

    Take care.

    ~Sherry.
    Last edited by Popoki_Nui; 04-28-2007 at 08:21 AM. Reason: usual bonehead spelling
    All vintage, all the time.
    Falcon Black Diamond
    Gitane Tour de France
    Kuwahara Sierra Grande MTB
    Bianchi Super Grizzly MTB

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Limbo
    Posts
    8,769
    I think you will find this site helpful:

    www.sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html

    Also, try about.com and type "bicycling" in the search field.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    VA / DC Metro Area
    Posts
    624
    When the biking bug hit me I went to my local library and checked out as many books that I can read in 3 weeks about cycling. I felt like you did at first with the whole new vocabulary and didn't get the first few books right away. After awhile I started picking up on things. I found it really helped. Maybe it will work for you too.
    "She who succeeds in gaining the master of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life." -Frances E. Willard
    My Cycling Blog | Requisite Bike Pics | Join the Team Estrogen group at Velog.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Riding my Luna & Rivendell in the Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    8,411
    If you Google terms like "bicycling +beginners" or "beginner +cyclist" or "beginner biking tips", etc....you'll find some good sites that expalin some of the basics.
    Lisa
    My mountain dulcimer network...FOTMD.com...and my mountain dulcimer blog
    My personal blog:My blog
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    1,011
    check out this dictionary of "Roadie" slang.

    http://kba.tripod.com/slang.htm

    Some of it may still not make sense. but it will all come to you eventually.

    a "roadie" is someone who prodominately rides on roads.

    Tell us about your bike and where you like to ride. things we like to know about a bike are brand, model, what type (road, mountain, hybrid), what is it made of, what type of components (derailers, etc), size, any modifications to the original.

    I'm a roadie. I ride a road bike on the roads.

    I have two bikes.

    #1 is a '05 trek 1000. I wrecked it and then got it repaired. It's a bit beat up but still a decent bike. It's aluminum with a carbon fork and seat post. It's a 58 cm.

    #2 is a '07 Trek Madone 5.0. It's full carbon and full ultegra components. He's nice!

    I mostly ride on rural county roads.

    welcome!!!
    "Being retired from Biking...isn't that kinda like being retired from recess?" Stephen Colbert asked of Lance Armstrong

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    3,932
    Right this way:
    http://www.teamestrogen.com/beginnerCyclist.asp
    And other contents from the "community" section (see at the top)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Belle, Mo.
    Posts
    1,778

    Here we go again!

    This is the 3rd post that I have noticed is a little weird. One post, crazy question. It's the two college guys at the computer thing. I'm sure there are more. Read these, also:

    http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=15033

    http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=14998
    Claudia

    2009 Trek 7.6fx
    2013 Jamis Satellite
    2014 Terry Burlington

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    8,548
    Esmerelda, what is your native language? Your english is really good! So don't be shy, tell us about yourself and where you like to ride.


    uforgot, you could be right, but what's the point? and then they never post again!!
    Mimi Team TE BIANCHISTA
    for six tanks of gas you could have bought a bike.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Riding my Luna & Rivendell in the Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    8,411
    Mimi, she didn't mean we really REALLY speaking a foreign languange, only that it SEEMED that way because she doesn't understand all the biking terms we use.

    Uforgot, those posts don't strike me as weird at all. In fact, I have women come up to me in town almost daily saying exactly the same stuff to me because they really don't know much about biking yet at all.
    It was not that long ago that I had no clue what a hybrid bike or a mountain bike was, or a "top tube", or a crank, or even what the heck derailleurs were!
    It's normal, just as it's normal for your butt to be really really sore for your first few rides.

    It's OK, everyone. It's ok to not know much yet, and it's OK to ask really newbie biking questions on this forum! Ask away, there is always someone here willing to explain stuff in simple terms. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Lack of knowledge is not an embarrassment, the only embarrassment is when people don't WANT to learn new stuff, or when other people WITH knowledge don't want to help others learn.
    Lisa
    My mountain dulcimer network...FOTMD.com...and my mountain dulcimer blog
    My personal blog:My blog
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Belle, Mo.
    Posts
    1,778
    You don't think those posts seem a lot alike? Same tone to them and then we don't hear from them again?
    Claudia

    2009 Trek 7.6fx
    2013 Jamis Satellite
    2014 Terry Burlington

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Riding my Luna & Rivendell in the Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    8,411
    Quote Originally Posted by uforgot View Post
    You don't think those posts seem a lot alike? Same tone to them and then we don't hear from them again?
    No, it's exactly like a lot of women who come up to me in the street, asking about biking, all sounding similar with identical newbie questions, same tone, I give them my number and encourage them to contact me for more help with getting started, and then I never hear from them again. Sometimes I see them later and they sheepishly say they still haven't dusted off their bike yet. Just the way it is. Some people get suddenly inspired and just as suddenly lose interest. Hopefully many stick with it through the beginner phase and become happy bikers.
    The red flag is when they ask ODD questions, often concerning personal subjects. It's often easy to spot immature males masquerading as women- they talk funny when they try to sound like "ladies"!
    Lisa
    My mountain dulcimer network...FOTMD.com...and my mountain dulcimer blog
    My personal blog:My blog
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Belle, Mo.
    Posts
    1,778
    I've taught teenagers for 27 years and believe me, you are seriously underestimating their intelligence and creativity. I teach the college bound ones, and those kids I have in AP Calculus could (and WOULD) pull this off. My gut instinct tells me this is bogus, and it has served me well over the years. I've received a couple of PMs from others who agree. Someone even wondered if the ip addresses would turn out the same?!?!?!

    Not that I'm horrified by it, I really am slightly amused, but I won't be giving them any heartfelt advice. Maybe we should just see if we ever hear from esmerelda and lunita again.
    Claudia

    2009 Trek 7.6fx
    2013 Jamis Satellite
    2014 Terry Burlington

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Riding my Luna & Rivendell in the Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    8,411
    Quote Originally Posted by uforgot View Post
    I've taught teenagers for 27 years and believe me, you are seriously underestimating their intelligence and creativity. I teach the college bound ones, and those kids I have in AP Calculus could (and WOULD) pull this off. My gut instinct tells me this is bogus, and it has served me well over the years. I've received a couple of PMs from others who agree. Someone even wondered if the ip addresses would turn out the same?!?!?!

    Not that I'm horrified by it, I really am slightly amused, but I won't be giving them any heartfelt advice. Maybe we should just see if we ever hear from esmerelda and lunita again.
    Anyone is allowed to join the forum. Not a problem unless they are obnoxious or offensive in some way. If there is an offensive post or insulting from anyone (regardless of sex), use the little triangle button under your avatar/name to report it to the forum administrators, and they will take care of it. If posts are not offensive, no need to worry about it.
    Lisa
    My mountain dulcimer network...FOTMD.com...and my mountain dulcimer blog
    My personal blog:My blog
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

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