Riding tips for the extremely new and klutzy

[farrellcollie]

For my GF, who had not been on a bike in 30 someodd years, we lowered the seat so her feet could be flat on the ground until she felt comfortable. I don't know if this would work for you - she was on a hybrid. It would not work forever because it isn't particularly good for the knees - but it helped her feel safer and she rode more and eventually the seat got raised.

PS. If you are really falling hard - may I recommend wearing gloves and elbow guards? GLoves are good in general, and a friend of mine cracked his elbow falling off bike on an unbelievably tame trail here - he was riding along a packed earth/light gravel trail (not mountain biking or rough gravel - just one of those packed earth MUP things) and hit a small branch lying on the ground - went down on his elbow and ouchy. This is not to scare you - but if you are still learning - it might help. I am super cautious about joints (The joys of being middle aged)