Total Newbie

[mydisneydollars]

I just started biking a couple weeks ago after my hubby started and I must say I love it. I am currently riding an 80's style touring bike and hoping to buy the trek 1.2 Womens bike this fall. I am doing mu first community charity bike ride on June 28th its a 25mile route and I am alittle nervous. Any pointers out there that I should keep in mind.

Thanks,

Theresa

[BarbaraAlys]

Congrats on getting into riding and tackling a charity ride right off the bat!

Those rides can be a lot of fun. If you have not done a group ride yet it might be a good idea to go find a local bike club and go ride with them one day. There are 'rules of the road' that you can learn, as well as get the feel of having more bikes around you than just you and your husband. The most challenging part of a large organized ride is often the start. You all bunch up, waiting for someone to say 'go' then you all try to get going. Sounds easy, but each person is 'going' in a slightly different manner and pace, invariabley there are spills. when in that big group just keep an eye out for the people in front of you suddenly slowing (or falling), and try to keep distance between you and them. I always end up in the back anyway (slow rider) so I don't try to be in the front at the start.

Drink plenty of water, stop at the rest stop even if you think you don't need to, and have fun with it.

Barbara

[mydisneydollars]

Congrats on getting into riding and tackling a charity ride right off the bat!

Those rides can be a lot of fun. If you have not done a group ride yet it might be a good idea to go find a local bike club and go ride with them one day. There are 'rules of the road' that you can learn, as well as get the feel of having more bikes around you than just you and your husband. The most challenging part of a large organized ride is often the start. You all bunch up, waiting for someone to say 'go' then you all try to get going. Sounds easy, but each person is 'going' in a slightly different manner and pace, invariabley there are spills. when in that big group just keep an eye out for the people in front of you suddenly slowing (or falling), and try to keep distance between you and them. I always end up in the back anyway (slow rider) so I don't try to be in the front at the start.

Drink plenty of water, stop at the rest stop even if you think you don't need to, and have fun with it.

Barbara

Thanks I am a slow rider too. I am so excited and really nervous too.

[Tabby]

Hi Theresa and Barbara,

I started riding in April, but so far it has just been with 1 or 2 other riders. Tonight is my first group ride/cookout ... I'm taking the baked beans!! I've done a few trail days w/this group and worked the fast laps race they did in May, but my rides have been just me and a mentor or two.

I'm very excited but a slow rider, so I will just start at the back of the pack to begin with. My second group ride is Friday, which is suppose to be a night ride, but I'll go early to finish in daylight w/a couple others. I don't think I'm ready to tackle nights! The park naturalist is gonna do a 'lecture' on "flyers at night" (the birds and bats) and I'm sure other critters. So after a daylight ride, I'll listen and learn about the critters.

I'm in Columbus, Ohio, but will be riding over by Springfield an hours drive.
PJ

[Tuckervill]

Don't start at the back! You'll likely be staged behind the riders doing a longer distance anyway. If you start at the back you'll have the demoralizing feeling of seeing everyone pull away from you.

If you start in the front of the 25 milers, then you will be with a group longer. You might get swept along quite a ways and it will be much more fun. You will be passed a lot--don't let it bother you. You'll probably find out you're not as slow as you thought you were!

Have fun and good luck!

Karen

[littlegrasshopp]

Tuckervill - Great advice. I never thought of it that way!

[mydisneydollars]

Ok being the newbie that I am I have a question. I am having alot of pain in my right thigh just above the knee and only about mid way up the thigh. Now my other leg is fine and the right isn't getting any better the more I ride. I just thought it was beginners riding pain and now I am beginning to wonder. Any thoughts?

[furryduck]

I agree with Tucervill, i am only still new to cycling but completed my first 71 mile charity ride this weekend, i started as near to the front as i could, loads passed me but not all so i knew there were others behind me. I think it would have been harder for me if i started at the back and and was left there when everyone took off, but i have found cyclist good people and are always ready to help.
good luck and enjoy