Hello from new rider!

[rythmdncr6]

Hi! Just wanted to introduce myself. I just bought my first road bike (I've been looking for a while for one that fits me just right, but had to be patient with the inventory changing over from the 08 to the 09 models!). Other than my brother (who biked across the country this summer), I don't know anyone who bikes and am kinda going at this alone. The bike shops have been helpful but I thought it might be good to hear from you guys what I will need to consider purchasing now that I have my bike (well, now that it's being shipped!)

Any advice on first-time-road-biker essentials is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[DigUpHerBones07]

Hi! I'm Taylor and I'm new to this too. I have had my bike now for just under a month and even though I'm going at it alone, it is so relaxing and wonderful. I have learned though that I really need a seat bag, an extra tube, a pump and an all purpose tool. Minimum. I haven't had any need for it yet, but I can see that it is REALLY beneficial to have one, if only for peace of mind. I also really need to learn how to change a tire, just in case. *goes to find a rather large piece of wood to knock on*

What kind of bike did you order??

[cobalt]

Hi, I am new too. Been riding for about 3 months.

You need padded shorts, made a huge difference. You need to make sure your seat is the right width for your sit bones, that made a huge difference. They have a thing at the bike store that you sit on and it tells how wide your sit bones are, you can't tell by looking at a person.

Padded gloves.

I assume you have a helmet and water bottle.

I bought a small pack for the back of my bike, my husbands is larger, why did I think I needed a smaller one??? I need to carry Kleenex, chapstick, debit card, phone, xtra tampon (you never know!) etc etc etc

I did a 50 mile ride yesterday and it was too much too soon. The last 10 miles were not fun, grueling would be a better description.

I think we have to keep it fun!

[mississaugagirl]

i've been riding my mountain bike for years now but have only recently bought my first road bike. i agree, get padded cycling shorts. where i am ('burb of Toronto), i also bought cycling capris and also tights.

i was surfing last night hoping to get some info on finding a coach or training in my area when i stumbled upon this forum. i hope that we can exchange notes and tips here. looking forward to meeting more of you gals...

[vinbek]

Where in NOrth Carolina are you? I have a really good friend in the Raleigh area who taught me everything - she is a great mentor. And I rode with the Piedmont Fliers out of Winston-Salem. They were a good group for beginners and racers too. Bekki

[Flur]

I disagree on the padded shorts and gloves. Get them only if you need them - not everyone does - and they come with their own issues (too much padding, badly shaped padding, chafing caused by poor fitting padding, hand numbness from poor fitting padding in gloves, etc.). When I started riding I went out looking for good fitting padded shorts, but I couldn't find any so I rode in yoga shorts. I think this helped me to resolve all my saddle issues as there was no "protective barrier" between me and the saddle, and I found that once I had the right saddle the padded shorts didn't matter for me. This revelation has saved me a lot of $$ and hassle!

+1 on making sure you're ready for a flat. You never know when you'll get one. Also make sure you have a good fitting helmet and that you always carry ID when you ride.

Welcome to TE and to cycling!

[Iris616]

Welcome to all of you!
My suggestion would be to buy nothing more than the bike and helmet for the first couple of weeks. Ride your bike, and enjoy it. After a little while, you'll figure out what gear will benefit you. You don't even NEED the water bottle at first, unless your riding for more than 45 minutes at a time. Save your $$$ for a little while, and just have fun!

[mississaugagirl]

flur, you have a point on the padded shorts/tights. i only use my padded ones when going on trails and riding for hours, or for spinning class. but on the road, i'm ok without the extra padding.

[rythmdncr6]

Thanks for all the helpful information! I haven't gotten anything except the bike (still on it's way...it feels like it's taking forever because I'm so anxious to finally get it), so I appreciate all the tips.

[rythmdncr6]

DigUpHerBones07, I got a specialized (08 model) dolce. Wanted to start simple, but I think it's a solid bike and it fits my small frame size well. My brother biked across the country on the men's version of this bike without problems so I'm sure it will be a great bike for me. I'm hoping he will come up soon to teach me to change a flat :-) The bike shop is also helpful so I'm sure they'll give me a little lesson before I hit the road.

vinbek, I'm in the Charlotte area.

[Jiffer]

You'll need some sort of jacket for colder days, which it may already be where you are. Make sure it wicks sweat, so you don't over heat. I have a super light weight one that I wear mostly (I'm in So Cal), but when it gets colder, I add arm warmers and, if it's even colder, I wear a base layer under my jersey (also one that wicks).

There was a thread not too long ago on the main cycling board all about what people wear for cold weather. You should check that out and figure out what works for you. When you are dressed right, the cold

When you get bottles and holders, get two, in case you don't ever intend to ride more than 20 miles, which I somehow doubt.

Ask your LBS what you should put in your bike bag for tire changes. They'll tell you your options.

ALWAYS carry your phone on you! If you are riding alone, it's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. I text my dh sometimes and let him know where I'm at along my route. But lately, I always ride with a friend. Leaving for a ride in about 5 minutes as soon as my friend calls me, actually. I'm sitting here fully ready to go with helmet, sunglasses, shoes, etc.

Oo! She just called. I'm off on a new adventure!!!

[mississaugagirl]

thanks for the great tips! got my jacket from my LBS and can't wait to try it out as we are now ranging from 5-18 celsius these days...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A helmet is essential.
Gloves are pretty essential too, at least the fingerless type that will prevent serious skin/nerve damage is you fall. Your palms/wrists can be very badly damaged by skidding on asphalt, even at relatively slow speeds. When you fall, you instinctively put your hands out to break your fall. Gloves are not so much for padding/comfort....but are for saving your hands during falls.

[aicabsolut]

Gloves also help you clean debris from your tires when you ride through some junk or for checking for something stuck (like glass) if you get a flat.

Instinct or not, try not to brace yourself with your hands and arms if you do fall. That's a great way to break something. That said, I still liked my gloves when I crashed in a race. My brifters, bartape, and part of my aluminum bars underneath were shredded. My hands were totally unscathed, with only a bit of a shred mark on the ulnar nerve pad on one glove.

I always like to have at least one water bottle with me, even on short rides.

[TrekTheKaty]

WELCOME!

A helmet is essential.
Gloves are pretty essential too, at least the fingerless type that will prevent serious skin/nerve damage is you fall. Your palms/wrists can be very badly damaged by skidding on asphalt, even at relatively slow speeds. When you fall, you instinctively put your hands out to break your fall. Gloves are not so much for padding/comfort....but are for saving your hands during falls.

I agree with starting out simple. You can get by with a helmet and GLOVES (see my other Newbie--wear gloves post). Now is a great time to get things off the clearance rack. As you ride, you will learn what things you need to invest more money in, based on your riding style. It was 45 degrees here this morning--that was under armour base layer, short-sleeved jersey, pearl izumi vagabond jacket with zip off sleeves, tights over pearl izumi shorts, hat under helmet, long fingered gloves, and fingerless gloves to swap into later. But that was an expensives outfit (worth more than the clothes I wear to work!), purchased over time, and much of it off the clearance rack! And we were serious about getting in some miles before work

I also agree with under-seat bag (also great for car keys, emergency cash for ice cream/soda and small first aid kit with sunblock and bug repellent wipes--a long story), tubes, tire levers and a pump/co2 cartridge. I'm not 100% sure I could change my own tire, but if stranded on the trail--I'd have enough tools to accept kindness from a fellow biker instead of walking back.