Total Newbie

[Biciclista]

lower the seat until you can reach the ground with both feet. ride on ONLY flat surfaces until you get the hang of it.
I agree, you should try to find someone who can teach you. There are people that specialize in teaching adults.
PS please talk to someone else at the LBS or drive a little ways to find another!

[Crankin]

We have a bicycle school here, that specializes in teaching adults who have never learned to ride. It's possible that if you live near a major city, you might have something similar.

[JennK13]

What a great bike to start on! I have the Trek Navigator 2.0 My DH got it for me a year and a half ago as I wanted to start riding. I did know how to ride a bike, though it had been years. Now, I have 3 bikes total, and have done 2 triathlons so far this summer, and a part time job as a group ride leader at my LBS. It's addicting, in a great way!
Welcome and happy riding!

[ultraviolet]

A friend of mine taught himself to ride a couple of years ago after seeing a small child zooming around on a park path on one of those balance bikes. (like this one) He figured if it worked for toddlers, it would probably work for him. So, he bought borrowed a bike from someone, took off the pedals, lowered the seat and spent a couple of days pushing himself around on it and practicing picking up his feet and balancing while coasting. After he felt comfortable with that, he put the pedals back on, but kept the seat lowered so he could still reach the ground with his feet and pedaled around in a grassy field. Within a couple of weeks he was riding like he'd been riding his whole life.

Good luck!

[hebe]

Your post struck a chord with me, I've just started taking lessons at 44. I want to be able to cycle safely and competently with my toddler on the bike too. That's the theory, but my nerves are getting in the way somewhat. Is there any cycling instruction in local schools? My instructor's main job is school cycling instructor and she is very good, quite patient but still covers a lot of ground with me (sorry for the pun). Good luck and I hope we both get cycling confidently and safely.

[nikkoblu2]

Shannon, I found your post very touching. And you're proof in the flesh that the human spirit keeps pushing forward...even when it runs into obstacles.

Only other suggestion I can think of is I'm guessing you don't have a trainer at home so what about do you have a gym membership where would would have access to exercise bikes, or better yet spin bikes, just so you can get the feel of sitting on a bike and peddling.

It may seem silly, but I'm thinking that once the feel of peddling is familiar then you can concentrate on developing your balance.

Good luck! You'll be zipping around in no time. And don't forget the helmet...all the time!

[DarcyInOregon]

Shannon, your Trek bike is beautiful, and the perfect first bike on which to learn. Start by asking friends and relatives if they can teach you to bike. If you can't find anybody, see if there is an REI in your area and inquire there. If you still can't find anybody, go to the nearest State Park on a Saturday morning, because that is where cyclists congregate to go for a ride, either in groups or solo, find where the cyclists park, and start asking if anyone can teach you. If you came up to me, I would say oh how fun and do it.

Once you learn how to ride on that bike, and you learn how much fun the bike trails are, you will be totally addicted to cycling.