What Did You Want To Know As a New Rider?

[Crankin]

I do talk about saddles, i.e., even if you have a certain shape, it doesn't mean you need a certain saddle. We bring one of my bikes and one of DH's to show the difference in the cut out.
Again, there is a separate flat fixing session. It is hands on, but not for taking the wheel on/off. The church where we do this doesn't want 50 people bringing their bikes in the building, so they just bring a wheel.
I think the idea that "it shouldn't hurt to ride," is key.

[indysteel]

I wanted to know everything when I first started riding. With the assumption that you won't be able to tell them everything a new cyclist would want to know, you might provide them with a list of trustworthy resources on where to get more information. I, personally, turned to TE, Roadbikereview's forums, Sheldon Brown, and Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. I also had a handful of of books: Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100 and Bicycle Magazine's New Cyclist Handbook. Certainly, there are a lot more resources out there, but you might give your attendees a starting place to learn more on their own.

[Seajay]

These days road, hybrid and mountain segments are so split up into sub categories... simply saying there is a hybrid catagory that splits road and moutain is insufficient.
I would think you could spend all your time just clarifying what bikes are best for what use and what rider. (horses for courses) so your new riders are not overwelmed by details when they walk into the IBD.

[Crankin]

Seajay, that is true. We explain that. They get to see an example of a "racing" road bike and a hybrid that is steel, good for commuting, but lighter than a lot of hybrids. Since we sold our mountain bikes, someone else is donating their bike for us to show.
Actually, we talk about what bike is good for what type of riding you want to do. Most of the participants don't really even know a lot about the differences in tire size, shifters, etc.
I do give them a list of recommended books and shopping sites, local stores, etc.

[soprano]

I would have liked to have had help choosing good routes. My city has a bicycle map, but I didn't know about it for the first 6 or 8 months when I started riding here.

Also would have liked to get an explanation of how racks and panniers fit together.

[AZchick]

Everything that Muirenn said above... its like she read my mind!

[loopybunny]

I eventually had questions about the dos and don'ts of riding with a group of people.

In fact, I wish more people thought to ask that question, particularly the woman that cut me off and caused the crash that landed me in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury.

[meganm]

I had no clue about a lot of things when I started riding. It's a wonder I didn't have a flat for 3 years, because I never carried a tube or a pump- I didn't know any better and it was dumb luck that I never got stranded.

I've learned a lot from others in group rides, but the mechanical lessons I've learned from free LBS clinics have been invaluable. There is a big difference between having the tools and know how and when to use them!

[hebe]

I'm really sorry that I missed that thread. I'm sure that you and your husband have inspired and educated a whole new set of people, what a generous thing to do with your time!

I would have (and still would) lap up anything and everything. I remember asking on here for help as to why my saddle kept sliding down on my new bike - the quick release hadn't been tightened by the LBS. It took a while to work out exactly which way a wheel should be fitted too. There is so much to trip up a newbie, but at least it's all easily learned, if less easily applied.

[Crankin]

Well, compared to a lot of the people here on TE, I know nothing. I am a mechanical dunce, from the actual "doing the job" perspective, but the difference is I *know* what questions to ask and I can talk about components, etc. with a reasonable amount of intelligence. And even that has made a world of difference. Even though DH does all of our mechanics, I feel I can walk into any shop and they are not going to give me the "stupid woman" treatment, which has occurred in the past.
Most of the people at today's event had hybrids or entry level road bikes. I was glad we had my Jamis Coda there, to show that I ride different bikes for different purposes. I could compare and contrast it with my road bike and the mountain bike we had on display.