A Plan For Getting Started?

[Sheherazade]

Well, I am happy to say that this is working out. I have learned that Shimano pedals have a tension adjustment, and that makes getting out of them much faster and easier. I went out today (took the day off) and followed Sue's advice- out for for 15 min then back. The riding on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail was easier than in my neighborhood (I live on the side of a largish hill) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My bike is rather new; I was having trouble getting it to shift to the small chainring and a guy stopped and helped me out, which I really appreciated. I'll go out again in the morning, and see if I can add just a little more time and distance.

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and advice!

Wendy

[tulip]

I rarely shift in the front. Only for big hills do I use the smallest chainring, and I hardly ever use the biggest (I have a triple on my commuter bike). My road bike (double chainring) generally stays in the small front ring. Focus on getting comfortable with shifting the back derailleur. You should rarely need to change the front derailleur, except if you have alot of hills.

[Sheherazade]

Tulip, I can see where the small chainring wouldn't really be often necessary on the W&OD. I'll be staying out of Shenandoah for a while yet

[tulip]

Tulip, I can see where the small chainring wouldn't really be often necessary on the W&OD. I'll be staying out of Shenandoah for a while yet

Actually, it's better to spin. On my road bike, which has two front chainrings, I generally keep it in the small (easier) chainring. On my commuting bike, which has three chainrings, I generally keep it in my middle chainring, which is probably close to the small one on my road bike (but I haven't counted the teeth).

Just think of it as the smaller front chainrings are easier to spin, and the larger back cogs (small chainrings, if you will) are easier to spin. They are opposite of each other. So the easiest is small front, bigger rear. Not to get too technical, but you don't really want to be in the extremes because it puts alot of stress on the chain because such gearings align the chain diagonally (small front-big rear / big front-small rear).

The point is that you should focus on staying shifting the back derailleur more often than the front. Small increment gear changes are easier on your knees and makes it easier to maintain a relatively constant pace.

Just ignore the part that's too techie. Some of us have been doing this for a long time, and it shows

[Pyannyplayer]

I've been riding a little over a year - WELCOME! Biking is a great way to exercise, get around, and basically have fun! It's also helped me to lose weight and get fit!

When I first started riding, I couldn't make it up our driveway (1/4 mile). I eventually got to where I could ride that, plus another mile, but I'd walk up the hills. Then I could cycle up those hills and ride 5-7 miles, then.....well, you get the idea. In this amount of time, I've gone from riding 10-11 miles in August of last year (man, was I excited for "double digits") at 7 mph to riding 40-50+ miles at 16+ mph! If I can do it, ANYONE can!

Things that helped me:
a. A good bike. I started on an old Schwinn that weighed at least 100 pounds! I couldn't even lift it! I first bought a hybrid (we live on gravel) and recently bought a road bike. The bikes make a difference.

b. Good shirts. I hate to sweat, so having "wicking jerseys" helped me. I even have a few that are made like t-shirts - much easier to "face the world" in when first starting out.

c. Good bike shorts. Your backside will thank you for these. If you're not sure about wearing the shorts (it took me a while to get my nerve up), try a cycling skort - bike shorts underneath/attached to a wrap around skirt.

d. A biking buddy. I'm married to mine (he's the one who got me into it....after 18 years of marriage!!). My dear husband was very patient with me, would wait on hills, encourage me, etc. Having someone to "root you on" helps and you can help them at the same time.

e. Some fun stuff: bike computer to keep track of trip/yearly mileage total along with top speed, average speed, cadence, or whatever you like. I keep track of my rides in a notebook - where I went, how far, how long, etc. I started a new book/00 miles on the computer on January 1. Cool water bottles (I like pink ones), cool bike gloves, a biking magazine, cool biking socks, shoes, etc.

I love biking and I get excited when someone else starts biking! You will have SO MUCH FUN!

Welcome again to biking!

Lorie

[lnewv5]

Hi Wendy -

I live in Bethesda (right up the road ) and bought my bike about four months ago. DC is a GREAT place to get started because there are great trails (which it seems like you are already discovering). I was really nervous starting out for a lot of reasons - I thought I would fall over, didn't really know how to shift, thought I looked silly, but I couldn't be happier now. Since it was cold outside when I got my bike, one thing that helped me a lot was doing some workouts on the trainer. It helped me get more comfortable, even though I wasn't moving. But, now it's so nice to ride outside, I could see how it would be painful to ride on the trainer.

I've also learned to avoid using my smallest chain ring (I have 3) because it messes up SO much (no matter how tuned it is). I know you said that your neighborhood has some hills, but most of the bike trails in the DC area are flat, so I find I never have to use it anyway. Mainly the fear of the chain falling off and having to stop are enough to keep me pushing if I ever come to a hill.

I'm sure you've found this website by now, but it's really useful.
http://www.bikewashington.org/

If you're up for a short road trip, the Baltimore and Annapolis trail is really nice for beginners. I went a few weeks ago on a really nice day, and it was virtually empty. When I started, I had anxiety about being on a trail with a lot of people (Capital Crescent near my apt. is unbelievably packed all the time), and this would have been the perfect one to start on - really nice trail, flat, and not a lot of people so you can really get to know your bike. But then again, I haven't been on the Old Dominion trail, so I don't know how the traffic is.

If you have any ?'s about my experience with DC trails, stores, etc., let me know. Happy biking!!

[Sheherazade]

I haven't been on the Old Dominion trail, so I don't know how the traffic is.

It can get crowded, or so I am told. I was on it around 6.30 this morning (again-yes!) and it wasn't at all busy. The Annapolis-area ride sounds great; I love that area and I'll look into it. There are definitely a LOT of places to ride in the DC Metro area- if you are ever interested in coming out this way, let me know.'

Wendy

[Sheherazade]

Lori-

I have A, B, C, and E. D I am hunting for Things are improving quickly- today I easily did 4 miles and I am hoping to double that in the next few days. I would like to increase my average speed but that will come in time, I know. Thanks for you encouragement and enthusiasm!

Wendy