Afraid to get back on

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have just gotten back on a bike after 36 years of not biking at all (I'm 52). I was lucky in that I did pretty well getting back to it with a short practice period, but I certainly understand your fears and frustrations. I experienced all your same shakiness and self doubt.

I took a borrowed bike to the big high school parking lot after dinner but before dusk, and being summer evening there were no people, parked cars, or traffic to speak of.
I went several days in a row just to practice getting my balance back, doing wobbly circles, zig-zagging, braking, getting on and off, etc. Each day was it's own mix of success and frustrations, but by the end of the week I could see I had in fact improved.
Be kind to yourself! Look at it as something you are doing wonderful for yourself rather than it a stumbling block or a failure to be dreaded. It's a learning curve. Think of it as the worst part being behind you now, just like when you started changing your habits to lose weight. The worst part is over with- you will only get better! You will be slightly more skilled at avoiding a fall now that you've had your first spill.
Do these little practices for only 15-30 minutes unless you WANT to make them longer because you are having fun. Make SMALL goals that are easier to achieve. You'll see real results after another few practice sessions. Don't give up- your biking will become a joy and a freedom in your life!

[pooks]

Wow, that's an AMAZING feat, losing that kind of weight. No wonder you're a little wobbly right now. Your body is still trying to balance "ghost weight" and hasn't figured out how to handle itself. (That's as good an excuse as any, right?)

Buy some biking gloves. You'll be glad you did -- they'll protect your palms.

And don't give up. You can do it! If you need to, ask at the bike store if they offer lessons. I was looking at one of the Dallas LBSs and there was a testimonial from a woman who had never learned to ride a bike as a kid, and found someone at the bike store to give her private lessons. She was thrilled and is now biking like a champ!

You may just need another session or two with someone who can help you figure out what to do.

[dachshund]

I also wonder if the gears are set properly for you to get going. Did the bike store go over the gear-changing at all? The idea being that setting the bike in an easy gear will help with pedaling from a stop.

[doc]

Consider borrowing someone elses bike that is way too small for you such that you can place your feet flat on the ground while sitting on the saddle. You would be very unlikely to fall in that scenario. Then when you get a little confidence, get back on your bike. Remember that the little bike is not going to be too comfortable to pedal, but you are working on balance first.

Also, I agree with above, make sure you do in fact pedal. The faster you go, the easier it is to balance.

And keep reminding yourself what an amazing person you are. You made a massive life change recently with the weight loss. And as you very well know, progress is made in tiny but steady steps.

[Selkie]

Keep going! Everyone has to start somewhere and believe me, the more time in the saddle, the more confident/better skilled you become. It's worth getting over the wobble. We've all been there. Take it slow, do what feels comfortable, and ride for enjoyment. It'll all come together for you.

You ARE amazing---56 years old and getting back on a bike after 40 years? Don't be so hard on yourself.

[li10up]

I also wonder if the gears are set properly for you to get going. Did the bike store go over the gear-changing at all? The idea being that setting the bike in an easy gear will help with pedaling from a stop.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

It sounds to me like you are starting out in too high of a gear. Lift the back tire of the bike off the ground and shift into a low (easy to pedal) gear. Then get on and try to ride. If you are starting out in a monster gear it will be too hard for you to pedal and get going...and we all know that without momentum you are going to fall over...unless you can master the track stand...I'm still working on that one. Good luck...you can do it.

[Kano]

People are talking about pedaling, for some speed to keep you upright, and that's a good thing -- but something else you need to do is NOT WATCH YOUR FEET! Along with that -- look farther ahead than your front tire, too! You want to be looking more toward the end of the road you're going down -- seeing everything between there and your front tire too, of course, but the thing is, you can't balance when you're watching too close to your feet...

Welcome back to biking! I'm finding it great "place to be"!

Karen in Boise

[bcipam]

I lead both "newbie" road and mountain bike rides and as a 50 year rider, have difficulty understanding the fear a new rider has but most do have some fear - it's normal. I do hope you have a friend or friends who ride. If so, ask them to come out with you one day and let them assist you with gaining balance, using hte pedal, moving the bike forward. One really big problem I see newbies do is that their saddle is too low and they tend to try stopping by putting both feet down at the same time. This causes falls more often than not. Try practicing this...

Both feet on the ground, straddling the top tube. Your butt should not be on the saddle! Put one foot on the peddle - either right or left, which ever you are comfortable with (generally right handed people feel most comfortable using their left). Make sure the peddle is in a slightly upward position so when you push down the bike goes forward. Push down and as the bike moves forward lift yourself onto the saddle and put your other foot on the pedal. Once moving forward now practice stopping properly. Use your brakes to slow... as you do your butt comes off the saddle and you put on foot down as the bike stops. One foot (usually the same one) always stays on the pedal. Once you get the hang of this, you can raise your seat to the proper height and gosh forbid, think about getting clipless pedals. The balance you learn doing this will also help you ride the bike.