A few questions from a new guy

ManchesterUK

I've never been a cyclist, was a very keen rower and did well around the club circuit.

Entered a rowing triathlon and came third behind some proper triathletes (though it was a tiny competition and this was a couple of years ago) but I was spanked on the bike but then I was using a mountain bike.

Now I do nothing as I'm only allowed to cycle and swim (ankle break and I can't stand running as yet)

I've been very lazy getting back into any sport but a few months ago I started riding a mountain bike to work and back every day i'm not taking the train to other parts of the country but..... work have introduced the bike to work scheme.

It's Hallford only so I've been down to the LBS (local bike shop I hope this means) and worked out the road bike I'll be taking if I can get Halfords to order it for me.

My questions now I've given little or no back ground is this.

I'm restricted to cycling and swimming for now as recovery so I figure i might as well take my new bike out on a couple of longer rides (for now this will mean an hour due to my complete loss of fitness and ankle strength) but I want to actually know what stuff I should take with me on a ride.

I mean, for commuting 3 miles to work I don't worry if I get a puncture as I can walk it where ever I need to go but on a longer ride I'll need more.

Water?
Pump?
Spare tubes? if so how many?
Spare batteries for lights?
I'm worried about missing something out as I've never ever trained on a bike before or gone for a long bike ride so should I be thinking of anything else?

Also for safety gear at night/dark what should I be looking to have with me and use?

At the moment commuting my measly 3 miles I use a rear light and front light, a very bright flourescent jacket, wind proof gloves. (also a helmet I use)

Should I be investing in other reflective things? If so what is available? and any rough costs?

really sorry for this story/questions but I really want to start getting back to fitness as I feel a right jelly belly at the moment. I'm not afriad of hard work (I used to train 12 sessions a week when rowing) but at the moment I know an hour would be my limit at a slow pace.

Thank you in advance for any help

iain_j

As a rule I won't take more than I can fit in my saddle pack and back pockets for a simple day ride:

1 or 2 spare inner tubes
Puncture repair kit
Multi-tool (all-in-one allen keys, screwdrivers, tyre levers, chain tool)
Cash (and debit card just in case)
Phone (turned off unless I need it!)
2 bottles of water
Cereal bars, bananas, fig rolls etc. to keep me going between cafés

Lights and reflectives, depends on how much after dark riding you'll be doing, and on lit or unlit roads? Plenty of threads on here at the mo about lights, as for reflectives I've got a hi-vis sash and arm bands, but if you've already got a fluorescent jacket that's probably OK.

balthazar

ManchesterUK wrote:

...but at the moment I know an hour would be my limit at a slow pace.

I can't add anything to the above reply (which usefully answers all your queries), but to say - don't be so cautious. A lot of cycling time is spent coasting, either partially or completely. An hour's cycling may well total considerably less effort than your memory of an hour's rowing. Two hours on the bike might be 25 miles or so - think about aiming for places 10 miles away from home, and taking the long route!

ManchesterUK

Hi, sorry I hand't explained properly an hour of turning peddles I think is all that my ankle will take, the three miles to work and back at the moment make my ankle ache which I guess is why I'm being cautious. I will be building this up over time though once my bike arrives and the ankle recovery continues to improve.

Great advice thank you very much about what to take, I hadn't though puncture repair or the tools etc.

giant_man

Do yourself a favour and don't get the bike from Halfords. Can you not get it under the 'bike to work' scheme from somewhere else? Find a good LBS who will guide you better towards a bike more suited to your needs.

Halfords are cheap for a reason.

balthazar

ManchesterUK wrote:

Hi, sorry I hand't explained properly an hour of turning peddles I think is all that my ankle will take, the three miles to work and back at the moment make my ankle ache which I guess is why I'm being cautious. I will be building this up over time though once my bike arrives and the ankle recovery continues to improve.

Sorry for not reading your post closely enough: you make it clear that you'd broken your ankle. I hope you manage to regain the strength fast enough to enjoy the fast fitness increases that cycling brings.

By the way, they're 'pedals'. Peddling is what disreputable merchants do with shoddy products!

JGS

I find the Park Tool self adhesive patches a nice alternative to carrying tubes around. You can carry 6 or so and they'll weigh less than a tyre valve and take up the same amount of space. They always manage to get me home and are a lot easier than using glue and faffing about.

heftyrider

Hi,

I have simalar story (although no where near as fit as you before it!), broke my leg and dislocated ankle, can't do previous sports which all involve running so got challenged to doa 50 mile ride between glasgow and edinburgh by a friend.

The ankle definetley gets used to it quickly, managed the 50 miler pretty well and enjoyed it that much even using a hybrid that i'm now going for proper road bike.

anyways good luck and hope the ankle feels better soon.

ManchesterUK

Hi

Thank you for all the comments.

I'm stuck with Halfords sadly but I've been told they can order any bike that I wish to. I popped into the LBS and they've kindly advised me on the bike I should be looking at that suits my needs and the frame.

So I plan to order the bike through them and then take it to the LBS to get it set up properly as I too doubt the ability of the Hallfords guys to do it properly.

Ankles wise! It's painfully slow is the recovery but the worst of it was the weight gain! Urrrggh.

I'll keep you all posted when I finally go out on my first "longer" ride.

Also sorry about the peddle incident