Help!

Sparkz

I am returning to biking after a break of erm not saying how many years but last time I was sixteen, my children are older than that! I need tips on safety, how do i get going again? Still waiting for my bike to be delivered....well it has been snowing and I don't think its wise to restart in snow?

Mike Healey

Buy Cyclecraft by John Franklin (about £13) - bible on safe road riding

Learn, or remind yourself, to "spin" rather than using higher gears

You are traffic and you have a right to use the road/lane

Contrary to some people's opinion, drivers are not out to get you and most are fine. However, if you have any unpleasant experiences with poor driving (or your own riding), analyse and file away for future use (and correction)

Pavements are for people with stabilisers and L plates

Remember why pretty much everyone rides, really - it's fun

Welcome back

unixnerd

Don't ride in the gutter, give yourself room. Give clear, early signals and always wear clothing that makes you visible.

If you don't wear glasses think about getting some cheap safety glasses, first time you hear a small stone hit them or run into a wasp at 20mph you'll see why :-)

baudman

Agree with both of the above, but perhaps start on paths or secluded roads until your bike skills/balance are up to it. It won't take long...

And yeah... riding in snow would be a baptism by fire (or ice).

simon_e

What unixnerd said. Also these articles may help.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/t ... ffic-28134
http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/articl ... ioning-197
http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/articl ... ions-12785

Some useful stuff here too: http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/category/commuting/

Is there any Bikeability training available in your area? Check with your local council. This should help with confidence and awareness of potential hazards, which will allow you to better anticipate problems and avoid potholes etc. Practice manoeuvres somewhere quiet first. Is there a local CTC or other group that does regular rides? They invariably welcome new faces.

If you're riding in the dark or murky weather the money spent on some good (i.e. bright) lights and rechargeable batteries is never wasted. Otherwise a small portable set like Electron Backupz can be used for when visibility isn't great, you get caught out or as additional illumination - you can never have too much bike lighting.

It's not all scary stuff though. Once you have the confidence you can have loads of fun

jeremyrundle

I started at 50 a couple of years ago so It will sound daft but I learnt again by cycling round empty car parks in the evenings when everyone was home, not MSCPs but large open ones, or supermarkets, and hoping not to give people here big heads, I took notice of what proper cyclists here said.

As above Don't ride in the guter, as soon as I "moved out" three feet cars gave me a MUCH wider gap, also I agree with what is said above I learnt self confidence I too have the RIGHT to use the road, I may not pay tax but I cause NO pollution and am 100% green.

Oh and start with a DECENT bike, I am an astronomer and so many people have said to me, "We bought a telescope but we saw nothing, it wobbled and we gave up", in fact they had bought an Argos special or similar for £100, a TOY, "telescopes" start at £500.

The same for bikes, I bought a Saracen for £300 to start with and loved cycling, five years earlier I gave up hated cycling, it was a £150 bike, I now have a hybrid £1.5k and hate being home.

unixnerd

Oh and start with a DECENT bike, I am an astronomer and so many people have said to me, "We bought a telescope but we saw nothing, it wobbled and we gave up", in fact they had bought an Argos special or similar for £100, a TOY, "telescopes" start at £500.

+1. I sell binoculars for a living, everything from little ones to 25kg sets! Cheap telescopes do more to put folk off astronomy than anything else.

jeremyrundle

unixnerd wrote:

Oh and start with a DECENT bike, I am an astronomer and so many people have said to me, "We bought a telescope but we saw nothing, it wobbled and we gave up", in fact they had bought an Argos special or similar for £100, a TOY, "telescopes" start at £500.

+1. I sell binoculars for a living, everything from little ones to 25kg sets! Cheap telescopes do more to put folk off astronomy than anything else.

And I am a member of the Highland Astronomical Society, you have visited many a time..................................