It's a big fat lie!!!

[Seahorse]

You know when people want to reassure you that you'll still be able to do something and they say 'it's like riding a bike, you never really forget'?

Well I clearly remember my ten year old self joyfully riding my trusty Sturmy Archer up hill and down dale in the 1970s... but can I ride the bike I've just got from our local version of Freecycle? Can I heck!

I wanted a bike to cut the time it takes to get to the lottie. My child free times are extremely scarce and it seems a waste to spend 40 mins each way on walking there on the rare times I have a babysitter and can really get on. I picked it up today and wheeled it the four miles home (excuse: had the kids with me and didn't want to leave them in a cloud of dust) but I've just had a go in the garden and I'm rubbish! It's just as well that the green manure will be dug in soon and that the caterpillars had finished off the last of the red cabbages It's not even as if it's a Tour de France style high seat, skinny tyred one either - it's a Granny shopper style with two baskets!

Can you get stabilisers for grown-ups???

[Snadger]

I remember riding a bike when I was a bairn with no back tyre and no brakes! You stopped yourself while travelling downhill by jamming your welly on the front wheel! I had a left welly with worn section the shape of the front tyre in the sole.

I can't believe anyone would forget how to ride a bike, it's just a case of re-gaining your confidence.
If I ride a bike these days it's 'pedestrians look out' as there is far too much traffic on the road, so I use the path instead.

Just think of the ****? advert " Just do it............"

[SarzWix]

Snadger's right, it'll come back to you, don't worry! We went on a centerparc holiday a few years ago and all hired bikes, it took me about a day to really get going again, but after that I was fine. Except for the sore ass...

[shirlthegirl43]

Sounds like Snadger got my first bike after I finished with it!!! I learned to ride it by getting on at the top of a long hill - after a few feet I realised there were no brakes - I had a choice, learn to ride or fall off on the road.

I didn't ride a bike for many many years but sort of can ride one now - a bit wobbly at first but it does come back - all a matter of confidence. You will be fine with practice.

[smallblueplanet]

I'm hoping its just a matter of confidence Seahorse. I've not ridden a bike for years & years, too much vehicular traffic....but we've a break in North Devon in April and I fancy hiring a bike to ride the Tarka Trail - the bit around Bideford/Barnstaple is flat and free of traffic.

So keep telling yourself its fun and don't even think of falling off, pedal like crazy!!!

[Two_Sheds]

Oh, it'll come back to you! Try these to make it a bit easier:

• pumped tyres, as hard as an orange
• lowest gear so you don't wobble on "take off" - then a higher gear as you gain speed. When you stop, always change down to a low gear first.
• lower the seat until you gain your confidence

i always have trouble if I swap bikes, from my racer-type to a granny-type

[Seahorse]

Good to hear it's (hopefully!) just a confidence thing! Fortunately there's a back way to my lottie, largely on paved public footpaths, so if I do come off it'll be into a pile of scrub, not under the wheels of a juggernaut!

I've already got the seat as low as it will go (due to being a short @r$e) but I'll definitely try the pumped up tyres and I'll see if I can identify the lowest gear!

[smallblueplanet]

...and I'll see if I can identify the lowest gear!

Its the easiest one!

[Alison]

It is a confidence thing, I was the same when I bought a bike about 12 years ago after about 15 years out the saddle. Took me a while to get the basic balance thing and then a bit longer to gain confidence in traffic and now I'm quite happy and know what routes are good or bad around our way. One thing, our local council is currently preparing a cycle map of the town which is fab, colour coded routes for how much experience you have, ie red for roads where you'd need more talent cos the traffic is faster or there are pinch points down to green (I think) for the sort of places where you'd be happy letting your kids go - note that these aren't all just the roads with cycle paths as some of them are more dangerous than the road proper!

One query, why a low gear, I've always found that in a lower gear (unless you're going up a steep hill) your legs are going round really fast and you're hardly moving and I end up weaving all over the place, have always found a higher gear much better for balance as you're moving faster - can't remember the physics now but wheels are more stable at faster speeds and you can steer more easily.

[smallblueplanet]

...and I'll see if I can identify the lowest gear!

Its the easiest one!

...
One query, why a low gear, I've always found that in a lower gear (unless you're going up a steep hill) your legs are going round really fast and you're hardly moving and I end up weaving all over the place, have always found a higher gear much better for balance as you're moving faster - can't remember the physics now but wheels are more stable at faster speeds and you can steer more easily.

Edit - or not says Alison - and actually thinking about it, in a higher gear you don't peddle as much and so can concentate on 'free-wheeling'. I'm with Alison. Anymore theories???

[jaykay]

[QUOTE=Seahorse;164407]I've just had a go in the garden and I'm rubbish!

Did you have enough room in the garden to get going properly? It's hard to ride in a small area - you really need a trip on a long straight-ish smooth-ish path to help build your confidence.

During the summer I took my daughter (aged 7) to an open flat grassy area nearby where she could practise riding without her stabilisers. When she fell off she had a soft landing. The ground's probably too wet for this at the moment but somewhere with lots of space should help.

Good luck!

[Seahorse]

No, I didn't really have enough room to get into the swing of it - I guess only a 'push off' and three or so pedals. I'm going to try and find somewhere secluded (to spare my blushes ) but with a longer stretch to have a go at. I think if my six year old can ride a bike, I really should be able to as well!!!

[rustylady]

Seahorse, honestly you don't forget you just lose your confidence. I'm 57 years young now and I used to ride a pushbike regularly from about 10 -11 years old. Done the no-brakes thing too. Then followed a gap of many years, working bringing up kids etc. Around 3 years ago I treated myself to a brand new bike (Granny style according to my beloved children) and first ride I was absolutely terrified. What you need is a big wide open space (car park is good, specially after everyone else has gone home). Garden is no good as you don't have the space to get up a bit of speed and get your balance. Since starting riding again I have fallen off a few times (usually due to granddaughter stopping her bike right in front of me at VERY short notice) but it's been OK. Keep trying, it's worth it and once you get going you will enjoy it. By the way, get yourself some panniers - it's amazing what you can pack into them. Saves balancing stuff.

[Hazel at the Hill]

...and if you do it when it's dry underfoot (ha ha - fat chance!) then your brakes might actually work. I'm a fair weather cyclist for this reason!

[Two_Sheds]

One query, why a low gear, I've always found that in a lower gear (unless you're going up a steep hill) your legs are going round really fast and you're hardly moving and I end up weaving all over the place, have always found a higher gear much better for balance as you're moving faster - can't remember the physics now but wheels are more stable at faster speeds and you can steer more easily.

Yes, I meant when you are starting off at low speed. I should have been more clearer !

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