# I would like to take up bicycling... any advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 12, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608 "2011-05-12T02:47:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/41 "2011-05-30T02:06:56Z")
Congratulations and enjoy the ride. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/42 "2011-05-30T04:16:09Z")
Wow, you don’t do things halfway, do you? ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/43 "2011-05-30T04:22:52Z")
Cool bike! Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/44 "2011-05-30T04:32:30Z")
No body mentioned a chain and lock. How come? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/45 "2011-05-30T15:29:37Z")
Man, is my ass sore! Er… from all the bicycling, that is! :eek: 😉 Spent some time yesterday and this morning getting distances and times to various places that I’ll take the bike to - home-to-work, home-to-grocery, home-to-convenience store (for those all-important “My Wife needs chocolate - stat!” trips), etc. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/46 "2011-05-30T16:40:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wow, you don’t do things halfway, do you? Eh, it’s just how I am about some things - if I don’t have enough of an investment in them, I won’t take it all that seriously. In other words, if I had given “purchasing the bike” a half-assed effort, getting something off the rack at Walmart, then I would feel more likely give the rest of it a half-assed effort as well. We all gotta work within ourselves, you know. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/47 "2011-05-30T17:56:20Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Eh, it’s just how I am about some things - if I don’t have enough of an investment in them, I won’t take it all that seriously. In other words, if I had given “purchasing the bike” a half-assed effort, getting something off the rack at Walmart, then I would feel more likely give the rest of it a half-assed effort as well. We all gotta work within ourselves, you know. 😉 FWIW that is what drove to spend $800 on my first bike all those many years ago. I was afraid if I didn’t spend a chunk I would give it up with no guilt. Three bikes later I’m still riding. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/48 "2011-05-30T22:21:42Z")
Lock your bike up real good. Mine was stolen today. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/49 "2011-06-09T14:32:06Z")
I’m getting better at this… yesterday, rode 6 miles without really feeling it (as opposed to when I started, where I was huffin’ and puffin’ at about 2 miles). Sorry about your bike, **Zebra**. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/50 "2011-06-10T23:19:26Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > FWIW that is what drove to spend $800 on my first bike all those many years ago. I was afraid if I didn’t spend a chunk I would give it up with no guilt. > Three bikes later I’m still riding. 😃 See, I would tend to go the other way. “It costs **how** much to get started in this sport?” would instantly convince me I’ll never get started riding, running, swimming, whatever. I’m a very strong believer in “just do it”. If spending $1,000 on a bike is what it takes, do it. If spending $100 on a walmart special gets you going, do it. Congrats to **JohnT** for getting started and getting excited about it. I really wish you happy riding. My contribution to your riding adventure is this: Ride like you are invisible (translation: ride very defensively). Never assume a car, motorcycle or anyone else sees you and you’ll be much safer. There are hundreds of tricks to riding safe, from proper lighting to proper signaling, but realizing you are not nearly as visible as you might think is probably the best way to stay out of the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/51 "2011-06-11T02:57:57Z")
::: Shrug::: different strokes for different folks I guess. Tomorrow is 25 miles of hill climbing on my road bike before breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/52 "2011-06-11T05:57:20Z")
The irony is that, objectively speaking, a bike probably has better visibility than a car. It’s a psychological thing: People get used to seeing cars, so they don’t notice anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/53 "2011-06-12T10:25:48Z")
How do you figure? A bike is a lot smaller than a car, for a start. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/54 "2011-08-08T14:46:45Z")
I’m surprised this thread is so recent. I just bought a bicycle yesterday. Hadn’t owned one in almost 15 years. I need to drop about 40 lbs. and I _loathe_ jogging. I went with the Trek 7.2. I went to the LBS a few blocks from my house (can you _get_ any more local than “Joe’s Bike Shop”?) I felt a little bit like the guy was preying on my naïveté, but I tested the bike and liked it a lot. I upgraded to a gel seat, as I knew immediately that the stock hard leather one would destroy my nethers. With the bike, helmet, seat (at a discount), and bike lock, I ponied up $761, which is around what I expected to pay. So I rode home and around the very hilly park near my house, and I never realized how exhausting riding a bike as an adult is. After about an hour, I went home, soaked in sweat and ready to pass out. I’m sure my endurance will pick up more if I keep with it. Is there a book anyone can recommend for the amateur rider who is doing it for exercise and fun? Reading **The Conqueror Worm** ’s posts upthread, I know I’m doing a few things wrong. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/55 "2011-08-08T15:08:32Z")
Agent: [The Big Book of Bicycling](http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Bicycling-Everything-Buying/dp/1605292826) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/56 "2011-08-08T15:32:49Z")
> [@](#): > > How do you figure? A bike is a lot smaller than a car, for a start. They’re also taller than most cars, though (at least, including the rider). **Agent Foxtrot** , the combination of “hilly park” and “got tired quickly” leads me to suspect that you were in an inappropriate gear. Next outing, go someplace flat, and just practice using the shifters. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/57 "2011-08-08T16:11:54Z")
Generally, what you want to go for is a gear that gives you a rapid pedaling cadence with little force applied to the pedals. You should pedal at a rate and pedal pressure that you feel you can keep up all day. This isn’t always possible on hills, but even there you should try to pedal in the easiest gear and fastest cadence that will still keep you moving. Depending on your fitness level, the gearing of your bike and the steepness of the hill, you may even have to get off and walk your bike up on occasion. Here are links to a couple of excellent sites on cycliing: [http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/skills/index.htm](http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/skills/index.htm) > **[Articles For Beginning Cyclists](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/beginners.html)** > > Articles about bicycles and cycling, including gear shifting, derailer adjustment, chain maintenance,internal geared hubs, Shimano cassettes, fixed gears, using the brakes, bicycle fit, lighting. **Note:** Neither link goes to the site’s home page. I just linked to the pages I did because they have info for beginners. There is lots of other good info to be found throughout both sites though and it would be a good idea to browse through them from time to time to pick up more info as you become more knowledgeable about biking. ---
**Author:** ![JMLVT68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@JMLVT68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JMLVT68)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/58 "2011-08-08T19:26:14Z")
> [@ellis](#): > > All in all, great advice. A couple of amendments… > > If you’re curious about these and other cycling tips, I can’t recommend the late, great, Sheldon Brown enough. [Here](http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html) he is on braking technique. +1 on Sheldon. He’s the man. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/59 "2011-08-08T20:32:32Z")
Reading Sheldon now. I see now I was totally using incorrect gears yesterday. **JohnT** , I wish I had known about that book before buying my bike. Oh well. At least I’ll know how to adjust it properly for me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608/60 "2011-08-08T21:00:43Z")
By the way, Sheldon gives a run-down of leather saddles and why he likes them. The Trek 7.2 I bought came with a Bontrager H1 leather saddle which felt uncomfortable in my test ride, so I switched it out for a gel saddle. Did I make a mistake? Should I have tried to break in the stock saddle? I tried to find reviews on the Bontrager H1 saddle, but Google turned up nothing. Advice? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-take-up-bicycling-any-advice/581608.md?page=4)