# Riding A Bike Is HARD!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [December 22, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130 "2010-12-22T22:53:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/1 "2010-12-22T22:53:03Z")
So, in the midst of moving/not moving across the country, I sold my car because I didn’t want to have to haul it. Now I find myself not moving, and now carless. Which really doesn’t bother me all that much in the winter, because it’s warm here and there’s a perfectly serviceable bus system in this city. So I’ve been walking, riding the bus, and now… a bike. I bought a bike.
But then, I rode it. And… ow, my thighs! Gasp, gasp! Holy shit, I must be supremely out of shape, even though I’m not (that) overweight. I could lose 20 pounds, sure, but to look at me, you wouldn’t think “fatty”.
Who knew that riding a bike was so taxing?? I used to ride bikes all the time when I was a kid. Even though I haven’t ridden one in 15 years, I still remember how, no problem. I just didn’t realize that I’d be dying after a couple of blocks. Gasp!
How do you do this, just ride a little bit every day until you get into shape?
Gasp!
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### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/2 "2010-12-22T23:00:21Z")
I used to ride century rides when I was in my 30’s (100 miles).
After not riding for years, I recently bought a bike at a store less than 1 mile away. I rode it home, all on flat roads and my legs were aching by the time I got home.
Then I did the “Day 1: do a short ride. Each subsequent day, ride just a little bit farther” routine. Within about 3 months, I was up to riding 15 miles in the hills.
It really does come back to you, just start out slow and add a little bit each day (or each ride).
Enjoy,
J.
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### Author:  [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/3 "2010-12-22T23:02:30Z")
Yes, just ride it regularly, you’ll get fitter. Also it’s pretty important that you have it set up properly. Many casual riders tend to have the seat too low and fail to keep the tyres inflated properly, both of which make riding more difficult. What kind of bike did you get? Spending $1000 on a reasonable bike instead of $200 on a crap one makes a big difference as well.
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/4 "2010-12-22T23:06:27Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#):
>
> What kind of bike did you get?
I didn’t research it or anything- I just bought someone’s bike that they were looking to get out of their garage. It’s a 26-inch Nishiki mountain bike. I’m 5’4 but with long legs, and the seat is, as far as I can tell, all the way up. I still feel like I’m having to bend them (my legs) too much, but what do I know?
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/5 "2010-12-22T23:08:17Z")
So you’re not going to die? 😃
It a takes the human body about eight weeks to adapt to a new demand.
Stick with it and it will happen.
ETA:When you’re sitting on the bike, your knee should be at a slight bend with the pedal at the bottom of the stroke. Ball of the foot on the pedal.
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/6 "2010-12-22T23:09:36Z")
> [@runner pat](#):
>
> So you’re not going to die? 😃
No, I might still die. Have YOU ridden a bike on the street in Tucson lately?? Let’s just go ahead and assume that death is always just around the corner for me at any time, okay?:smack:
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/7 "2010-12-22T23:11:13Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#):
>
> No, I might still die. Have YOU ridden a bike on the street in Tucson lately?? Let’s just go ahead and assume that death is always just around the corner for me at any time, okay?:smack:
I know all about being hit and almost dying. 😉
It doesn’t happen as often as you might think.
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### Author:  [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/8 "2010-12-22T23:14:35Z")
Third on the making sure the bike is set up properly, as per **runner pat’s** instructions. If you aren’t getting enough of an extension on the legs on the downstroke, your quads will be engaged for the whole pedal stroke, which tires them out really fast.
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/9 "2010-12-22T23:17:52Z")
Ah- I just checked, and the seat was not all the way up, so I raised it until my leg was slightly bent with the ball of my foot on the pedal. Tomorrow, when I go out again, I will see if it makes a difference. Thanks!
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### Author:  [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/10 "2010-12-22T23:26:30Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#):
>
> How do you do this, just ride a little bit every day until you get into shape?
>
> Gasp!
Yep
- talk to someone knowledgeable about the fit, and, if it has mountain bike tires and you’re only going to be on the road, consider changing them to a 1-1.25’’ slick that can be run up to a pressure of 80 or 90 PSI, they’ll roll _much_ easier.
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/11 "2010-12-22T23:30:20Z")
> [@outlierrn](#):
>
> - talk to someone knowledgeable about the fit, and, if it has mountain bike tires and you’re only going to be on the road, consider changing them to a 1-1.25’’ slick that can be run up to a pressure of 80 or 90 PSI, they’ll roll _much_ easier.
Would that be expensive? I’m probably not going to be spending a lot of money on this bike, because the purpose of using it and not a car for now is to save money, but if it’s not too much and it’d make it a lot easier, then I would do it. I’m pretty much always going to stay in the neighborhood with it.
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### Author:  [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/12 "2010-12-22T23:30:48Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#):
>
> Ah- I just checked, and the seat was not all the way up, so I raised it until my leg was slightly bent with the ball of my foot on the pedal. Tomorrow, when I go out again, I will see if it makes a difference. Thanks!
When your leg is slightly bent and the ball of your foot is on the pedal, your foot should also be parallel with the ground - i.e. your toe should not be pointed.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/13 "2010-12-22T23:33:03Z")
Although you can go higher, 20-30 each will get you a good balance of quality at a reasonable price. Get a patch kit and make the change yourself. The most likely on the road repair is fixing a flat. Learn to do it at home so you can do it out there.
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### Author:  [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/14 "2010-12-22T23:53:45Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#):
>
> Ah- I just checked, and the seat was not all the way up, so I raised it until my leg was slightly bent with the ball of my foot on the pedal. Tomorrow, when I go out again, I will see if it makes a difference. Thanks!
There are a couple of ways to set the seat height. One is to put your _heel_ on the pedal, put the pedal to the bottom of its stroke and check that your leg is _straight_ with no drop in your hip. Once you put the ball on the pedal your leg will have a bend. It’s just a starting point though, adjust as required.
Be careful not to put the seat itself too high. There should be markings on the post that show the limit of how high it can go. If you set it higher than this you’ll lose strength and rigidity where the seat post meets the bike frame which may cause it to fail at some stage.
If you haven’t already done so, taking the bike to a shop and getting them to service it is a good idea. Poorly lubed and setup chain/gears etc can soak up a lot of your efforts and if you want to use the bike to go places you really need it to be running as well as it can. A service and new tyres will cost a few bucks but it’s well worth it.
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/15 "2010-12-22T23:56:28Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#):
>
> If you haven’t already done so, taking the bike to a shop and getting them to service it is a good idea. Poorly lubed and setup chain/gears etc can soak up a lot of your efforts and if you want to use the bike to go places you really need it to be running as well as it can. A service and new tyres will cost a few bucks but it’s well worth it.
You’re right- I will do that, and think of it as my Christmas present to myself, and to my thighs.
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### Author:  [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/16 "2010-12-22T23:59:24Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#):
>
> No, I might still die. Have YOU ridden a bike on the street in Tucson lately?? Let’s just go ahead and assume that death is always just around the corner for me at any time, okay?:smack:
An Appointment In Tucson.
> [@runner pat](#):
>
> It doesn’t happen as often as you might think.
Once is sufficient.
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### Author:  [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)
#### Post date: [December 23, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/17 "2010-12-23T00:01:07Z")
Hee! Yeah, you’re out of shape. Has little to do with having a few extra pounds - I’ve been crashingly out of shape before, and my weight has been within 15 lbs of the same number since I was like 13.
Keep riding every day and you’ll be going for miles like it’s nothing.
I ride on sidewalks unless I’m in an area with lots of foot traffic (are there sidewalks where you are? I hope so). I’ve known too many people who’ve been hit by cars riding on the road - although happily none of them died or had injuries more serious than a couple broken arms.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [December 23, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/18 "2010-12-23T00:04:52Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#):
>
> Once is sufficient.
Yeah, I know. I’m kind of an expert in that area. 😃
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### Author:  [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)
#### Post date: [December 23, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/19 "2010-12-23T00:05:49Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#):
>
> A service and new tyres will cost a few bucks but it’s well worth it.
And if you spell them “tyres” you’re allowed to ride only in the UK. . .
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [December 23, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riding-a-bike-is-hard/565130/20 "2010-12-23T00:09:24Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#):
>
> I ride on sidewalks unless I’m in an area with lots of foot traffic (are there sidewalks where you are? I hope so). I’ve known too many people who’ve been hit by cars riding on the road - although happily none of them died or had injuries more serious than a couple broken arms.
Tucson has tons of bike lanes, but yeah, I’m very afraid to ride on the main roads even in them, which is why I’ll be sticking to my neighborhood streets. Maybe one day when I’m expert, I’ll be brave enough. As for riding on the sidewalks, there’s a reason they don’t call them “siderides”, you know…😛
It was very surprising to see just how physically taxing riding a bike is. You see tons of people in this city riding bikes- fat people, BOBs (bums on bikes), kids- you see every single type of person there is riding a bike here. I thought, “easy peasy”- hmm, guess not.
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