Learning to cycle as an adult

Snapper1

(no, not Denis Menchov related!)

I was just wondering has anyone had any experience in teaching an adult/being taught as an adult?

My gf's father had eyesight problems when he was younger and couldn't learn then, but now he's shown an interest.

Also, anybody got opinions on how long it would take to teach him? My guess would be it may only require a few hours, but it's a hard one to call

72hundred

There was an FT article that I posted up here a while ago. I'll see if I can find it...

Auvers

http://www.bikecare.co.uk/adult_stabilisers.html

72hundred

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055556642

lukester

Some tips here

Auvers wrote: »

http://www.bikecare.co.uk/adult_stabilisers.html

:rolleyes:

petethedrummer

Snapper1 wrote: »

Also, anybody got opinions on how long it would take to teach him? My guess would be it may only require a few hours, but it's a hard one to call

A few hours, thats what I remember it taking as a kid, if even.

It would depend of course on his current eyesight, his willingness to take the plunge at new things and if he's a persistent type. Don't bother with stabilisers, practise in a park or large lawn.

leeroybrown

For an adult, I wouldn't bother with stabilisers. They're pretty pointless items in my opinion and will just slow down learning and make the user dependent on them. Unless it's a small child who isn't physically strong enough to safely stop the falling bike they're far better off without them.

Auvers

lukester wrote: »

:rolleyes:

lukester

leeroybrown wrote: »

For an adult, I wouldn't bother with stabilisers.

The stabilisers recommendation was obviously a pisstake.

Micamaca

Hmmm not so easy for an adult...not for my husband anyway. I tried to get him cycling last year and boy, did he have problems staying upright. We had no stabilisers but maybe I'll get some.

My point is, it must be more difficult for an adult as kids do not have the fear factor...not much fear of falling off, no fear of looking silly etc.

Having said that cycling is a lovely hobby and means of transport (in safe places) and well worth the effort.

@Lukester...not so sure it was a pisstake to recommend stablisers...it is much scarier as an adult...well for some adults anyway. Stabilisers might help overcome that.

leeroybrown

Micamaca wrote: »

Hmmm not so easy for an adult...not for my husband anyway. I tried to get him cycling last year and boy, did he have problems staying upright. We had no stabilisers but maybe I'll get some.

I'd well believe it. Some adults can be extraordinarily irrational about simple things. I've come across occasional cyclists who kept their saddle dangerously low because they didn't feel safe with it any higher.

That said he'll still be cycling far sooner if he learns without stabilisers.

petethedrummer

Just a general comment. People should stop relying on this 'easier for a kid' excuse. You're stronger, wiser and more persistent as an adult.

rflynnr

I'm currently teaching my five year old to ride without stabilizers, and I'd guess that the method I'm using will work as well, if not better, with an adult. The standard way to learn when I was a kid was for an adult to hold onto to you as you started off then as you gathered speed they imply let go and let fate take a hand. More often than not this lead to

a) one shagged out adult
b) one scarred (and sometimes disillusioned) child

BUT there is another way...

Step 1: Remove the pedals from the bike.
Step 2: Drop the saddle to a point where the learner can comfortably place both feet on the ground. (This doesn't necessarily mean that the entirety of both feet must be able to rest on the ground at the same time but the saddle should be low enough to allow the learner to easily support the bike whilst sitting in the saddle.)
Step 3: For starters at least, find some flat, quiet location where you have at least 30 metres of space before you have to turn.
Step 4: The learner, whilst sitting in the saddle, is encouraged to "walk" the bike along, i.e. pulling themselves along with their feet. As they gain in confidence they should find that they're leaving their feet off the ground for longer and longer intervals.
Step 5: Once they've reached a stage where they can lift their feet for distances of 10 feet or more, put the pedals back on the bike and allow them to apply the balance they've acquired sans pedals. It's worth stressing to the learner that - counter-intuitively - the faster they go, the easier it will be to balance. Thus even though, as they set off, they're not moving very fast (which seems safe), they're actually more likely to fall over. (My physics is weak but I believe spinning wheels produce gyroscopic forces which help keep a bike upright: the faster the spin, the stronger the forces.)
Step 6: Return the saddle to a "normal" height.
Step 7: Hey Presto! They're riding.