New to Cycling.. few tips?

Steroo

Hi All,
I cycle a bit but not too much... max 50 Miles a week at the moment. So I'm looking to step it up a bit.
I'm usually on the Athletics forum but I've crossed over for a while & need some advice please. Injury has me off running.. for a few months anyway.
I would like to find a group that go out on Weekend Cycles (Sat or Sun morning), to get me out of bed & keep me out of the pub & keep up the fitness!
I cycle to work some days & head up Howth Head when I can. I'm looking for a (casual ish) event in the coming weeks to get me motivated.. 100K cycle or something like that. Any ideas?

The only thing is I have a Giant Rapid (Hybrid) & not a Racer.. does this matter to a Group/Club? So I'm not looking to the serious end of the sport.. but I do want to get a good workout. Based in Baldoyle area.
Thanks

Dermot Illogical

Steroo wrote: »

Hi All,

The only thing is I have a Giant Rapid (Hybrid) & not a Racer.. does this matter to a Group/Club? So I'm not looking to the serious end of the sport.. but I do want to get a good workout. Based in Baldoyle area.
Thanks

The hybrid isn't ideal for group/club riding as it doesn't play nice with drop bars. The potential is there for getting caught up in them and causing a crash.

That said, many of the beginner groups out there don't seem to have a problem with people on hybrids joining their spins. I regularly see groups including flat bar bikes out your way on the weekends. I think, although I may be wrong, they might be from the new club that's started in Clontarf.

Steroo

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

The hybrid isn't ideal for group/club riding as it doesn't play nice with drop bars. The potential is there for getting caught up in them and causing a crash.

That said, many of the beginner groups out there don't seem to have a problem with people on hybrids joining their spins. I regularly see groups including flat bar bikes out your way on the weekends. I think, although I may be wrong, they might be from the new club that's started in Clontarf.

Great info Dermot thanks.. that would never have occured to me about the handlebars.
I've now contacted the Clontarf Group... thanks a mil ;-) sounds ideal

seamus

The flat bars will be OK in a beginners' group as you're not going to ride in a tight formation anyway. But if you're a bit fitter than the rest from your running, you might find yourself in a more advanced group more quickly where your bars will hold you back.

Steroo

seamus wrote: »

The flat bars will be OK in a beginners' group as you're not going to ride in a tight formation anyway. But if you're a bit fitter than the rest from your running, you might find yourself in a more advanced group more quickly where your bars will hold you back.

That makes sense Seamus thanks. Yes I suppose I don't want to be going too slow with a beginner group either.

So what are my options.. I only ever used a racer a few times & found my back ached.. is this poor form or something you just get used to? or maybe it was set up wrong?

Is a Hybrid Conversion to Racing Bars a Viable option?

MajesticDonkey

A good event to train for in a few weeks' time would be the Sean Kelly Tour 100km.