New to Cycling - Advice and tips sought

Carra23

Folks,

I'm in the process of getting a road bike through the cycle to work scheme, should have it by Friday. As the thread states I'm new to cycling so looking for advice. I've been playing soccer and running for years but been forced into cycling due to a severe ankle injury.

I'm just wondering what's a good distance to start with ? I'm 32 and reasonably fit.

Also, I've noticed there is at least one club in my area. Is it advisable to join one?

And when I get settled in after a few cycles I'd like to get competitive. Is there much activity for amateurs to engage in?

Cheers

Raam

Tip #1: spin an easier gear rather than grind a hard one.

FirstinLastout

Get decent shorts that are well padded and comfortable but more importantly shows off your junk nicely!

longfellow deeds

try starting out with 15-20 km and when the brusing on your arse recovers after about 3 /4 days do it again,
remember to bring a spare tube and before ye know it you'll be doin' the Ras...

Carra23

Raam wrote: »

Tip #1: spin an easier gear rather than grind a hard one.

Nice one, I will keep that in mind

Carra23

longfellow deeds wrote: »

try starting out with 15-20 km and when the brusing on your arse recovers after about 3 /4 days do it again,
remember to bring a spare tube and before ye know it you'll be doin' the Ras...

I was thinking of starting at 30km. I'll be new to cycling longer distances on a road bike but had a hybrid and cycled to work on it for 3 years (6mile round trip so only a short hop) until it was stolen in April.

Would you do 30km in 1.5 hrs or less?

gambeta_fc

Even with a good level of fitness switching to cycling usually engages muscles in a different way for a complete beginner but if you cycled to work you should have a good start and your base fitness will be a big help.

For a first time out 15-20k as mentioned above would be a good effort. If you fancy something longer maybe consider a figure of 8 loop to give you a bit of flexibility, it's hard to judge though as the amount of hill climbs and the wind strength and direction will have a big impact on how tough you find it. Try to keep your route relatively flat to start off but you might find local roads you thought were flat might have deceptive inclines. As you keep at it you'll find yourself seeking out lumpier routes to challenge yourself. Headwind is going to become your main enemy, I find the site below useful and if doing a loop I usually try to take advantage of a tail wind on the return leg.

https://www.windyty.com/

Joining a club is definitely a good call, it'll bring you on loads.

Other than that the best piece of advice I can think of is to make sure you have the bits and pieces to fix a puncture at the side of the road ... failing that a standby vehicle on call to ferry you home!

What bike did you go for?

eeeee

30k will be fine if you have cycled a bit before. Get good shorts, a road bike then join a club. Joining a club will bring you on more than anything else.

Also what Raam said. Spin, spin, spin! Spinning exhausts your cardiovascular system rather than your muscular one, so you can go further and have more 'efforts' - once you recover you can go again and again and again. You can only use your muscular system so many times, then your legs feel fcuked and further efforts are are just hideous. Also your knees will be a lot happier if you spin. It's more complicated than I'm explaining it but that's the gist. Spin to win!

Carra23

gambeta_fc wrote: »

Even with a good level of fitness switching to cycling usually engages muscles in a different way for a complete beginner but if you cycled to work you should have a good start and your base fitness will be a big help.

For a first time out 15-20k as mentioned above would be a good effort. If you fancy something longer maybe consider a figure of 8 loop to give you a bit of flexibility, it's hard to judge though as the amount of hill climbs and the wind strength and direction will have a big impact on how tough you find it. Try to keep your route relatively flat to start off but you might find local roads you thought were flat might have deceptive inclines. As you keep at it you'll find yourself seeking out lumpier routes to challenge yourself. Headwind is going to become your main enemy, I find the site below useful and if doing a loop I usually try to take advantage of a tail wind on the return leg.

https://www.windyty.com/

Joining a club is definitely a good call, it'll bring you on loads.

Other than that the best piece of advice I can think of is to make sure you have the bits and pieces to fix a puncture at the side of the road ... failing that a standby vehicle on call to ferry you home!

What bike did you go for?

Cheers, some good tips there. The bike is a Focus, not sure what model and couldn't describe the system but priced at 899 so I reckon it's a good starter

longfellow deeds

Carra23 wrote: »

I was thinking of starting at 30km. I'll be new to cycling longer distances on a road bike but had a hybrid and cycled to work on it for 3 years (6mile round trip so only a short hop) until it was stolen in April.

Would you do 30km in 1.5 hrs or less?

If you've any level of fitness that should be no problem all depending on the conditions (wind and hills).
Now if you've already done a bit of regular cycling like you say, you'll probably already have a bit of a base you can build on. I always say it's not the distance that's hard, it's the speed.
Add on 10-15 km to your spins each week for 3 or 4 weeks and once you've got up to 50 or 60k go out with the local club, it might take a few weeks to get used to the pace of club spins but each week you'll get stronger, just give yourself time, remember we all started at some stage. You'll get great help and advice from some of these club riders (and some will be no help at all). Beware though, it's addictive !

funnights74

A proper bike fit will help a lot, mainly to avoid any aches and pains that will take the enjoyment out of your cycling. Over time it will allow you to travel greater distances at a faster pace. Ask at the bike shop about this as they may provide a service.

Steve SilverMint

It's well worth getting out with a club, most have beginner or leisure spins to get you started.Loads of sportives going on this time of year I'd try a few of those before looking at getting competitive.

Make sure you download free strava app for your mobile.Its great to sit down after your spin and see how you got on, you can also plan routes before heading out.

JamJamJamJam

I agree with anyone who has suggested joining a club. It's been great in my short experience - makes it fun and social, while also challenging and rewarding.

Learn how to change the tube in your tyres in case of puncture. The internet is your friend here. I find the Global Cycling Network channel on YouTube very helpful. They have heaps of videos about everything you could think of! Of course, you'll have to buy a good pump, tyre levers and a couple spare tubes, which aren't too expensive (the size of the wheel / tubes can be found "embossed" on the tyre - the shop can help you with that).

I'd also say get a good multi-tool - often several allen keys and a screwdriver, sometimes other tools too. I use a Topeak one that was highly rated on the website Wiggle. Have a look there for anything else you might need - reviews are helpful! Alternatively, chain reaction cycles has good next-day delivery to Ireland. It's not a cheap hobby, but it's a good one! So some other things you might want to consider AT SOME POINT (would be a bit of a hit to buy all right now!) -
Gloves
Glasses (your windscreen)
A decent pair of padded shorts or bib shorts (they're snugly, even though they're ugly!!)
A jersey - doesn't have to be fancy, and don't buy team kit, eww :-P
A rain jacket you can fold up and put in the jersey pocket
A track pump (quick to use, keeps your tyres topped up if you're cycling regularly, and allows you to see the pressure)
A saddle bag if you like the look (very handy)
A decent front and back light (mine are USB rechargeable - handy if you can find similar)

From time to time (varies from person to person), you'll want to clean your bike - especially the chain. More YouTube videos to watch! I find degreaser can be painted onto the chain with an old brush, then scrub, and wash with lots of water, then run over the chain with a cloth, and it won't be looking too bad. Then you must lube it again.
So degreaser and bike lube (wet lube for wet weather, dry lube if you can get away with it!)

I'm probably forgetting some things, but there's some handy things to think about! Again, NO need to buy them all right this minute, just enjoy yourself!! :-D

Mattie500

1. Get good shorts
2. Know how to change a puncture and have the necessary equipment.
3.. Start with 20 to 30 (butt will be sore but over time that will get better)
4. Get the clothing right, a few cheap things to start with (if you join a club you might end up getting their gear). This time of year....Jersey, rain jacket (light and pack able) Don't go cheap with the shorts though... Someone on here might have some recommendations.
5. Go clip in with the shoes, makes a big difference over time... Be careful at the start though... Get used to clipping out.
6. Get out on the road.... Don't let rain put you off....
7. Get a cycling buddy ( can be a slog on your own) or even better.... Join a club, group cycling is great... You learn a lot and it is more enjoyable... Can still go on your own if you want.
8. Do a couple of sportives, good fun and good as something to aim for.
9. Keep the bike in reasonable nick.... Lubrication especially.
10. When on longer spins..... Keep a bar in the pocket or some money to stop at a garage.
11. Water and hydration is very important.
12. Enjoy it... It become addictive

Carra23

Steve SilverMint wrote: »

It's well worth getting out with a club, most have beginner or leisure spins to get you started.Loads of sportives going on this time of year I'd try a few of those before looking at getting competitive.

Make sure you download free strava app for your mobile.Its great to sit down after your spin and see how you got on, you can also plan routes before heading out.

I've been using mapmyrun which can be set for a cycle. Is strava an app dedicated for recording cycling data?

tegerman

Carra23 wrote: »

I've been using mapmyrun which can be set for a cycle. Is strava an app dedicated for recording cycling data?

Mainly for cycling, but also running. Great tool for monitoring your training volume and progress, and comparing yourself against others. Without it I would have probably given up cycling long ago.

mamax

And whatever you do, don't wear the football shorts over the cycling shorts when out for a ride

WhatsGoingOn2

I'm a newbie to cycling too, bought my first road bike about 3 months ago. I found this to be a very good read and it explains a lot of the terminology commonly used:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ebooks/dp/B0083GNU5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437469074&sr=8-1&keywords=road+cycling

Dades

mamax wrote: »

And whatever you do, don't wear the football shorts over the cycling shorts when out for a ride

I wear a pair of light black shorts over my black LIDL cycling shorts on my commute! I'm still on a hybrid however, and for me there's something not right with the full shorts/jersey/gloves MAMIL look on hybrids. :P

Brian?

Dades wrote: »

I wear a pair of light black shorts over my black LIDL cycling shorts on my commute! I'm still on a hybrid however, and for me there's something not right with the full shorts/jersey/gloves MAMIL look on hybrids. :P

There's something not right with Hybrids.

The Black Oil

I'm getting into cycling as well, since about mid June. As a hobby, not competitively. Last significant cycling was in the scouts and that's going back to the late 90s/2000. Just doing 15-20km twice a week at the moment. A few fellow cyclists have said hello which is nice to see. My current (mountain) bike is about 20 years old. It'll do for now, I'll see about something else later in the year.

Re gear, what do you mean by 'good' shorts? I've some (and tops and gloves) from Aldi. Isn't most of this stuff just plain old polyester anyway, or do you notice a difference in the manufacturing quality with better gear? When I buy hiking stuff I am willing to spend some money where required because it tends to last. Would the same logic apply to cycling?

The remaining questions I have come down to footwear, nutrition and sunglasses. Not much point in shelling out for a prescription pair specifically, is there? My current ones are more so for driving, wouldn't really have the windscreen effect. :cool:

This looks like one of the busiest forums on boards. Is it?

Brian?

The Black Oil wrote: »

I'm getting into cycling as well, since about mid June. As a hobby, not competitively. Last significant cycling was in the scouts and that's going back to the late 90s/2000. Just doing 15-20km twice a week at the moment. A few fellow cyclists have said hello which is nice to see. My current (mountain) bike is about 20 years old. It'll do for now, I'll see about something else later in the year.

Re gear, what do you mean by 'good' shorts? I've some (and tops and gloves) from Aldi. Isn't most of this stuff just plain old polyester anyway, or do you notice a difference in the manufacturing quality with better gear? When I buy hiking stuff I am willing to spend some money where required because it tends to last. Would the same logic apply to cycling?

The remaining questions I have come down to footwear, nutrition and sunglasses. Not much point in shelling out for a prescription pair specifically, is there? My current ones are more so for driving, wouldn't really have the windscreen effect. :cool:

This looks like one of the busiest forums on boards. Is it?

When people talk about good shorts, they generally mean the quality of the padding. The good brands like Rapha, Castelli, Assos etc are far superiour to anything from Lidl or Aldi. Jerseys don't matter as much IMO.

Carra23

WhatsGoingOn2 wrote: »

I'm a newbie to cycling too, bought my first road bike about 3 months ago. I found this to be a very good read and it explains a lot of the terminology commonly used:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ebooks/dp/B0083GNU5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437469074&sr=8-1&keywords=road+cycling

Cheers, I'll check that out. I'm not fussed about how I look when out cycling, maybe that will change as I get more experienced. my brother gave me some padded shorts so they will do to get me going

Jim Stynes

If you are married then get all your cycling stuff posted to your parents house. Also when you buy your first expensive bike, tell her the price of the bike but don't include the price of the wheels as well.

Esroh

Learn all about your gearing. Understanding gear ratio and cross chaining will make life easier in the long run.
Clean your bike regularly and use youtube to learn how to keep things running smoothly

Lyaiera

Brian? wrote: »

There's something not right with Hybrids.

It's all I have.

Brian?

Lyaiera wrote: »

It's all I have.

May god have mercy on your soul.....

Get yourself a road bike

buffalo

Ignore everything the RSA say about cycling. Maybe even do the opposite?

Redderneck

Jim Stynes wrote: »

If you are married then get all your cycling stuff posted to your parents house. Also when you buy your first expensive bike, tell her the price of the bike but don't include the price of the wheels as well.

Sighs.

WTF do you mean it doesn't come with pedals?

I remember the rest of that conversation well. Lessons learned the hard way stick. I get stuff posted to work. It then lives in the boot of the car for a few weeks to acclimatise to the atmosphere of anxiety, before sneaking into the garage on a day close to month-end when there's so much stress going on for her you may as well lob in the handgrenade as well.

Wang King

Will ask here, sorry for hijacking you OP, but I've been told I should buy a bike 54-56cm frame, but I've been offered a giant Defy 3 free ...but its a 58cm I'm led to believe, would that be too much of a stretch for me and be uncomfortable?

Bloggsie

Carra23 wrote: »

I was thinking of starting at 30km. I'll be new to cycling longer distances on a road bike but had a hybrid and cycled to work on it for 3 years (6mile round trip so only a short hop) until it was stolen in April.

Would you do 30km in 1.5 hrs or less?

morning Carra23, my commute is just under 30 km(28.9) & my normal is around 1hr 10-15 mins, in the last week or two I have started to commute both ways, used to get the train home but I was told I cant put a bike on a commuter till after 7pm so it was kind of forced upon me.

Once you get used to doing 10, 15, 20+ kms on each spin, you will enjoy it more, My tuppence worth, i couldnt agre more in regards to shorts, puncture repairs stuff(practice taking tyres off etc) also carry food & drink, you dont want to get the bonk & have to cycle home with nothing left in your legs, other than that, get out there and enjoy it!

Carra23

Jim Stynes wrote: »

If you are married then get all your cycling stuff posted to your parents house. Also when you buy your first expensive bike, tell her the price of the bike but don't include the price of the wheels as well.

I think the one I'm getting is expensive!!!

triggermortis

One other thing, if you're going to ride in the winter, try and buy winter gear now - lots of sites and shops have sales on, especially while the Tour de France is on. Also, next years bikes will be out soon so good deals can be got on 2015 and 2014 models still in the shops now

Bloggsie

chain reaction have a 50% off sale on clothing at the mo.

Carra23

Picking up my bike today, the admin of the cycle to work scheme took way longer than expected. One quick question before I settle on the extras I've been invoiced for.

I have a digital clock in the pack costing €47 but is that a waste of money in 2015 when we have the apps that are available now? I download Strava and when I was browsing through it it made me think the on-board computer is a waste. Any thoughts on this?

Cheers,

Carra23

Bloggsie

Carra23 wrote: »

Picking up my bike today, the admin of the cycle to work scheme took way longer than expected. One quick question before I settle on the extras I've been invoiced for.

I have a digital clock in the pack costing €47 but is that a waste of money in 2015 when we have the apps that are available now? I download Strava and when I was browsing through it it made me think the on-board computer is a waste. Any thoughts on this?

Cheers,

Carra23

with all due respect Carra23 WTF are ye doing with a digital clock, aps on your mobile are fine to be starting off with, my preference is mapmyride as I had a number of issues with strava but whatever you are happy to go with.

I would recomend getting spares tubes, saddle bag, & levers. rather than trying to patch a tube out on a spin, replace the tube & patch when you get homeOh and get a track pump!

as you get addicted/enthusiastic maybe then go for something a christmas pressie maybe!

Carra23

Bloggsie wrote: »

with all due respect Carra23 WTF are ye doing with a digital clock, aps on your mobile are fine to be starting off with, my preference is mapmyride as I had a number of issues with strava but whatever you are happy to go with.

I would recomend getting spares tubes, saddle bag, & levers. rather than trying to patch a tube out on a spin, replace the tube & patch when you get homeOh and get a track pump!

as you get addicted/enthusiastic maybe then go for something a christmas pressie maybe!

I use mapmyride for running and the small bit of cycling I did on my hybrid before it was stolen but some folks on here suggested Strava or I seen it mentioned anyway.

I've a pump included but chose pedals with toe clips instead of shoes and pedals so I'll drop the clock and get better pedals!

Cheers for the reply!

cdaly_

Carra23 wrote: »

I have a digital clock in the pack costing €47 but is that a waste of money in 2015 when we have the apps that are available now? I download Strava and when I was browsing through it it made me think the on-board computer is a waste. Any thoughts on this?

Depends on whether you plan to be a strava addict or not. I use a gps tracker for serious spins but just the Cateye computer the rest of the time. It's handy just to see how fast you're going, how you're doing compared to your average, all without worrying about battery life or starting up the app every time you get on the bike.