Beginner cycling - advice?

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  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    One of my next (road bike) goals is to ride up Sherman Pass from Kettle Falls. I've already done it from Republic, but that side is easier.
  • PDKL45
    PDKL45 Posts: 11 Member
    In terms of goals, I only really meant distance ridden. Something like getting used to 25 miles (40 kms), before getting out for a 45 mile (about 70 kms) ride or two, to work up to a metric century, 100 kms, or about 60 miles. I got huge encouragement from reaching goals like that a few years ago, when I went back to riding after some time off the bike due to illness and injury and got really serious about it. It was then that I sort of regretted that I hadn't set the same goals for myself earlier on, when I first started to cycle seriously for fitness as an adult, over a decade ago now.

    Still, having fun is a major thing, and it's the reason I ride bicycles. I just can't enjoy jogging or running, but I genuinely enjoy cycling, even when I'm really exerting myself, like I would while jogging. So I guess distance, or time, goals are not really as important as just getting out there and being active.
  • basilandbalm
    basilandbalm Posts: 15 Member
    That’s a helpful perspective. Will definitely give some thought to it. Being intentional about progressing certainly doesn’t exclude fun, and I’d love to think in 3 months I’ll be noticeably better at this
  • ookoolady
    ookoolady Posts: 16 Member
    Don't forget to carry a spare tube or patch kit, air pump or CO2 pump, and know how to fix a flat!
  • PDKL45
    PDKL45 Posts: 11 Member
    The above is really good advice. Fixing a flat is really easy and all of the things you need for it are cheap and available at any bike shop. I also carry a couple of multitools (1 bike specific, the other a leatherman) for basic repairs and tightening loose bolts etc.

    One thing I never leave home without these days is my wallet. I once rode 40kms to the other side of the city on Seoul's fantastic bike path network and broke the freehub (the bit that holds your cassette of cogs on the back wheel), so my pedals were spinning uselessly. I only had water bottles that I refilled at public water fountains on the path and no money, so I walked 40 kms (25 miles) home, pushing my bike all the way. I had my phone, but was new to the city in a new job, so all sources of potential help were a few hundred kms away. It wasn't too bad, I got plenty of exercise that day at least, but I've never left my wallet at home again.
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    PDKL45 wrote: »
    The above is really good advice. Fixing a flat is really easy and all of the things you need for it are cheap and available at any bike shop. I also carry a couple of multitools (1 bike specific, the other a leatherman) for basic repairs and tightening loose bolts etc.

    One thing I never leave home without these days is my wallet. I once rode 40kms to the other side of the city on Seoul's fantastic bike path network and broke the freehub (the bit that holds your cassette of cogs on the back wheel), so my pedals were spinning uselessly. I only had water bottles that I refilled at public water fountains on the path and no money, so I walked 40 kms (25 miles) home, pushing my bike all the way. I had my phone, but was new to the city in a new job, so all sources of potential help were a few hundred kms away. It wasn't too bad, I got plenty of exercise that day at least, but I've never left my wallet at home again.

    I have credit card and driver's license in the sleeve on the back of my phone at all times, just in case. I don't carry cash. But definitely spare tube, patches, pump, multitool, pair of latex gloves for when it's going to be too messy of a repair, headlight and rear red lights.

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