Learning how to ride a bike as an adult...

StrongerNC

I've set a goal to learn how to ride a bike this summer...any tips for a grown woman trying to learn?? Anyone learn as an adult?

relly1008

Bump, i need to learn that too :blushing:

Papillon22

I'd say that you might need someone there with you to help you with balance at first. You can do it!

Roseysue

I unfortunately have no idea how to help you learn to ride a bike but I just started getting into biking this summer and I love it!! I'm a big girl (I have a lot of weight to lose) and I don't care that my backside is drooping over my seat while I'm riding. It's a great workout and gets me outside! So - this is me being encouraging but not helpful. Good luck!

kace406

I, unfortunately, don't have any advice. I think it's mostly about confidence. I remember my parents tricking me into riding without them holding on and when I realized they weren't holding on, I freaked and fell.

That being said, I just wanted to say congrats for learning something new! I took an adult beginner swim class this year. I decided it was time to finally learn and it felt great.

Good luck!

jasond8023

I am in the process of learning as well! I am getting better. Just be kind to yourself and exercise some patience. I am riding around parking lots until I get the hang of it.

poledancing_ninja

I learnt at 16, it's no different then learning as a child

Just get on and pedal like crazy! Maybe get someone who knows what they're doing to keep an eye on you

bjshields

:drinker: Here's how a biker friend of mine told me to teach my kids (worked with 2 out of 3, the first did not really want to learn!): Find a gently sloping grassy hill. Go to the top of the hill on the bike and let gravity take you down. Start out with both feet sticking out, don't try to balance with your feet on the pedals yet. Keep doing that until you really *feel* the balance part of biking. Then you can add the pedaling until you can stay up. Good luck, I LOVE biking!

david081

Go somewhere quiet and flat, preferably short grass and just get on and start pedalling! My youngest did this and took to it straight off. Once moving the centrifugal forces from the spinning wheels will keep you steady. Good luck!

Puddles0308

Sorry! No tips, but i'm happy to see that i'm not alone. I really thought I was!

AZnewme

Sorry, no help either, but super amounts of "cheers!!!" Good for you for trying something new!:drinker:

kumanekochan

My advice is to buy a separate cushion for your bike seat. IF you're not used to riding one, your booty is going to hurt! I rarely rode mine because of that but once I bought one, I rode it more much.

Good luck and please wear a helmet! You may feel like you look silly, but there's a reason they make them!

Owlie45

:drinker: Here's how a biker friend of mine told me to teach my kids (worked with 2 out of 3, the first did not really want to learn!): Find a gently sloping grassy hill. Go to the top of the hill on the bike and let gravity take you down. Start out with both feet sticking out, don't try to balance with your feet on the pedals yet. Keep doing that until you really *feel* the balance part of biking. Then you can add the pedaling until you can stay up. Good luck, I LOVE biking!

Exactly how I learned, works great.

BeantownSooner

YouTube it! Plenty there to teach you but go to a place with a slight decline that's grassy. 1st start by just learning to balance and coast down the hill. Do this until you feel comfortable. Once you do go back up the hill and work on pedaling.

lynheff

Hey fellow "grit"! The only advice I have is " just push off and go". I think most adults would want to take it really slow at first but you have to be going a certain speed for the thing to stay up. That's not really fast but adequate. Before my arthritis got so bad I loved riding the "rails-to-trails", No hills, no dirt roads and no traffic. Good luck.

DanRyan44

IDK if I would start on a hill...
I have taught MANY kids to ride... The secret to teaching someone else to ride is to turn the handlebars back and forth A LOT and keep doing this while you pedal. This helps you balance while pedaling. MOST IMPORTANT... keep trying. DON'T GIVE UP!

I love riding my bike. It makes me feel like a kid.

OH YEAH... WEAR A HELMET!

maggiepz

I just got a bike after not riding for over 30 years and I was very afraid. I ended up getting one of those big cruiser bikes and I'm glad I did because I feel more secure. I did move the handlebars a lot at first but don't stop!

I would have someone walk beside you at first to help balance if you start tipping

louabaker

A great place to learn to ride a bike is your local park baseball field. The dirt infield is easier to ride on than grass and makes for a softer landing should you crash. Good luck!

StrongerNC

It's ok, thanks for the encouragement!

StrongerNC

Good idea...didn't think of a baseball field...

StrongerNC

I am in the process of learning as well! I am getting better. Just be kind to yourself and exercise some patience. I am riding around parking lots until I get the hang of it.

That's awesome!!! Sounds like you are doing great...I still have two friends holding me up as I try to balance and pedal...

myfitnessnmhoy

With A Helmet. Always a helmet. Never without a helmet. Ever.

Now, as to actually learning - first, set your seat low so you can reach the ground with straight legs while seated on the bike. This may mean actually getting a bike that's a little small for you, so see if you can borrow a cheap bike from a friend for this. Look for a "cruiser" (heavy) bike because they are really built for low speeds and uneven terrain, so they are a lot more forgiving.

Start out on grass or a really soft and forgiving surface. Walk the bike (some people actually remove the pedals for this step, but basically you are walking to build up a little speed, then kinda loping along seated on the bike). This gives you a feel for the balance of the bike. Use the brakes gently and get a feel for how those work. The bike should be supporting most of your weight, and your feet should be ready to catch yourself at any time - just like walking but with a bike under you.

Next, try jogging or pushing a little harder. Coast when you can with your feet off the ground. This is increasing your familiarity with the balance of a moving bicycle. Understand that the faster you go, the more gyroscopic forces from the spinning wheels will support you, but you're just familiarizing yourself with the mechanics of sitting on a bike.

Set the gears low. With one foot planted firmly on the ground, push the opposing pedal down gently and coast with your feet ready to catch you. Gently brake to a halt. Repeat this a few times until you are comfortable with starting out.

Next, push the pedal down, put both feet on the pedals, and pedal a few rotations, then put your feet down and brake to a halt.

After a surprisingly short time, it should be comfortable and natural to just launch off and go.

Be patient with yourself. I've helped a few people get started as adults with this technique, and most of them are comfortable riding around in the yard in ten minutes. Other people, particularly those prone to freezing up and panic, take a little longer. Relax - you aren't going to fall if your feet are ready to catch you! I've never had anyone actually fall except once, and she didn't get hurt - just a few grass stains and a good laugh.

Relax. After an hour, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

josiereside

I know how to ride a bike but have not ridden since a kid.. Just bought one last year with gears and haven't a clue how to work them!

sunnymel126

I have no tips for this. But I'm so happy I'm not alone!

StrongerNC

With A Helmet. Always a helmet. Never without a helmet. Ever.

Now, as to actually learning - first, set your seat low so you can reach the ground with straight legs while seated on the bike. This may mean actually getting a bike that's a little small for you, so see if you can borrow a cheap bike from a friend for this. Look for a "cruiser" (heavy) bike because they are really built for low speeds and uneven terrain, so they are a lot more forgiving.

Start out on grass or a really soft and forgiving surface. Walk the bike (some people actually remove the pedals for this step, but basically you are walking to build up a little speed, then kinda loping along seated on the bike). This gives you a feel for the balance of the bike. Use the brakes gently and get a feel for how those work. The bike should be supporting most of your weight, and your feet should be ready to catch yourself at any time - just like walking but with a bike under you.

Next, try jogging or pushing a little harder. Coast when you can with your feet off the ground. This is increasing your familiarity with the balance of a moving bicycle. Understand that the faster you go, the more gyroscopic forces from the spinning wheels will support you, but you're just familiarizing yourself with the mechanics of sitting on a bike.

Set the gears low. With one foot planted firmly on the ground, push the opposing pedal down gently and coast with your feet ready to catch you. Gently brake to a halt. Repeat this a few times until you are comfortable with starting out.

Next, push the pedal down, put both feet on the pedals, and pedal a few rotations, then put your feet down and brake to a halt.

After a surprisingly short time, it should be comfortable and natural to just launch off and go.

Be patient with yourself. I've helped a few people get started as adults with this technique, and most of them are comfortable riding around in the yard in ten minutes. Other people, particularly those prone to freezing up and panic, take a little longer. Relax - you aren't going to fall if your feet are ready to catch you! I've never had anyone actually fall except once, and she didn't get hurt - just a few grass stains and a good laugh.

Relax. After an hour, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

Thanks so much!!! It is encouraging to hear that you have taught other adults...I have found a smaller bike...I tried with a larger bike but was so uncomfortable because my feet could barely touch the ground. All this advice is great!

gc_tweety

Thanks for posting this! I didn't know how many people didn't know how to ride a bike, people act like I'm a freak! No advice but soooooo excited for you!!! Good Luck!!!!

Dragonflybjm63

amazing info for those getting back on their wheels, Thanks

afwg1979

I'm so glad I clicked on this post!

I'll be 58 in September and haven't ridden a bicycle since 1990 (after a bad crash).

I learned how to ride a bike when I was 19 years old. It was scary because I had no sense of balance and I kept forgetting to use the brakes -- I would literally jump off the bike to stop, something my best friend found to be hilariously funny. (I have a crooked pinky as a reminder of this time in my life.)

All of this information shows me that I am not alone and that makes me feel better about finally getting back to bicycling. I especially like the idea of the grassy hill, something I would never have thought to try.

I remember loving the feeling of bicycling on long country roads. Yes! I'm going to do this -- fat *kitten* and all!

StrongerNC

I'm so glad I clicked on this post!

I'll be 58 in September and haven't ridden a bicycle since 1990 (after a bad crash).

I learned how to ride a bike when I was 19 years old. It was scary because I had no sense of balance and I kept forgetting to use the brakes -- I would literally jump off the bike to stop, something my best friend found to be hilariously funny. (I have a crooked pinky as a reminder of this time in my life.)

All of this information shows me that I am not alone and that makes me feel better about finally getting back to bicycling. I especially like the idea of the grassy hill, something I would never have thought to try.

I remember loving the feeling of bicycling on long country roads. Yes! I'm going to do this -- fat *kitten* and all!

I'm just glad to hear I'm not alone too!!! I have NO sense of balance, so my previous attempts have not been great. I also like the grassy hill and the baseball field suggestions...I will definitely try that...I'm mostly afraid of falling....I'm 34 and nervous about falling!!

BrianSharpe

Do you have a cycling club where you live.? Many of them offer adult "learn to ride" programs (a little OT but one of the members of the triathlon club I belong to learned to ride just before participating in a triathlon - he'd used the spinning bikes in the studio but had never ridden a real bike)

MFPBrandy

So - this is me being encouraging but not helpful. Good luck!

:laugh: