Too old to ride a bike?

pavingnewpaths
pavingnewpaths Posts: 367 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I owned a bike with training wheels when I was about nine years old. Lost the bike. Stopped riding completely.

My brother owns a bike and constantly mocks me for not knowing how to ride one. I WANT to learn because I personally think it's a really great exercise that I wouldn't get sick of. I'm 21 years old...can I teach myself? I mean, I KNOW that there's no one who would be able to help me learn, but teaching myself seems a tad bit absurd and..ehem..fairly humiliating.
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Replies

  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    First...riding a bike is awesome!

    Can you teach yourself? Sure.
    Youtube videos, take your time.
  • hauer01
    hauer01 Posts: 516 Member
    Absolutely you can teach yourself and are not too old to learn how to ride a bike. Take your time, don't get discouraged and you will do it.

    Riding a bike a great fun and very functional. I ride my bike to the grocery store (with my backpack) at least once a week to pick up a few items.

    Good Luck! You can do this!
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    I thought you were going to be like 80, or something.


    Get on the damn bike.
  • pavingnewpaths
    pavingnewpaths Posts: 367 Member
    I really do want to attempt. I'm going to save up so I can purchase a fairly sturdy bike. We've got a nature trail about a mile away from here. Gah, I just hope I don't hurt myself (very accident prone) :tongue:

    But thanks guys, I'll give it a try I suppose :)
  • pavingnewpaths
    pavingnewpaths Posts: 367 Member
    I thought you were going to be like 80, or something.


    Get on the damn bike.

    Hey! Where I live all the bike riders that are my age ride at full speed, in biker get up and are total bike experts. I have the right to feel intimidated!

    But yes, I agree. I'll go for it...but if I die it will be your fault.
  • nygirl777
    nygirl777 Posts: 35
    I was just talking with my daughter last night about how i want to get a bike and ride with her. Get the bike definately!!!
  • Linkedkube
    Linkedkube Posts: 53
    Never too old to start riding a bike. I remember reading an article somewhere a few years back. People that didn't ride a bike as a child were more likely to be accident prone growing up. Start now, have fun. I'm cheering for you.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    I thought you were going to be like 80, or something.


    Get on the damn bike.

    Hey! Where I live all the bike riders that are my age ride at full speed, in biker get up and are total bike experts. I have the right to feel intimidated!

    But yes, I agree. I'll go for it...but if I die it will be your fault.

    Well, feel free to haunt me from 9am-12pm. (But make an appointment outside of that.)

    I think you'll find that riding a bike will come naturally as you gain the confidence to go faster. Faster = more stability.
  • Witchmoo
    Witchmoo Posts: 261 Member
    Go on, be a devil, what's the worse that can happen......got every faith you'll nail it!
  • thekarens
    thekarens Posts: 254 Member
    You can do it! I had one son that didn't learn until his teen years. Might take a bit longer to learn, but I bet you find once you get the hang of it you'll love it and it will come naturally. I also agree that faster equals greater stability.
  • Bobby_Clerici
    Bobby_Clerici Posts: 1,828 Member
    Bike riding is like sex.
    It's not hard to master, but you may fumble around a bit at first.
    Just get out and do it. You'll be fine and riding high before long in a day or so.
    Fear NOT!
    Even Don Juan was a novice his first time out.
    Good Luck!
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    I would suggest getting a bike with an internally geared hug, or a single speed. That way, when starting out, you don't have to worry about changing gears properly or maintenance as much.

    The most intimidating thing about learning to ride a bike is the gears. You can't change while standing still, and it's sloppy unless you do it just right (or you spend an obscene amount of money on your bike).

    Single speed bikes are less expensive than any other bike too. Internally geared bikes are essentially maintenance free (in terms of the drive train) and can be shifted anywhere, any time. Even when pedalling backwards!

    Hit up your local bike shop and talk to the guys there. They'll be able to steer you in the right direction.

    If they start telling you, you need a road bike with skinny tires, and drop bars, and a million gears, just leave and find someone else to talk to. What you need is simplicity. If you want a road bike later, get one then, not now.
  • Crazyjoe11
    Crazyjoe11 Posts: 83
    Never too late but wear a bag on your head :-)
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Bike riding is like sex.
    It's not hard to master, but you may fumble around a bit at first.
    Just get out and do it. You'll be fine and riding high before long in a day or so.
    Fear NOT!
    Even Don Juan was a novice his first time out.
    Good Luck!

    ....and wear protection
  • caroleslaststand
    caroleslaststand Posts: 176 Member
    too old? I'm 59 and the first thing I wanted to do after getting rid of the abdominal roll that prevented me from even fitting behind the handlebars?? - ride a bike!!!! My 58 yo SO rides a bike every day and he's disabled with psoriatic arthritis that makes walking difficult, but he can ride all over the place on his bike. As an adult, you can catch on as quickly as a kid - go for it and don't let anyone or anything stop you.
  • GarryGadget
    GarryGadget Posts: 7
    Do it! Cycling is great.

    If you've never pedalled (or not recently) and can't get into a gym to get used to pedalling on a stationary machine first, you could try just sitting on a bike with the saddle nice and low so you can use both feet on the ground to scoot yourself along without even pedalling. This'll let you get used to braking and steering without having to focus too hard on pedalling and balancing.

    If you're a bit nervous, just get used to braking and steering before, pedalling. You could also find somewhere with plenty of space (and nothing to have to try to avoid), like an open field, to practice.

    When you're happy with the sterring and braking part, the rest should feel less daunting as you'll know you can stop or change direction whenever you need to.

    Best of luck!
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    Give it a try, you'll catch on in no time!
  • _Mimi_
    _Mimi_ Posts: 233
    Never too old! Maybe try a stationary bike first. Most gyms allow you to do a test visit before purchasing. Spend your time on the bike. Not exactly the same, but will help show you how to balance correctly.

    If there is a bike shop nearby, definitely talk to them. Explain to them you never learned to ride. I'm betting they will be more than happy to help you out!

    Have fun!!! Can't wait to hear how much you love riding!!
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    never ever too old to learn to ride a bike, swim, boat, any of it! Just remember, small corrections. Small corrections. Good luck!
  • JBHawaii
    JBHawaii Posts: 94
    Please please please post a video of yr first attempt!
  • jennt_22
    jennt_22 Posts: 155 Member
    You are not too old at all!!!! One of my sorority sisters just learned and she is 20! I truly believe you can learn to ride a bike at any age. I strongly encourage you to teach yourself! It is not only a great cardio workout but also a lot of fun once you get better at it! Don't forget to wear a helmet.... I know some (especially older people) think they are 'too cool' or whatnot but safety first! I'd rather look a little silly in a helmet then have a smashed head on the ground if something bad were to happen.... just sayin.

    But seriously get out there and LEARN!!! You will be SO glad you did!!! :)
  • GdeVries
    GdeVries Posts: 232 Member
    I thought you were going to be like 80, or something.


    Get on the damn bike.

    If you've ridden before, it should be a piece of cake.

    As they say, it's like riding a bike, you'll never forget.

    Go for it, it's great fun!
  • JamieAlexandraX
    JamieAlexandraX Posts: 58 Member
    Your never to old to learn to ride a bike.
    As someone has already suggested try youtube. Would love to hear how you progress.
    Good luck!
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    You're NEVER too old to learn anything!!

    There is noone you could ask to teach you? Or are you just embarressed? Don't be. If a friend or family member came to me asking that i would help them. There are plenty of ppl in this world who learn things later in life because of one reason or another.

    If not, teach yourself! I imagine as an adult with longer legs it's much easier now to keep balance anyways.
  • StrongerNC
    StrongerNC Posts: 13
    Don't feel bad, I posted about this just a few days ago and was pleasantly suprised by how many other people were in the same position. I'm currenlty trying to learn with the help of some friends...it's not going great, but I'm determined!!! You can do it!!!
  • TrishaGuy
    TrishaGuy Posts: 63
    you can teach yourself to ride a bike....I am 53 years old and had not been on a bike since I was like 14 or 15. My husband bought me one a month ago and I am riding 10-15 MPH atleast 5-10 miles everyday. I LOVE IT...it is great exercise and calorie burn and it is so much fun :) JUST DO IT!!!!!! You will be so glad you did :)
  • tubaman58
    tubaman58 Posts: 151
    Borrow a cruiser.... big tires, one gear and give it a try
    Keep it simple.... :)
  • bsix3
    bsix3 Posts: 291
    yes, you can do it! I just got into cycling about 6 months ago and I'm addicted.
  • bethgames
    bethgames Posts: 534 Member
    Bike riding is like sex.
    It's not hard to master, but you may fumble around a bit at first.
    Just get out and do it. You'll be fine and riding high before long in a day or so.
    Fear NOT!
    Even Don Juan was a novice his first time out.
    Good Luck!

    Wow, hate to disagree with you Bobby....but bike riding is not quite like sex. It is definitely hard to master. Most men are still fumbling around well into their dotage......those that have mastered it are well kept secrets (we women do not brag about those ones, as we want to keep them). :blushing: :blushing:
  • jcpmoore
    jcpmoore Posts: 796 Member
    You're never too old. If JB Fletcher can ride a bike, then so can you. If you don't know who that is, then you are definitely not too old. ;)

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