(Feels like I’ve posted about this before but I can’t find the thread. If I am repeating myself, forgive me for waffling on twice as long as I should have.)
Last year, at a grotesquely advanced age, I finally learned how to ride a bike. It felt damn good, knowing at last how to do something that so many people I knew could do easily. Blame my inherent low self-esteem, incuriousness and a sheltered upbringing for not learning sooner.
Now, while I technically know how to ride a bike, it’s safe to say I’m not that good at it yet. Pre-pandemic I bought this for myself at the recommendation of a friend. For a seasoned cyclist, it’s probably a very good bike: it’s incredibly lightweight and fast. But that’s where the problems come in.
While I can (more or less) cycle in a straight line, I’m nervous about taking corners and, though I’ve been practicing in a local car park, whenever I take a hand off the handlebars to indicate a turn, I begin to veer over to that side. I’m nowhere near confident enough to take to the roads yet, which is my aim.
So, I once again need OTF’s advice. Should I buy a “slower”, sturdier bike or is there a bike you’d recommend for an adult beginner? Secondly, how would you build up the courage to start cycling in traffic?
Last year, at a grotesquely advanced age, I finally learned how to ride a bike. It felt damn good, knowing at last how to do something that so many people I knew could do easily. Blame my inherent low self-esteem, incuriousness and a sheltered upbringing for not learning sooner.
Now, while I technically know how to ride a bike, it’s safe to say I’m not that good at it yet. Pre-pandemic I bought this for myself at the recommendation of a friend. For a seasoned cyclist, it’s probably a very good bike: it’s incredibly lightweight and fast. But that’s where the problems come in.
While I can (more or less) cycle in a straight line, I’m nervous about taking corners and, though I’ve been practicing in a local car park, whenever I take a hand off the handlebars to indicate a turn, I begin to veer over to that side. I’m nowhere near confident enough to take to the roads yet, which is my aim.
So, I once again need OTF’s advice. Should I buy a “slower”, sturdier bike or is there a bike you’d recommend for an adult beginner? Secondly, how would you build up the courage to start cycling in traffic?
Comment