Cyclists Society

Hello, relatively new to cycling here. Got myself an old mountain bike so i've been trying to make some use of it. Just wondering if anyone on this thread has any advice for a beginner such as a routine to abide or anything important I will make the mistake of missing? Any help is much aprecciated

x

Are there any disused railways-turned-cycle paths near you?

Every stage. So happy Rabottini got that win. 150km solo ride until the final 100 meters. Would have been so cruel if he hadn't won. It looked a brutal stage.

Yea, watched every stage this year. Good finish by Rabbotini yesterday, thought he had lost it

I wear plain white socks, not ankle socks though
Erm, I never see any of my non cyclist mates whilst out training.
I do get the odd ignorant abuse thrown my way whilst on the bike but people are starting to see that cycling is a proper sport since the likes of Mark Cavendish came long

Cycling in built up areas is not only less enjoyable, but also more dangerous and worse exercise as you have to keep stopping and hampering your performance by slowing yourself down for traffic.

Hello, relatively new to cycling here. Got myself an old mountain bike so i've been trying to make some use of it. Just wondering if anyone on this thread has any advice for a beginner such as a routine to abide or anything important I will make the mistake of missing? Any help is much aprecciated

Cycling in built up areas is not only less enjoyable, but also more dangerous and worse exercise as you have to keep stopping and hampering your performance by slowing yourself down for traffic.

Normally I'll look for the quickest way to get out onto some quieter roads. It can be hard to strike the right balance if you don't know the area you're cycling in though - you'll want to avoid really big, busy roads, but at the same time you don't want to be on roads that are poorly maintained. In any case, I'd always favour heading out to somewhere new and risking it being not quite as good as you'd hoped over cycling the same small urban loop over and over. Eventually you'll find a route that suits you.

Such an amazing win for him, could not have deserved it any more.



I ask about socks because I don't know of anyone who uses 'cyclng socks'.
I've never had an issue in the past, and like you I just used my normal white socks. But I was lucky enough to get some Castelli socks from Evans for a quid, and my god they are the best thing I have ever put on my feet! They normally cost £17 though, not a chance in hell Im spending that on one pair of socks

Out of interest, do you live in a rural or urban area?
I get the ignorant abuse thrown occasionally while cycling around Manchester, but everyone back home in Wales is fine! And drivers are so much more patient than they are in Manchester.

Im glad cycling is becoming more popular, it deserves to be.

Is it only me who gets a cheap thrill from cycling in the city?
Constantly being on my toes keeps the adrenaline flowing which always puts a smile on my face!
And I love them silly little races you sometimes get with other roadies at the lights, always good for a laugh!
If you are new to cycling though, I agree with you.

Granted, not everyone is a nutter like I seem to be.
I do prefer cycling in rural area's though

Cycling in built up areas is not only less enjoyable, but also more dangerous and worse exercise as you have to keep stopping and hampering your performance by slowing yourself down for traffic.

Normally I'll look for the quickest way to get out onto some quieter roads. It can be hard to strike the right balance if you don't know the area you're cycling in though - you'll want to avoid really big, busy roads, but at the same time you don't want to be on roads that are poorly maintained. In any case, I'd always favour heading out to somewhere new and risking it being not quite as good as you'd hoped over cycling the same small urban loop over and over. Eventually you'll find a route that suits you.

on roundabouts pull into the middle of your lane, and keep pace so cars don't feel tempted to overtake. Also, the closer you are to the pavement the closer cars tend to overtake - if you make yourself an obstacle then cars change there line, but if your hugging the curb then they whizz straight past without altering there line (and closer to you). Make eye contact with all cars pulling out and always be prepared to have to manouvre/stop. People trying to cross the road are possibly the worst thing, if they haven't seen you then expect them to step out infront of you (because they can't hear you). Basically just be aware of whats going on, if you get run over it's not so bad. As a cyclist you can see everything, there are no blind spots. Also slow is not safe. Slow annoys drivers. Drivers hate slow. Some drivers are peverse, but not many.

on roundabouts pull into the middle of your lane, and keep pace so cars don't feel tempted to overtake. Also, the closer you are to the pavement the closer cars tend to overtake - if you make yourself an obstacle then cars change there line, but if your hugging the curb then they whizz straight past without altering there line (and closer to you). Make eye contact with all cars pulling out and always be prepared to have to manouvre/stop. People trying to cross the road are possibly the worst thing, if they haven't seen you then expect them to step out infront of you (because they can't hear you). Basically just be aware of whats going on, if you get run over it's not so bad. As a cyclist you can see everything, there are no blind spots. Also slow is not safe. Slow annoys drivers. Drivers hate slow. Some drivers are peverse, but not many.