Wanna Try Cycling?
A lot of my time and effort on the road and in this ether thing has been to encourage and assist people starting up in road cycling.
My role for 4 years in the Lotus Club and for three years before that with the Granfondo organizers was training and leading riders in their baby steps. Frankly I sometimes wonder why, but when asked I always seem to step up.
First thing is that it is really and truly good for your body. Second is it can be a lot of fun. It is more fun in a small group of friends. I have made a few friends this way.
There are downsides. It can be a bit dangerous. That said far more motorcyclists are injured and killed every year than those who pedal. Statistics show that for every motorcycle there are almost 5 bicycles on the road. I have been hurt in accidents, and am still in recovery from my last one. I still want to ride and I will. I have done over 73,000 km of “serious” riding over the last 20 ish years.
OK the good things. Fitness just happens and it is actually pointy end level. The short term goals of riding a particular route or booking a target weekly distance lead to fairly impressive gains in cardio and strength. You will exceed all those “recommended” activity levels the governments issue from time to time. You learn things about yourself specifically what hard and difficult actually mean. One thing will come to realize that 30 km is a short ride and it does not get long until you are well past 80km. It will let you live longer and better. I am far from a highly motivated athlete, cuz I know some, but I still manage to do things that impress non-riders. If I can do it any potato can do it.
Less good but not really bad things are it can be expensive. Today it could take $2000 bucks to get on the road with good new entry level (aluminum) equipment. It can be cheaper if you get advice and help with used equipment. Clothes are also an investment, and you have to get used to spandex and all that. Computers and trainers and the technical accessories will add up. My full set of gear cost me roughly $5000 bucks but that was over a few years.
Unlike skiing you do not need to buy lift tickets and travel to distant places to do the thing. You just go out the front door.
This is the ideal time of year to take the plunge. Buy a basic bike and a turbo trainer from the classifieds and get sweating. By Spring you will be ready for the road. All bike shops can help you find a beginner group to go out with.
The most important thing to learn from groups is routes. The cycling tribe knows where to go. Most cities have set out routes for bikes though I often avoid the commuter routes as there are so many traffic lights. In groups you also learn the simple mechanics of how to ride in close proximity to others safely. There are simple principles and rules of thumb. Learn and be safe.
Less group dependent are skills like changing flats, keeping the bike clean and lubricated and keeping things tight and adjusted. There are classes for this in most places and of course on line.
I did this on my own at the start. I knew SFA. That experience educated me to what everyone needs to get to the place I got to. I remember the path and the mistakes.
As the marketing people from Nike said, “JUST DO IT.”