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Get on your bike son

C

Captain_Nick

Vice Admiral
Admiral
Could there be anything on Earth more hideously emabarassing than a thirty year old man who cannot ride a bicycle? Yes - a forty year old man who cannot ride a bicycle.

Keen to avoid this fate, I have decided this very instant that I will teach myself to ride a bike. Bikes are convenient and an excellent way to get about town without wasting petrol.

Unfortunately there is a problem. I don't know how to ride a bike, so I am not clear how I am to teach myself.

Let those in the same boat as me come forward. I know you are out there; this forum is full of web developer types that stereotypically can't ride bikes (or do sports)

Do not tell me to Wiki this thing, I have already taken in all the theoretical knowledge I need to ride a bike. Instead, regale us with tales of your experience so that we may draw conclusions.

Determined to nail this thing before my thirtieth birthday in a couple of months

CN
 
Find a slightly slanted surface to start from and go for it! It's not that difficult. If you start tipping, turn into it and you'll be back upright in no time.
 
Good luck. I remember the feeling when I first rode a bike. It was exhilarating. I learned when I was younger when everything was so much easier to learn so I don't know how hard it would be for you. It was difficult even for me. My advice is just to not give up. From what I remember, I just tried and tried and on one of those endless attempts, a miracle happened and from then on, I was a bike rider.
 
Tie a broom-stick to the (almost vertical) part that holds the saddle, have a friend hold the part that's sticking up behind your back -so you can hold your balance- for the first couple of meters. Then just pedal all you can (well, maybe not all you can, as your friend has to keep up while jogging besides you).

Do this on some big lawn (as it's a soft place to fall -should you do so),

Eventually you'll find that trying to ride faster than your friend is able to run actually stabilises you -- voilà, you're riding a bike!
 
The story of how I learned to ride a bike is as follows: One time I was four years old and I rode a bike. The end.

Seriously though, if you're worried about accruing enough theoretical knowledge then you're doing it wrong. You've just gotta go out there and feel your way around it, scrape your knees a few times and do it.
 
DeafPoet said:
The story of how I learned to ride a bike is as follows: One time I was four years old and I rode a bike. The end.

Seriously though, if you're worried about accruing enough theoretical knowledge then you're doing it wrong. You've just gotta go out there and feel your way around it, scrape your knees a few times and do it.
Click to expand...

As I said: do it on a lawn! -no scraped knees! :)

ETA: but lots of green stains on the jeans :rommie:
 
trekkiedane said:
DeafPoet said:
The story of how I learned to ride a bike is as follows: One time I was four years old and I rode a bike. The end.

Seriously though, if you're worried about accruing enough theoretical knowledge then you're doing it wrong. You've just gotta go out there and feel your way around it, scrape your knees a few times and do it.
Click to expand...

As I said: do it on a lawn! -no scraped knees! :)
Click to expand...

No sense of jeopardy either. You'd be surprised what kind of motivation pavement can provide to get it right! ;)
 
DeafPoet said:
Seriously though, if you're worried about accruing enough theoretical knowledge then you're doing it wrong. You've just gotta go out there and feel your way around it, scrape your knees a few times and do it.
Click to expand...

I'm aware of that. The theoretical knowledge will be the difference between competence and virtuosity.
 
Get on a bike, start pedaling, and have a buddy video the whole thing. Post it here tomorrow and we'll give you tips.
 
Kestra said:
Get on a bike, start pedaling, and have a buddy video the whole thing. Post it here tomorrow and we'll give you tips.
Click to expand...

This is a great idea. I often video myself when I am learning something new so I can refine my technique etc. It would be most handy if you chaps could offer some pointers.

(plus I daresay you will get a laugh watching my first few attempts)
 
What type of bike do you plan on riding? There are two main types, mountain and road. I started off on road bikes, but around the age of 17, brought my first mountain bike. They are much easier to ride, as you don't have to lean over as much.

I do need to get back on my bike and ride more before I visit Melbourne later in the year.
 
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