Recreational & Family - New to bikes stupid question help please

Hello, I bought my first bike today. I haven't ridden a bike since I was 7 years old and got hit by a car riding one and I'm 25 now. So, needless to say I've pretty much forgotten how to ride a bike. Anyway, I don't seem to have much trouble once I'm actually riding the bike, but getting on and off is really hard! Like, I feel like I'm going to tip over every time. I'm 6'4" and had the bike fitted, but it's a huge bike and I'm far too embarrased to go back to the shop and ask for help. So, I know it's a stupid question, but any tips on how to get on and off?

Read this: http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html

Thank you so much! Just tried it and was MUCH easier :)

Cool. Sheldon Brown's articles are a pretty good way to start learning about bikes. People will argue with his opinions based on their personal preferences but those articles give a nice crash course in how bikes work (old and new), maintenance, and basic riding skills.

If you're 25, you're soon to catch the fever. I started riding again when I was 22 and now I'm nearly car-free at 26.

Yea, I looked through most of them. I've very glad I did too!! I think I have caught the fever because I find myself wanting to just even go ride around the block like every hour, but I'm trying to do what his articles suggest and not go on very long rides right away. I'm in pretty good shape already, but my butt is not use to riding a bike lol. Since, I kinda started talking about my body getting use to riding a bike...my male parts seem to feel tingly after a ride. Is this something that like my butt will get use to it? Or, do I need to go have my seat adjusted or something? I did the little "show me what hurts" off that same website and it says adjust the seat upwards if it hurts, but it doesn't hurt...just tingly.

Generally your saddle should be level when viewed from the side.
There are lots of threads about "tingly parts" in the Road Cycling and General Cycling forums. Many of the threads recommend a saddle with a cutout or an indentation like these.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/product_images/display/2164490.gif

http://www.serfas.com/images/products/large/FS-243.jpg

If things go tingley, it's cutting off the blood supply, and no amount of riding will fix it. Best bet is to find a seat that fits you better... a *good* bike shop will help. This is one area that is very personal, and what works (fits) for one person won't work for another.

You don't want the long term health effects.

try squeezing and holding the contraction on your perenium muscles and sphincter periodically while you ride, until you find a new saddle.

I had the same problem and it not only went away, but it made things....mmm....better down there...Once I got a better saddle, slightly wider on the back I never experienced that again.

Maybe this is a guys only q and a session, but I wanted to add my 2 cents! About a year ago, my husband and I got fairly excited about the idea of family bike rides with our kids. He hopped on his bike he hadn't ridden in years and started doing some neighborhood cruising with our daughters. (one in the trailer, one on her own bike) The next day he had some soreness "down there", followed by bleeding (!) when he went to the bathroom. Got him in to see a doctor right away and apparently, he had a Prostate infection. They said it was likely aggravated by the riding on a (super uncomfortable) seat. So, he's done much better since and has a more comfortable seat now!

try "nose-less" saddles, schwinn makes one.