Fifty Plus (50+) - Help Needed Training My Bike

While I use several gears on my rides, my bike only seems to like one speed FAST. From my younger days I remember something called the “casual ride”. I can’t seem to get that idea across to my bike. Sometimes before I start I take time to try and explain things to my bike. It listens patiently while I explain that my knees are a little sore today and I just intend to do a “casual ride” so I don’t strain my knees any more. It seems to understand but by the time I get on and we get going it only wants to go fast and the numbers on the speedometer are right back up as fast as ever or higher. Sometimes it even taunts me with things like “is that all you can do” and “gee, it would be better if you could go faster“. When I talk about getting a new bike, my bike adds it wants a new faster rider in the deal. How can I teach my bike about the “casual ride?”


P.S. I have to admit that both of us come back from rides feeling good with big smiles on our faces.

Introduce it to a few slopes here and there. Explain to it that occasionally it is necessary to slow down a bit to conserve energy and then when it's not looking- drop the tyre pressures to 60psi and knock the brakes off kilter so they rub.

Should slow it down a bit but you may regret it.

This is yet another cycling problem that can be solved by pie. You have to really apply yourself, though, and make sure you attack the pie (actually, many pies) with vigor. Your bike will soon slow down.

Sorry - there is no solution for this...

You might be able to negotiate. Let your bike go as fast as it wants but only give it the small ring.

Fast is a relative speed, or so I've found out.

It's all about the motivating factors. Ride behind a fit woman on a nice Cervelo. It will make both you, and your bike, want to ease the pace enough not to pass. Of course, if she, and her bike, are faster than you, and yours, then it could have the opposite effect. Your bike might just spin your legs right off.

Switch your gear cables with your brake cables. Should do the trick.

Here, use http://lh4.ggpht.com/_z2s_w5rHJAg/SzcIvEN09BI/AAAAAAAARxc/5DfCu-grVnY/clothespins_cards.jpg]this to introduce casual to your FAST.

Carbon fiber, being much younger than steel or aluminum is very stubborn. You must be firmer and not smile when scolding!

Carbon fiber, being much younger than steel or aluminum is very stubborn. You must be firmer and not smile when scolding!

Yes, but the probem has been with us since long before carbon fiber:


I came out for exercise, gentle exercise, and to notice the scenery and to botanise. And no sooner do I get on that accursed machine than off I go hammer and tongs; I never look to right or left, never notice a flower, never see a view - get hot, juicy, red - like a grilled chop. Get me on that machine and I have to go. I go scorching along the road, and cursing aloud at myself for doing it. ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance, 1896

This is yet another cycling problem that can be solved by pie. You have to really apply yourself, though, and make sure you attack the pie (actually, many pies) with vigor. Your bike will soon slow down.
If you're in a pinch, honey buns work well, too.

Try setting a warm up period of the first 5 miles at, say, 15 mph instead of a Time Trial all out attack for the same distance just to warm up the legs. Oh, wait, i tried that and it didn't work. Forget it, just keep riding like your hair is on fire and you want to get home before that slow leak goes all the way flat. Ya, that's the ticket.

Here, use http://lh4.ggpht.com/_z2s_w5rHJAg/SzcIvEN09BI/AAAAAAAARxc/5DfCu-grVnY/clothespins_cards.jpg]this to introduce casual to your FAST.

I was trying to explain that concept last night! When I was young wooden spring clothes pens were in every household. I doubt my seventeen year old has ever seen one.

Oh, BTW way.

OP, is there a problem wit dat?

How can I teach my bike about the “casual ride?”

I'm not sure it can be done. One of my bikes is frisky as a puppy. Open the door and it dashes out. All it wants to do is run and play. I can barely pedal fast enough to keep up with it. That bike wears me right out.

The only thing I've found that slows it down is going on a social ride with others. Recently, another 50+ member came to town with his wife. We went for a two or three-hour ride that seldom got out of the single digits. Yellow Bike puttered along happy as a bike could be. But when we left our guests, it was the same old, same old. It roared away with me clinging on for dear life. The cars it didn't draft in traffic, it passed.

I think there's no training a bike. It is what it is. Love it or leave it. I love Yellow Bike.

Sugar cubes and apples.

You can always borrow one of my steeds. They thoroughly understand the casual concept.

Get it a partner. That will settle it down.

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