What am I doing wrong?
08-02-11, 10:02 PM
#26
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Right, don't give up. Practice & perseverance will prevail. I am a newbie and never learned to ride until recently. I took 2 bike classes with bikenewyork.org which was free for those who had their own bicycles. They began by removing the pedals & having the students scoot & balance until you were able to accomplish it. Then they put the pedals back on & sent you on your way. I still have a lot of practicing to go. When I first started I was only able to balance on my bike 5 seconds before i got wobbly because I was looking down. If you become frustrated give it a rest for a day & try again. There may be bicycle lessons for adults in your area. Google it & check it out.
Good luck & don't give up.
Good luck & don't give up.
08-03-11, 05:21 AM
#27
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I see quite a lot of posts that start out kind of like: "I just got back on a bike today after not having ridden for _____ years, went around the block and loved it, etc." I am thinking, "Well done!" but then I think of my own experience today...
Ride around the block? I can't even ride 10 feet without falling off. I did get some excellent advice here about walking with my bike, and I will try that, but I can't help but wonder why I couldn't seem to steer my bike at all when attempting to ride it. The wheel turned right and left continuously - I'm sure I looked like I was drunk or something. Then of course I fell off. Kept trying, kept falling. Gave up in tears.
I am bound and determined to ride this bike! I remember how much I enjoyed it as a kid and how the bike felt like it was a part of me. Would love to feel that way again...
Any advice/encouragement?
Ride around the block? I can't even ride 10 feet without falling off. I did get some excellent advice here about walking with my bike, and I will try that, but I can't help but wonder why I couldn't seem to steer my bike at all when attempting to ride it. The wheel turned right and left continuously - I'm sure I looked like I was drunk or something. Then of course I fell off. Kept trying, kept falling. Gave up in tears.
I am bound and determined to ride this bike! I remember how much I enjoyed it as a kid and how the bike felt like it was a part of me. Would love to feel that way again...
Any advice/encouragement?
If your bike is difficult to steer, there are a couple of issues, that can cause this, and it's not always the rider. I would have the bike checked over for steering issues by a decent wrench. If it's not the bicycle, then have yourself checked over by a good doctor, to make sure you don't have balance issues. Remember the old cliche, "It's like riding a bicycle", if you could ride as a kid, you can ride now, you never really do forget how.
08-04-11, 11:53 AM
#28
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Hey, Muse! How's it going? I'm hoping that your new approach works out for you!
10-03-11, 04:57 PM
#29
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Well...I am struggling with not being able to reach the pedal at the 12 o'clock position - it is too high or my legs are too short or something needs to be adjusted. It seems as if I have tried every seat height there is. When I can actually put my foot on the pedal (while leaning against a wall or something) my knee is bent 90 degrees and is at the height of the handlebars. I am frustrated beyond belief. I am just scared to ride it now, as I continue to fall off. As for the "ride down an incline" thing, that sounds terrifying to me. And since I have no car, I can't just bop it down to the bike shop in the next town. I am very disappointed that I can't seem to get this right.
10-03-11, 07:33 PM
#30
rebmeM roineS
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Well...I am struggling with not being able to reach the pedal at the 12 o'clock position - it is too high or my legs are too short or something needs to be adjusted. It seems as if I have tried every seat height there is. When I can actually put my foot on the pedal (while leaning against a wall or something) my knee is bent 90 degrees and is at the height of the handlebars. I am frustrated beyond belief. I am just scared to ride it now, as I continue to fall off. As for the "ride down an incline" thing, that sounds terrifying to me. And since I have no car, I can't just bop it down to the bike shop in the next town. I am very disappointed that I can't seem to get this right.
Don't understand what you mean by not being able to reach the pedal at the 12 o'clock position. 12 puts the pedal at it's highest position.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
10-03-11, 11:50 PM
#31
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They say you never forget how to ride a bike and I think this is generally true. You said your rode during your youth and loved it.. So have you simply forgotten or is there another problem? Your "forgetting" could be a symptom of. . . . PLEASE, consult your doctor before you try again.
10-04-11, 09:31 AM
#32
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Well...I am struggling with not being able to reach the pedal at the 12 o'clock position - it is too high or my legs are too short or something needs to be adjusted. It seems as if I have tried every seat height there is. When I can actually put my foot on the pedal (while leaning against a wall or something) my knee is bent 90 degrees and is at the height of the handlebars. I am frustrated beyond belief. I am just scared to ride it now, as I continue to fall off. As for the "ride down an incline" thing, that sounds terrifying to me. And since I have no car, I can't just bop it down to the bike shop in the next town. I am very disappointed that I can't seem to get this right.
- Have someone hold the front wheel of the bike, while you hold the handlebars. While they try to keep the front wheel from twisting, try to turn the handlebars. It should be very difficult for them to hod the front wheel still while you turn the handlebars - it should be a wrestling match.
- Lean up against a wall to your left. Turn the right pedal so that it is as low to the ground as it can go. When you sit on the seat, with your right foot on the right pedal, is your right leg almost straight?
Post back with the results of these experiments.
10-04-11, 09:53 AM
#33
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They say you never forget how to ride a bike and I think this is generally true. You said your rode during your youth and loved it.. So have you simply forgotten or is there another problem? Your "forgetting" could be a symptom of. . . . PLEASE, consult your doctor before you try again.
oh yeah, get a friend to help
try coasting around with one foot on the pedal and one on the ground, like a scooter
10-04-11, 10:56 AM
#34
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You've been working at this for over 2 monthes now? Call a bike shop and see if they can sell you some lessons.
Or, get a trike.
Or, get a trike.
10-04-11, 11:34 AM
#35
just keep riding
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I recommend searching for a bike club or advocacy organization near you. There are many resources out there dedicated to helping people get into bicycling. I just heard about some "True Beginner" cycling classes that the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition puts on to teach adults who have never ridden bikes how to ride safely. I bet there is something similar in a city near you.
Last edited by BluesDawg; 10-04-11 at 11:40 AM. Reason: add video
10-04-11, 11:53 PM
#36
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My right leg, in the 6 o'clock position, is nearly straight. I did the handlebar thing, all is well there. To rkokish: I don't know if you were trying to be funny but your comment is not appreciated.
I would try to explain once more about the 12 o'clock position problem, but suffice to say when I am able to get my foot up there, my knee is at a 90 degree angle and nearly hits the handlebars.
To crazyb: I have been busy and so have only been sporadically trying to tackle this problem.
My conclusion is my bike is the wrong size or I am not adjusting something correctly. I take it from the tone of some of these replies that further posting on my part will not be productive. Thanks to all who sincerely tried to help and happy riding! I won't be posting here again, as some of you made me feel like a moron.
I would try to explain once more about the 12 o'clock position problem, but suffice to say when I am able to get my foot up there, my knee is at a 90 degree angle and nearly hits the handlebars.
To crazyb: I have been busy and so have only been sporadically trying to tackle this problem.
My conclusion is my bike is the wrong size or I am not adjusting something correctly. I take it from the tone of some of these replies that further posting on my part will not be productive. Thanks to all who sincerely tried to help and happy riding! I won't be posting here again, as some of you made me feel like a moron.
10-05-11, 02:52 AM
#37
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Best of luck.
10-05-11, 03:41 AM
#38
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10-05-11, 06:21 AM
#39
khosch
Interesting bike:
https://forgebikes.com/cruiser-bike-coco.php
https://forgebikes.com/cruiser-bike-coco.php
10-05-11, 07:43 AM
#40
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My right leg, in the 6 o'clock position, is nearly straight. I did the handlebar thing, all is well there... I take it from the tone of some of these replies that further posting on my part will not be productive. Thanks to all who sincerely tried to help and happy riding! I won't be posting here again, as some of you made me feel like a moron.
By the way, I think that you may be miss-reading some of the posters whom you found offensive. I think that some of them may have meant to be funny in a self-mockging way - it is the "50 +" forum. I am 58 and my friends and I who are the same age always joke with each about "Can't Remember Stuff" syndrome,"senior moments", "brain farts", etc.
I think that some of the posts that made you "feel like a moron" may have been the same self-deprecating humor. Unfortunately, humor doesn't always travel well across the Internet.
10-05-11, 07:53 AM
#41
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My right leg, in the 6 o'clock position, is nearly straight. I did the handlebar thing, all is well there. To rkokish: I don't know if you were trying to be funny but your comment is not appreciated.
I would try to explain once more about the 12 o'clock position problem, but suffice to say when I am able to get my foot up there, my knee is at a 90 degree angle and nearly hits the handlebars.
To crazyb: I have been busy and so have only been sporadically trying to tackle this problem.
My conclusion is my bike is the wrong size or I am not adjusting something correctly. I take it from the tone of some of these replies that further posting on my part will not be productive. Thanks to all who sincerely tried to help and happy riding! I won't be posting here again, as some of you made me feel like a moron.
I would try to explain once more about the 12 o'clock position problem, but suffice to say when I am able to get my foot up there, my knee is at a 90 degree angle and nearly hits the handlebars.
To crazyb: I have been busy and so have only been sporadically trying to tackle this problem.
My conclusion is my bike is the wrong size or I am not adjusting something correctly. I take it from the tone of some of these replies that further posting on my part will not be productive. Thanks to all who sincerely tried to help and happy riding! I won't be posting here again, as some of you made me feel like a moron.
I think we are all interested to see you resolve these issues and learn to enjoy riding again. Please stick around. You won't find better support anywhere than you have right here.
10-05-11, 11:01 AM
#42
just keep riding
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Muse, I do hope that you are able to find someone locally who can see the problems you are having with your bike and help you resolve them. I also hope you will keep us updated with your progress. My concern is that it can be very difficult to communicate exactly what is going on with words which may be interpreted differently by different people and differently than you intended. While someone here might be able to give you good advice, it is also possible that we could misunderstand and point you in the wrong direction resulting in further frustration or maybe injury.
Once you are on a bike and riding, there will undoubtedly be many thing people here can help with and offer opinions about.
Wishing you all the best.
Once you are on a bike and riding, there will undoubtedly be many thing people here can help with and offer opinions about.
Wishing you all the best.
