dennis_said

How did you teach somebody how to shift? I mean I know how to do it myself but don't really have a good sounding way of teaching it to somebody who is a newbie...

Also trying to teach my friend how to have proper form (ie: so that palms aren't in pain and that lower back adn seat feel good)

My friend is reallly enjoying his time biking however his posture and and strain on the hands while on the handle bar is really frustrating him...

Just curious how you guys taught your friends how to properly ride, did you just ride next to them? Techniques you used? Thanks

Campag4life

Really no substitute for getting good at anything. Miles, study, conditioning and more miles. Riding with better riders is like playing golf with scratch players...some rubs off.

Bob Dopolina 

I've been through this MANY times. I can be difficult but I'm always happy to do it.

I usually try to explain what the goal is and what works for me. I also explain that this may not exactly work for them but to keep this goal in mind. Ultimately they'll need to find their own way there.

I'd start with getting your buddy to relax on the bike. Talk about a false grip on the bars (thumb on top, not actually closed around the bar). I describe the elbows as shock absorbers and try to get them to relax their arms.

One thing Phinney said that has always stuck in my head is that relaxing on the bike starts with the upper lip. Relax that and the rest can follow. works for me.

Shifting is a bit tougher. I've had new riders follow behind me with instructions to shift when I do. I explain the idea of shifting to maintain a steady cadence and go from there.

it's pretty hard to teach someone to be light on the bike. That's something that comes with time in.

Don't overload the poor guy with a ton of suggestions all at once. Focus on one or two things each ride. As they start to get the hang of one, move on to something else.

Good luck and I hope your friend keeps at it.

dennis_said

Thank you for the excellent advice thus far I will make sure I do my best to make sure he's happy on the bike.. I understand about not loading the guy up on info

I'll inform him of no substitute for miles and the upper lip relaxation

bakerjw

+1 on even cadence.

I started riding and powered my way along. Now that I have some more miles under the bike, I'm more focused on higher and even cadence, my shifting has evened out tremendously. It's all about the spin.

I still suck at spinning, but I am more focused on it now.

schnee

Ride with them, ask their permission to let you give them advice when the time comes, let them make the mistake, and right at that point demonstrate the right way to do it. Then, don't say anything else about it for a few rides.

They'll make the mistake a few more times, but start to correct themselves, or ask for advice when they encounter a new situation that stumps them. If you point it out too much, they'll either get nervous and make the mistake as a reflex, or feel bad or resentful.

That's how my riding buddies taught me some fundamental stuff, like how to properly downshift when climbing a steep hill (before I got better at picking the right gears).

boyze

watch and learn

bdcheung

My first lesson was in proper punctuation placement.