35 and learning to ride a bike again
03-09-12 | 07:04 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
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35 and learning to ride a bike again
Hello there,
I'm 35 year old American gal who recently moved to The Netherlands. I have to say, I find the dutch lifestyle of bicycle riding to be truly amazing. Everyone here has a bike and it is often their means of transportation.
Now... I did learn to ride a bike when I was a little kid. It was a kid's style Huffy bike. However, since then, I have not rode. So now I have to re-learn all over again. I know they say "its like riding a bike"... but that is not a true statement! I tried to ride my boyfriend's bike once and literally crashed and burned. It was so humiliating! I think it is the fear of embarrassment that makes it so much harder to learn as an adult!
I would appreciate any tips and pointers! Wish me luck!
I'm 35 year old American gal who recently moved to The Netherlands. I have to say, I find the dutch lifestyle of bicycle riding to be truly amazing. Everyone here has a bike and it is often their means of transportation.
Now... I did learn to ride a bike when I was a little kid. It was a kid's style Huffy bike. However, since then, I have not rode. So now I have to re-learn all over again. I know they say "its like riding a bike"... but that is not a true statement! I tried to ride my boyfriend's bike once and literally crashed and burned. It was so humiliating! I think it is the fear of embarrassment that makes it so much harder to learn as an adult!
I would appreciate any tips and pointers! Wish me luck!
03-09-12 | 07:20 AM
#2
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Welcome to Bike Forums.
What kind of bike do you have?
This may be of some help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72Gr0...feature=relmfu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SjHvHDuxg
What kind of bike do you have?
This may be of some help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72Gr0...feature=relmfu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SjHvHDuxg
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
03-09-12 | 09:00 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Bikes: 91 Bianchi squadra, 94 CCM black ice, 02 eclipse hybrid, 88 Fiori Piquante, 2013 Deddaccai, 1930's Humber and many more
Welcome! I think it's awesome that you want to make the jump once again and ride a bike. It takes some guts to relearn. I'm sure you will get the hang of it pretty kick. Have fun!
03-12-12 | 02:12 AM
#4
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
35 and learning to ride a bike again
Thanks for the support! I went out on Friday night and bought a Bulls Cross Swing Street bike, which is sporty and practical for riding here in Holland.
Before picking up the bike I watched some of the Youtube clips on adults learning to ride. I dont know if that was helpful or not because it just made me more terrified! haha. I put the seat all the way down, so that my feet could touch the ground easily, which was a huge help. I didnt have problems with the balance so much as starting and stopping! Steering was a little scary at first, I was very jerky, which just made me more scared. But I got the hang of it rather quickly, and the next day I actually went out for a nice ride along a bike path. I am still struggling a bit with starting and stopping. I have some scratches and bruises from the pedals banging into my shins when I try to stop, but I am proud to say I never fell!
I'm really looking forward to spending time on new bike trails and forests. I feel like a kid again with my new bike!
Before picking up the bike I watched some of the Youtube clips on adults learning to ride. I dont know if that was helpful or not because it just made me more terrified! haha. I put the seat all the way down, so that my feet could touch the ground easily, which was a huge help. I didnt have problems with the balance so much as starting and stopping! Steering was a little scary at first, I was very jerky, which just made me more scared. But I got the hang of it rather quickly, and the next day I actually went out for a nice ride along a bike path. I am still struggling a bit with starting and stopping. I have some scratches and bruises from the pedals banging into my shins when I try to stop, but I am proud to say I never fell!
I'm really looking forward to spending time on new bike trails and forests. I feel like a kid again with my new bike!
