Hey cyclists!
I’ve been following this sub for a while, but have hardly done any cycling myself. I’m physically quite active and reasonably fit, and I’ve always wanted to get into cycling. But strangely, the more I learn about it, the more hesitant I become!
It seems like there’s quite a bit of knowledge involved before you even get started – bike sizing and fitting, all the gear, proper technique, and even how you use your arms, core, legs and feet. It’s a little overwhelming for someone starting from scratch.
There’s also a personal side to my hesitation. I was a chubby kid growing up and, even though I’m in much better shape now, I’ve never had particularly good balance or coordination. I tried riding someone else’s bike on a bike path years ago, struggled quite badly, and felt very self-conscious when a few passing cyclists seemed to notice. Having been teased about my weight growing up, I suppose that experience brought back some old insecurities. It put me off cycling for years (getting into Lycra itself makes me highly self-conscious already).
Now I’m thinking it’s time to give it another go. I’m not looking to become a competitive cyclist or anything – I’d just love to be able to get on a bike, feel comfortable and confident, and enjoy riding.
So I’d really appreciate hearing from this community, especially anyone who didn’t take to cycling naturally:
● Did anyone else feel intimidated or self-conscious when starting out? How did you overcome it?
● Are there exercises or activities I can do off the bike to improve my balance, coordination or general readiness?
● And looking back, what’s one thing you wish someone had told you when you were learning?
I’d love to hear your experiences, whether you started cycling as a kid or picked it up much later in life. Any advice, encouragement or reality checks would be very welcome!
Thanks in advance!