Bicycling 101:
Getting Started - Ease Into Biking
Each spring, some riders just hop on their bikes and
pedal away. I ride a snowboard all winter, not a bicycle. So I'm out
of 'bicycle riding shape' by the time the ski/snowboard areas have closed,
and the weather is nice enough for me to ride my bike. I used to go
on a B or C ride and do the best I could. I would 'tough it out,' with
all the sore muscles (and backside) that go with this method of getting
back into riding. I didn't ease into biking. I slammed into it!
For me, wisdom came with age, and I discovered that there is a better
way to get into biking. Whether you are getting into biking for the
spring, or for the first time ever, you might want to try the method
that I now use. I ease into biking!
RIDE WITHIN YOUR COMFORT AND SAFETY ENVELOPE
Of course, the first thing to do is to make sure your bicycle is in
safe and efficient riding shape. Bicycle shops, like County Cycles,
Erik's, Now Bikes, and Penn Cycle, offer tuneups. For those who like
to do their own maintenance, some shops also offer classes that will
teach you how to tune or fix your bike. Bike fit is also critical. Bicycle
shops can help you make sure that your bike fits you. Bicycling is a
great deal easier when your bike and you are working together.
EASE INTO BIKING
Once my bike is ready to go, I pick a loop that I am comfortable riding.
If you decided to try my "ease into biking" method, keep in
mind that this loop is totally up to you. For some, it may be a mile
or two. For others, it may be many miles. The key thing for me is that
I want to get my body used to biking at a very comfortable distance
and pace for me. I generally don't even try to ride on a TCBC ride until
I'm feeling pretty good on my loop. I often start with a shorter loop,
and lengthen it as I feel more comfortable.
My loop is a very picturesque and generally low-traffic route that
takes me up and down the Minnehaha Parkway. There are some hills on
my loop to keep it like the rides I will go on when I am ready for those
rides. I try to ride this loop as many times a week as my schedule allows.
Since TCBC "C" rides average a minimum of 10 miles per hour,
and they are often 15 to 25 miles, I try to get my loop up to about
10-15 miles and an average "C" speed before I actually go
on a "C" ride.
Your pace is also very important. It is a good idea to warm up and
cool down at an even easier pace. Warmups and cooldowns are much easier
to incorporate when you are riding by yourself, so get in the habit
while "easing into biking." Then when you start riding with
a group, you will know what really works best for you.
EASE INTO BIKING ON TCBC RIDES
While you can certainly go on a TCBC ride without using this method,
it definitely makes riding a lot easier and more comfortable when you
are getting your bicycling muscles into shape. TCBC is seriously considering
some "ease into biking" rides for all of us who don't want
to just "tough it out." Watch for them in the TCBC schedule.
Questions? Contact me (snocrvr@mn.rr.com) or any of the TCBC Board
Members, and we'll do our best to answer any questions about your first
TCBC ride ever or your first TCBC ride this year.
By Tony Anthonisen
Copyright © 2003 Tony Anthonisen. All rights reserved.
(article posted 4-30-03)
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