I need major help learning to ride a bike!!
Thread started by
agnyxtsy at 03.12.09 - 11:27 am
I have this nice shiny mountain bike which I bought a few years ago. I rode it a few times on bike paths, but I've always been scared of taking it around objects that I might run into. hehe.
I need someone who has the patience and knowledge to help me make sure my bike is in working condition and then, sadly, teach me how to ride a bike from scratch.
I'm not hopeless, just need help. Who is up for it?
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What area do you live in?
Dan B.03.12.09 - 11:29 am
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I live in Echo Park. I need someone to come to me because it is a high traffic AND hilly area...but I am very close to a park where we can practice away from all that.
agnyxtsy03.12.09 - 11:36 am
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Dan. B lives in your area. He's hott.
What did happen to Brassknuckle?
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 11:39 am
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agnyxtc - Can you ride a skate board or roller skates, or have you ever ice skated or gone skiing? I'm just trying to see how much work this would be.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 11:44 am
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I can ride a skateboard, rollerskate, ice skate, and snowboard. Not sure what this has to do with riding a bike??? I'm little, so part of my problem is getting on and off the bike. It is a 14" women's bike, I'm around 5'2" and the clearance when I stand is less than an inch. :P
agnyxtsy03.12.09 - 11:47 am
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Well, I think it's a good question. If you haven't done any of those things then it would take you a while to understand balance and momentum.
Sounds like you would be a quick study. Just understand how to use your brakes. Ride around the concrete pathe that has grass on both sides at Echo Park. Don't worry about understanding how to shift until you know how to start and stop.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 11:50 am
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Rope in a bike buddy.
Go on midnight ridazz.
Get lights and ride at night when it is less trafficy
Read the ride safey tipzz in the front page of MR
ride that Sunset bike lane.
Take trips to Fix, Echo Park Cycles, Chango, Nuvias, Brite Spot, etc.
Go to Echo Park cycles and get some "slick" tires if plan on riding around on the streets more than the mountains.
Get a good lock for your bike and 1 for your wheels.
Good Luck!
trickmilla03.12.09 - 11:51 am
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"brad is hott, too"
yeah, barleye is pretty hott, especially that beard!
but analbeadman is the hottest of all!
toweliesbong03.12.09 - 11:53 am
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Well...how do you get on and off a bike? I can't seem to do it so easily. I guess that is a balance and momentum problem.
agnyxtsy03.12.09 - 11:53 am
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Once you have mastered starting and stopping, Focus on learning how to keep your steering steady. Then, learn how to stand on your pedals while riding.
Finally, one you feel like you are confident that you won't fall off your bike and you can stop well, try understanding how the gears work by shifting through them slowly.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 11:54 am
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I'd like to take short trips like the ones mentioned above, but I can't imagine myself gettng on/off a bike and stopping at a light, working hard to get back on the bike, etc. I think I'd run into a car or hurt myself trying to avoid other objects, people, etc.
agnyxtsy03.12.09 - 11:55 am
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Right now, I need help with two things specifically. I rode today down my block for practice. I was playing with the gears, but apparently, not doing the right things with them, because it only made things harder for me. So...
1. How do I get the gears back to a "starter" position.
2. The "open" thing for my front wheel doesn't seem to be locked. Not sure what that means. It is loose. How do I fix it?
agnyxtsy03.12.09 - 12:01 pm
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Oh good advice...thanks. About the locks...I have a kryptonite cable one, but I don't even know how to put it on my bike. And what is a wheel lock? Which do you recommend?
agnyxtsy03.12.09 - 12:02 pm
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As long as you have clearance on the top bar then you are going to be fine. You just need to master balance on the bike. It takes a little time for some.
The part about stepping up on the pedal without having to touch the ground is a good practice. You will start to learn how to get on the bike by standing on the pedal and moving.
If you have room around you and a flat area, step up on the pedal and glide forward a few feet and stop. Do it until you can stand on the pedal and glide for a longer distance. This will enable you to easily hop on and off the seat with better balance.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 12:03 pm
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i think mt wilson to upper merrils is the best place to learn! Just point and go!
pporras03.12.09 - 12:11 pm
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Most people would suggest a U-Lock vs. a cable lock.
About the gears. The best way to learn how the gears work is to turn your bike upside down and see what is happening when you shift.
The largest chain ring on the crank(pedals) is for when you want to go fast on flat areas. The smaller rings are for when making it easier to go up hills.
You cannot shift unless you are moving and pedaling. Do not pedal backwards when shifting. Shift one gear at a time and before you are reaching a steep inline or starting. You must predict and change before hand what to gear you want to be in before you start from a stopped position. (You don't want to be in a high gear when starting)
Usually the shifter on the left controls the chain on the front chain ring. This is for dramatic changes is gear shifting. The right shifter changes the gears on the back wheel which are small increments of gear changing instead of small ones.
You primarily want to use your right gear shifter more than your left one, because you will mostly only need minor gear changes rather than extreme.
Some bikes cannot handle the rear gear position to be on the lowest (largest gear) and the front largest chain ring at the same time. There's too much tension and it wasn't meant to be shifted like that.
Shift gears in increments in an area where you can explore the changes. It's all about getting into the lower gear before you reach an incline and not during the incline. Remember that.
Some people suggest not to focus so much on your gears but to get then shifted into a medium gear that you can start and climb on and never need to change. Requires some strength and skill.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 12:17 pm
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Borfo is definitely the hottest now for writing all that great advice.
toweliesbong03.12.09 - 12:18 pm
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Sorry, I may have High Gear and Low Gear backwards in description. But it's still the same concept.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 12:18 pm
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I obviously have nothing to do today at work...
I use a cable lock. But I don't live in Echo Park.
Feed the cable around a secure pole put it through the bike frame and through one wheel spoke if theres enough room. If you get a u-lock, attach the u-lock to the frame and pole, and use the cable through both wheels.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 12:25 pm
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agnyxtsy,
I will likely be working in Echo Park on Friday.
(my job is right by Fix and even closer to Echo Park Cycles.
If I am around, I'll know in the in the 12 hrs. I would be happy to meet up with you. Some of these things are just better illustrated in person.
As far as figuring out how the gears work.
Check Out Sheldon Brown's Explanation.
You can also try flipping your bike upside down (if you can) and practice pedaling with hands (keeping them clear of moving parts) and shift the gears to understand how it works.
For starters you can pick a middle sized gear in the front and a middle sized gear in the back if you are practicing on falt land that is all you will need.
trickmilla03.12.09 - 12:27 pm
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oh ... if you want to meet up tomorrow you can email me at my screen name @aol.com
trickmilla03.12.09 - 12:28 pm
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trickmilla is the hottest of them all.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 12:33 pm
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All of you are so frickin hot for helping. LOL I'm going to practice doing the balancing on the pedal thing. It seems to be what I haven't been doing, but seems to be helping. Hope we can meet tomorrow. I will email you later.
agnyxtsy03.12.09 - 12:40 pm
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1. How do I get the gears back to a "starter" position.
Practice.
2. The "open" thing for my front wheel doesn't seem to be locked. Not sure what that means. It is loose. How do I fix it?
This sounds bad. If it is a "
quick release", you need to hand tighten the nut and close the quick release properly. otherwise, your wheel could fall off while riding. Read the link. Get this checked it out first before you get on the bike again!
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 12:46 pm
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@agnyxtsy if you're around this afternoon i can probably help you. You can email me directly from my profile. I also live right by echo park lake.
Dan B.03.12.09 - 12:49 pm
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Talk to Liz or Shay at
http://cicle.org/
info@CICLE.org or call 323.478.0060
That's what they do.
They teach people how to ride bikes.
All the other posters here are pervs trying to get into your pants.
They'll make you wear costumes, neglect your family, neglect your job, they'll get you addicted to this forum and they'll make you buy them beer till you have no money left.
marino03.12.09 - 12:51 pm
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Marino is so not hott.
agnyxtsy - but please read this about your quick release, and contack Dan B./Brassknuckle he's a good help.
Quick-release Wheels
Hundreds of people suffer gruesome injuries every year as a result of improper use of front wheel quick releases, but if you understand their operation, they're quite safe and secure.
Twist or Flip?
The quick release handle can move two ways: it can twist around like a wing nut, or it can flip 180 degrees outward and back, like a hinge.
The twisting motion adjusts the operating range of the quick release. You may have to hold onto the cone-shaped nut at the other end of the axle. You can't get it tight enough by turning it.
The hinge-like flipping motion is the locking motion. In the "open" position, the quick release handle curves away from the bike. In the "locked" position, it curves toward the bike. Never, ever ride with the lever in the open position!
If the quick release is too loose, this flipping motion will be too easy, but it will not hold the wheel safely--flip it back, turn it clockwise some more, then try again.
If it is too hard to flip, and you cannot get it to flip far enough to lie flat, loosen the adjustment by turning the handle counterclockwise.
It should take a good firm push to get the handle to lie flat.
It is a good idea to set it so that the handle points toward the rear when it is closed. This reduces the chance of getting it snagged on something. Turn the handle and the cone-shaped nut together to align the handle once it has been adjusted.
It is customary to install the front wheel so that the quick release handle is on the bicycle's left side.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 12:55 pm
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really? this has to be a joke...
sancho103.12.09 - 1:24 pm
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is someone trying to get laid or are writing a bicycling 101 book?
_iJunes03.12.09 - 1:29 pm
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Go train for your grudge match, fluffer!
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 1:30 pm
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I srsly need help wiping my own ass... is this normal? or should I go on a public forum to see how much attention I can scrounge up. no offense but there ar other outlets than being a total attention whore. am I the only one that feels this?
sancho103.12.09 - 1:47 pm
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Next time you wipe, use some JB weld.
Joe Borfo03.12.09 - 1:52 pm
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Way to be positive Sancho.
agnyxtsy:
1. How do I get the gears back to a "starter" position.
Read this article to get a sense of how shifters work:
http://www.bicyclesouth.com/shifting.htm
Then flip your bike upside down and balance it on the seat/handlebars. Then, move the shifters one click at a time, and pedal the pedals with your hand to make the bike shift. Get it into the small chainring on the front and a middle gear on the back, and you should be good to go for the time being.
2. The "open" thing for my front wheel doesn't seem to be locked. Not sure what that means. It is loose. How do I fix it?
Read this article, skip the stuff about the brakes, and get the front axle tightened down.
http://www.chicagobikeblog.com/2008/06/how-do-you-get.html
____
Then, find a large flat parking lot, with a very slight downhill grade.
Lower the seat to a nice low position to get started.
Then, facing downhill, just start walking your bike on your tiptoes, then use the brakes to stop every 10 yards or so (left brake is front, right brake is rear, the front brake does 80+% of your braking, but be careful not to lock it and go over the handlebars).
Once you've got the hang of braking, then you can start walking a little faster and picking up your feet and coasting, using the brakes when you get going too fast. Then once you get the hang of that, put your feet on the pedals and start pedaling.
Then, start turning by gently using the handlebars and looking toward where you want to turn, and you're riding.
JB03.12.09 - 2:10 pm
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LOL this is turning into the same thread as the RBI thread!
here
Has anyone thought her bike might be too big for her? Take a look at this
page and just concentrate on the "seat height" portion of the page. Save getting to know these creeps on the ride!
BTW, you can trust Borfo. I lost my virginity to him on a recent camping trip. Hey Borfee!!! ;D
User103.12.09 - 2:29 pm
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i learned to ride a bike by going down a big hill,
and then crashing
try it.
_iJunes03.12.09 - 4:07 pm
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@borfo
train for what? (note the sarcasm. this is not an interrogative sentence)
_iJunes03.12.09 - 4:08 pm
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START BY RIDING AN EXERCYCLE TO TEACH YOUR LEGS TO PEDAL. BALANCING IS EASIER AT SPEED
Dedicated81803.12.09 - 5:05 pm
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HEY AGNYXTSY
I'll help you. I'm the same height as you and I used to have trouble riding any bike after I crashed when I was learning. Email me if you wanna get together sometime.
imachynna03.12.09 - 5:35 pm
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I'm with Sancho ... she sounds almost like a complete moron, but one who's trying.
I can't explain it.
GodLovesUgly03.12.09 - 5:49 pm
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sancho wrote:
but there ar other outlets than being a total attention whore. am I the only one that feels this?
Look, Sancho! I'm paying attention to you! Now go away.
PC03.12.09 - 6:15 pm
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gawwwd the antipation is killing me!
so how did this go agnyxtsy?
Are you destined to be a car driver the rest of your life?
User103.13.09 - 12:00 pm
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Well...I managed to fix the quick release lever and got the gears back in a somewhat normal position by myself.
I'm just going to wing it and possibly go on tonight's ride. :)
agnyxtsy03.13.09 - 12:12 pm
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I'm (supposedly, if they don't flake again) bringing a group of other first time riders on tonight's ride as well. Do you want to all meet up and have a brief ride-lesson or something before the ride?
danya03.13.09 - 12:15 pm
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I'm going to make sure to laugh my ass off at all of these negative dorks that ever need help with something that they've never done before.
Joe Borfo03.13.09 - 12:23 pm
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all right. maybe meet at the start, but at 8:30 instead of 9?
danya03.13.09 - 12:26 pm
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LOL... this shit is playing off like a bad sitcom.
sancho103.13.09 - 12:30 pm
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That is slightly cutting it close for me. I'm out of the area later and expecting to get back around 8:30 at the earliest, I think. Near the meeting place sounds fine. If I can get your phone # or something, I can let you know later if I'm back in time to make it.
Nevertheless, I'm expecting to head out there about 9:30 with a friend of mine. We could still try to meet up for introductions.
agnyxtsy03.13.09 - 12:40 pm
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why are you so quick to bash a stranger on this board because he/she wants to learn how to ride a bike and because people are being nice enough to offer to help?
Dan B.03.13.09 - 12:41 pm
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Ooh ooh, I know! Because he's a moron! What do I win?
PC03.13.09 - 12:54 pm
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you win a beer PC. Collect from User1
Dan B.03.13.09 - 12:55 pm
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1) i just need major help.
2) alan share the beer. i know where you live
revolutionary03.13.09 - 1:08 pm
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oh all right. As long as you don't mind the crowd that'll be over there by then. My number's 2I4 384 99O2- I'm Sarah by the way. My bike is red with blue wheels.
danya03.13.09 - 1:12 pm
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dude I LOVE girl on girl action!!!
User103.13.09 - 1:28 pm
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In case anyone is wondering, your efforts did not go to waste.
I had an awesome time at my first Midnight Ridazz ride and my first ride in major city traffic. It was sooo much fun. I realize it's a little different than riding on my own, but it was definitely a confidence booster. I did fine, though not quite skilled with the gears yet. Those folks who block traffic and call out instructions are really helpful and therefore, hott. The folks who have ghetto blasters are hott, also. lol Music makes it a lot of fun. Thanks, guys.
Maybe I'm being ambitious for such a beginner, but what I REALLY aspire to do is take my dog to Silverlake dog park on my bike. I drive her there all the time, but it's such a short distance, I could probably do it on the bike if I could figure out a safe way how. She's little (14 lbs), so she could fit in a basket, but I would be afraid she'd fall out. I bet I could get one of those backpack type things where I can carry her like a baby on my front or back.
Any one else do anything like this? Any ideas?
agnyxtsy03.14.09 - 3:12 am
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dude, i like you.
i'm in k town area.
i can come by like next saturday help you out if i dont have work
aksendz03.14.09 - 3:17 am
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Super Awesome! Way to go!
JB03.14.09 - 10:20 am
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I rode with my dogs all of the time. I just strapped a leash on them and let them run alongside me.
onelessfixie03.14.09 - 10:24 am
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