| It is a common picture - a bike was a mainstay of life | | | | suggestion - unless absolutely committed to road biking, |
| through adolescence and college age years, maybe | | | | it's a good idea to consider a mountain bike or hybrid. |
| even into the mid-twenties, and then it got set aside. | | | | Road bikes these days are specialized machines with |
| Years have gone by and the bike has gotten rusty, or | | | | skinny tires and a big price tag. More important than |
| been moved in a garage sale. Now it's time to start | | | | the right bike is the right fit; you can get a "bike fit" at a |
| riding again, as a 30 or 40 year old, but so much has | | | | bike shop, or with guidance on line. |
| changed. There is no longer the comfort and familiarity, | | | | Bike parts and bike tools -security and comfort come |
| so what now? | | | | with knowledge and having the right bike parts and |
| I lived this scenario this last year, as a 48 year old | | | | bike tools. In high school I didn't care if I got my hands |
| returning to cycling after years away. I was a "bike | | | | greasy, or had to do a make shift repair, but these |
| commuter" before the term was prevalent, riding | | | | days I feel a lot more comfortable having what I need |
| every day for years, and then I moved on, both | | | | on hand. At minimum, I recommend: patch kit, tire |
| geographically, and in relation to my bike. I was excited | | | | levers, and floor pump. For a basic home tool kit, add |
| about returning to two wheels, but I felt uncertain, not | | | | 8" crescent wrench, screwdrivers, allen wrench set, |
| knowing what had changed and what had stayed the | | | | spoke wrench, cone tools, and socket tools. Bike |
| same, what was best for me now in terms of bike, | | | | accessories - The most important accessory now |
| bike parts, and bike accessories. It was a new ball | | | | wasn't even on the edge of my consciousness 20 |
| game, a brand new ride. Here is what I have learned. | | | | years ago, but now I wouldn't be caught dead riding |
| Attitude - The first step is in attitude or philosophy, and | | | | without...a helmet! I recommend this at all times, but it is |
| requires openness, flexibility, patience, and curiosity. We | | | | especially crucial if you will be riding in traffic, or if you |
| all ride for different reasons, and these change over | | | | go mountain biking. You don't want to "do an endo" or |
| time, but returning to cycling - whether mountain bike, | | | | "take a soil sample" without your helmet! Make sure |
| road bike, beach cruiser, or commuter - takes | | | | your helmet is well adjusted, and appropriately covers |
| adjustment. The first time I sailed down a hill at full | | | | the top part of your forehead. Other key accessories: |
| speed I felt childlike in my exhilaration.....and the first time | | | | bike pump, water bottle, panniers (saddle bags). |
| I was unprepared for a flat or broken chain I felt | | | | Attitude - I started with attitude and I finish with attitude. |
| discouraged and wondered whether I really wanted to | | | | I have learned that I'm not as young as I once was, |
| be doing this again, at my age. | | | | and my body tells me so regularly. I need to take more |
| Bike - Picking the right bike is not the issue, IMHO, | | | | days off from my bike, have a better saddle, and |
| because there will not be a "right bike" for long. Needs | | | | stretch a lot more than I used to. I have to be patient |
| change quickly when you return to cycling. I | | | | with myself and give myself permission to have fun. |
| recommend starting with what you've got, or buying | | | | Those are my lessons. |
| used. The other alternative is starting with something | | | | My one last piece of advice? Get on your bike, and |
| inexpensive, and then moving up. Bikes sell for $100 on | | | | happy riding! |
| up to thousands of dollars and needs change. One | | | | |