BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

SCOTT SPONSOR THIS GUY!

Scott is the head of Bike PGH. You're pretty much his primary audience. There are some good resources here. And you'll get a lot of good information. (Isn't there a recent thread about locks here?)

Primarily I'd say get a bike and start riding. Don't invest a whole lot in that first bike. Once you start riding a lot (and you have just about the ideal commute as you can take the Eliza Furnace trail the whole way) you'll figure out what you need or what you'd like to have (esp as the seasons change). Jump in, start asking questions later.

Good luck!

get a bike. ride.

I started riding early fall 09 (i rode as a kid, but that's not this). I used a old mountain bike my parents had and just got out there. I got some basics, like a helmet, lights, and a U lock. You really have to ride to see what you need, what all you use your bike for, the kind of route you take, things like that. Group rides are also helpful as you can (A) meet bikers and ( tour the city with LOTS of guides.

The hardest thing for me was riding on the road. It's a little scary, and because of that, I have a HUGE 70lb bike for my 15 block commute. It makes me feel safer, it also lets me carry my whole life and sometimes my sister with me every where I go .

VorpalDormouse, since we don't know much about you, it's hard to add a whole lot more useful advice to the short and simple list in the above posts. Did you ride much as a kid? Are you familiar with the area? I'm assuming you're 20ish. What kind of shape are you in? Gender is irrelevant, but your personal ease with getting around alone in the dark is not.

Of the suggestions the others have given, I'd most emphasize getting an experienced riding buddy or two. The camaraderie alone is as valuable as any information you will pick up, and there is always safety in numbers.

I'd get a simple second-hand bike (think < $100, maybe < $50), and instead put money into lights, lock and helmet, as already suggested. Fenders are real handy, too, as is an assortment of gears for climbing hills.

"(Isn't there a recent thread about locks here?)"

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/love-your-bike-lock-it-right#post-586

If you haven't read it yet, the commuting 101 guide is good. http://bike-pgh.org/101/

I wold also recommend, if you can, going down to Lawrenceville and stopping by the Bike PGH office. Scott, Erok, and Lou, etc are a great resource and can offer tons of info and support.

start riding and PLEASE do not be afraid to ask questions. Huge props to you for going out on a limb in an unfamiliar environment, some cyclists (not on this forum of course) can be very snobbish and intimidating. Do research. Ask questions. Have fun.

I was very much in your same shoes about 2 years ago. I lived in Oakland and went to Pitt for 4 years, then I moved to the Southside and was still in Grad school in Oakland. I ended up buying an entry level road bike, helmet, lock, and a light set. I started by riding around the trails and once I had my confidence up, I went on some rides with a more experienced rider who showed me the ropes of riding in traffic. I picked up a Bike-PGH map at a bike shop and I was off. I slowly started expanding my biking radius around my house and Pitt's Campus. You will find that biking is a lot more convenient than busses or cars (no parking or waiting).

Also spend another 35 bucks and get yourself a floor pump. The most discouraging thing for me starting out was the constant flat tires. I found out I was riding with out much pressure in my tires (50 psi). After I got a pump and topped off my tires to 100 psi before every ride... Voila, a great reduction in flats.

If you would like to do a bit more research on urban riding before you get out there. There is a great book, "The Art of Urban Cycling" by Robert Hurst. It covers everything from what to do in what situation and some basic maintenance.

When you get work done at a bike shop, stick around and watch what they are doing. Most will give you a quick tutorial on how to change a tire and how run your chain through your derailler and cassette, etc.

Most of all, have a great time. Pittsburgh has a very friendly bike community, most will help you out of a pinch.

Bottom line have fun out there and be safe.

"VorpalDormouse, since we don't know much about you, it's hard to add a whole lot more useful advice to the short and simple list in the above posts. Did you ride much as a kid? Are you familiar with the area? I'm assuming you're 20ish. What kind of shape are you in? Gender is irrelevant, but your personal ease with getting around alone in the dark is not."

Honestly, I absolutely failed at bicycles as a kid. But my balance has developed considerably since then, and those bikes were always too tall for me. I would really need to try again to make sure before making any significant purchases. I've lived downtown and been around Pittsburgh a little bit for about two years now. I'm not in terrific shape (which is one of my main concerns), but I'm not obese or anything. Good guess on the age. And I'm male.

Don't request Hurst's book at the Carnetie Library and expect to get it anytime soon though. I requested it almost a year ago, with three people in the hold queue. The first two people returned it and then it sat with the person before me for the last 8 months or so. I hate when people do that.

+1 to Mildsnbleu about getting a pump. You'll have to see what your tires say (once you get your bike) about how much air pressure they want though. Should be printed on the side of the tire.

Throwin' out an idea; Any chance someone who doesn't plan on riding the spring roll alleycat on Sat could volunteer to meet Vorpal (boy, didn't want to abbreviate it "VD") and any other newbs at the Oakland wall at the start, and while the crazies do the alleycat, give the newbs a little tutorial and answer questions?

I'd offer but I don't know if I'm going to be able to get free myself.

Vorpal, I'll be at the Wall a bit earlier than 5 if you want to swing by and meet some people.

I plan on being at the wall for the beginning of the Alleycat and I do not plan on racing at all. Be glad to hang with a beginner or two.

Mick

my wife and i may also be there before the alleycat, and i doubt we will be racing. we might ride it, but ti will be a decidedly casual pace if we do.

Dormouse, BikePghers are awesomez.

"Throwin' out an idea; Any chance someone who doesn't plan on riding the spring roll alleycat on Sat could volunteer to meet Vorpal (boy, didn't want to abbreviate it "VD") and any other newbs at the Oakland wall at the start, and while the crazies do the alleycat, give the newbs a little tutorial and answer questions?

I'd offer but I don't know if I'm going to be able to get free myself."

I really don't know what my Saturday is like, so I can't say for sure if I can be there.

Don't worry about the abbreviation. I get it on other forums

Don't have a bike, wouldn't know where to start. I'm considering getting one

I don't think anyone has mentioned Free Ride yet

http://freeridepgh.org/

Yeah, it occurred to me, and no offense to anyone, but I thought that might be a little overwhelming, kind of like walking into a Harley shop when your're looking for a Vespa. It's a little intense.

How's about Thick Bikes in the South Side?

Freeride? intense? In the sense that there's a lot of hardware around, I guess...but I couldn't imagine a better place to learn about bikes in the area...

edit: Oh, haha, you were probably talking about spring roll...

freeride could be very intimidating for someone very new to cycling simply due to the overwhelming about of knowledge being presented.

Yeah, Freeride requires a commitment. You can't just walk in and buy a bike.

Thick is a great place to buy your first bike.

Next Friday is Critical Mass. Excellent place to hang out with a bunch of cyclists in a supportive environment and ride somewhere at a very easy pace. If the weather is halfway decent there might even be a good turnout.

For the newbies: 5:30ish gather at the dinosaur in Oakland. Ride at 6. Talk before, during and after. Leave when you feel like it. Zero pressure.

I had to bump this back up because the Tweed Ride that just popped up on the radar would be a super excellent opportunity for newbies to give this riding thing a try.

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/tweed-ride

If people are nice and seem to be trustworthy I even have a bike or 2 I could loan to someone for a leisurely ride about town such as this.

I totally agree that finding a BikePGH commuting guide would be really helpful. Like some other folks said, you won't know what you really need until you start doing it, but a helmet, front and back lights, and a U-Lock (it's a solid, U-shaped lock - not a cable lock) are super-important. Oh yeah, and a rain jacket!

Another thing to remember is that you don't NEED to start biking every day, right away. Take it slow and do what's comfortable and fun for you. You'll figure things out as you go along.

Also, going to events/rides and making friends helps A LOT. I learned so much from my friends when it came to bicycle commuting. People love talking about their different bags, adjustments, fenders, routes, etc. so ask!

Also, I noticed yesterday that we have a TON of Commuting guides and 2009 maps at Free Ride, if anyone needs one.

Another thing to remember is that you don't NEED to start biking every day, right away. Take it slow and do what's comfortable and fun for you. You'll figure things out as you go along.

+1

If a new rider has the expectation that s/he should ride every day, no matter what, that rider is being set up to fail. Ease into it. When I started commuting 13 years ago, the routine began as one day a week, then moved to two, etc, etc, etc. I tell folks at the office that simply riding one or two days a week to the office makes a difference.

i was lucky enough to have a few co-workers who rode in all the time when i started commuting. everyone was always willing to help with any maintenance question, or advice on where to ride, or anything like that.

but jeez, i sometimes feel like i wouldn't even need that now with this message board.

fenders, a helmet, a pump, and a u-lock were all things i bought right away, and was glad i did. as others have said, these things are more important than the bike that you ride without expectations.

oh and set your seat to the proper height. i feel like this is one of the most common mistakes for n00bs, and it pains me to see people hitting their chin with their knees.

and since i had the page up, here is my last bit of advice: read this.

I'm not in terrific shape (which is one of my main concerns), but I'm not obese or anything. Good guess on the age. And I'm male.

I can relate to not being in terrific shape. When I started, I *was* obese, clocking in around 300 pounds at the time. I had already lost about 50, and was walking 4-5 miles a day, but I was far from being an athlete. (Still am, but that's beside the point.)

My first ride in 15 or years (on a cheap $250 mt bike I got off amazon) was a whopping 2 miles on a relatively flat part of Beechwood Blvd... and I had to stop after it and rest for a good 20 minutes.

But within a few weeks I was able to do 10 mile rides, and am now (about a year and a half later) disappointed if a ride is less than 20 miles. Your body adapts pretty quickly once it understands what you want from it, and getting experience in gear changing strategies (what works and what doesn't) makes a world of difference.

So I'd say what everyone else is saying, more or less. I usually tell people that if you get a chance to *rent* a bike and make sure you'll enjoy it first, do that. Then, start with a minimum (bike, helmet and lock... perhaps extra tube, pump and portable toolkit). As you progress you'll naturally find yourself wanting extra stuff but you can always purchase that stuff at your leisure.

@myddrin Post your blog link for them. I think it does a pretty good job of tracking your progress as you hopped back in the saddle.

Obviously a lot of helpful info has already been posted, but I though I'd throw my two cents in. I would definitely recommend getting a bike, when the weather is nice it is far more enjoyable than taking a bus and faster than walking. There are a lot of resources on this site, although I found most of the trails myself before I heard about BikePGH.

I was in a similar situation to you when I moved into an apartment here in 2008 for my junior year at Pitt. I simply bought a mountain bike off the rack at Target and it's worked out great. I rode a bike as a kid but never far, it just takes a little getting used to. As someone said fitness shouldn't be a major issue, your body will adjust. The first time I took Boundary up to Fifth I felt like I was about to die, now I enjoy the exertion. Finding someone to ride with is also a good idea, I'll volunteer to show you around if you're interested.

@sloaps I hadn't thought of that.

http://www.myddrin.com/ If you go back in the archives, I started posting about cycling in 10/2008.

I think we may have completely overwhelmed Vorpal Dormouse.

"I think we may have completely overwhelmed Vorpal Dormouse."

Haha! No, I'm still here and paying close attention. This is all very helpful advice.

"I think we may have completely overwhelmed Vorpal Dormouse."

Haha! No, I'm still here and paying close attention. This is all very helpful advice.

We have to work harder.

So it would be a good time to bring up gain rates and chain stretch? Tire width vs rolling resistance?

I was thinking we should talk about the mandatory-for-all-n00bs trail maintenance/snow removal parties.

Or start a good h*lm*t thread.

halmat?

I thought he just spellded html funny.

Work harder? How about learning from experience?

I still crack up when I go back to read these!

I'd agree with others who've said that Thick Bikes is a good place to get your first bike.

Helmet, pump, sunglasses (keeps crap from the road from getting in your eyes, not to mention, uh, the sun!). Maybe something to carry stuff in on the bike if you're not using a backpack and need to bring books or other things with you. I have a milkcrate, so anything works.

Oh yeah, a must is the BikePGH map. Two thumbs and big toes up for that. It's good esp. if you're like me and hate hills.

Time for a good news update!

Because it's a gorgeous day and our Acting teacher bikes, we went on a 6-7 mile bike ride instead of having class. We went from downtown to South Side Works to Station Square and back downtown.

The beginning of the ride was rough, but I got better as I went. I was definitely more wobbly than I'd like to be but not so wobbly that I crashed. I actually only ran into one post in Station Square, and I just clipped the handlebar with it. No damage done. Other problems were minor. I apparently had a death grip on the handlebars, because my hands were aching. I rubbed some skin off of my right thumb as well.

I think the major problem was the "Oh shit" instinct that kicked in any time I had to pass anyone or go through a narrow piece of path. I was driving pretty straight when there were no obstacles, but as soon as one came up, I was swerving everywhere thinking ooooooooh noooooooooooooo.

But yeah, I can ride 6-7 miles without getting very tired at all. Hell, I know for sure I can ride a bike now. Definitely going to look into this.

EDIT: Forgot to mention one or two things. It took me a while to get used to the gears, but I figured it out through experimentation. And the bike seat was a little rough on... well, my anatomical seat, if you will.

Awesome that it was enjoyable. I would have hated to hear that you went biking and hated it. If you havent ridden in a long time, then ride any appreciable distance, you bum will ache a bit. but if you ride for 2 or 3 days, your body learns and gets used to it. It could also be that the bike wasnt adjusted for you fully. Incorrect geometry can lead to all sorts of aches.

Either way, gratz and I hope you keep riding!

Wobbliness is a matter of inexperience. If you want to work on it, it helps to go to an empty parking lot somewhere and try to do things like ride along lines.

Butt pain is also sometimes a matter of getting used to a bike. Also, if the bike has too soft of a seat it won't be giving your butt the support it needs after a few miles.

Alot of wobbliness also comes from looking down at the ground too much. You want to be looking ahead and just turn your head toward where you want to go, your bike will just turn without you even noticing. Try it in an empty parking lot, it really works.

Whoo-hoo dormouse! Awesome. Do it a again.

Did you end up getting a bike, borrow, or rent one?

Did you by any chance mention the tweed ride tomorrow to your acting teacher? That seems like a fit right there.

Yeah, I started noticing that the more I kept my eyes on the path ahead the less I would wobble.

We all rented from Golden Triangle Bike Rental downtown.

Glad to hear things went so well for you!

As people have said keep your eyes on your goal, and don't over think what you are doing.

When you sit on a bike, you are basically sitting on two gyroscopes (the wheels). They resist changes in your angle to the ground very effectively once they are going fast enough. So its a matter of making your brain trust basic physics.

If you find yourself wobbling when you are getting started, be sure to shift into a lower gear before you stop. How much you shift down will depend on circumstances. On a flat surface like the jail trail... one or two gears may do it. If you're climbing Greenfield Ave or Neville St, then you'll need to shift down more. Over time your legs will get stronger and you'll need to shift down less and less.

With a little more experience, I'm sure you'll be zooming.

Generally, as you ride, you will automatically steer towards whatever you are looking at. If you worry too much about the tightness of the trail, or the apparent proximity of a tree/post, you will almost certainly hit it. You'll learn to relax, and it will come naturally before too long. As for the seat issue, understand that you are using a new position, and just as you have to take it easy when starting yoga or any other activity, there will be a period of acclimation. Resist the urge to get a soft seat or a gel cover. They tend to make things worse, not better. Bear with it for a week or so, and if you still feel pain (as opposed to minor discomfort) try a pair of padded bike shorts.

try a pair of padded bike shorts

+1 on that!

And I'll also add:

- If the price seems steep, they also make cycling underwear which seems to run in the $20-30 range. This is what I started with and while out and out shorts are better, these did get me through an 8 day, 300 mile ride fairly well.

- If, like me, you're feel self-conscious about wearing super tight-fitting clothing, mountain biking shorts are baggier, but still have a good deal of padding.

I resisted them for a long time, but once I started wearing them I never looked back!

Not only do they make the seat more comfortable, but they wick moisture away from you. This helps you keep cool and dry.

Oh, and remember that they are designed to be worn commando. When I was at my bike fitting a few weeks back, the guy doing it said that he encounters a lot of people (even experienced cyclists) who wear them over boxers or briefs. That can cause chaffing in areas that you really, really don't want to be chaffed.

I agree wholeheartedly with what myddrin and Swalfoort said. I will add that a lot of what you are doing involves the eyes. Train your eyes to be looking and aiming a ways ahead (say 50 to 100 yards), but at the same time, scanning for very close obstacles, like broken glass or potholes. This happens automatically, and really the same applies when driving a car, and walking.

@myddrin (and others) save yourselves a lot of cash. Buy regular bike shorts, and slip a pair or regular shorts over them. I almost never go without an "overlayer" of nylon shorts made for hiking or watersports, or "real" shorts if I am out for an afternoon of shopping or whatever. Just make sure there is no liner in the shorts. The advantages include versatility, ease of cleaning, the availability of pockets, etc. I often see bike shorts for sale for as little as $10 or $20 (picked up a pair at the Trek sale for $5). I can pick up nylon "overshorts" at a thrift store for $2-3, or can use the vast majority of my existing shorts wardrobe. That saves $25 or more over a pair of mountain bike shorts.

+1 Swalfoort. I've tried mtn bike shorts with integrated inner shorts, the waist is never in the right place, the fit is odd, etc. I much prefer the same simple setup you describe.

More nodding in agreement re: bike shorts under regular shorts. I find cargo-style shorts with pockets that button or zip closed are quite handy on the commute.

From CL on Sunday:

Used Diamondback Wildwood Men's Comfort Bike - $30 (Shadyside) pic

I second the Kona recommedation. My mountain bike was too much of a bear to get downtown and back and my road bike -- well, was taking too much of a beating on these roads. found a used Gary fisher hybrid bike that I am just delighted with. Has front fork suspension allowing it to be turned on and off and much wider tires than my road bike frame would have ever allowed. As recommended earlier, I would peruse Craig's List daily and see what you can find. Another option regarding biking shorts depends on your size. As a slighly skinny female, I find that I can get shorts and jerseys at half the price simply by shopping in the kids department between their large and extra large sizes. They actually tend to fit better than the ones purchased in the women's dept.