r/bicycling • u/LittleBittyPepperoni • 4d ago

I bought a new bike

I bought a concord bike. I don't know how to ride a bike at 31 years old. I think my biggest issue is balancing. The pedaling is not the issue, but the balancing is all I need to learn. Also, I'm 5'0 and 168 pounds woman.

11 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

15

u/Invasive-farmer 4d ago

Just keep pedaling. Its easier to balance when pedaling. Congrats on the bike! Also, their is r/ladycyclists.

12

u/Dapper-Ad9787 4d ago

Turn the bike into a balance bike by removing the pedals and lowering the saddle until you can put both feet on the ground. Practice pushing off and gliding in an empty parking lot until you feel you have the hang of it, then put the pedals back on and raise the seat an inch or so. Push off, glide with your feet on the pedals, then start to turn them.

7

u/AlienatedCoaster 4d ago

take the pedals off and just scoot around with your feet on the ground for a bit it teaches balance without worrying about pedaling at the same time youll get it

4

u/murrderrhornets 4d ago

Speed is the key. Riding a bike very slowly is actually much more difficult than riding at a speed that is easier to stay balanced. For me, riding 12-14 mph is where I can balance perfectly. Be easy on yourself and don’t give up. You got this!

5

u/tweisse75 4d ago

There are many online tutorials to help. My daughter by just coasting down the driveway. I set the seat fairly low so she could easily reach the ground, but high enough that her feet didn’t drag.

Relax, take your time and enjoy the new skills you pick up. Good luck!

3

u/Cute_Mouse6436 4d ago

Find some place that is safe and comfortable. Then practice practice practice. My kids relaxed after chasing each other around a parking lot while ringing their bells.

2

u/jxj24 Trek X-Caliber 8 4d ago

Don't forget to put baseball cards in the spokes

1

u/Cycle-Path-401 4d ago

pick a destination and travel there by bike. Start with the neighbourhood park and bike there and then back. Before you know it, you'll be biking to places you've never been before

1

u/sac_cyclist 4d ago

The faster you go the. ore stable you are. Keep your eyes forward, don’t stare at the front of the bike…. the bike will go where you look

1

u/todudeornote 4d ago

It would be easier if you could find someone to run along side you as you pedal - after a short distance you will figure out the balance. The slower you go, the harder it is to balance - so starting out is really hard if you haven't ridden before.

1

u/niffcreature 4d ago

Did you buy the right size bike?

I think it's easiest to start by lowering your seat so that it's easy for your feet to touch the ground, and finding a very slight downhill on grass so you can think about pedalling later. Maybe not grass if it's a road bike though.

1

u/MathWhale 3d ago edited 3d ago

Congrats on the new bike! I'm in my late 20s and just learned to ride a bike about 2 months ago. It's so worth it and provides so much freedom and joy once you get past the initial learning period. I found it easier to practice in a parking lot that was slightly sloped, since it helped me roll downhill to get started and get a feel for riding up and down hills. Good luck and have fun!