Riding a bike after you are 50 is a great idea and tremendous fun. For many people it is like rediscovering their childhood in one of the most simple, joyful activities they did growing up. So, if the idea of getting back on bicycle sounds good to you, you should pursue it without hesitation.
Obviously if you have not been riding, or really never knew how to ride a bike, the idea might seem a bit daunting. But with a little planning and practice you can be having fun riding alone, with a friend or in a group.
Bicycle Tool
Until seeing a segment on television recently, I had no idea there are so many adults who never learned how to ride a bike and are interested in doing so now. If this is your situation, look around in your community..maybe by checking out a local bike shop and see if there are some formal clinics. However, there likely are not. So, the next step is to ask someone who does ride if they will show you how. Nine times out of ten, any cyclist is going to be flattered to help you because almost all who ride are passionate about it and want to share the joy with others.
You will need to work out using an appropriate bike for your skills and find a safe, empty parking lot to begin. And...wear a helmet! Your skill levels will probably increase quickly as you get comfortable on the machine.
If you know how to ride and are interested in getting back into it, a group is an excellent...and safe way to enjoy the sports. If fact it can quickly become addictive. But, before you leap into a group ride, make sure your bike handling skills are adequate and your fitness level. Group rides often are composed more of people on road bikes. So, even if you can do it, trying to ride with a bunch of people on 20 pound bikes when you are on a knobby tired mountain bike is probably going to be frustrating in the effort it is going to take to keep up.
So, contact the group if possible before the ride and ask them what kind of ride it is, how long the route will be and at what pace they will be going. If they are riding in access of 15 miles an hour, and you are brand new, you might want to put in a little time on your own first or take a few spinning classes to get yourself ready. Also find out if they wait for everyone to catch up at all turns. There is nothing more frightening to be out in countryside that you are not familiar with and being dropped off the back of a long ride. And...as far as distance, consider maybe starting with something around 15 miles or less. That would equate to about an hour or so in time on the road.
Once you get in a group that meets your level, learn to ride safely in a line. If you cannot feel safe a foot behind the person in front of you, just hang back until you think you can handle that. Observe the hand signals good riders use to point out obstacles along the road to the person behind them. Notice how they signal that things ahead are slowing down and of course, indicating turns. Learning the simple, but effective bike etiquette will make you appreciate how much more safety there is riding in a group. Most groups are very tolerant of new people learning the ropes, so do not worry about making a mistake as long as you take the time to be more of an observer in the beginning. It is the newcomer that feels like they have to prove something that get the eyes rolling.
Cycling can open up a world of other activities when you start using to make vacations and travel more fun. So, inflate those tires and jump right in!
Christmas Sales Park Tool TR-1 Tire and Tube Repair Kit 201
Dec 10, 2011 07:55:01
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Christmas Sales Park Tool TR-1 Tire and Tube Repair Kit Feature
- Includes Three Tire Levers and a box with six patches and one piece of sandpaper on a blister card.
Christmas Sales Park Tool TR-1 Tire and Tube Repair Kit Overview
The popular GP-2 Super Patch Kit and TL-1 Tire Levers packaged together as a kit. Three Tire Levers and a box with six patches and one piece of sandpaper on a blister card.Christmas Sales Park Tool TR-1 Tire and Tube Repair Kit Specifications
Park Tool's popular GP-2 Super Patch Kit and TL-1 Tire Levers are packaged together here as a kit. With three tire levers and a box with six patches and one piece of sandpaper on a blister card, this is a compact little must-have for long rides and the at-home bike mechanic.About Park Tool
Park Tool has been manufacturing bicycle-specific tools since 1963. Based out of St. Paul Minnesota, it's the world's largest bicycle tool manufacturer. A long-term dedication to quality, innovation, and customer service has made Park Tool the first choice of professional and home bicycle mechanics around the world. The company's vision is shaped by more than 40 years of experience in the bicycle industry. The first Park Tool product was a repair stand so unique and useful that it was granted a U.S. patent. Park Tool's nearly 300 products--the majority of which are manufactured in the American Midwest--now hold many patents. Park Tool continues to develop and refine bicycle repair tools and equipment to improve service and efficiency of all bicycle mechanics, professional or hobbyist, and will continue to be an active part in the advancement of the sport of bicycling.
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