Can anyone tell me how to overcome
the extreme pain that goes along with riding a bike. Also how
do I stop myself falling into a heap everytime I have to stop
the damn thing. No wonder regular cyclists never stop at traffic
lights and pedestrian crossings. It is actually safer to dodge
on-coming traffic than fall onto concrete. Finally how do I
measure what frame size I need and how do I measure the frame
size of my bike. I acquired it from somewhere so it wasn't actually
bought to fit.
I am not going to join the Donald
Adey fan club but cycling is quite handy and actually quite
fun if it wasn't so painful in the nether regions. If anyone
can recommend any light reading on cycling techniques I would
be grateful. Now, where are those mind altering drugs that they
gave me at the clinic...?
H.
-----Original Message-----
From: Helen Palin [mailto:helen.palin@arup.com]
Sent: 09 May 2001 09:44
To: 'elyonline@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: [elyonline] Beards and Sandals
> Can anyone tell me how
to overcome the extreme pain that goes along with riding a bike.
(1) Build up the distance cycled
gradually day by day.
(2) Don't wear those Lycra shorts straight away. Something tweedy
is good.
> Also how do I stop myself
falling into a heap every time I have to stop the damn thing.
(1) Don't go so fast!
(2) Lower the saddle a bit so that one foot can go flat on the
floor when you have to stop. You should (in a controlled way)
be able to slide forwards off the saddle when you stop too,
which will enable you to put both feet down.
Are your brakes a bit fierce? If so, get them adjusted so that
you can do a controlled slow down and stop.
> No wonder regular cyclists
never stop at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
They are hooligans. Don't get
their bad habits or you will die in a road accident and be a
burden on the rates. :-)
> It is actually safer to
dodge on-coming traffic than fall onto concrete.
This is a fallacy. Follow Brian's
Safety Tips (above) and you will live long and prosper.
> Finally how do I measure
what frame size I need and how do I measure the frame size of
my bike. I acquired it from somewhere so it wasn't actually
bought to fit.
I think I'm beginning to see
the real problem here...
Go to the cycle shop in Ely and ask 'em to measure you against
your cycle.
Hint; suggest he warms his tape measure first.
> I am not going to join
the Donald Adey fan club
Oh good
> but cycling is quite handy
and actually quite fun if it wasn't so painful in the nether
regions. If anyone can recommend any light reading on cycling
techniques I would be grateful.
Tried the library?
> Now, where are those mind
altering drugs that they gave me at the clinic...?
Filed under "Guinness".
Next patient, nurse!
--
Brian
PS: Let me know where/when you
are going into Lycra. ;-)
Hi Helen,
Brian's answered most of your questions the way I would. I'll
just add one thing....
> If anyone can recommend
any light reading on cycling techniques I would be grateful.
The one technique that I say
is essential is to use your ankles! That is, place the ball
of your foot on the pedals NOT the arch of your foot. You can
then bend your ankles so getting several more degrees of pressure
on the pedal as you feet go round. A side effect is that you
saddle may need to be an inch or so higher than you might otherwise
be tempted to have it. I was always taught that that you should
just have a bend in your knee when the pedals are at the bottom
of their travel.
Greg
Thanks for the advice Brian.
I think the bike is a tad to large for me. As for the lycra...no.
It sets off too many sparks. I will be wearing a pink crimplene
shell suit in Tescos on Saturday if you're interested.
