Beginners

This page looks at why you should cycle, what type of bicycle to use, what cycling accessories to purchase and how to start cycling.

So why would you want to cycle?

Well firstly it's fun. What's better than unwinding with an hour or two's quiet touring through some beautiful and peaceful countryside? It's a past time that the whole family can enjoy. Virtually any one can do it, there are even blind cyclists who ride as the rear rider on a tandem.

But as well as the fun side there are major health benefits (taken from the Department of Health and Health Education Authority's More People, More Active, More Often):

• Stroke - physical inactivity may be responsible for a three fold increase in stroke.
• Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) - physically inactive people have about double the risk of CHD, while a 50% reduction in the likelihood of dying after a heart attack has been found in men reporting moderately vigorous to vigorous exercise.
• Osteoporosis - regular activity can substantially reduce the risk of hip fractures.
• Blood Pressure - regular activity can reduce blood pressure in those with hypertension.
• More generally regular physical activity maintains mobility, flexibility and strength into old age.
• Regular participation in physical activity is associated with raised self-esteem in children and adults.

There are also economic and environment advantages:

• Approximately three quarters of journeys in the UK are of under five miles and twenty five percent of car journeys are of two miles or less. These journeys can easily be achieved by bicycle at a fraction of the cost (when fuel prices, road tax, insurance, parking, etc are taken into account), with far less damage to the environment and in many urban situations; in less time.
• Cycling is a sociable activity: you can talk to your fellow cyclists as you ride, unlike the car where the main form of communication appears to be road rage and impatience.

Different types of bicycle:

• The racer: this is a light weight bike with drop handle bars and high gear ratios. The close clearances around the wheels mean that fitting mud guards or a rack can be difficult. Often the bike is also limited to narrow tyres which are fast but not overly comfortable. If you are thinking of touring or commuting then this bike is not really the best choice.
• The tourer: looks similar to the racer but is a stronger bike. It has the clearances and the attachments for mud guards and racks. It has a wider range of gears, which are more suited to the novice cyclist. The wider tyres make the ride more comfortable. Not as fast as the racer, but more comfortable and easier to ride, plus it has the advantage of being able to carry more luggage and protects you from the grime thrown up by the wheels. A good choice for the new cyclist who wants to ride on the road or light off-road.
• The mountain bike: these days the term 'mountain bike' covers a large and diverse range of machines from the heavy, long travel full suspension, down hill bike to the svelte, hard tail cross country race bike to the small wheeled, single geared, rigid trials bike. As a beginner you are advised to go for a cross country bike as it is the best compromise for all conditions. If you are going to ride mostly off road then you have a choice of full suspension, front suspension or rigid. If the bike is going to be used on the road a lot then you are advised to go for a rigid or front suspension model. Rear suspension makes the off road sections easier but adds weight and hinders climbing on road. Also, if considering using the bike for on road touring or commuting, look for one with mud guard and rack fixings. A rigid mountain bike fitted with slick tyres, mud guards and a rack can be as good as most touring bikes on the road.
• Hybrids and city-bikes: this is a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. It is meant to take the best features of both but in many cases is very compromised and takes the worst features of both but costs more. The good hybrid commonly has flat handle bars and an up-right position, the strength of an mtb with the road speed of a road bike. The city bike is the modern version of the old 'shopping bike'. Very popular on the continent but less so in the UK. Good for short urban trip to the shops but a little lacking on longer pleasure journeys.
• The folding bike: these have advanced a lot in recent years. They can now offer the same ride standard as many conventional road bikes but have the added advantage of folding for easy storage. Are very good if you need to combine bicycle use with train or bus use.

Bicycle accessories:

• Pump: make sure that the pump has the correct fitting for the type of inner tube that you use. Mini pumps are small for easy storage but will struggle to get your tyres up to pressure on a road bike.
• Puncture repair kit: always carry one for emergencies. Learn how to use it at home before you get stuck miles from any where, just as it's getting dark in a rain storm with a flat tyre.
• Spare tube: an easy alternative to fixing the puncture whilst out on the bike. Simply put a new tube on and take the old one home to fix later. Again, learn to change the tube before you need to do it in an emergency.
• Small tool kit: exactly what goes into the tool kit depends on what bike you have - seek advise from the shop when you buy the bike.
• Bottle and cage: cycling can be thirsty work so you are advised to have a bottle cage mounted on your bike.
• Cycling gloves: aid grip on the handle bars, are padded to aid comfort and give protection to the hands should you come off. In a fall it is often the hands that hit the ground first.
• Cycling clothes: for short journeys you can wear your normal clothes but for longer journeys you will find an advantage in using cycle specific clothes. Cycle shorts have a padded insert to ease the pressure on the back side. Shorts are available in both skin tight lycra and baggy cuts for the more modest rider. A 'breathable' top and jacket are also advisable. These let the perspiration out but stop the water coming in. For long rides cycling shoes are a good bet. They have a stiffer sole than trainers and allow better power transference and more comfort.
• Luggage: you will often want to carry items with you when riding - a snack, the shopping, paper work for the office, water proof top, etc. There are many ways of carrying luggage on bikes. Off roaders tend to prefer the bum-bag (or a ruck sack for bigger loads) as these are out of the way and so don't catch on bushes or rattle loose from the bike on rough terrain. On the road for small items there is the bar mounted bag or the saddle bag. The bar bag is good because you can always see it and they often have map holders on the top, but they do not fit some bikes. The saddle bag will fit most bikes and is mounted under the saddle so doesn't affect steering as much as a bar bag. For greater loads fit a rack and use panniers and/or rack top bags. If you need even more carrying ability (family shopping for the week) then cycle trailers are available that can be towed behind the bike.
• Helmets: you are advised to always wear a helmet if you are off roading. If riding on the road you are advised to wear a helmet until you have gained a little experience and are confident, at which point you should have gained enough knowledge to decide if the helmet is required. The CTC's view on helmets is that they can prevent injury in certain cases, however, making them mandatory would be counter productive.

You are advised to but your accessories from a specialist cycle shop as they will be able to give you good advise on what to choose. You can often get a good discount on accessories when buying them with your bike.

First rides:

For your first few rides you are advised to cycle away from busy traffic. A few good areas to try are Sutton Park, Kingsbury Water Park (cycle hire available) or Four Oaks Park Estate as these all have little or no traffic and offer easy cycling. Once you have gained your balance and are used to the gears why not try a Saturday Introductory Ride with the Northern Birmingham section of the CTC. The ride is easy paced, no one gets left behind and there are experienced riders around to give advise. For more information on our introductory rides contact Val Jones on (0121) 353 9142 or John Bedford on (0121) 353 5136.