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A women's guide to getting started in road cycling

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How to build your confidence and mileage

If you are a new road cyclist and want to improve your fitness, enjoy your rides, increase your distances or get more comfortable on the bike, we'll try to hook you up with the very best information out there on the web. Before you know it, you'll be able to hold your own in a group ride, know how best to use your gearing, and be able to train for the big club metric/half/century ride.

Getting started in cycling

You may not know where to begin. That's ok, we've ALL been in your shoes. Let's talk over a few of the basics.

-You:
You need to assess your own fitness level before beginning. If you are turning to biking to get into shape, and you haven't been exercising regularly, you should evaluate any risks or concerns you may have with a physician. If you have been active in other activities such as aerobics or running a few times a week, you certainly will be more prepared but cycling stresses your body and muscles differently than other activities do, so take it slowly. And remember that cycling is a non-weight bearing activity, which means those of us who may be prone to osteoporosis should be sure to always include strength training and some walking or running into any cycling program. Nutrition is also a crucial component, so concentrate on high quality, low processed foods as close to the source as possible (it's good for you and enviro-friendly). If you don't know what this means, ask me some questions and I'll blog on them!

The bike:
Bikes are as varied as budgets allow, but there are a few things that are truly important. Does the bike fit you? If it does not, you will not be motivated to go for long rides. Work with a reputable shop and ask any cycling friends to find possible models, and then go and spend some time on them. The shop will likely put you on a stand with the bike (no pedaling required), take various measurements, make adjustments and so on until they think you are ready for a short test near the shop. Understand that going bike shopping takes TIME but it will be worth the effort. Don't judge everything by the seat, bike manufacturers routinely put cheap ones on, but DO concentrate on how you feel in the handlebar positions, how well you can reach the shifters and brakes, any knee or back pains etc. Any discomfort in these things means you have not found the perfect fit!

Women's specific designs - ok, the .02 on these is that they are great for some women's body types but not all. They are generally designed for shorter women, or shorter torso'd women. Well, we do not all come one way so test test test! Don't get me wrong, I have a WSD bike, and love it, but they aren't for every woman out there.

Cost:
The important parts on the bike (aside from fitting) is the frame, and the parts where the gears are. Get the best your budget will allow, it means more mileage before you want to upgrade... and chances are, yes, you will want to upgrade.

My cycling blog..

Tips, musings, ride reports, it'll all be here...

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Road cycling links

Here are some great online links to read up on cycling...

A women's guide to getting started in road cycling

How to build your confidence and mileage

Contents at a Glance

Getting started in cycling

My cycling blog..

Road cycling links

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More gear basics.

Women's cycling gear

Women's cycling books on Amazon

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by PatriotAlpacas

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