The Crucial First Ride: Make Sure a Newcomer Returns for a Second Ride

The Crucial First Ride: Make Sure a Newcomer Returns for a Second Ride

by Ed Pavelka for Performance Bicycle (1999)

If you've been in this sport for long, you've probably seen it happen. An enthusiastic person shows up for her first ride with the local club. She's a bit intimidated by the lingo she overhears, but that's nothing compared to her anxiety about what to do and how to do it once the ride gets underway. Before long she's trailing behind, spooked by the interplay of bike wheels and feeling as wanted as an IRS agent in a Final Four pool. Do you think this person will be back for another ride next weekend? Not likely. It's unfortunate, but experienced cyclists are often pretty tough on newcomers. It may be intentional because of the risks that an unskilled bike-handler creates for everyone, but more often it happens because we forget how much a novice cyclist doesn't know. If you think about it, riding a bike isn't all that easy.

Gero McGuffin has thought about it. She was 30 years old before she climbed onto a bike the first time, so she vividly recalls how intimidating beginning can be. Now a polished cyclist, Gero enjoys helping new riders get started in a way that ensures they'll have a great time and come back for more. In early March, Gero spoke about the "Beginner Rider" at the PAC Tour Training Camp, which she attended with her husband, cycling author and national masters champion Arnie Baker, M.D. (author of Smart Cycling on which SMW STraWWS workouts are based) Her topic was particularly interesting because it's often overlooked. Gero's recommendations can be used anytime we're riding with a new cyclist. If you're a beginning rider, these tips can help you have a more positive experience as you learn the sport.

· Be Gentle: Gero's basic advice is useful when helping any new rider: "Treat them kindly, go slowly, and keep your expectations low. Give it your best shot, and you will help a person become a cyclist for the rest of their life."

· Don't project your own cycling goals: They are much different for an experienced rider compared to a new rider. Let the person evolve. If she's interested only in casual cycling, let her be. If she's interested in fast recreational riding or racing, encourage her -- but explain the dangers of trying to advance too fast before developing a foundation of skills and fitness.

· Take nothing for granted: Err on the side of proceeding too slowly and explaining too much. A new rider has lots of knowledge gaps.

· Watch your language: If you're saying things like "upshift one cog"; or "feather the brakes"; a newcomer isn't going to understand and may be too embarrassed to admit it.

· Be on your best behavior: Even if made in jest, negative actions or comments can have a long-lasting impact.

· Ask the person about her concerns: These could include fear of traffic, fear of being left behind, fear of riding close to others, fear of the saddle, and even fear of wearing form-fitting Lycra clothing. Then work with the person to resolve the specific worry.

· Keep costs in perspective: Don't make the person feel that she has to spend a lot of money to be a cyclist. Explain, however, that some things are a smart investment. For instance, if she's in the market for a new bike, it should be as light as she can afford. It should have a triple crankset for plenty of easy gears if there are hills in the area. She should buy a good saddle, cycling shorts with a padded liner, and a helmet.

· Simplify the pedals: New cyclists are often afraid of toe clips and straps or clipless pedals. It's helpful to install platform pedals that don't require any technique to enter or exit.

· Check riding position: A newcomer will master pedaling and handling faster if she's in a good position. Make sure there is a slight bend in her knees at the bottom of the pedal circle and that the handlebar is within an inch or so of saddle height.

· Stay off the road with first-timers: Use a big sports field or empty parking lot. Keep traffic out of the equation. Next, try park paths or quiet residential streets.

· Ride as slow as the beginner: Don't do anything to make her go faster than her comfort level.

· Watch her eyes: Remind a new cyclist that she'll ride a smoother, straighter line if she looks 10 or more feet ahead rather than directly in front of the wheel.

· Watch her grip: New riders are apt to be tense, locking their arms and squeezing the bar with white knuckles. Explain the advantages of flexed elbows and a secure but relaxed grip.

· Take away a hand: After starting, stopping, and maintaining a straight line, the next skill to work on is riding with one hand. This is important so the person can signal or reach for her water bottle without swerving. Next, move on to shifting gears -- how and when.

· Keep it simple: Don't overwhelm a newcomer with techniques. Let her get comfortable with the basics. As you see skill and confidence increase, add something new to work on.

· Stay back: If you ride behind the person she won't feel like she's always trying to catch up. Let her set the pace. Don't ride beside her until she feels confident in her basic riding ability.

· Introduce drafting: Explain the advantages of riding behind a wheel, but let the newcomer keep a gap of several feet until she's ready to move in closer.

· Take a real ride: For your first ride in regular conditions, plan a course that has a fun place to stop at the halfway point. It could be a coffee shop or an ice cream parlor. This is a good chance to relax, give pointers, answer questions, and provide encouragement.

· Make It Good for You As Well: Too many beginner rides can take some of the fun out of cycling for experienced ride leaders. Enjoy yourself trying things you normally wouldn't do on other rides. For example, stay in one gear everywhere; alternate pedaling with only left and then right foot clipped-in; study your cycling form--arms, torso, legs--and practice perfecting their position; or look for particularly interesting sights and local history about the route and make a mental note to include them on route sheet or to tell riders next time.

· Way to Go!: After a ride, always congratulate the new cyclist on her progress and welcome comments. As Gero notes, "They will have questions that you can hardly imagine, because you have been cycling for so long." Finally, encourage the person to ride on her own between rides with club. This will give her the chance to practice skills and gain fitness with absolutely no pressure. Just make sure she doesn't go off the deep end and turn cycling into a physical and mental chore. This can happen when enthusiasm causes a person to boost their riding too fast. Firmly recommend an increase in time or distance of about 10 percent per week, with at least two rest days.