How Do I Get Started in Cycling?

One of the discussions I get pulled into most frequently when someone finds out that I'm a 'cycler revolves around getting started in bicycle riding. Almost everyone has ridden a bike and enjoyed it at some point in their life but for some reason or another the demands of life have taken away whatever time and motivation they had for riding. The good news is that it's never too late to start and it doesn't take much to get going. Here is my quick "must have" list to get you going so I can see you out on the trails.

• Bicycle
  
  This one seems obvious and may be simple if you have a two-wheeled monster in your garage collecting dust. For those of you that don't have a bike yet the vast amount of choice both in what type of bike to get and where to get it can be very intimidating. Every bike shop will assure you that their brands are the best and the big box stores have some familiar brands at very attractive prices.  Add to that sources like eBay and Craigslist and your pal down the street who has offered to make you a honey of a deal on a used bike and it can be difficult to know where to start.
  
  My first suggestion is to make sure that you have multiple sources of information while you're deciding what kind of bike to get and where to get it.  Talk to your friends, search the Internet and read up on some of the cycling forums, talk to the nice people that work at your local bike shops and don't be afraid to take notes so you can remember everything! Your budget will also dictate what type of bike you can get and where you can get it at.
  
  If you have enough money to invest in a bike (approximately $300-400) you should definitely get a new one from your local bike shop. They will help you select the best bike for your price range and also assist in getting you the correct size. You will also get the satisfaction of supporting a local business as well as important post-sales support like free adjustments and knowledgeable repair staff that know your bike.
  
  Not everyone has that much cash to throw at a new hobby and if you're in that boat but you still would prefer a new bike you may consider one of the big box stores (Target, Walmart, etc.) Recently these stores have acquired some familiar brands (Schwinn being the "big" one) and if there is some kind of serious issue with the bike you will at least have a huge, nameless, faceless corporation to complain to. These bikes tend to be in the $100-200 range and can be had for even less on sale. The local bike shop is definitely preferable to the big box store because their employees are much more knowledgeable about cycling and typically will provide you much better support but if your cash situation dictates this is an option that will get you out on the trails.
  
  A third option is purchasing a bike from a private party either through the newspaper, Craigslist or eBay. A bike can be had from any of these sources for $25 or less. I do not recommend a new cyclist purchase a bike on eBay unless you have a very knowledgeable friend who can help you make sure you're getting a good deal and that whatever bike you get will fit you well enough to get you riding. With a local seller you will get to look at and ride the bike before you plunk down your cash and you won't have to deal with having the thing shipped to you. The phrase "buyer beware" is in full effect here as you may not have any recourse if you end up with a lemon. Also keep in mind that a cheap bike may not be very cheap if you have to have your local bike shop repair the thing to make it safe to ride!
  
  If you can afford it your best bet is to go to a local bike shop. Keep looking around and watch for sales and discounts you can take advantage of and you might find that your budget can be stretched far enough to do it the right way.  Don't be afraid to ask them if they would be willing to reduce the price for you - the worst they can do is say no.
   
• Helmet
  
  You must, must, must wear a helmet. You only get one cranium and the associated grey matter and it doesn't take much of a crash to change your life in a very bad way.  Many new cyclists see the helmet as goofy/nerdy/silly but I can guarantee that when experienced riders see someone riding without a helmet they think one thing: that person is dumb. There are many reasons people use for not wearing a helmet (too hot, too uncool, too expensive, messes up my hair, etc.) and all of them are ridiculous when you realize how the minor expense and inconvenience of wearing a cycling helmet can protect you from a lifetime of drooling and thinking that N*SYNC is the best band ever. Helmets start at around $20 and you can get them about anywhere that sells bike stuff. Try several on until you find one that's comfortable, buy it and wear it.
   
• Hydration
  
  Hydration is just a fancy word for stuff you drink when you're exercising. In the cycling world this typically means at least one water bottle "cage" on your bike, the bottle itself and something to drink inside of it. For most beginning riders water is exactly what you want to drink when you're riding. Avoid sports drinks and other "electrolyte replenishing" solutions until you're riding 2+ hours at a time. If your bike doesn't have at least one water bottle cage you can easily pick them up for less than $10. Eventually you will want to consider having 2 cages and water bottles for your ride or maybe even some kind of bladder based hydration system that you wear like a backpack but you should be ok with a single water bottle to start out.
  
  Remember to drink while you are out there. Your body cools itself by sweating and even if you don't feel hot you still need to be drinking while you ride. Heatstroke or heat exhaustion can sneak up on you so it's best to just stay ahead of it. Water is cheap, ER visits aren't!
   
• Sunglasses
  
  It may seem like a luxury or style item but shades are on my "must have" list for a very good reason: protection. They protect your eyes from bugs, tree branches, rocks, dirt or whatever gets kicked up in the air while you ride and they also help you to see more clearly in the sun while keeping your eyes from drying out on longer rides. Your sunglasses don't have to be fancy to be functional as long as they cover your eyes and aren't so dark that you can't see at all in shaded areas.
   
• Sunblock
  
  Whether it's sunny or not out you need to protect your exposed skin from the sun. It's a ride not a tanning session and it should be treated as such! At the very least use SPF15 on easily burned areas like your face and the back of your neck. Don't forget to use some lip balm that has sunblock in it as well. It's a proven fact that exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and a bad burn can keep you "out of the saddle" and waste valuable summer days when you could be out riding!
   

There you have it - Matt's "must have" list for getting started in cycling. Get it together, get motivated and most importantly GET OUT AND RIDE!

Welcome to Matt's Bike Tips!

Hi there and welcome to Matt's Bike Tips!  This site is a collection of things I've learned (usually the hard way) throughout my career as a cycling enthusiast.  I'm not a "pro" cyclist and I reserve the right to be wrong from time to time but regardless I hope that you can find some good tips here to help you enjoy and extend your cycling adventures!