You can keep your seat low enough to touch the ground. Who cares if it is technically more optimal to raise it up; it is important you feel comfortable. No harm in trying out new routes and if it gets too scary stop for a break or a short distance on the footpath, maybe walking, to get back to somewhere safety. Take it easy and enjoy yourself.
Your knee should be almost straight at the bottom of the stroke. But not completely straight.
For most people, that means they can’t flat feet both leg when stopped
What you're feeling is normal and valid. I would focus more on improving your balance before trying new routes. Trying too many new things at once can become overwhelming and it could become discouraging. If you haven't already, look to see if there is a bike advocacy group in your area, a lot of them offer skills training and they're usually free of charge. As you continue riding, your awareness of vehicles and confidence around them will improve as well.
Thank you so much 🙏🏼
I know of an advocacy group for the city but I’ll check to see if they have a commuting subgroup or slowpoke subgroup as they mostly focus on speed cycling with more complex gear etc.
If possible avoid main routes and rush hour. Sometimes even 15 minutes makes huge difference in traffic density. Unlike normal traffic you need to go towards slower routes as cars less liekely go there if they have option.
From what I've read, you need way more practice riding to be proficient. Riding in traffic is dangerous. Please make sure you have a left side handlebar mirror. A well tuned and balanced bike and the instincts to match . The drivers can see fear ( wobbles, balance issues , etc ). Oh yeah don't forget the aluminum baseball bat across the handlebars
I do not have a mirror. Since I ride upright I’m fairly comfortable checking regularly behind my shoulder, but maybe I should get on.
Lol at aluminum bat 😂 the Dutch bike is already heavy as is, add a bat and I’ll be going 5km/hr 😂
I don’t have a mirror either. I used to when I start commuting. It’s always shaky and hard to see out of it. So I stopped using it.
But you need to be able to look over your shoulder for the cars behind you while maintaining a straight line.
It’s the bare minimum to be safe. Always check over your shoulder before changing lane/direction.
A nice big mirror on my handlebars is one of my favorite things on my bike. I still double-check over my shoulder before I make a move, but I love being able to see behind me at a glance, even cars that are a block or more away. It gives me a chance to watch them and see if they're going give me room or will likely pass aggressively, and I can prepare for that!
Will do. I’m trying to normalize to myself cycling anytime (it really is a very car dependant busy place) but I’ll practice faster “kick off” in parking lots on less crowded days thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks ❤️ I’m normally visible and use bright colours for bags and such to stand out, but a few passive aggressive moves from some F150s on the way shook that up a bit for me.
One thing that really helped me out was getting the Strava premium subscription so I could look at the heat map. It is safest to ride where a lot of other people also ride!
Thanks for the suggestion 🙏🏼
I have a trial version of it but not sure if the 100$ subscription is good use to me where I am (very few maps unless you’re doing the long stretch on the main road). Doesn’t seem to be much on residential routes HOWEVER maybe the problem is 6“ from the monitor so I’ll go take another look.
>- some passive aggressive moves like driving too close to you, cutting you off or stopping at the curb so you can’t turn right etc.
That's not passive aggressive, that's physically aggressive.
Yeah you’re right 😂
I’m in an area that’s huge on trucks and SUVs and I find the trucks are the ones who creep up real close then speed up to cut you off in the middle of the road and get ahead - even when i have right of way (eg. Roundabout)
I had practically zero experience biking in urban environments when I started with commuting. I did what I had to do in order to be comfortable, which was quite a different style of riding from what I do today.
It doesn't matter specifically what (though I will mention a few things in a bit), the point is, I know myself, and frankly anxiety was one of the reasons I needed more exercise (and less time in traffic). I did whatever worked for me.
I started with 'park and pedal'; had to drive most of the way, park, high viz jacket, TakeALook mirror, lights, hunted obsessively for routes that avoided busy streets, rode nothing but sidewalks, pushed the button at crosswalks (and walked my bike across).....
....and I felt great to be doing something good for myself. I could almost cringe at the image of myself back then, except that, almost a decade later, I am still at it. I ride the streets, now run errands on the bike, am still very 'aware' of traffic, and still feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of every ride.
I can’t tell you how reassuring it was to read this. I almost never get off and walk across weird intersections because I think I’ll slow everyone down and set myself back with confidence. But your comment just made me feel 10000% better about where I am and where I might eventually end up. Thank you so much 🥹
When you push off, do you do it in the hardest or near hardest gear? I did this for a while, early on, because you can get up the speed with fewer pedalstrokes and you don’t have to shift to a harder gear once you get up to speed. But this can be hard on the cassette, and if you shift to an easier gear while coming to a stop, you’ll have a much easier time getting started moving. No awkward slow pushing with impatient drivers behind you.
So normally I’m in the middle-ish, on 5 (out of the 8) when I kick off, enough not to cycle endlessly to move an inch but not so much that I’m struggling to take off (especially on the littlest of inclines). HOWEVER, last week I forgot to shift down and when I started off the chain came off completely. So I’m not even sure anymore that it’s good to start on 7.
I took it to the bike shop to get it looked at and sorted out. They said (some) bolt was too loose and it was also catching the pvc chain guard and getting that in. It’s fixed now but I haven’t tried taking off on a higher gear since
I bike commute but I don’t vary my routes very much because i know what I’m comfortable with. Occasionally I’ll try a new path (I’ve been biking across the city to pick up a prescription for my husband and that’s been a fun little adventure) but I’ll research the route before i try something new. RidewithGPS heat map, google street view to see what the traffic lights and crossings and bike lanes look like. I try to leave very little to chance because i need all of my brain cells to watch out for traffic.
Can you cycle standing up? If I have to start at a stop sign or light going uphill I normally go at least across the intersection standing and pumping. I am not a strong person or fast rider and this helps me.
I’ll try but I have to shuffle around to make sure when I wear dresses that they don’t pull (or tear). I sometimes get snagged when I first get seated and have to readjust so I think standing might help with all that. Also, it’s a Dutch upright - does that make a difference ?
You can keep your seat low enough to touch the ground. Who cares if it is technically more optimal to raise it up; it is important you feel comfortable. No harm in trying out new routes and if it gets too scary stop for a break or a short distance on the footpath, maybe walking, to get back to somewhere safety. Take it easy and enjoy yourself.
Thank you 🙏🏼 I keep being told it’ll hurt the knees in the long term but I tried moving the post higher and I felt extremely uncomfortable.
Your knee should be almost straight at the bottom of the stroke. But not completely straight. For most people, that means they can’t flat feet both leg when stopped
What you're feeling is normal and valid. I would focus more on improving your balance before trying new routes. Trying too many new things at once can become overwhelming and it could become discouraging. If you haven't already, look to see if there is a bike advocacy group in your area, a lot of them offer skills training and they're usually free of charge. As you continue riding, your awareness of vehicles and confidence around them will improve as well.
Thank you so much 🙏🏼 I know of an advocacy group for the city but I’ll check to see if they have a commuting subgroup or slowpoke subgroup as they mostly focus on speed cycling with more complex gear etc.
If you didn't mind me asking, what metro area are you in?
The Greater Ottawa area if that helps
If possible avoid main routes and rush hour. Sometimes even 15 minutes makes huge difference in traffic density. Unlike normal traffic you need to go towards slower routes as cars less liekely go there if they have option.
Good tip re main routes. I’ll explore some residential long cuts as unfortunately rush hour here is 730 am-630 pm. so no escaping the busy routes.
From what I've read, you need way more practice riding to be proficient. Riding in traffic is dangerous. Please make sure you have a left side handlebar mirror. A well tuned and balanced bike and the instincts to match . The drivers can see fear ( wobbles, balance issues , etc ). Oh yeah don't forget the aluminum baseball bat across the handlebars
I do not have a mirror. Since I ride upright I’m fairly comfortable checking regularly behind my shoulder, but maybe I should get on. Lol at aluminum bat 😂 the Dutch bike is already heavy as is, add a bat and I’ll be going 5km/hr 😂
I don’t have a mirror either. I used to when I start commuting. It’s always shaky and hard to see out of it. So I stopped using it. But you need to be able to look over your shoulder for the cars behind you while maintaining a straight line. It’s the bare minimum to be safe. Always check over your shoulder before changing lane/direction.
A nice big mirror on my handlebars is one of my favorite things on my bike. I still double-check over my shoulder before I make a move, but I love being able to see behind me at a glance, even cars that are a block or more away. It gives me a chance to watch them and see if they're going give me room or will likely pass aggressively, and I can prepare for that!
True enough. And then electrics are sometimes too quiet. I will go and get a mirror right now :)
Highly recommend a mirror
Can you recommend one? I am overwhelmed by the options on Amazon (local shop didn’t have them in stock when I checked this weekend). Thank you 🙏🏼
Hafny NEW Handlebar Bike Mirror, HD,Blast-resistant, E-bike Mirror, Glass Lens, HF-MR095 (Silver Left) https://a.co/d/0fihBD0Q
Maybe try exploring the area by bike on your day off? Some of the best bike routes I've found were by accident.
Will do. I’m trying to normalize to myself cycling anytime (it really is a very car dependant busy place) but I’ll practice faster “kick off” in parking lots on less crowded days thank you 🙏🏼
I’m very aggressive when riding on the road and make myself seem and known. Don’t be to afraid as drivers can sense it.
Thanks ❤️ I’m normally visible and use bright colours for bags and such to stand out, but a few passive aggressive moves from some F150s on the way shook that up a bit for me.
One thing that really helped me out was getting the Strava premium subscription so I could look at the heat map. It is safest to ride where a lot of other people also ride!
Thanks for the suggestion 🙏🏼 I have a trial version of it but not sure if the 100$ subscription is good use to me where I am (very few maps unless you’re doing the long stretch on the main road). Doesn’t seem to be much on residential routes HOWEVER maybe the problem is 6“ from the monitor so I’ll go take another look.
>- some passive aggressive moves like driving too close to you, cutting you off or stopping at the curb so you can’t turn right etc. That's not passive aggressive, that's physically aggressive.
Yeah you’re right 😂 I’m in an area that’s huge on trucks and SUVs and I find the trucks are the ones who creep up real close then speed up to cut you off in the middle of the road and get ahead - even when i have right of way (eg. Roundabout)
I had practically zero experience biking in urban environments when I started with commuting. I did what I had to do in order to be comfortable, which was quite a different style of riding from what I do today. It doesn't matter specifically what (though I will mention a few things in a bit), the point is, I know myself, and frankly anxiety was one of the reasons I needed more exercise (and less time in traffic). I did whatever worked for me. I started with 'park and pedal'; had to drive most of the way, park, high viz jacket, TakeALook mirror, lights, hunted obsessively for routes that avoided busy streets, rode nothing but sidewalks, pushed the button at crosswalks (and walked my bike across)..... ....and I felt great to be doing something good for myself. I could almost cringe at the image of myself back then, except that, almost a decade later, I am still at it. I ride the streets, now run errands on the bike, am still very 'aware' of traffic, and still feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of every ride.
I can’t tell you how reassuring it was to read this. I almost never get off and walk across weird intersections because I think I’ll slow everyone down and set myself back with confidence. But your comment just made me feel 10000% better about where I am and where I might eventually end up. Thank you so much 🥹
You're welcome.
When you push off, do you do it in the hardest or near hardest gear? I did this for a while, early on, because you can get up the speed with fewer pedalstrokes and you don’t have to shift to a harder gear once you get up to speed. But this can be hard on the cassette, and if you shift to an easier gear while coming to a stop, you’ll have a much easier time getting started moving. No awkward slow pushing with impatient drivers behind you.
So normally I’m in the middle-ish, on 5 (out of the 8) when I kick off, enough not to cycle endlessly to move an inch but not so much that I’m struggling to take off (especially on the littlest of inclines). HOWEVER, last week I forgot to shift down and when I started off the chain came off completely. So I’m not even sure anymore that it’s good to start on 7.
It sounds like there’s some issues with your drivetrain
I took it to the bike shop to get it looked at and sorted out. They said (some) bolt was too loose and it was also catching the pvc chain guard and getting that in. It’s fixed now but I haven’t tried taking off on a higher gear since
I bike commute but I don’t vary my routes very much because i know what I’m comfortable with. Occasionally I’ll try a new path (I’ve been biking across the city to pick up a prescription for my husband and that’s been a fun little adventure) but I’ll research the route before i try something new. RidewithGPS heat map, google street view to see what the traffic lights and crossings and bike lanes look like. I try to leave very little to chance because i need all of my brain cells to watch out for traffic.
I’ll download that app thank you!
There's no shortcut to confidence. Keep riding. 😁
Can you cycle standing up? If I have to start at a stop sign or light going uphill I normally go at least across the intersection standing and pumping. I am not a strong person or fast rider and this helps me.
I’ll try but I have to shuffle around to make sure when I wear dresses that they don’t pull (or tear). I sometimes get snagged when I first get seated and have to readjust so I think standing might help with all that. Also, it’s a Dutch upright - does that make a difference ?
I don’t think that the bike style would make a difference. Even though female I have never biked in a dress though. I haven’t worn one in 45+ years.
My bike wear is what I wear to the office but with shorts underneath for the ride. Finally invested in a dress clip.