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If you last rode a bike when you lot were a kid or a college student, you're missing out on a great way to go effectually town, become some exercise, and have fun. Bicycles tin can be the fastest way to get effectually in a crowded downtown area, and they salvage parking and fuel costs, too. And so what are you waiting for? Grit off your old bike and encounter where it can take you.

Steps Download Commodity

  1. i

    Consult a friend. If yous're nervous or uncertain about being back on a wheel, an experienced passenger tin can help get you comfortable again. If none of your friends or colleagues ride, ask around in your community to see if there's a bicycle organisation that tin help. A local bike shop or cycle co-op may exist able to point y'all in the right direction. A friend can assistance motivate you lot to get going and provide personalized advice.

  2. two

    Become a wheel . If you already have a bike that fits and suits you, you lot can skip this step. If you demand a bike,

    • Consider renting or borrowing a cycle at kickoff. This is an especially good option if you lot don't already know how to ride one, or if you're not certain yet whether a bike is right for you.
    • Get a used bicycle. Garage sales and thrift stores often take bikes. Some bike co-ops and similar programs set upwards donated bikes to sell to raise funds. Craigslist tin also be a good source, but exist very careful of scams and stolen bikes.
    • Don't get a depression-terminate new wheel. Ane way to avoid this is to visit a real wheel shop—one that only sells bikes, not toothpaste or wrapping paper. If you lot don't have much to spend, you're probably better off getting a decent used cycle and fixing information technology upwardly. Department store bikes often exhibit problems with maintenance and durability.
    • Whatever bike you get, test it out before you buy it. Make sure it works well and fits you lot.
    • Get a bike that fits well and something that's comfortable. Yous don't need to look or wearing apparel like a cycle racer to get across town for groceries, commute, or ride for fun, so don't be afraid to get something with a more upright, comfortable riding position, if that feels right to you.
    • Try waiting to get a good bike until yous have ridden a borrowed or cheap used bike enough to know your needs and habits.

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  3. 3

    Set up your onetime bike. At the very least, put air in the tires and oil the chain.

    • If the tubes don't hold air or the tires are old plenty to be croaky, they may demand to be replaced. You can exercise that task yourself or get assist.
    • If annihilation is loose, stuck, or the chain is rusted, take your wheel to a shop or get help from a bike co-op to exercise the repairs.
    • If yous hear squeaking, grinding, or clunking beyond a minimum of chain noise, repair your bike or accept it checked.

  4. 4

  5. 5

    Exercise riding where you're not in traffic. If you've ridden before, even a long time ago, you probably think how. Withal, information technology'south a skillful thought to practice a piffling, without the stress and traffic of cars.

    • Choose a day when you have some costless time, with balmy atmospheric condition, ideally not rainy or windy, and not an extreme temperature.
    • Choose a quiet side street, paved wheel trail, or parking lot.
    • Go a short, comfy distance, around the block, or upwardly and downwards the street.
    • Even an adult can larn to ride a bicycle. In the U.S., the League of American Bicyclists trains and certifies cycling instructors.

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    Ride short distances at start. There'southward no need to exhaust yourself. Pick a level road with low or moderate traffic on familiar streets. Go a mile or ii, and come back. If you want, pick out a nearby library, shop or restaurant you'd like to visit, and make that your destination. Have fun!

  7. 7

    Gradually increase the distance, frequency and intensity of your rides. If you rode 2 miles this weekend, attempt riding three or 4 next weekend. If you ride to work ane day this week, try riding two days next week. If your intended rides involve hills or traffic, work up to those, too.

  8. eight

    Dust off your cycling gear if you accept it, or get information technology if you lot need it.

    • Carry a good cycle lock so y'all can lock up your wheel while y'all visit a destination.
    • Wear a helmet. A well-plumbing equipment helmet properly adjusted is best both for prophylactic and for comfort.
    • Get good forepart and rear lights and reflectors if yous volition be riding after dark.
    • Carry a water bottle for longer trips. Most bicycle frames include a pair of screws where you can mountain a h2o bottle cage.
    • Carry a bicycle emergency kit, with a patch kit, pump, tire levers, an adaptable wrench if y'all need 1, and a phone and some cash.
    • Learn to carry cargo on a bicycle. A bike tin can carry a lot more than just its rider. You lot tin can carry a alter of wearing apparel for wheel commuting, your weekly groceries, or treasures you found at a garage sale along your way.
    • You don't need special apparel to ride, especially for short, casual rides. Just wear article of clothing that allows you to move and is comfortable for the weather. You lot may need to roll upward your right pant leg, wrap a strap or condom band effectually the cuff, or pull your sock up over it, to keep it out of the chain.

  9. 9

    Scout your route. If you intend to commute to piece of work or run errands on a wheel, you may detect that your best route is not the same as your usual driving route. You can look for your commute route on a map, and then endeavour information technology, either on a weekday when you have extra time or on a weekend, when yous can afford to explore side streets and various alternatives.

    • Many mapping websites now have tools to effort to notice bike routes.
    • Some cities publish bike maps. Wait for them online, or enquire at the library, urban center hall, cycle to piece of work day, and other public events and places.
    • Some of the best bike routes don't accept wheel lanes. Explore residential side streets with low speed limits and little traffic.
    • Try out your route when you have time to spare, in case it takes y'all longer than y'all expected, or a street is busier than you intended.
    • Talk to a wheel shop or a friend who is an experienced rider in your neighborhood. They may accept insights that mapping programs don't.
    • Refine your road. Particularly if you get to a particular destination oftentimes, yous'll have lots of opportunities to endeavor different side streets and alternatives.

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    Relish your ride, and keep it up. Riding a cycle can be a lot of fun.

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  • Ride safely. Your local cycle shop or organization can help you understand how to ride safely, even in traffic.

  • Don't be besides hung up on getting a wheel, or getting an onetime bike cleaned and working. Get hold of a bike y'all can ride, become it rideable, and ride it. You can upgrade or brand repairs when you know your wheel riding habits meliorate, and as you come to use it more than.

  • Check your tire pressure often, particularly when you kickoff begin to ride an old bike once again. Depression tire pressure makes riding much harder than information technology needs to be, and it's important to know if your tires are non holding air.

  • Yous don't need to apparel like you lot're training for the Olympics to ride a bicycle, and you lot don't need to ride like you're training for the Olympics. Wear ordinary dress, as long every bit y'all can move in them, and ride at a comfy pace. You lot shouldn't need a shower just considering you went a mile or 2 on a cycle.

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