[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1537.0. "Getting a beginner started" by ULTRA::WITTENBERG (Uphill, Into the Wind) Fri May 11 1990 17:27

    I'd like  to  introduce  my fiance to bicycling in such a way that
    she  will  continue riding. She's a bit scared of bicycles, though
    she can ride one slowly and not very stably. The last time we rode
    she brushed a post while avoiding another rider on a bike path, so
    she worries about being able to steer.  

    Any ideas on how to teach her?

    I bought  her  a  bike (upright bars, but a road frame) with click
    shifters  and  lowered  the  seat  so she can get both feet on the
    ground  at  once.  We're going to Nantucket for our honeymoon, and
    bikes  are  the  obvious way to get around the island. Would it be
    better to bring our bikes, rent a reasonably good tandem (see note
    3.63) so that she doesn't have to worry about steering, and riding
    isn't  too strenuous, or rent a *heavy* tandem on Nantucket? I'm a
    bit worried that the heavy tandem would give her a bad feeling, as
    we'd have to work very hard to move it, and I really want to start
    her riding in fun ways.

    Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

--David
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1537.1Nantucket RidesMILKWY::CRITCHLOWMon May 14 1990 11:4326
There are several good places to rent bikes down by the Steamship 
dock. Unless you already have good bikes to bring along to the 
Island renating might be the easiest way to go. The predominant 
model being rented out last year were cannondale mountain bikes.

I rented one of the monster tandems a few years ago. A major tank!
Still, it was kind of fun. My wife enjoyed being able to ride and 
not worry about the minor details, like looking where your are 
going. As far as a heavy bike ruining the ride, take your time and 
enjoy.

BTW there is one trip that I have done on the Island that I 
particularly like. Take Polpis road from the First National to 
Siasconset (pronounced "scon'-set"). Right next to the little circle 
with the Flag pole there is a little place that sells box lunches 
(don't recall the name). You can eat on the deck or take it down the 
beach (100 yards down the hill.) This makes for a really nice day 
trip. The bike path back on airport road is straight and boring, but 
easy riding. 

The ride out to Madaket is also nice. The bike path is much more 
interesting.

Have fun,

JC