I’ve probably enjoyed bicycling as exercise more than any exercise I’ve ever tried, and stuck with it for about three years now. I’m actually looking forward to the bicycle leg of my upcoming triathlon, because this is where I have the best chance of a respectable time.
Road biking is a lot of fun, and I wish I would have tried it sooner than my mid-thirties, but I was always a little mystified about what gear I would need and what kind of a bike to buy, and how much it would cost. Lucky for me, my husband helped me with all of this, and it was easier than I thought.
The essential gear: A helmet that is comfortable and fits well, padded shorts (I thought these were negotiable—um, no–just grin and bear comments from the peanut gallery about wearing spandex), a bike that is properly fitted to your body, biking shoes, a spare tube, and a multi-purpose tool.
The expense of a road bike is enough to turn any aspiring bicyclist off. But even seasoned pros and experts give the advice for beginners to buy a second-hand road bike to start off with. I can second this notion because a new road bike is a big expense, and I’ve seen people like my husband (cough, cough) sell off perfectly good road bikes to get the newest, lightest bike for racing. There are bargains to be had. Not everyone needs the newest one-ounce lighter model.
But what you do need to do before shopping for a used bike is to go to your local bike shop and get fitted to see what size you need, and get direction for how high to put your seat so your legs are in the right position. If you are on a bike that is too big or too small, or have your seat too high or low, you can run into some painful problems. It’s worth the effort.
Also, learn how to repair a flat and carry an extra tube and a multi-purpose tool with you so you won’t get stranded. I also recommend carrying a cell phone with you on long rides, just in case. Note to the wary: My husband showed me how to change a flat once. I was out by myself a few months later and got my one and only flat in three years. I managed to change the tube myself with one consult on the cell phone. I felt like such a tool belt diva.
For those of you who are worried, like I was, about clipping into pedals, I promise you get used to it. The first time I went out on a ride clipped in, I forgot, and by the time I realized my feet weren’t coming off the pedals when I slowed to stop, it was too late. Clonk! Good thing no one was around to witness that episode. I also fell over going up a steep hill the next day because I waited too long to unclip when I slowed, but after a few days, being clipped in felt like second nature.
Other handy gear: A water bottle holder so you can carry water bottles with you, biking gloves, good sunglasses and a biking jersey. The jerseys made for biking are not essential (I’ve put in plenty of miles in a good old T-shirt), but they are nice because they are made with fabrics that wick away sweat and have handy pockets on the back for your tube, tools and maybe a snack and cell phone.
For triathlons, there are special triathlon bikes you can buy if you really get into the sport, but a regular road bike can be made into a serious triathlon machine by installing a set of aero bars. I’m choosing to ride in my regular position with my regular handlebars, because I’ve never found a comfortable position with aero bars. Supposedly, this is going to hurt my time, but I’d rather be comfortable than shave off a few extra minutes. I’m not going to mess with the one good thing I have going in to this race.