I dont know what IM DOING!
Thread started by
Missbritt11 at 07.26.10 - 11:14 am
Hey,
So here is the deal... I have no idea what I am doing...
all i know is i wanna ride! I have never done a group ride before in my life.
Friends have recommend this site and I am now on and taking my first step.
How do I know which rides are ok for beginners to do?
I am 23 and a pilates instructor so I am athletic.
anyone have any good advice for me?
What kind of bike should I get?
Is silverlake a good starts ride??
THANKS!!!!
<3<3<3
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Friends have recommend this site and I am now on and taking my first step.
Well, your next step should be: find new friends. No real friend would recommend this site.
But i would say, depending the bike you own, starting off with the silver lake bunch on Wednesday nights seems really fun. I've wanted to join them, but it hasn't worked out. Is that what you meant by "Is Silverlake a good starts ride?"
Also, does anyone know the proper spelling of Silver Lake? I've been debating my girlfriend about it
I say: Silver Lake
She likes: Silverlake
md207.26.10 - 11:22 am
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Monday Night Rehab is a perfect ride to start off too. 8-12 miles, chill pace, one stop, good people. And they go home around 11:30. You wont be up all night on this ride.
goosegoose07.26.10 - 11:23 am
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oh and basically, all the rides are for beginners.
md207.26.10 - 11:26 am
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Proper spelling for SiLV3r_L@k3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Lake,_Los_Angeles
now on to this business in the thread:
Welcome. MR is a fun and dynamic community. It does take awhile to get your bearings, but I would suggest to lurk around the site for awhile. Sometimes there is interesting discussion and sometimes its a lame substitute for the /b.
Most rides listed will tell you the basics of how fast or slow the ride is.
If in doubt just post a question and I am sure you will get the info (in between the snarky trolls)
Rides that I like, and I like mellow to medium paced rides are:
The Ride with No Name, 3rd Fridays of the month
2nd Friday (traditional MR rides)
Monday night Rehab is solid, Mondays
The Passage of a few people through a very brief moment in time, Wed
Foldie responding to a
comment by md2
07.26.10 - 11:34 am
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read the ride descriptions, but sometimes they are vague ("medium paced" means different things to different people). you don't want to bring a beach cruiser to a hustle, nor do you want to be lycra'd out at a booze cruise.
tfunk40807.26.10 - 12:02 pm
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Come out to the FMLY ride! Bkies, bands, music, costumes and lots of love! Totally cool vibe, we have an Eastside start and a Westside start. We collide someplace in the middle and ride together to the other stops as one big FMLY! First Saturday of every month. this month our ride is August 7th.
marleydog07.26.10 - 12:10 pm
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First off, being athletic doesn't always mean it'll work to your favor. There's lots of chain smokers, beer belly, pot heads that will quickly outride some one who isn't accustomed to being on a bike....
I would recommend staying on slow small rides til you get used to being on the saddle, like Foldie said Monday night rehab, ride with no name, 2nd Friday rides, and it sounds like you may be a female, so I'd look into doing the Tuesday all ladies right that starts in Hollywood. The passage ride is amazing but I wouldn't recommend it for beginners, but make out once you've gotten a few other rides under your belt! Goodluck!
Gizzard07.26.10 - 12:54 pm
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I said small rides but I meant short... As in milage.... 20 miles?
Gizzard07.26.10 - 12:56 pm
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A lot of the smaller rides during the week, are composed of lots of experienced riders who tend to ride fairly quick by beginners standards.
If a ride is more chill, they will tell you about it on the posting.
The great thing is that most people who post rides here come check on the site from time to time, you can ask them specifically if the ride is good for you and your bike.
As far as bikes go.
Its a pretty personal decision.
Here are some basics.
New vs. Used
There are more bikes in america than cars. but most of the are in garages gathering dust. There are always good deals on used bikes and LA has many great shops & wrenching collectives that can help you get a used bike working well and tricked out to your needs. With used especially craigslist, its buyer beware.
So ask around if a deal seems good, bad, or too good to be true.
If you go used, and want to learn how to fix and maintain your bike.
Try one of the many awesome bike wrenching collectives in LA
Bicycle Kitchen, Bikrowave, Bike Oven, or Bikery
they all have culinary names they are all independent.
What kind of Bike?
Pick a bike you love.
Start by googling and seeing what different bikes are out there.
Decide on a possible budget, and what you envision your biking needs/desires to be.
Also
figure out what size bike you need.
It is almost as important as having the right shoe size!
Singlespeed: a bike with only 1 gear (can be fixed, freewheel, or both) it is simpler, lighter, and more durable, and less expensive, than the same bike with gears. The downside is there are no low gears for climbing big hills. With practice you will be able to ride up any hill that you would want to ride up..
Road bike: this is a lightweight bike, designed for speed, efficiency long distances.
Touring bike: designed for long distances and the ability to cary some stuff as well.
Mountain bike: comfortable on the ugly streets of LA but not as good for fast riding or long distances, way better than a beach cruiser though.
Commuter Bike: this is a bike that sometimes a hybrid between a mountain bike and a road or touring bike. More comfy for the road, suitable for medium to long distance rides, and the ability to cary work clothes or groceries.
Beach Cruiser - Great for the beach where it is flat. Super comfortable, not the best for city distances over 4 or 5 miles unless you are trying to build thighs of steel .
SHOPS
Some of my faves:
Orange 20
Echo Park Cycles
iMartin
Flying Pigeon
Every has their opinions about different shops
check yelp for opinions and take them with a garin for salt.
You can get great deals at online shops, but its a better deal if you know precisely what you want and don't need sales help or a test ride.
trickmilla07.26.10 - 1:46 pm
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Wow, Tricks, you should make that into an article or something.
danceralamode responding to a
comment by trickmilla
07.26.10 - 1:50 pm
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Thanks for all the wonderful support and info! the names of the rides I should take really help me out..
trick - thanks for the shop recommendations!
this helps heeps!
Missbritt1107.26.10 - 2:34 pm
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MD2 - why would no real friend recommend this site?
this is pretty awesome!
Missbritt11 responding to a
comment by md2
07.26.10 - 2:55 pm
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hi hello,
just wondering what the 11 stands for?
i ask cuz its my favorite number.
barchopz is wed. you should come out, its over there--->
Jeff Yess responding to a
comment by Missbritt11
07.26.10 - 6:42 pm
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Monday Night Rehab, SFV (that is this Saturday Night, the theme is Attack of the Tin Foil Hats), L.A. Critical Mass, Valley Girl RIde and Cycle Chic Sunday's are all fun, easy rides.
Have fun!
Girl Power07.26.10 - 7:06 pm
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P.S.
If you don't have a bike yet then I would talk to Joseph at the Flying Pigeon Bike shop in Los Angeles - it's near you. You can look at thier ride calender at flyingpigeonla.com and rent one of thier Dutch bikes for a ride.
Spoke n' Art Ride, Get Sum Dim Sum and the Brewery Ride are all fun rides starting at thier shop.
Girl Power07.26.10 - 7:08 pm
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"Beach Cruiser - Great for the beach where it is flat. Super comfortable, not the best for city distances over 4 or 5 miles unless you are trying to build thighs of steel ."
The Simple Seven by Giant in light weight aluminum is an exception, I keep up on most rides on that. It's a great bike. I recommend you test ride that and any Dutch style city bike by Batavus, Gazelle, Pashley Workcycle, Electra Amsterdam and Verlobis.
Those bike sit you upright so you look at the horizon, then you can move on and test ride road bikes, they won't be nearly as comfortable, but you may prefer them.
You can also get an electric assist (elec kics in only if you need it while your still peddaling) this has the same effect as having a road bike with many gears, your still peddaling, but if 8 gears won't due then you will still be able to keep up on steep hils and inclines and on long distances. Batavus and Gazelle both make electric assist models - also via The Flying Pigeon.
If you want to test one you can also try the Schwinn Tailwind at Metropolis bike, it's not as comfortable as a Dutch bike, but you do sit up more than on a road bike.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by trickmilla
07.26.10 - 7:14 pm
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Jeff yess - 11 is my lucky number TOOO!!!
:)
I want to come to barchopz.. I actually have 2 friends who wanna join, they are also NEW beginner bikers... I get out of work at 8, I think it said they leave at 9 so I WANT TO MAKE IT! I am crossing my fingers I make it before everyone leaves.
Missbritt11 responding to a
comment by Jeff Yess
07.26.10 - 10:22 pm
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hmmm tempting...
wait til I go on my first ride... if i think I can.. there is nothing much I wouldn't try...
omg... Wolfpack hustle - sounds hard! yikes >_<
but the name is sooo epic and awesome
Missbritt11 responding to a
comment by palucha66
07.26.10 - 10:42 pm
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LOL. Im messing with you don't do this ride yet until you are ready. Try out Monday Night Rehab, Taco Tuesdays or Passage. They are chill rides with great people you can meet.
palucha66 responding to a
comment by Missbritt11
07.26.10 - 10:47 pm
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WPH is both epic and awesome, but they go FAST! (upwards of 25mph fast)...be warned. Hope to see you there soon. Gotta love fast-pedaling girls!
danceralamode responding to a
comment by Missbritt11
07.26.10 - 10:52 pm
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"Friends have recommend this site and I am now on and taking my first step.
Well, your next step should be: find new friends. No real friend would recommend this site. "
Really?? lol
Huey555 responding to a
comment by md2
07.27.10 - 12:03 am
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got your sarcasm antenna turned off, eh?
tfunk40807.27.10 - 12:26 am
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Ridazz Roulette!
I mean you are athletic.