Cycle training (for noddies)

My G/F had a session with some really nice fella on a silverish single speed bike, and then rode home back to ours right after it. Her first ride on her own.

She still won't cycle when it's stress (big roads etc.) but I think small streets and so on she now manages well. Also good that the cycle trainer gave her the same clues as I tried to, like stay away from cars, ride wide so you have space, take your time ... it's different when someone else says something I guess, but the partner you're living with.

So I am really happy that the council does these courses. I think this and the freewheel event this year were the major confidence boosts for her, and I hope that once the weather is better, we'll do a bit of cruising around the thames and so on.

I have noticed that there are a lot more cyclists on the London roads this week (NY resolutions combined with warmer weather probably) and after witnessing an accident yesterday I think it is time to revive the cycle training thread.

One to one training is free depending on the boroughs you live or work and well worth it. Information on the TfL website.

If you think you are perfect and know it all, there is no shame in getting a copy of John Franklin, Cyclecraft.

Bike maintenance training is also on offer.

VeeVee, how come you did research for this post? Is something rubbing off? ;) You didn't get all of this from me, for sure.

Why do you have New York resolutions, anyway?

My G/F had a session with some really nice fella on a silverish single speed bike, and then rode home back to ours right after it. Her first ride on her own.

Was it CTUK? They used to have an inordinate amount of hot cycle trainers. it was brilliant, I did about five courses.

Yes I have noticed a lot of nodders out in the last few days. The more people on bikes the better, but some of the cycling is just shocking. As the weather warms up, pedestrians are also becoming more idiotic. Had one walk out in front of me this morning. Mobile phone cradled in one arm against her ear, coffee in one hand and bag in the other! Didn't even bother to glance at the road before she walked into my path

Was it CTUK? They used to have an inordinate amount of hot cycle trainers. it was brilliant, I did about five courses.

It was through southwark council, but I guess they outsource. Needless to say that I didn't find the guy hot since my personal preference is women, and my g/f didn't say anything about him being particulary hot either ... hope I won't have to worry about what they've done before she got home ...

But yeah, the chap seemed likeable, and he di have a quick try on my fillmore (which he liked) ... so yeah, alltogether I'd recomment them lessons, since I doubt it's gonna be some dickhead instructor lecturing you about road rules at any time, but more like a casual lesson about confidence and basic skills.

VeeVee, how come you did research for this post? Is something rubbing off? ;) You didn't get all of this from me, for sure.

Why do you have New York resolutions, anyway?

Because all those discussions happened before you joined the forum and I used to be the cycling training voice on this forum, do some research and you will see all the clever things I used to say. Then you joined and I sat back.
New Year resolutions, you silly!

@Pascalo, you should tell your gf to come along to the rides and drinks, they are great confidence boosters.

mikec: The streets got definitely more crowded since 3 days or so. I don't mind the nodders so much, but what really gets me is the impatient people, no matter if on a bike or on a scooter or in a car.

For example I had a woman nearly pushing me off the road with her scooter, shouting at me that I should use the bloody cycle path, and when I replied that I'd rather not since it's dark, slippery and full of glass, she shouted back "Like I give a sh.."

But then I saw a lot of people being really obnoxious on the bike as well, shouting at peds and car drivers and everything, just complete road rage. Felt reminded of my childhood, when my dad used to get out of the car to start a fight with another driver.

That kindo attitude makes it just less bearable for everyone, no? All I wanna do is to get where I wanna get to in one piece.

Hey VeeVee, thanks for the offer ... but I guess the most likely scenario is that she'll go on a ride with me, if anything. Asking her to go on social rides would make her feel a bit weird I'm afraid, like I was pushing her ... and that wouldn't work in favour of the course ... I'll work on getting her to the supermarket and back first, and to the nice pubs around Peckham Rye. My guess is that once everyday tasks get carried out by bike, the confidence will come. And then for longer rides.

Edit: Also I haven't been to any drinks and rides ... but I'm by no means a "scene person" and probably disqualify for my use of lycra and helmets. I'm not really cool :/

It was through southwark council, but I guess they outsource.

CyclingInstructor.com currently.

Because all those discussions happened before you joined the forum and I used to be the cycling training voice on this forum, do some research and you will see all the clever things I used to say. Then you joined and I sat back.

Feel free to get back into the groove!

I did!

Re: 'noddies'

Why do people have to discriminate against other cyclists?

They may not ride the greatest bikes, they may not be that fit, but if you're the superior cyclist, why throw it away by being arrogant?

Just show everybody else how to ride better by example (if you can) and you won't have many problems.

Or get cycle training.

I did!

So you did indeed. Silly me.

Oliver: I agree with you there.
Sometimes I still feel like I should say something to people, like "You'd be better off if the saddle was about 20cm higher" or "You know that you can die when that bendy bus hits you, because you went in on the inside" ... But whenever I did they didn't like that comment, and I got repeatedly told to fu** off.

mikec: The streets got definitely more crowded since 3 days or so. I don't mind the nodders so much, but what really gets me is the impatient people, no matter if on a bike or on a scooter or in a car.

For example I had a woman nearly pushing me off the road with her scooter, shouting at me that I should use the bloody cycle path, and when I replied that I'd rather not since it's dark, slippery and full of glass, she shouted back "Like I give a sh.."

But then I saw a lot of people being really obnoxious on the bike as well, shouting at peds and car drivers and everything, just complete road rage. Felt reminded of my childhood, when my dad used to get out of the car to start a fight with another driver.

That kindo attitude makes it just less bearable for everyone, no? All I wanna do is to get where I wanna get to in one piece.

I really like your post and I completely agree.
Yesterday was quite something, maybe something to do with the full moon?

Re: 'noddies'

Why do people have to discriminate against other cyclists?

They may not ride the greatest bikes, they may not be that fit, but if you're the superior cyclist, why throw it away by being arrogant?

Just show everybody else how to ride better by example (if you can) and you won't have many problems.

Or get cycle training.

You sound just like me Oliver. Soon they're going to call you the Mum of the forum.

some fixie training would be great, ive been riding fixed for about 4-5 months and im still crap, would be cool to know stopping techniques, tricks, etc.

Re: 'noddies'

Why do people have to discriminate against other cyclists?

They may not ride the greatest bikes, they may not be that fit, but if you're the superior cyclist, why throw it away by being arrogant?

Just show everybody else how to ride better by example (if you can) and you won't have many problems.

Or get cycle training.

Raci.. nodder!

Raci.. nodder!

Headbanger!

some fixie training would be great, ive been riding fixed for about 4-5 months and im still crap, would be cool to know stopping techniques, tricks, etc.

stopping technique: use your brakes (same as any other bike, really).

tricks: ride without using your hands?

seriously, tho - thought it would be good to bump this thread again seeing as the weather has been gorgeous recently and is soon to turn to rain....

Rain in the evening and WIND in the morning. Hit one wind tunnel at Gunnersbury (coming along the railway tracks through a gap in the buildings) that nearly put me into another dimension.

the council of islington manages to claim:

"There is one cyclist death per 33 million kilometres cycled – it would take the average cyclist 21,000 years to ride that far."

OH, and it's not relative to individual AT ALL, is it...

Was wondering if there was a definitive list of London boroughs that have free cycle training. Looked on the TfL site but there is no info.

Thanks

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread31307.html#post1015240