Absolute Beginners

So, I have quite a few complete beginner sessions coming up. For some reason I always feel more trepidation about them than I do with CS/OR lessons. I don't know why exactly, the ones I have done have been successful enough. I had one today which went well. And it was on a Boris Bike as the others will be. Turned out to be more usable than I had anticipated.
Maybe it is that with complete beginners success and failure are much easier to define than with people who want to build confidence on road. And part of that is that you just really, really want them to do well and be able to ride and you know how much they want it too and there is the fear of their disappointment and your own sense of failure.
So, although I don't think I have failed yet, I would be interested to hear other trainers' tips and experiences. And maybe non-trainer's memories of when they first learned to ride too.
Thanks.

Interesting Will, I am completely the opposite. Enjoy and look forward to the absolute beginners and much more apprehensive about advanced/level 3 type lessons. I think that stems from a lack of confidence in my own abilities but that's another story!

Anyway, the technique we always use is pedals off, saddle down, walking the bike, 'spaceman' style. Get the balance right, one pedal, push off, two pedals etc.

Determining their past experiences/fears is always important. How they perceive their balance etc.

Some of the most rewarding sessions have been the most basic in some ways,
there has been a few adults I worked with who had never ridden before, so we are talking about doing the whole set your pedal thing as you do with children, and physically supporting the bike as you set them off.
Its work for patient hands but when they ride for the first time independently-- and keep going, youre rewarded with that magic bit that parents get.
from there up even basic stuff on roads comes as such an enlightenment for beginners they love it, see where theyre at and look through their eyes, meaning imagine you never rode before-the independence is liberating!it will be great (as long as its not pissing down again)

fair points, what does this mean though Ed? you have excelled yourself this time...
"it's the equative of steering a whales with a toothpick"

Oh come on, we've all tried steering a whale with a a toothpick at one time or another haven't we?
I think my anxieties about teaching CBs are misplaced. This week went well. Patience, persistence and positivity, that's the key. That and plenty of Ibuprofen to keep my back working.
I had an interesting experience at the weekend. The trainee was a young girl. She was great, really determined and already had pretty good balance on the bike so getting her to be able to start and stop independently wasn't too hard. The interesting bit was that her mother was very friendly and warm but her father, when he turned up later, was rather distant. Not at all rude but a little cool. It was only as I rode home that I thought maybe this was because he felt embarrassed that his role had been usurped, that some stranger - another man - had come in and succeeded where he had failed in his fatherly duties. People eh?

maybe. or maybe he's just like that generally. glad it went well though. i kind of miss training a bit. i wish i'd stuck around and got the chance to teach adults but my employer was mostly doing primary schools back then which i struggled with. i was thinking of getting myself a lesson at some point, see what bad habits i have developed since i stopped teaching and indeed riding so much.. maybe i get one of yous lot to do it when im in london for a few days at some point..

True, maybe he just isn't the expressive type. But I definitely sensed something.
I am sure someone on here would be happy to give you a refresher if you are around.

sweet. i'll probably send out a blanket email asking for an out of hours unofficial session payable in cash when im around for a few days toward the end of november and see if i get any takers.. night all.

I find the following is working well for me with beginners:

• I hold the bars and walk backwards as they learn to start and stop. Key points are catching the pedal and continuous pedaling. Learning to brake smoothly and holding the brakes once stopped

• Once they can stop without falling over, I move to the back and DO NOT touch the bars. A firm grip on their clothes between the shoulders and an occational nudge on the elbow is usually enough support. Key points are continuous pedalling and learning to steer into the lean to turn.

• Remind then that pedalling is the force that keeps the bike upright and to sit up tall and straight. Lean WITH the bike!

A large flat area is key as they need enough space to be able to wobble about without feeling that they will hit anything. Shortly the wobbles start getting smaller and smaller... job done.

This is working for me but I would love to hear others' methods

Lean WITH the bike!

Wait til Ed hears about this...

Hi guys ive had a bit of trouble with wheels recently, I ride a 2011 se draft lite and have want to replace the wheels which were standard ones which came with the bike when I brought it. Ive been told the is pretty basic and nothing speacial but I still love it! But as the bike is standard is there much buying expensive wheels? Any advice on how much I should spend? And any ideas on what to look at? Cheers for any advice

This is the cycle training part of the forum, not the forum use training section...

Soz having trouble finding the right threads

Could some one direct me to the correct thread please?

Search for wheels.