Lately, I have had a lot of women asking me about learning to ride. It’s exciting to me that so many people are interested in getting involved in cycling. I’ve been doing it for so long that sometimes I forget about what it feels like to be just starting out. But, that being said, I can vividly remember my first time on clipless pedals, and also learning how to shift, brake and basically just get comfortable.

So, starting from square one, it is important to feel safe on your bike. The easiest way to get comfortable is to go to a big empty parking lot and just practice. Since the most awkward feeling is getting into your pedals, I always suggest just making big loops through the parking lot clicking in and out of your pedals is a good way to start. Then, once you get more comfortable with the motion of getting in and out, pick a point to start and stop. Simulate coming to a stop sign or light. This way you don’t really have to feel any pressure of traffic and you can just get comfortable knowing you can start and stop. One way to prepare for a light is to unclick your foot well in advance and then just focus on stopping and putting your foot down. We have all had the slow motion fall, but, by practicing this exercise, you will cut down this one significantly. The main thing that practicing will help you with is confidence. A lot of accidents can be avoided if you just don’t panic. But, having the confidence to stay calm comes from practice. When the movements of stopping and starting and getting in and out of your pedals becomes more natural, you will not think twice about it. All of a sudden it becomes instinct and you will be more concerned with the world around you. This is the point of practicing, and the best way to do it is in a parking lot or other empty area where you can just do your own thing and get used to your bike.

Once you are comfortable with the basics, the next step is to feel how your bike handles under you. By this I mean, start practicing going through corners. Weave in and out of cones, feel how your bike moves and how you can adjust your bike by shifting your weight. Make it all a game and if you have some other girlfriends get together and practice together. Skills are something that most beginners really need to work on, and will make you feel much safer when you are actually out on the road.

Happy Riding!