tips on riding a bike for overweight young adults?

Question

I've been trying to learn how to ride a bike without training wheels, but I'm having a difficult time with adjusting to the balance. Every time I try to ride all by myself, I always end up falling to the ground. I'm 19 years old, and my weight is about 193 or 195, and I still can't seem to balance on a bike. Is there a certain type of weight you're suppose to be in order to safely balance on your bike? I know it'll take practice, and I'm willing to do it. But I just need to know if my weight is really the issue here with riding bikes.

Answer 1

Weight is not the issue, balance is.

I assume you can walk upright so you're already familiar with keeping your weight balanced (at least when you walk), so your body has already adapted to your particular weight level. Whew!

Ok, the rest is all about practice. One suggestion that is used to teach kids to ride a bike is to lower the bike seat so that your feet can touch the ground while you're sitting on the seat (you can already raise it later when you've learned how to ride). Then practice (preferably on a very slight downhill) coasting on your bike (that is, get the bike moving with your feet, Flintstone's-style, and then lift your feet in the air). If you start to lose your balance, you can easily put your feet on the ground to regain balance.

Once you've mastered sitting/balancing on a moving bike then you can start thinking about pedaling the bike. To keep yourself from feeling that you're going uncontrollably fast, I'd suggest you do this on a slight uphill.

Yes, the faster you go, the easier it gets to balance your bike (thanks to the gyroscopic effect of the wheels). But if you're new to cycling, you'll probably feel out of control before your bike is moving fast enough to feel such an effect. Hence the recommendation to lower your seat and learn to balance yourself first.

Finally, don't give up! Riding a bike is the most awesome feeling in the world. Not only is it good exercise and a brillant sport, but it's great form of transportation. I'm guessing that once you get hooked on cycling, you're days of being 193 will soon be over...

Good luck.

Answer 2

Weight isn't the issue. It might creates some of its own challenges but this is separate topic. I'll write about that a bit later

Practice. Training wheels aren't bad and the fact is that you wouldn't need them very long. Just a couple of rides and they would be off. I know they exist for adults. Besides two wheel bikes, there are bikes call recumbents and many models have 3 wheels. I know a guy who is 70+ and every week he takes his trike as he calls it and rides some of the steepest hills aaround. My main point is there is a solution.

One thing I suggest, if you haven't done it, is go to a bike shop and have the bike fitted to you. It will make a difference. Making sure you have the right height of the seat will help you. I am also willing to bet that if you find a good shop that they might help you learn to ride pretty quickly. Remember they want customers and if you are riding, you are buying.

Now about the weight thing, I used cycling to help lose a 122 lbs. I started out not being able to fit into bike shorts and probably weighing over 320. I started with short distances. Riding the bike wasn't the problem, it was my general lack of fitness. There is more to the story but I started out with small rides. That was 3 years ago. Today I have completed over 17 double centuries and have done rides of longer distances. I have gone from walking up small hills to riding almost any hill out there without stopping (suffering yes, pain no). Is your weight an issue, only if you let it become the issue. Let me reframe it another way. Do you want it to become the excuse? It all depends on how you view the challenge and what you are willing to do about it. I can tell from personal experience that hundreds of heavier folks ride their bikes. Every visit Weight Watchers web site and take a look at their boards? They have very active cycling threads. You can enjoy cycling and have a great time, if you chose to do it.

Answer 3

Just keep practicing you will get the hang of it soon...it might be a god idea to put training wheels on..it might be a little embarrassing but its better than breaking an arm or leg.....always wear a helmet...and after you get used to it then take the training wheels off....the weight is not the issue .it just takes time to balance your self that why i said use the training wheels...and riding a bike is a very good way to loose some...i need to start riding a bike my self...

Answer 4

This is an easy way to learn to balance:

1. On a short not so steep grass hill get on a 2 wheeled bike and lift your feet a few inches off the ground and coast down. Gravity should keep you centered.

2.Once you can do this, start out like you did in 1. but bring your feet up to the pedals once you get rolling.

3. Once comfortable pushing off and getting your feet on the pedals, start pedaling.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

I don't want this to sound mean but yes weight effects balance and you need balance to not fall off. So ride more or take the bike for a hour walk everyday till you can ride wityh out falling off

Answer 6

The faster you go, the more gyroscopic inertia you develop in the wheels. This inertia is what keeps you upright.

To illustrate, hold a upright wheel by its hub and spin it. The faster it spins, the harder it is to move the wheel from the upright position. Try it, it's a cool physics experiment.

Have a friend assist you to learn to ride a bike. It's more fun that way. Good luck.

Answer 7

No, weight is not a big factor--it just takes practice...there are numerous overweight people out there riding their bike, mostly as an avenue for weight loss. Pedal on!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I started riding at 250 pounds, now I'm 220 and have no problems at all, I'm 43 and my weight doesn't seem to be a problem for me. Most people find me pretty fast and prefer to be behind me, but that's because I'm a Clydsdale (big rider).

Answer 10

Your weight is not the issue. Just keep practicing... You'll get it! Have a great day and God Bless!