Has anyone learned to ride a bike for the first time as an adult?

Question

My wife has never ridden a bicycle in her life, but would like to learn. In the country she is from, it is not common to own a bike. I don't really have a clue how to teach her. If any of you have learned as an adult or have taught another adult how to ride, I'd be glad to hear your experiences.

Answer 1

I did . . . at age 35! Been riding now for 11 months and still can't get over the fact that I actually learned to ride!

If I can make some suggestions to your wife which I found helpful and effective . . . . .

First, choose a bike with a comfortable height and adjust the bike seat low enough so that you can easily lay your feet (or at least one foot) on the ground in case you feel like you are losing balance.

Second, think of the bike as being the machine and you being the person. You control the bike. The bike does not control you. Whenever you would feel like you are losing balance, be quick to put your brake on and at the same time lay your one foot on the ground (whichever side is more comfortable for you). This will give you the feeling of being able to stop or control the bike whenever needed.

One factor that makes it hard at first to learn how to ride the bike is that we hesitate to pedal (for fear of falling). It is a normal feeling. Push the pedal down with one foot then stop. Then try to pedal with the same foot then pedal down with the other, then stop. You may want to do this for a few times. Before you know it, you'll be pedaling for a few meters then for a few further more. Just keep trying. Once you gain some confidence with your balance, you'll be able to keep going. For a start, try learning on an empty parking lot so you can keep on cruising without needing to worry about making turns. Then much later, you can practice on making the turns.

There is a website called pedalmagic.com. I watched their short downloadable instructional video (cost me $20 Sept 2005). It gave me some insights on the physics involved in bike-riding. I personally do NOT think it helped me learn to bike. Quite honestly, I did NOT use the techniques taught in that instruction. Believe me, I learned to bike all by myself, alone, in 20 minutes and without the use of training wheels. I learned to ride the bike for the very first time at age 35. It was the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced. (dreamed of this since I was age 7). Even now 11 months later, it still is beyond my comprehension how I did it. But I did. And your wife can too.

Answer 2

I never learned to ride one as a girl growing up in the city. For some reason, my parents didn't buy me one and I wasn't all that interested in learning...but I did feel kind of like an "outsider," because all the other neighborhood kids rode them.

When I was married for the 1st time, my then-husband taught me to ride. He got a big, older bike that he'd had as a teenager. He took me to an empty schoolyard one summer and gave me step-by-step instructions. He held the bike while I got on and helped me balance. He stood at the back of the bike when it appeared I had "gotten" it, and then let go. It was scary at first, but then I got it. It takes a lot of patience and reassurance on the part of the teacher. No teasing, or making fun. It will be hard enough to go out somewhere in public to teach her.

I didn't keep the riding up, though. But I did finally learn...at the age of 23!!

Answer 3

There is a particular and unique bike that can make this very easy.

First of all, you need large smooth grassy area, and a bike that can cross terrain easily. This area needs to be large enough to pick up some speed.

Why?

1) It simply does not hurt to fall off a bike onto soft grass. It is not a direct drop, but rather a gentle lean over event with about a 1 foot drop. No pain and no threat. Find a nice, smooth, park. Pack a picnic. Make it a romantic outing. Most females respond to this with greatly enhanced interest.

2) You need to tell her that the bike is easy to balance when it is faster. And, that it won't balance till it goes faster. Push the bike to help her if necessary. This won't take long.

The bike that makes this nearly instant. . .

The Electra Townie Ladies 8 has "flat foot" geometry, or in other words, it is almost impossible to fall off.

It is also equipped with the Shimano Nexus 8 for error-proof, obvious, and maintenance free drivetrain. There's probably nothing else that could so easily get her going on a bike.

Later, when she wants it to be easier to pedal into a headwind for more speed, simply turn the seatpost backwards and install "north road" or "mary" handlebars (either about $12). This will bring a more mountain bike fit, later and if desired.

The Electra Townie Ladies 8 is a premium quality alloy European style city bike that also gives full leg extension while simultaneously allowing you to put a foot flat on the ground while still sitting on the very comfortable saddle.

As a "Euro Bike," that means it is a car-replacment vehicle as well, so there's no worries whether it would be useful or not. ;)

With the luxurious Shimano Nexus Premium 8 speed internally geared hub, there's no lack of gears. For some reason, it comes factory standard geared for flatter terrain and 30 miles per hour. ?? Maybe that is to make slow-pedaling people more comfortable.
However, Nexus cogs (larger for hills) are about $4, and chainrings (smaller for hills) are about $11. So, this bike has very easy to customize gearing that can meet your needs, even if those needs change. Well, that's just like most of the better European designs.

The saddle and riding position are such that most females really like it. The real reason that most females don't ride a bike is that leaning forwards puts great abuse into something they'd rather not have abused. This is no problem with the Electra Townie, and there will be no discomfort whatsoever.

If the Ladies 8 is too expensive, listing at $700, then there is a Ladies 21 with an economy Shimano drivetrain. It does work, but it is neither easy to operate nor maintenance free like the Ladies 8.

As an element in its hybrid design, it is vastly adjustable as far as what terrain it will cover, comes with front shocks and is able to do street, road, or mountain.

May I suggest that if it is to do all of the above, including a faster pace on road, that it be given a set of Kenda Kross Plus tires ("Plus" is faster, flat-free, light weight and always has the yellow label--look for the yellow label and insist on the "Plus") for about $9 each.
And, yes the Electra Townie can certainly keep up with mountain bikes on dirt trail or pavement.

For hilly areas, the Electra Townie Ladies 24 speed bike has a lighter weight and is far more prepared for the hills than other models. It is also capable of road touring, and only at a disadvantage during intense headwinds. The price is similar to the ladies 21, but the 24 is faster, higher quality, and, well, the 24's quicker uphill trip than the rest of the models is a tremendously valuable feature.

Of course all derailleurs are harder to operate than the Nexus 8 gearhub, but the ladies 24 is still better on hills. Why would you get the ladies 8? It is most excellent at city riding and can shift gears even when stopped, thus zero frustrations. So, it all depends on where the bike is to be used.

Think of this sort of bike as an inexpensive recumbent rather than an expensive cruiser. Although, it is much lighter weight than either one, and much lighter than the majority of mountain bikes. ;)

Other small items that can enhance her experience are Kool Stop brake pads for maintenance-free, zero noise brakes that won't eat rims, and a Trek Vapor or Trek Police (police label comes right off) helmet. That $30 helmet makes your head cool. Other helmets make your head hot.
A handlebar mounted water bottle holder is also of great convenience and far safer than the usual arrangement.
Since leisure time can occur after dark, a Serfas model SL-400 8-Led featherweight headlight (especially that one) puts a very wide, very bright beam for a luxurious, fun trip home that is extraordinarily conservitive on batteries.
Pretty easy enhancements there.

Anyway, the flat foot ergo for safety, along with extraordinary comfort will inspire the beginning rider towards wanting to ride.

While the bike can do, perhaps more than any other, to encourage her, the majority of the encouragement and fun is really up to you.

You need to never discourage her, always reassure, give her lots of good quality attention, zero bad quality attention, and make this time you spend together something that she will treasure and want to do with great eagerness.

You also need to plan different and varied excursions. Most people have trouble with the concept of bicycles and distance. She will progress far faster if you choose a wide variety of starting points and a wide variety of destinations. Your bike needs to have a rack and possibly panniers to carry comfort items, lock, picnic, refreshments, iced pickles. Don't make her bike carry anything but a water bottle until her strength increases. Carrying stuff is your job. Occaisionally, lock the bikes outside of a restaraunt and have a nice, leisurely meal.

Answer 4

We taught our mother to ride a bike.

Teach her just like you do a kid. Balance her by holding the back of the seat and run along behind as she pedals. Just do it where there's grass next to the path so it won't hurt so much if she tips.

Good luck to her.

Answer 5

Sorry........No!!!!!!!