Many of us dread the thought of not having to learn how to ride the bike at a young age. As we grow old and reach adulthood, we tend to think that it is no longer possible to learn how to ride the bike because we simply no longer have the flexible and fast-healing body that we once have. The good news is that there is hope for you if you’re still planning to learn how to ride the bike despite being an adult or of old age. In this article, we’ll provide you with an easy and comprehensive guide on how you can learn how to ride a bike as an adult.
Guide To Learning How To Ride A Bike As An Adult
Just before we get to the guide, it is important to know that learning a new skill or knowledge requires patience. The more patience you put into it, the better the results. The same philosophy applies to learning how to ride the bike. So, make sure you are loaded with a good amount of patience right before you check out our guide. Also, results may not be seen immediately right after trying this guide for the first time. At times you will have to do it over and over again until you get the hang of it. So, adding to patience, you will also need a never-give-up attitude to ensure that you’ll learn how to ride the bike when you’re an adult.
Finding The Right Bike
Now the first thing to learning a bike is having a bike – you can’t learn to ride it without it. So, make sure that you have access to a bike. The ideal bike for beginning adults and even children is low. Don’t use a bike that is high or just right with your height – “the higher they are, the harder they fall.” Since you are just learning to ride a bike, there will be many instances when you’ll be falling or tipping over when riding the bike.
The ideal bike for learning should be low enough to let you sit while keeping both of your feet flat on the ground. This way, you’ll be able to easily stop the bike with your foot as it falls from either side. This would also allow you to stop the bike with your foot if you’re still not familiar with using the brakes. Furthermore, a low bike will allow you to mount and dismount easily without worrying about balancing the bike.
Finding The Right Terrain And Ground Surface
So, what’s the best terrain and ground surface for learning how to ride the bike? The best terrain and ground surface would be on even ground without any lumps and bumps. Also, the ground should have at least a slope of 5 to 10 degrees to allow you to move down without pedaling the bike. To test the slope of the ground, use a ball or any circular object and let it roll on its weight over the surface.
The higher the slope of the ground, the faster you’ll be moving. So, you must choose a ground surface that is not too uphill or downhill.
As you choose the ground surface, make sure that there will be no obstructions along the way to avoid crashing into it. Clear the way and make sure to have at least 5 to 10 meters distance to use as your training ground. Of course, the path should also be straight as you won’t be making turns yet while learning the basics.
Mounting And Dismounting
Now it’s time to get on the bike. First, unlock or release the kickstand or stand which is making the bike stand. Mounting the bike is pretty straightforward at this point. Go to one side of the bike and hold the handlebars with your hands – right hand on the right handlebar, and left hand on the left handlebar. With both hands on the handlebars, lift your leg over the bike and towards the other side – your foot should land on the ground surface. Now sit on the seat while still trying to keep both feet on the ground for balance. At this point, you’re making the bike stand with both feet on each side on the ground.
However, as you master riding the bike, you’ll mount the bike with your foot landing on the pedal – not on the ground, while the other foot is on the ground.
The Baby Steps
Just like for a baby that’s learning how to walk, you’ll have to take baby steps as well when learning how to ride a bike as an adult or as a child. While being seated on the bike with both feet on the ground, move down the sloped road or ground. As you move, push one leg toward the back to move the bike forward. As one leg finishes pushing, follow with the other leg. In a way, this would look like a swimmer doing breaststroke to move forward, where you use your feet instead of your hands.
Do this step moving from uphill to downhill at least 5 to 10 times.
The purpose of this exercise is to give you a feel of how the bike moves and how to avoid falling when the bike is moving.
The Giant Steps
After mastering the baby steps, you can now proceed with doing the giant steps. The giant steps involve making huge steps forward wherein you lift your leg for a long time before pushing again. In another perspective, it would feel like leaping forward while being seated on the bike. The leaping movement is done by pushing one foot backward to move the bike forward, while the other foot is raised forward an inch or two above the ground. Both feet will move alternately from kicking to going forward.
Each leap should cover at least 1- or 2-meters intervals on the ground. The purpose of this exercise is to let you feel the momentary balancing of the bike as you kick your foot with your other foot off the ground. Repeat this until you can move perfectly from uphill to downhill without stopping or falling on either side.
After which, go for bigger distances. This time, try to cover 2 to 3 meters for each leap. Remember not to kick too hard or you’ll move too fast. Start with a soft push with your other foot and let the slope of the ground move you forward. Once you’ve mastered taking 2-3 meters for each leap, go for 4 or more until you’ve covered at least half of your target distance with a single leap.
Wrapping Up
You’ve already learned the basics of balancing the bike at this point. Now all you have to do is master placing your foot on the pedal instead of placing it an inch forward off the ground. As you start with kicking with your other foot, the other foot should already be set on the pedal. With your other foot pushing the bike to move forward, the other foot on the pedal should start pushing the pedal as well. The pedal should be placed at a horizontal where you can push it from 3 o’clock to 6 o’clock position and around if using your right foot – 9 o’clock to 6 o’clock and around for the left foot. If ever you feel like falling over, simply use your foot to stop the fall. This is where the small or low bike comes in handy since it can be easily stopped and managed for beginners.
With this guide on how to learn to ride a bike as an adult or as a child, you’ll be able to learn the skill in just a day. With patience and dedication, you’ll learn it in just a few minutes.