At Ease on a Bicycle: Cycling Comfort, Control & Skills

When I was a kid, roller skating was a big deal. It was an activity that nearly everyone participated in, and growing up in a smaller community it was an easy way to keep kids and teenagers entertained and out of trouble in a city that didn't host many age-appropriate activities. Many Friday evenings my family would go to the skating rink and we'd roll around for a few hours.

Of course, one of those words didn't really apply to me personally:  Roll.

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As much as I always wanted to skate, I could never get the hang of it. I'd watch my mother as she'd easily glide around without issue, while I clung for dear life to the walls. Not an innate instructor by any means, my mom was never able to express or illustrate the fundamentals that would keep me upright and able to move solidly or securely in a forward direction.

I tried on my own for many years to master what seemed to be an inborn skill for so many others, but I was never successful. I spent far more time on the ground and with skinned/bruised body parts than was probably necessary.

A couple of years ago, I made a passing comment to an acquaintance who is part of a local roller derby squad that I would absolutely love to participate. However, as much as I think I'd love the sport, I cannot skate. Not only can I not skate, but just standing upright on skates without toppling seems to be an issue.

She has suggested on many occasions that she'd be willing to help me get to a point of (at least) basic skill (apparently one learns more advanced skills while trying out for the team), but I've never taken her up on the kind and generous offer.

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So, when a reader asked for my thoughts on achieving confidence and skill on a bicycle, I couldn't help but identify with her plight. I have to admit, riding a bicycle was not a competent activity for me early in life - at least not without training wheels. It's not a common sight to see a third grader riding a bike with training wheels, but I was definitely that kid, and it wasn't for lack of trying.

Then, one day, my parents decided that the training wheels were coming off, whether I was ready or not. I remember a lot of tears that day (Okay, in reality the tears took place for weeks after the training wheels came off). I didn't feel I had the ability to ride without the support of those two extra little attached wheels, but lo and behold, I somehow managed to pull it together (after many falls) to figure it out, and the rest is history.

Well, sort of. As anyone who reads here knows, I still find myself struggling in certain areas of riding. Mountain biking, for instance, has been a huge source of frustration. Riding on icy roads also strikes fear in me. Not to mention the many bicycles I've tested that kept me from ever wanting to ride those particular bikes again due to instability or some other geometry-related detail(s).

If I've learned anything from my moments of adult-bicycling frustration (or incompetence) it is that repetition is key. Much as I may dread or sometimes fear a particular location or set of circumstances, the more I practice the easier those activities/moments become.  Repetition is not the only element though. I have to allow myself the opportunity to "fail" as might be the case in some circumstances. Surrounded by people who seem completely comfortable and at ease with their skill level, it's not always easy to tell oneself that it's okay to fall, to get off and walk, to go slower than everyone else, to ask for help, or to do research before diving in head first (hopefully not literally).

Seeing (reading) that I find myself trying out a variety of bicycles and having gone on a number of test rides, I can see how there would be an assumption that I've adapted and learned to quickly find comfort or be at ease on a new bicycle. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. I've slowly overcome a lot of my fears, but there are still times when I want to run out of a shop and hide (As a side note, if a shop ever makes you feel this way - meaning someone working in the shop makes you feel inferior or incapable - it may be a good sign that you should look for another bike shop. Making the customer feel at ease is one of the most important aspects of customer service, I believe).

There are a variety of areas to take into consideration when adapting to a new bicycle though. Some of these may seem obvious, but it never hurts to bring it up in case there is something that has gone unconsidered thus far.

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A bicycle should be the proper size
This one may seem apparent without needing to be stated, but I see people nearly every day riding incorrectly sized bicycles. They look uncomfortable riding, and while I know sometimes it's a situation in which lack of funds prevented obtaining a bicycle that was the proper size (i.e. - the person is riding a hand-me-down or loaner bike), if you have the means to purchase a bicycle (whether new or used) try to make sure it is the proper size for the rider.

This can be trickier than it sounds, but if you have a good local bicycle shop, they can be very helpful in this regard. Recently, I was looking over a chart containing riders heights versus the size frame of a particular model s/he was riding. I was amazed at how different the sizes were for people of the same height. It just goes to illustrate though that an individuals proportions are very important - not just a persons height.

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A bicycle should fit properly
This is different in my mind than a bicycle being the correct size. I have had innumerable experiences on bikes that were, on paper, the size I need; however, the fit is simply off. I think this is an aspect that is both known almost immediately by the rider and can change as more time and distance traveled on the bike takes place.

I used to feel badly making a shop adjust things during a test ride, but if we stop and think about it, why would we want to test a bike while riding in an uncomfortable manner? If I'm ill-at-ease testing the bike, how will I know that it's going to work in every day life for me? Plus, it's the only way I'm going to be able to determine if the fit is right for me.

Fit sometimes involves changes to handlebar stems, handlebars themselves, brakes, shifters, seatpost, saddle, and the list could go on. Some of these things a shop may be willing to switch out for a test, but more than likely most of these changes will occur after a rider has some time with the bicycle. If the size is correct though, it may just need a bit of adjustment to find the right fit.

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Different bikes perform various types of riding better
When I first received a cruiser bike several years ago, I was so in love. I rode that bike everywhere. It was so comfortable because it sat upright (no weight on my already injured hands), the saddle was wide (I didn't have any issues with my sit bones being too wide because the seat was nearly as large as my rear end), it had an internal, 3-speed hub (I didn't have to worry about losing a chain on the derailleur), and it didn't hurt that it was pretty.

Soon, I found myself attempting 20 mile rides on a 45+ pound cruiser bike. My average speeds were probably somewhere around 6 mph, but I didn't care. I just enjoyed the ride.

Then, I started realizing that a ride into town (which at that time was about 8 miles just to the edge of our city) and back home again was taking up half the day. It was fine on a lazy Saturday with nothing else to get done, but when one is just trying to get an errand done, traveling so slowly can hinder how often those rides can take place.

The same is true of trying to ride a bike intended for paved roads on rough or rocky, mountainous terrain. While it could be done (and I've seen it happen first hand), certain tools are simply better for a given task. It wouldn't be surprising at all to feel ill-at-ease on a bicycle intended for a different type of riding.

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Bicycle handling
I think the way a bicycle handles can be crucial to a riders confidence as well. Some bikes have twitchy front ends; others feel completely stable. Some bikes have loose steering while others are tighter. Some feel completely grounded and/or heavy while others feel sprightly and/or light.

Bicycles are built for different purposes so handling is going to change from one type of bike to another. A quality that may seem unattractive for one type of riding could be a godsend for another. Some of these characteristics can change with modifications to a bike, while others would be far more difficult. For example, it would be tough to have turned my quite heavy cruiser bike into a road bike suitable for club rides. However, it might be possible to turn a touring bicycle into something that would handle a bit livelier (or course, this is highly dependent on the bicycle in question).

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New geography or topography 
I am particularly fortunate to live an area that is fairly small as far as population is concerned. While there are jerky motorists everywhere, there have been few times while riding that I've feared for my life. I know that isn't always the case for cyclists though.

Riding in more densely populated cities can have its ups and downs. For instance, larger cities are more often equipped with many miles of bike lanes; however, you may find yourself with motorists parked in those lanes, the possibility of getting "doored" while riding by a parked car becomes even more likely, pot holes the size of craters are huge obstacles, and the list could go on.

Living in smaller areas, there are many of the same challenges. There may not be as much traffic or as many bike lanes, but the reality of lanes being placed directly next to parked cars or motorists not paying attention is just as real.

Even if a cyclist has lived in the same place for a long time, changing from motorist to bicycle rider can feel overwhelming. Taking it slowly and knowing that you don't have to do anything you find uncomfortable can be helpful. Just going a bit farther each trip may assist with overcoming roads that seem insurmountable too.

Additionally, changing from riding on paved roads to dirt or other terrain can bring its own challenges. Have patience with yourself and know that you can do it. Last fall, I went on the world's shortest mountain bike ride, but it helped me feel slightly better about the bike, the way it handles/feels, and my ability to maintain control.

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Get comfortable with the parts of a bicycle
Perhaps knowing all the parts on a bicycle doesn't seem immediately necessary to find a level of comfort with a bike, but it certainly can't hurt. I have to admit, when I knew just about nothing in regard to my bicycles it was far more a mystery, which sometimes created unnecessary stress or fear. When a bicycle feels like something foreign or we're not sure how it works or what goes where it can be intimidating.

As I became more familiar with the purpose of each component, how they work together, and what could potentially go wrong on the roads, it alleviated mental strain which eased into comfort on a bike.

A bicycle is a fairly simple machine. While we may not all have the desire to learn about every bit and piece, having a general understanding and being able to make small repairs ourselves can definitely aid in the process of getting acquainted and therefore comfortable with bicycles.

Other potential areas of consideration
It's possible that there are physical limitations for the rider. Does the rider have balance, dexterity, and/or inner-ear problems? Perhaps there is another previously unconsidered physical ailment that is causing the rider to feel uncomfortable, such as an injured knee, ankle, shoulder, neck, or other body part. I believe physical injuries or ailments can sometimes require the assistance of a professional (doctor, physical therapist, etc), but there are riders who are able to overcome these - sometimes even without professional help, depending on severity.

Truly, there are many possibilities when it comes to feeling uncomfortable or not quite in control of a bicycle. If repetition doesn't seem to be helping, the bicycle is fitted properly, and there aren't any physical challenges to overcome, perhaps the problems could be emotional or mental stress/strain. I know for myself I have built things up in the past to be more challenging or difficult than they truly are. It's amazing how much stress this can put on the body. So much so that I can begin to feel dizzy or out of control when riding a bike.

Sometimes just working through a fear by creating a worst-case scenario we can come up with a plan of action should something go wrong. As the saying goes, most of what we worry about never actually happens. However, if we're prepared for something to go wrong, if there is a problem it's a lot easier to quickly adapt in the situation.

I also wrote a post several years ago regarding lessons I'd learned and I have to say that while it was intended for larger than average cyclists, I still think the points hold true for anyone who rides a bike.

Ultimately, I believe that in order to become competent at any skill, it has to be repeated. For some, there is an almost instant understanding and adeptness, while for others it may take weeks, months, or perhaps even years.

Roller skating never became a skill for me because too much time passed between attempts to practice. I became frustrated with my inability to quickly master the skates and ultimately let it go. It doesn't mean it's impossible for me to find a level of comfort, but I have to be willing to put in the time and have the patience to see it through. I was able to eventually ride without training wheels on my bike because I was forced into it. I don't recommend it as a teaching tool because it was highly unnerving, but I think there are methods for easing a person into becoming comfortable while riding by taking matters slowly.

My thoughts here are based simply on my experiences or observations around me, but others may have ideas as well. So, I ask you, what recommendations would you have for someone trying to find comfort or to become more at ease on a bicycle? Did/do you struggle to feel in control while on a bike? What did/do you do to overcome any issues? Any tips or tricks you can offer would be fantastic.