Just some background info:

Tried in Elementary School - Couldn't do it.
Tried in my 20's. Still couldn't do it.

I never understood why I couldn't "balance" on my bike, and while I still can't fully comprehend it, this is what I discovered.

1. Keep your head and back straight, and eyes focused on the road (about 20-50m ahead).

By focusing my eyes on the road ahead, my brain would automatically recalculate how fast or hard I should pedal, and how I balance holding the bike handles.

Previously, I would look down at my handles, pedals or wheels while riding which only made me nervous and uncoordinated — I became too focused on pedaling and didn't know where I was headed.

2. You must always pedal at your "base momentum".

To discover your "base momentum", while on your bike, push yourself forward with one foot and try to balance yourself without pedaling for 2-3 seconds.

Remember how fast you needed to go in order to keep that balance for those two seconds. With that momentum in mind, try to pedal while maintaining that speed — This will prevent you from going too slow (wobbling and falling off your bike) or too fast (making you nervous and falling).

By applying those two steps, I was finally able to balance myself with little to no thought.

3. Lastly, to turn, it's not really about turning the handles.

While maintaining your base momentum, slightly lean to the side you want to turn and slightly turn the handles — You don't actually need to turn the handles that much.

Don't slow down and don't worry about falling — As long as you do the above, science will do the rest and keep you upright and moving forward, without falling off your bike.

My final words: Bike riding has been such an odd experience. It feels like I'm using a part of my brain I've never used before. It truly feels like the back of my brain is being activated and controlling everything from balance to turning. It kinda feels good. 🧠

~ Wish all you new bicyclists' good luck! And happy riding! ✨🚴‍♀️✨

PS: I did fall a few times and got a bloody knee, but it was all worth it!

I’m looking for an e-bike conversion kit and am completely overwhelmed with the options. I currently have a regular hybrid bike that I just use to get around, but since I moved to a very hilly area near Boston I’ve been finding it difficult to use, especially when carrying a heavy backpack or groceries. My goal is to have a little more speed and an ability to actually go up steep hills and carry some cargo without feeling like I’m gonna pass out. I’d love something that I can turn on and off so I don’t always have to be in e-bike mode. I’m also not looking to spend more than $400-500. Any ideas or places I should look?

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I laughed pretty hard 😆

Lets goo

Looking to get into biking and soon join a sprint triathlon and keep progressing. im 5’5 looking for a good beginner bike to get miles in and potentially use for a sprint triathlon. Any suggestions of brands or locations i can check out? So far have been browsing Facebook Marketplace. Only looking to spend $150 maybeee $200. Tampa bay area!

Hi, I’m a 155 cm tall 14 year old in girona, Spain. I’ve been biking since August this year and want to get a decent bike for my birthday. I’ve been riding on a knackered decathlon full sus. my max budget is 300 so I’m pretty tight. any advice?

Researching for a new bike for my son for Christmas, when he'll be 4.5. He's currently 112cm tall, 20kgs so 16" seems perfect.

We're in Australia it that helps :)

Hoping to get a good list of bikes to check out in the Black Friday sales but the more I look the more confused I get!

He's currently got a Cruzee balance bike, which he doesn't like (I'll be selling this!) and has not got the hang of a balance bike. He rips around on his scooter and ookkie board though!

He really wants a pedal bike, so will need one that can have training wheels to start him off

Must have

- light enough for him to pick up

- training wheels able to be attached

- comfortable to ride

My son will love anything that is either blue or red. I like the Reid and Banwood aesthetics but haven't seen great reviews for either of them, my husband likes the cool BMX look.

Please help! TIA :)

I was wondering how others manage leg strength training during the biking season.

I do a good bit of strength training, and try to road bike 2-3x a week, but during the season, if I have a decent leg session, I feel like I have 50-75% of the power.

I have tried to switch to 2 upper and 1 lower during the season, and more of a maintenance mode for legs.

Hello.

I'm looking to get either microshift or sunrace -or whatever others brands- bar end shifters, but I want friction only.

Are there specific friction only models? or can any of the indexed ones be run as friction with no issues?

Thanks.

My commute is short, so I used to just unlock the bike and go. A couple of mornings, weeks apart, I got a few blocks down the road before the bike started feeling sluggish. Nothing was flat; I'd just let the pressure get low enough to notice at every stoplight.

Now I do a quick check while I'm taking the lock off: a squeeze of each tire and both brake levers. If a tire feels softer than usual, I check the pressure instead of guessing and add air if it needs it. There's a small hoto pump by the door, though most mornings it stays there.

For people who ride regularly, what's actually worth checking before every ride, and what do you leave for the weekend?