A few months ago Flashduck posted a question about how to teach an adult how to ride a bike. There was some advice offered about going to an oval with a slope in it, but apart from that there was not much else. I'm posting this as a follow up for future reference for CRs who, like me, never learned how to ride a bike as a kid.

-Thanks to Flashduck and PRB for all your help with this.

1. Go to an oval with a slope. I was too busy thinking about how bitumen was going to hurt to concentrate on what I was doing.

2. Use proper pedals, not those clip ones.

3. Lower the seat - if feet are closer to the ground I feel better. If they're dangling I panic, I'm not used to putting my foot out sidewards, no matter my running style.

4. Learn how to stop. Walk and wheel while on the bike with someone helping to hold the bike steady. Get used to putting the legs out to the side to stop. Start to push off a little harder each time, swapping legs each time.

5. Wheel the bike up the slope. Don't start from the top of the slope, I refused to go until I wheeled the bike down to almost where it was flat. Don't try using the pedals, just try going straight down without stopping until you feel you need to, then put your foot down.

6. Eventually (with me it took another day) you get more confidence. When this happens, try to get your feet onto the pedals and stay on for as long as you can. You may still need your friend to balance you (as I did).

7. After you build up the confidence your friend can let go. Still remember to practice stopping on either side to get your balance.

8. Move onto a bitumen area that doesn't have much activity.

On Monday last week I don't think I was able to pedal a bike, on Thursday of last week I went for a 16k bike ride, and 20k on Friday. This has been huge for me as on Monday I didn't believe I could ever be able to do it.

Well done AKI!!!

Well done Aki!

Brings back memories! I was Adult learner and your description was very close to how i learnt!


Phil

Oooooo, my aching butt!

There was a similar discussion on aus.bicycle a while back. Have a look here - http://tinyurl.com/ur3em

A further suggestion - don't look at the bike. Keep your head up back straightish, arms more stretched out than bent at elbows, and look at where you are going. That is twenty or so metres ahead, or more if going faster. If you want to turn, look where you want the bike to go, it will follow.

Horse riding is like this too, but of course the horse is alive.