Cycling..What is it you wish you knew when you started

A question about : Cycling..What is it you wish you knew when you started

As the title says, what is it about cycling you wish you knew when you started out..

I will get the ball rolling with how addictive it is.

Best answers:

• It makes me feel high when i have been feeling low
• if you are not pencil thin then Lycra shorts are a no-no
  if you are pencil thin then don't buy them 2 sizes too small
• lycra shorts are often see-through from behind.
  bike components cost much more from the shop than if you buy them up-front as part of your bike.
  a usable bike lock weighs as much as a small bike
• To always carry a spare inner tube & levers plus pump.
  If that is too much or you puncture in the nite, pay out the extra for slime filled inner tubes.
  Also keep an eye on who is behind you - you don't want to be overtaken by an 80 year old granny with a bag of shopping on her handlebars. Especially if you have paid out Ј100 for a lycra outfit.
• Echo Westers comments - puts you in a good mood at worst of times. Wish i'd started it sooner, only regret.
• good clipless pedals are awesome and make a massive difference to your riding.
• If you have to carry stuff, panniers are a much better bet than a rucksack.
  Changing down into a lower gear when you stop will mean you can get started more easily without wobbling all over the road.
  Doing exercise that works your core (Pilates or just a sit-up/ab routine) will stop cycling-related backache, make the whole thing a lot easier, and means you won't 'nod' as you go along.
  Merino baselayers are worth every penny.
  Buying cheap gear means buying twice.
  Cycling is not a moneysaving activity (see above), but it is amazing!
• I'd say not a great deal, as part of the fun of cycling in learning stuff, finding your own way, literally and metaphorically.
  That's not to say it isn't good to find out things from chatting with other bike users.
• For hills use cadence
  Aldi is a very good source for bike gear their compression tops and shorts are very good, just watch the crowds when they have the offers on.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiQGFX_RlW4
• I'd second a lot of what has been said already and add that two of the often most overlooked components can be the most important the tyres and the saddle.
  I used to ride a racing bike with it's standard 700Cx19 tyres and it's ride was so harsh it blurred by vision. Changing to higher pressure 700X25 tyres was the best money I ever spent on a bike, ride is smooth and more responsive and I don't break spokes anymore. Paying a bit extra for kevlar puncture proof tyres (well almost) is also worth doing.
  Second best money I ever spent was buying a Brooks leather saddle which is difficult to describe how perfectly comfortable it is.
• I wish i had knowing about all the extra bit and bobs i would need for the bike, the upgrades, the better tyres wheels etc etc
• Thin, hard Peugeot saddles do not make comfortable riding for fleshy English bottoms.
• That cycling shorts/tights for men are really comfortable and far better to cycle in than any trousers/ jogging bottoms that I have tried before.
• https://www.velominati.com/the-rules/
  And more specifically, buy cheap-buy twice. Although that's a difficult thing to judge when you're starting something new.........that Ј70 pair of bib shorts did look extravagant when you bought the Ј20 pair but now????
• When you buy a bike, make sure the shop has/can fit a rear light to it ..... I've still not got a rear light fitted and I bought my bike in about 2005/6.