I also bike pretty amateur too. I know what you mean, like a discomfort in the wrists, and that's why those bikes exist where the handle is like a horn and they just grab it without having to turn the wrists. Also my ass hurts and I've been seen a biker friend that has biking pants with a huge ass support to avoid that pain I believe. So definitely get all the gear necessary, I will when I get a job.
Recently I started biking regularly.
My knees are fucked and doctor recommended biking as knee friendly exercise. So far I’m just riding around my bike at night in my city and try to develop a better sense of orientation. I try to find the same lake, but every time I take a slightly different route and try to find it anyway.
One problem I’ve noticed is that I get numb hands sometimes. Maybe I will have to adjust the handles.
Do you think I should get an helmet or other additional gear? Any recommendations for using biking as exercise?
It's probably a good idea to make sure your bike has reflectors and lights if you don't already have them. Maybe grab a bell you can ring at pedestrians who don't hear you coming. Helmet is probably a good idea but I personally don't bother because it makes you look like a dweeb and I haven't fallen off my bike in years. God speed bernd.
I think the angle isn't very natural and will look into improving that. The grips are from old rubber that started to become gross and sticky. I would like to get them replaced with hard plastic. Does them being soft have any benefits? I prefer hard surfaces and will wear biking gloves anyway because I like having excuses to wear gloves.
Won't wearing a helmet make it more likely that I become a cripple? If I get run over by a car I prefer having my brain destroyed and die instead of having my spine destroyed but surviving. Imagine waking up in hospital paralyzed and not being able to kys.
>I think the angle isn't very natural and will look into improving that.
Something like -30 degrees should be OK.
>The grips are from old rubber that started to become gross and sticky. I would like to get them replaced with hard plastic. Does them being soft have any benefits? I prefer hard surfaces and will wear biking gloves anyway because I like having excuses to wear gloves.
Soft ones like silicone/rubber/foam will absorb vibrations and provide more comfort, pretty much like a mattress. Gloves are still an excellent idea, get full finger ones with some padding in the palm.
>Won't wearing a helmet make it more likely that I become a cripple? If I get run over by a car I prefer having my brain destroyed and die instead of having my spine destroyed but surviving. Imagine waking up in hospital paralyzed and not being able to kys.
Cars are not your only worry, you can simply crash while riding. So get a helmet, and don't be a cheap bastard, you don't need something super fancy but don't buy the cheapest one either. MIPS is a nice plus if you want to shell out some extra moneis.
I had trouble learning how to ride a bike. When my parents tried to teach me I felt pressured and they became frustrated and angry when I didn’t get it. Then my friends learned how to ride bikes before me and I was shamed when the topic came up. I eventually managed, but it was very stressful and traumatic. I always preferred figuring things out myself without judging eyes on me.
