San Antonio Cycling Club

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Beginner's Page

New to Cycling?

Where do you start? How do I ride with a group?
You can start with us. Join the cruisers (our riders that enjoy slow and easy) on our rides, and we can help you learn the easy way.

How? ...Just follow these steps; it's very easy to learn.

Learn the Safety Tips listed here.

Go to our Ride Calendar and pick a suitable scheduled ride.

Show up 15 minutes before the ride is scheduled to start.

Let us know you are a beginner.

We will then advise and coach you while you ride. (Be prepared to ride at least 15 to 20 miles on your first ride, then slight increases on subsequent rides.) (Hint: our Wednesday night ride is only 12 miles.)

Plan on riding every week to get stronger, faster, and capable of riding farther.

Over a period of time you will learn how to change gears, climb hills, perform minor bicycle maintenance, learn equipment needs, and fix flat tires as needed.

Safety Tips:

Always wear a helmet
Obey all road signs and traffic signals
- (Helotes and Grey Forrest police will give tickets to bicyclist for not stopping at stop signs and crossing on red traffic lights)
Use hand signals to indicate turns and stops
Never pass on the right
Say "on your left" when getting ready to pass another bicyclist or pedestrian
Stay to the right of the road (Texas State Law)
Ride single file to let approaching traffic pass safely
Use a blinking red light on dark or foggy days

Riding Tips:

10 Tips for Riding in the Rain

Tips to prevent crashes

How to change a flat tire (video)

Stand or sit on a hill climb? (video)

What to pack in your seat bag (video)

Summary of Texas Bicycle Law