sharleen

hello all, thank you so so much for all of your responses. Ok this is what i think i clearly need to do is EDUCATE myself. I am going to go to a few cycling shops in the new year as i have no idea what some of the words even mean eg "stand over".............what that, gotta stand over you seasoned riders at 4.9" nah im kidding. Also what i have worked out is that i want to be able to do both if possible. I would like to go cycling with a bunch of people in the outdoors, dirt road, bumps , falls trees etc, BUT also when i dont have time to ride on the local roads, I live in Gallo Manor so i have great road like Kelvin drive and South Rd. So what is the correct terminology as a start for when i go into the shops. what is real outside riding called (in nature, not about speed just dirt, bumps and challengers) what is normal road cycling called. i really appreciate your help everyone, if any of you have time please can you answer my basic questions i.e real nature riding and road riding and of course can my bike be used for both. Shar (mini rider)

Hi Di, i think i need to educate myself a bit more as i think im mixing up the terminology, i want to do both, ie real nature cycling outdoors, but also if time does not allow still be able to ride on the roads in my area. im also not sure what things like stand over means etc. Please if you are in contact with your friend please ask her to just hang onto her stuff for a week, i will wait till the cycling shops are open from Jan 2nd and educate myself more. thanks for your input shar

sorry I read' date=' start off "road cycling". My mistake.[/quote'] Man, Joe just threw a spanner in the works. Hi There no you may have a good point, im so new to this that i perhaps i have the terminology incorrect, i want to be able to go with a group and cycle in amongst nature, dirt roads etc BUT also be able to cycle with others on the roads in JHB, so no spanner thrown, but if you could tell me if they are the same thing, do cyclists do both and use the same bike. In other words if i got a mountain bike would i be able to use that bike for outdoors as in nature etc and up and down my local roads. Shar

Hi John, thank you so much for getting back to me , yours was one of very few who actually gave\ practical advice and as you said did not try sell something to me immediately, i think im going to do exactly as you suggested and go to a bike shop and educate myself more. Also besides off road i would be able to in time cycle with others on the road, so if i cant get to a place where you all go at least i can go around my area with lots of hills etc (gallo manor) so i have kelvin drive up and down and south road up or down. So thank you for your honesty and not trying to just sell sell sell and you are right im going to educate myself first, i have a feeling its going to be a bit expensive and dont want to throw away money. Thank you John and hope to eventually meet you. Shar

hello all, i would love to start off road cycling, i have been spinning for years now and think its time i got on a bike that actually moves. I dont want to go spend a fortune on a bike for off road that i know NOTHING about and dont want to get ripped off. Yay for the economic credit crunch Can anyone help or advise on the following, taking the following into consideration im a 39yr old woman, i am a whopping 4.9" so i guess a tall kids bike would be a good logical option. I am happy to buy 2nd hand if anyone on here has kids that have grown and cannot use their bikes. Also what other basic equipment should i be looking at that is essential. Are there any cyclists in the Gallo Manor / Sandton area that ride often Please if you can help and have any 2nd hand equipment or advise on where to get inexpensive start up gear, pls pls contact me. Regards Sharleen sharleen.brest@hotmail.com