Monique1992

It's a mountain bike, but I don't have the funds right this minute to buy 2 tubeless tires. Thank you for you advice everyone! PS: MTBeer, no need to be sarcastic, some people aren't experts like you, or are you just a smartass with an ego?

Good morning all! I haven't been riding in the winter months. I want to start riding again with the warmer weather coming up, but I am worried about a flat tire because my bike has been standing so long. I have tires with tubes and sealant that I haven't replaced since January. I ride alone and I don't want to be stuck at the side of the road, very far from home with a flat tire and no idea how to fix the problem. I am female so that just makes safety and issue. Do you have any advice?

Be careful, dogs with short legs and heavy frames do not do well with runs. Check with your vet first.

Thanx for the advice everyone! Yes 12 hours are long, I'm a hairdresser so I'm on my feet all day, morning is definitely better. I also practice yoga so that's a good evening wind down.

Good afternoon everyone So unfortunately the days are once again getting shorter as we approach autumn and I would like to know how to go about riding if my normal riding time is now night time. I work a 12 hour day from 6:30 to 18:30 and I ride alone. I'm also female (I mention this only to provide a bit of clarification) so I used to be able to ride right after work if I could get off a bit earlier. Now even starting at 18:00 cuts my riding time because it's getting dark earlier. Now here is my question, if I get lights, do I ride early morning or evening as I want to be responsible with my safety now that I don't have enough sunlight to keep scoundrels away! Thanx for everyone's input!

Depends on your requirements. Stay away from the makro jobbies as you will be chucking it in the trash after a day on a proper trail. I bought n decent axis after shopping around a bit. Had the same kind of budget, but please remember you can't just hop on and ride. You'll need gear as wel. Gloves, pants, helmet, etc. Shop around and check classifieds.

Didn't think of the crime factor! I'm a female riding alone. Not a good idea then! Thanx for everyone's input!

Okay so the tablet I don't really feel sorry for. I work with a very new phablet, which I don't particularly want to subject to riding. I do enjoy the riding but I want something to show for it and set some goals.

Good day all I have a cheap sportsman's warehouse cycling computer and it's very inaccurate. I have no budget to speak of for cycle GPS and such as I spend money on better components and gear. I've only been cycling since Jan. I have an old Samsung 7" tablet at home. Is it a good idea to mount this to use with strava? Thanx for your input!

I have heard that these options are a bit tough and as someone who rides alone this might be a bit challenging. I am also female on top of everything else so I don't want to test my ability to fend off hijackers or falling and breaking unnecessary bones.

Good evening everyone! So I've been riding for about a month. I enjoy mountain biking more than being on the road but fitness is important on the trails so I'm on the road alot more. I'm from moreleta park in Pretoria and I'm looking for good routes to finish in an hour or less. I need good routes more than I need a riding partner! Please advise on routes and group rides in the area.

Hi all So this evening I decided to get back in the saddle. And this is what I learned. I took everyone's advice, my husband stayed with me and I set the pace on a predetermined route. He set checkpoints for me to rest and I climbed every hill without complaint. Baby bum cream is excellent for chafing!!! I finished 8km in 1 hour! Thank you to everyone who took the time to help!!

That sounds awesome! I did red barn's 12km route on Sunday and it was great fun and I stopped less than on my 3km ride yesterday. That's why I couldn't understand what happened with yesterday's ride. I think the chafing had alot to do with it though.

Goodness didn't know you get those. I thought you just get one kind!

Thanx to everyone! It makes me feel lots better knowing that I don't have to push so hard and getting fit takes time!

Thanx to all the replies. First up, I am active at work (I'm a hair dresser) so I stand alot, but that's it when it comes to physical activity. I appreciate it hearing that I'm not the only one struggling in the beginning. That helps. Underwear became a torture device yesterday, so went without today. Unfortunately the damage was already done.

Im not nearly fast enough and tiring out very quickly. Hills are my worst enemy at the moment. Im stopping every 10 meters

Hi all So first up I have a bit of background info and then my question. I am a 24year old female and I have major trouble getting fit and keeping up with my husband while riding. I am very small and thin weighing 50kg for my 1,7m frame. I have an entry level axis 27,5" bike. I only got onto a bike for the first time in my life about a week ago. Spent the week learning to balance and turn and did my first mountainside trail yesterday. A gruelling 12km sprint with my much fitter husband. Today I could barely move at work but decided to hit the road this afternoon. With bleeding thighs from chafing and burning legs I did 3km and gave up. I have hills right around the house so ended up climbing most of the time. Stopped many times and once again frustrating my poor husband. So here comes the question, how can I make this easier for both of us. Am I eating wrong? How can I get fitter, faster? I did fine on the ride yesterday, but today was absolutely terrible. What am I doing wrong? Thanx to everyone!

Thank you so much everyone for your help. I am going to start seriously looking this weekend, as my time in the week is very limited due to work and learning on my husband's bike in the evening! Will definitely keep you posted and take into consideration all the points made.

I'm 1,70m tall and small build. I have a budget of about R2000 at most because I need to get the hang of it first. Doesn't help we buy a super expensive bike and it ends up standing in the garage. But my husband tends to lean more toward bikes with brake pads rather than VEE brakes (hoping this makes sense as I know nothing about bikes). This will influence a buy

Good day all! Let me first give some background info before I ask a question. I am brand new to cycling, as in, I only learned to ride a bicycle earlier in the week, for the first time. I missed that part as a kid, developed an unhealthy fear of falling and then had to learn how to ride at 24 years of age. So here is my question: Do I buy n cheaper bike and first get used to it, as I'm sure falling is inevitable? What kind do you recommend and where do I go from here? I do love riding so far! Please note that I have a tight budget. Thanks for your help!