If you’ve never owned a bike before, the idea of cycling at all – let alone riding on the road alongside cars, buses and other cyclists – can be intimidating. While the odd foray on a Lime bike might seem doable, working out what kind of bike to invest in, how to keep yourself safe on the roads and what route to take from A to B can feel like a lot to handle.

As I’ve found out recently, getting into cycling isn’t as difficult as it may seem. After picking out a road bike towards the end of summer, I’ve managed to go from a reluctant cyclist to someone who commutes to work on pedal power alone. And while there have been a few hurdles to overcome along the way, for the most part, it’s been an enjoyable process.

However, there are a few things I wished I’d known before I started – some of which would have made getting into cycling a whole lot easier. So, whether you’ve got a bike and want to take the next step or are intrigued by the idea of cycling, I thought I’d put together this guide to the five things I wish I’d known before I started cycling to help get you on the road. 

The first and biggest lesson I’ve learned since I started cycling is that the roads aren’t quite as scary as you expect them to be. The main reason why I never considered cycling as an option before now was simply because of how dangerous I thought it was, but after cycling for a few weeks, much of the fear I had about getting on a bike has melted away.

Now, don’t get me wrong – you do have to keep your wits about you, especially if you’re planning on cycling on the London roads. Investing in a good quality helmet is a non-negotiable, as is making sure to double-check before you pull away at junctions.

However, even with all the chaos on London’s roads, I have found I do feel relatively safe when I’m on my bike. Some things that have helped me feel less nervous include sticking to quieter roads where possible (there’s an option on CityMapper that allows you to avoid busy roads) and making use of cycle paths and cycle superhighways to help maintain distance from the traffic. To build my confidence, I also did a rehearsal run along the (normally) busy route I take to work at the weekend, when the traffic was quieter.

Of course, you can’t ever guarantee your safety and accidents do happen, but following the rules and taking extra precautions where possible can help.

Your bike may run off manpower alone, but it still requires a bit of equipment and maintenance to keep it roadworthy and secure. On top of the cost of my bike (which is this one, if you were wondering), I’ve invested in plenty of additional equipment and add-ons to make my cycling experience a) more comfortable, b) safer and c) easier.

If you’re planning on riding your bike to places (rather than just for a ride around the block) you’ll need a good quality bike lock – Kryptonite locks tend to be popular – that wraps around both wheels and your bike frame. You’ll also need a pump to blow up your tyres every so often, and investing in a set of allen (or hex) keys can be helpful if your bike has adjustable screws (if you don’t want to buy some, you can always get things sorted at a bike shop). And don’t forget about lights if you’re planning on cycling in the dark.

Other bits of kit I’ve invested in and really appreciate include a phone holder (so I can have route guidance in front of me as I cycle) and a drinks bottle holder (for easy hydration on the go). 

This probably could have gone under the equipment point but padded cycling shorts have made such a difference to my experience that I thought they deserved their own one.

While it’s totally possible to ride a bike without padded cycling shorts, they do make life a whole lot more pleasant – especially if you’re spending over an hour on your bike at a time. You might not need them so frequently once you get used to sitting on a saddle, but I’ve found they increase the amount of time I can spend pain-free before my bum starts to hurt.

If your bum is hurting a lot, it’s worth getting your saddle checked out. The wrong saddle can be painful, and it’s possible to get ones made specifically for women’s bums to make things more comfortable. 

Until recently, the only bike I’d ever ridden had a set of five numbered gears – one being the highest resistance, and five being the least. But not all bikes have numbered gears, and many of them will have a different number of gears to deal with.

My bike, for example, has two sets of gears with levers on both the right and left sides of the handlebars. After much deliberation (and a phone call with my bike-obsessed dad), I discovered that the left-hand side switches me between the two sets of gears while the right adjusts the resistance. It’s taken a while to get used to it, but getting to know my gears has made a real difference when I’m trying to climb hills or pick up speed on flat, straight roads.

One thing to remember is that you need to be pedalling along to change your gears, so to familiarise yourself with them, it’s worth finding a safe off-road area to have a play around. 

After you’ve been on the road a few times, you’ll notice that many bikes can go incredibly fast. It can be tempting, especially when people are whizzing past you, to try to keep up with them or see how fast you can go, but it’s important to remember that you’re not in a race.

While it’s OK to speed up a little when you’re on a flat, straight road or have lots of space in front of you, you need to remember that you can’t just slam your brakes on and come to a halt – you need time and space to react to potential hazards.

An important lesson I’ve learned since cycling is that it’s better to stick to a slower, steady pace that gives you time to think, react and keep yourself safe than to try to keep up with or overtake bikes going at a faster pace. You may have to stifle your ego a little bit, but giving yourself that little bit extra breathing room can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations and generally makes the whole thing more enjoyable. 

Images: Getty