Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site hou2g.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!hou2g!rathman From: rathman@hou2g.UUCP (P.RATHMAN) Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: Re: teaching an adult to ride Message-ID: <549@hou2g.UUCP> Date: Mon, 15-Jul-85 09:54:59 EDT Article-I.D.: hou2g.549 Posted: Mon Jul 15 09:54:59 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 17-Jul-85 05:47:08 EDT References: <9026@ucbvax.ARPA> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 15 John Allen's book on bicycle commuting put out by Rodale Press gives some suggestions for teaching adults to ride. He recommends a bike with a smaller frame than the person would usually ride and at least one hand brake. Remove the pedals and lower the seat so the bike can be propelled like a hobby horse - i.e. pushed along by your feet. Find a paved lot with a slight slope - just enough to coast down slowly. A shopping center lot on Sunday morning would be suitable. Have the learner practice walking the bike down the slope and coasting for increasingly longer distances without touching the ground. Don't even try to maintain a straight course initially. When he can coast all the way down, he can practice steering. After coasting and steering are under control, install the pedals and let him practice pedalling around the parking lot. Using this method should keep falls to a minimum, but it's still recommended that protective clothing be worn - helmet, gloves, and long pants. Peter Rathmann ATT-Bell Labs ..!ihnp4!houxm!hou2g!rathman