Any advice for a new bicyclist?

[Legion]

Stop your bike before attempting to answer your phone. Guess how I worked that one out...

[orchyboy]

Like someone already said you can go crazy with all the accessories for bikes, you can get trip computers which track your rout via GPS, they even tell you the incline of the hills and everything. Though if you don't want to go that crazy I would recommend at least getting a computer which told you your cadence. Cadence is probably the most important measurement for exercising via cycling. You want to target a cadence of about 90 and use your gears around that so you're putting out a low-medium effort (depending on what you're trying to achieve).

I'll also echo a few other points, get some padded bike nicks, make sure your seat is the right height and get some cycling shoes.

[deafficianado]

Have your bike tuned every year or so by a pro.

[nannahill]

+2 on hydration but for a newbie use a Camelbak. Looking down trying to grab a bottle is not good for you or oncoming traffic.

Not sure if you are near an outdoor store like REI but they often basic bike maintenance classes for free. Your LBS may offer the same.

Join a group ride at your LBS. Riding by yourself is fun for solace but riding with others is good socially.

[p.m.a.]

Great tips in here as to bike maintenance, safety and preparedness. YMMV (ha!), but for me I don't find a need for any bike computers, special shoes, shorts, or flamboyent jerseys. I very much enjoy hopping on my bike and hitting the trails, paved or otherwise, as often as possible (helmet always!). Makes me feel like a kid again. I'm very fortunate that my county has an awesome network of interconnected trails. Here's my bugaboo: there are an awful lot of reckless road riders out there, and frankly I resent the fact that they put me and my family in danger. A twisty, hilly, narrow 35mph two-lane road (one lane each way), with absolutely no shoulder, is no place for a bike rider. Sorry for the rant, but I see it around here all the time. I even saw a guy doing this last week with NO HELMET! I'm fine with the packs of riders who ride together after work or on the weekends in one lane of a four lane road, or on wide two lane roads. For the most part they are respectful, and once in a while they even obey the rules of the road

[Matthew h]

Pma - you would hate it here in the uk, lots of single lane roads with 60mph limits!

[Jawaburger]

First, you are a "cyclist," not a "bicyclist!"

My best advice is to wear compression shorts under your shorts. Something like Under Armor or the "generic" version that Starter makes that you can find at Walmart for half the price. It holds everything in place and you won't get chaffed. Also, it breathes very well and wicks away all the moisture. I can then wear any type of shorts, that allow free range of motion, over the top. This way you get all the comfort of bike shorts without looking a little silly.

I am also a big fan of gloves when cycling. I always wear full coverage gloves. They help by lowering vibrations through the handlebars, they allow you to keep a firm grip on the handle bars even when you are sweating and if you fall, you can save your hands a whole lot of damage. Ask me how I know!

And as said above by several posters, tire pressure and chain lube. I oil/lube my chain after every couple of rides. It makes it much easier to change gears and you make sure gunk isn't getting in the chain and gears.

[RondeB]

+1 Helmet, +1 proper bike fittment, +1 water bottle and bike shorts.

I would only add chamois cream to prevent chafing (ouch) and becoming friendly with your bike shop. Also, take care of your chain and replace it as needed. It is a wear item. By not doing this I ended up buying a chain and a whole new rear cassette for my mountain bike.

[Miles]

First, you are a "cyclist," not a "bicyclist!"

Oo that's a good one! Though I'd hate to be confused for one of those damn rascally unicyclists...

The tips and pointers have greatly reduced the learning curve, thank you all very much!
Here are a few things that have become part of the routine: Bike shorts under regular shorts are working great, tire pressure check/top off before every ride is part of the system, and a box of chain cleaning tools and goo has just arrived so I can keep the moving parts happy. It's amazing how much vibration is absorbed by a good pair of gel gloves! Oh, and I've been using my rear blinky light during daytime commutes in conjunction with a crazy bright yellow camelbak for increased visibility. Got a mirror attached to my helmet which greatly reduces automobile paranoia. Have been working to increase my stamina by commuting on the bike twice a week (summer session at university), with the aim of using the bike as main transport for the upcoming full semester in August. Finally for security there's a big ol Kryptonite U-lock for the rear tire/frame as well as a beefy cable threaded through the seat, rack, front tire, on top of the fact that there is a secure bicycle compound on campus, fenced in with good bike racks, cameras and keycard access.

So far I've dropped about 9lbs and feel great, so this cycling thing should be a keeper. Thanks again everyone for your input.

[Uncle Brian]

Some great advice here and I'm not going to repeat it. I usually ride a mountain bike but i have done some road riding so here's a few little things.
You don't have to shave your legs to be a real cyclist
Cars are hard and will hurt you all drivers are out to get ya
Pavement is hard and can rip your skin and break your bones
Focus Grasshopper, when riding concentrate on the ride and staying safe not the 'local scenery'
9 pounds is good well done

[scottish steve]

I'd find the time to go out without a bag or those very heavy security locks, just to feel the freedom. It's funny isn't it, that people will spend a fortune on a bike because it's really light, then end up buying the heaviest lock they can, because their bike is really expensive, thus cancelling out the point of getting the lighter bike in the first place!

[cameraflier]

I won't echo all the great pointers you've got here.

IMO: the best way to learn things, is to ride with others. Find some local charity rides. They're tons of fun. For $25 you'll get a beautiful route, instant friends, a t-shirt, and snacks. Along the way you'll see and meet many other riders. Advice and war stories will abound. They'll catch your bad habits and teach you how to ride safer and more efficiently. As you're swept along with the pack, you'll find yourself doing big miles far easier than you thought. It's a rolling support group that kills calories wholesale.

[tinashubby]

Cadence
Seat height
Bike shorts

[EricAT]

Man there are allot of bikers on here. I used to commute by bike when my work was an easy 4 miles now its 18 so I just ride for pleasure now. Never trust a cable lock. I have seen security tape of my own bike being stolen that had a new 5 star rated (by the company) cable lock with no tools just brute strength and no concern for the bike took less than a minute to break (before you ask I tried to get a copy of the video but couldn't). Don't wear a backpack on your way to school get a rear carrier rack you'll sweat less and feel fresher when you get to your destination. If you're like me it takes a few minutes for the sweat glands to calm down after a ride, don't go straight to class from the bike give yourself 10-15 minutes post ride to change cloths and cool down if you can't shower wipes and paper towels work well to clean you up so that you don't smell like a workout.

[cameraflier]

Watch stuff like this. http://vimeo.com/10647514
Pure inspiration.