• If you haven't done much riding - or any riding (!) - like anything, start slooooowly to begin with, and then gradually work your way up to longer time on the bike. Your bum will love you for it?
• A little bit, often, is always a good way to start

Planning Your Rides

• Where you ride obviously depends on where you live, but cycling is way more fun on quieter back roads with less traffic or off-road tracks.
• Heading out of a major city in rush hour on main roads is not what most people call fun! Often if I'm training in Auckland, I'll take my car to the outskirts of the city to be able to ride on some quiet roads?
• Map out your training route first. And remember that distances that might not seem very far in a car, could be a marathon on your bike!!
• If you can, try and map out your ride so that you finish the ride with a tail-wind? Or a downhill? I always waaaaay more fun ending your ride with some assistance from the wind behind you, especially if you're a bit knackered?!
• Have a "set" route sussed and time yourself occasionally. This is a good way to measure your progress?

Partners in Crime!

Riding with other people can be a great motivating factor. It's good to mix it up a bit if you can? A few rides on your own, a few with other people. It's also good to ride with other people to practice riding in bunches (packs) and controlling your bike with other cyclists really close.

Check out SUB women’s training groups in your area!