Getting into bicycling can be an intimidating process! This portion of the cycles de ORO web site is designed as a primer, hopefully answering your questions and helping make the transition into the rich world of cycling activity in Triad.

Why is bicycling popular in Greensboro?             
     Bicycling involves better health, wonderful camaraderie, new adventures, sharing heritage, exciting gadgetry and the sheer, exhilarating fun of cycling. The bottom line is that we are lucky, Greensboro and its surrounds is just a great place to bicycle!
   - We are not surrounded by mountains or major waterways, so there are short cuts everywhere for cyclists to avoid traffic.
   - Our city & county parks offer the best trails of any city in the mid Atlantic region.
   - There are many local social rides on which to meet new cycling  friends and get a good workout.
   - Big charity rides help our community and give cyclists even more fun options, like the Tour to Tanglewood, the Tour de Lions , Gears and Cheers and more.
   - There is an active racing scene (to give a try or be a spectator!) including the big events such as the Sizzler (mtb), the Carolina Cup (road) and more!
   - We have a great local bicycle club, Greensboro Velo Club, and it's off road partner, Greensboro Fat Tire Society.
   - Great riding weather much of the year!

What bike is best for me?
     It may be hard to forecast in the beginning, but you need to make some rough decisions as to where & how you want to ride (Want to go trail riding on dirt trails? Commit to a daily commute? Take a trip to France to tour wineries? Do a triathlon or duathlon? Enter the Carolina Cup race?)
     You may already have friends who are riding & you want to join them. Or you may have a "movie in your mind" that tells you the kind of riding you see yourself doing. There is a broad range of bikes and they are all designed to provide the type of ride you choose!
    Here's an overview of approximate bicycle types:

Once you make that decision as to how you want to ride, cycles de ORO can suggest a bike that will do the job, give you an explanation of what it does best and set you up for a test ride.

How do I know which make, model & price to buy?
     Once you decide the type of riding you will do, it is easier deciding on a bike. The bicycle makes have changed; those that were most famous and well respected from our youth may not be so hot anymore. You can judge WHERE the brands are sold as a rough gauge as to quality. Bike shop brands are the reliable, quality makes; on the other hand, those sold in "big boxes" and discount sporting goods outlets occupy the lower levels.
 Ask to see the bike's warranty in print. Note what is covered and what is not. Many shops offer extended warranties (sometimes free, sometimes for extra charge) beyond that of the manufacturer; these additional warranties also should be available in print, not just as told to you by the salesperson. Here is cycles de ORO's unusual warranty.

     You also have to also decide how "fancy" ($!) to go in your bike selection. There is no question that more expensive bikes are highly desirable to enthusiasts, and the more you pay, the more you receive... BUT, until you have the appropriate riding experience, it may be unwise to buy the "top of the line". Match your new bike to your needs and budget. cycles de ORO has a very attractive trade-in policy that would allow you to upgrade a year or two later if you want to move up.

     Bikes have improved so dramatically in the last few years that features that only appeared on top of the line models now are on the basic model from the better companies. cycles de ORO staff are expert in helping you analyze your needs and finding the best bike to do the job for you. There are many makes of bikes (there are some excellent makes you have never heard of.. and some old brands that are are not so hot anymore) Most bike shop bikes are very good, some deliver better value, some are slightly higher performance, some good for big people; some better for light people. We at cycles de ORO are committed to advise you honestly, deliver the highest quality and give the best service after the sale (and that last part is HUGELY important with bicycles!)
 

Can my old bike do?        Sure, if you have a "bike shop bike" (that means a quality bike that will deliver the minimum ride quality, fit and reliability. Those bikes are almost only available from bike shops.) it should do just fine, just without some of the newer developments that current model bikes have. Proper setup and maintenance, some lubrication, perhaps new cables, tires and a modern seat will make all the difference in using your older model bicycle. cycles de ORO can help you on all those points as well as making sure the bike fits properly. We are happy to work on all makes and models.     Just don't test ride a brand new model, as "we have come a long way, baby!" and you will be spoiled by the ease of use and ride!

Can I buy a bike over the Internet and save $?
     Oh yes.... There are many seemingly incredible deals on eBay or from unscrupulous dealers in far off places. Legitimate new bike companies (Specialized, Giant, Trek, Raleigh, Kona, etc.) prohibit their authorized dealers from selling via mail order or over the Internet because they know how desperately buyers will need proper assembly, adjustments, fit and post sales service.
     Sadly, cyclists who buy Internet bicycles suffer in many ways besides probable poor quality and no meaningful warranty... There are the aforementioned practical considerations, plus these price-is-everything folks turn themselves into somewhat of a pariah in the cycling community. While everyone is polite, failing to support the local community bike shops, who provide the rides and social activities, cannot help cast a cloud over that cyclist's social fit.

Who can I ride with?      Once you start, you will be pleasantly surprised to see how many of your acquaintances are "into cycling"  And cyclists tend to be gregarious and friendly so you will meet new people with great frequency while out riding, especially at the many bike events surrounding cycles de ORO.      Here's a smart approach: - See if you have a friend who is already cycling. Ask about their favorite rides and they will invite you along. - Join the local bike clubs, The Greensboro Velo Club/Greensboro Fat Tire Society or the Triad Triathlon Team - Participate in some of the many charity ride groups, Tour to Tanglewood, Team Erica - Join in for the Big rides in the area.

What do I do about traffic?
     Dealing with cars and traffic can be daunting, so practice on low use neighborhood streets or in the park is a great idea. It also helps to ride with experienced riders and mimic their actions.
     It is important to know how traffic laws apply to bicycles. Bikes for the most part have the same rights and obligations as cars, however in certain critical moments in traffic, only a fool would attempt to claim all those rights!
    Here are some general common sense rules to follow:

Bicycle Laws in NC a more complete view        Bikes are "slow moving vehicles"         

Safety tips from NC Dept of Transportation

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