First ride ALL BY MYSELF!!!

[Jiffer]

I have mostly posted in the main forum, so anyone who has been there might know that I started riding tandem with DH last Fall. I just got my own single road bike 3 days ago and I'm happy to report that I've ridden my new baby EVERY SINGLE DAY since I got her. :) Yes, that means three whole times.

The first day I rode with DH. I didn't have a lot of time, so it was a short 5 mile ride. Just enough to get me out on the bike, getting a feel for it and what it's like to be out on the road with actual control. Shifting, stopping, starting, clipping, unclilpping, turning left in the left turn lane, etc.

The next day we went on a group ride with two other couples. One of them was trying out our tandem for the first time. We did 10 miles that day. I was certainly the one lagging behind, but did okay. (They all could have gone a lot faster, even the new tandem riders since the DH has ridden a lot and they are both physically fit).

So, today was my first day out ALL BY MYSELF! And I'm happy to report I did a full 20 miles. I can't believe I went that far my first time out on my own. DH and I have done a few 40-50 mile rides, and 20 is probably about our average ride length, but for me to do 20 all on my own was a big thing for me.

I was certainly slow! An hour and a half with 11.7 average pace! (A lot of incline :( )But I did it and now have a base ride to compare future "faster" rides to. My big goal is to be able to ride with our friends and actually keep up, even when they go much faster! But at least I still have the tandem for group rides while I train on my own.

So, I'm proud of me! Are you?! ;)

[RoadRaven]

Hi Jiffer
I have responded to a couple of your posts already, but just wanted to say congrats on achieving what is significant for you.

May it be the first of many completely rewarding rides for you :)

[Aggie_Ama]

Congrats Jiffer!! I remember the first ride I went on without my DH, I think it was 13 miles. I felt so empowered!:D In a months time I did a supported metric by myself. :D :D Nothing stops you after you have the confidence.

[Tri Girl]

Congrats, Jiffer!! Very proud of you for not only getting out there solo (which can be scary in itself), but for doing 20 miles solo! Good for you!!!! :D

[MyLitespeed]

Don't forget to take all the necessary things you need in case you get a flat. Congrats! on your 20 mile ride, keep pedaling.

[Ashgarth]

woohoo!!!

[SouthernBelle]

Congrats on your solo. Don't compare your average speed to anyone else's. There are so many variables, course, conditions, etc.

[Popoki_Nui]

I just got my own single road bike 3 days ago and I'm happy to report that I've ridden my new baby EVERY SINGLE DAY since I got her. :) Yes, that means three whole times.

So, I'm proud of me! Are you?! ;)

YES! :D Well done. :)

[alpinerabbit]

Well done, I remember when I ventured out alone first time, quite tense with visions of myself being stranded. We have the advantage that a public transport station is never far away but anyway, it takes some courage.

Always take your cell phone and some cash and don't venture smack into the middle of nowhere.

[Fredwina]

hey, 11.7 isn't bad. Unless you stayed on Base Line or another east-west street , you're going to encounter some climbing out there (for those not in Socal, there is an 1000 ft gain from the south end of town to the north, about 6 miles).
Fredwina and her large luggage:o

[rij73]

I'm really proud of you! :D
Isn't this all just so fun?

[Jiffer]

Thanks, everyone. I'm so happy to report that my average pace was NOT 11.7, it was 13.2! I was looking at my final mile average, which was cruising around my neighborhood to get that 20th mile in, not my over all average. That makes me feel even way better about my ride.

And, hey, Fredwina! I did go east and west on Banyan and Lemon, but had to GET to Banyan first by way of Etiwanda. I live at Baseline and Etiwanda. On the way back, I accidentally did an extra unhappy climb :( when I turned onto Hellman instead of Hermosa, which ultimately took me right back down to Lemon.

Anyways, I pretty much plan to do routes I'm used to doing with hubs, away from the major streets. He hasn't been able to show me how to fix a flat yet, but I have my cell phone and can call hubs for a rescue or a cycling friend of ours who works in the area. I still need to learn how to fix a flat, though.

Sorry to say that since I wasn't used to carrying a cell phone in my jersey, I washed my new Blackberry in the washing machine yesterday. :( I've washed my Blistex and tissues that I always carry and finally got into the habit of emptying those after each ride, but I never had to carry a phone before. DH does.

But 13.2 average! Yay for me! :)

[rij73]

Yay indeed!!! :D
I hit 20 miles for the first time by myself today too!

[Tri Girl]

Yay rij73!!! Congrats to you, too! :D

[Jiffer]

Totally awesome rij70! Don't you feel so empowered?! :D I know I do. It's been great doing even longer rides on the tandem, but doing this all on my own is a whole different sort of satisfaction. I'm so inspired to keep getting out there and going faster and farther! Woo hoo for us!

[rij73]

I know! It feels awesome. I can't quite put my finger on why, but yeeha! I've never been athletic in my whole life, but cycling is like a drug for me. The more I do it, the more I want to do it!

[Starfish]

You guys rock! :D