Please share your wisdom with a newbie.. [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

effy

05-05-2008, 07:21 AM

I just recently started riding and I find myself wanting to go for the ride but I find a million in one excuses to not get out there and ride.
I need and want some motivation.

I will admit that I'm intimidated by the traffic. I live on a busy road that has large shoulders to ride on and it's very rural also. I know that I need to practice looking over my shoulder for traffic due to the wind in my ears.

Thats another question is there anything out on the market the help buffer the noise of the wind and still allow for you to hear things?

Do you think that doing trails would be better? I just got the bike rack out of my hubbys truck and put it in my car so I can put it on this afternoon. I like the giddy up and go factor, this would make it easy to get to a trail.

Ladies, I want cycling to me more than just a hobby, I want it to be a passion. I love my trek 2.3 WSD and I think I have most of the fitting issues taken care of. I just need the inner strength to go. Where do I find it?

redrhodie

05-05-2008, 07:59 AM

This is what works for me, and I know it's not going to make any sense, and it's not at all inspirational, but…if I pump up my tires, I ride. The excuses end right there. It's a routine thing. I've never gone through the trouble of pumping them up and not ridden. It's probably not necessary to pump before every ride, but I do. I seem to get fewer flats on full tires. I wish I had a more poetic reply, like how you get to see the flowers and pretty scenery, but bah....just pump yer tires and go!

I'm a wind pro, but not by choice :eek:. It's ALWAYS windy here on the coast. I found a cloth headband, worn over my ears, dampens the noise. It also keeps sweat out of my eyes, and since it's under my helmet, no one can see that I look like Bob Roll in 1980. In colder temps, I wear a buff.

There are lots of tips here about riding in traffic. Someone recently posted a video of riding in traffic that is brilliant. I choose the most scenic routes with the least amount of car traffic when I ride.

kat_h

05-05-2008, 08:13 AM

A little mirror that mounts on your helmet or glasses will let you watch behind you a lot more.

I wear a headband for the wind when it's cold out.

spokewench

05-05-2008, 08:22 AM

This is what works for me when my motivation is low. I tell myself, if I just go out for 15 minutes and if I don't want to ride after 15 minutes, I'm turning around. 1. I get a 30 minute ride out of it at the least; but it has NEVER come to that, I have always at least gotten in an hour ride since once I got on my bike I was fine to go!

spoke

Zen

05-05-2008, 08:24 AM

I hope someone can answer this, I have the same problem.

The only thing that really helps me get out there is if I have made a commitment to ride with someone and they expect me to be there.

.

motochick

05-05-2008, 08:30 AM

I was having the same problem as you until I started setting goals for myself. The goals are rides that I want to do, rides you have to register for and pay for. That way I have to get out there and ride to be ready for the rides I have paid for. I don't want to show up and not be ready for what I have signed up to do. It has worked out very well and I am enjoying myself.

Brenda

Kimmyt

05-05-2008, 09:28 AM

Put your bike and all items for a ride in the car. If you plan on riding after work, do not (repeat DO NOT) allow yourself to go home in between. Get changed at work. Yes, walk out of work in your lycra. If you have everything with you then you have no excuse.

Fujichants

05-05-2008, 09:42 AM

This works for me for cycling and running. I buy new clothes. It totally gets me motivated to get on my bike or to hit the pavement. :D

indysteel

05-05-2008, 10:24 AM

When I first got a bike, I wanted to ride but was intimidated about certain things, like riding in traffic and not otherwise knowing where to ride. It was that intimidation and not my lack of motivation that held me back. I get the sense that you're experiencing the same things. So, my advice to you is to this:

Arm yourself with as much as you can to minimize the risks associated with riding in traffic. Practice looking behind you w/o swerving on a quiet street; use a mirror; wear high vis clothing; use a blinking tailight; avoid riding in rushhour traffic; know the rules of the road and how to use hand signals so that drivers know what you're doing; learn to ride in a steady, straight line; carry a cellphone and emergency information.

Practice riding on what are usual busier roads in the morning when traffic is light. That will hopefully give you a bit more confidence for when traffic is heavier.

Try to find a more experience friend to ride with.

Start riding on the trail if it'll get you out there (but me mindful that trails, especially multi-use trails, can be as nervewracking as the road.

Find other places to ride. Okay, this is harder than it seems, but I think this is what held me back the most when I started. I knew that there places to ride; I had friends who did long road rides with our local club, but I had no idea how to "access" that information and I was too nervous to join the club. Finally, I asked at one of the bike shops and they directed me to a marked route leaving from the shop that was 26 miles and went largely through neighborhoods and lightly traveled rural roads. So, I put aside my fears of riding alone and just started doing that route all the time. I had to drive to get there and it was sort of out of the way, but it gave me a place to start.

After many miles spent mostly alone on those roads, I finally got up the nerve to take part in a club ride. It was much less intimidating than I had built it up to be. From there, everything just got easier. I started to discover where I could ride and I met plenty of people to ride with. That was in September of 2006. Since then, I've ridden about 8,000 miles, including 5,200 last year in my first full year of riding. My point in sharing those numbers is that every great journey starts with one small step (or however that saying goes).

I'd encourage you to approach it with some baby steps of your own and give yourself time to gain some confidence. Celebrate each victory, no matter how small it may seem. Good luck and have fun!

Kano

05-05-2008, 02:07 PM

Arm yourself with as much as you can to minimize the risks associated with riding in traffic. Practice looking behind you w/o swerving on a quiet street; use a mirror; wear high vis clothing; use a blinking tailight; avoid riding in rushhour traffic; know the rules of the road and how to use hand signals so that drivers know what you're doing; learn to ride in a steady, straight line; carry a cellphone and emergency information.

All good ideas!

Start riding on the trail if it'll get you out there (but me mindful that trails, especially multi-use trails, can be as nervewracking as the road.

Easily MORE nerve-wracking! Cars and trucks might be fast, but I think they're FAR more predictable than "loose" people!

Karen in Boise

Savra

05-05-2008, 02:13 PM

This works for me for cycling and running. I buy new clothes. It totally gets me motivated to get on my bike or to hit the pavement. :D

This really works. I just got a shipment in the mail today of a new cycling shirt and just had to go biking in it!!

wackyjacky1

05-05-2008, 03:23 PM

NbyNW

05-05-2008, 07:00 PM

Lots of great advice above!

I've recently started biking to work, and I'm lucky in that it's a manageable distance for me (about 5 miles), since I am recovering from an injury and I want to be careful not to overdo it. My motivations are that it's much more pleasant than taking the bus (the walk between my bus stop and office is essentially a huge construction site), and it takes less time than the bus. And I can count it towards my PT.

I'm also terrified of riding in traffic, so it took me a bit of research and a lot of asking around to find a route that I'm comfortable with. I also don't care that other cyclists are going a lot faster than I am.

Bike commuting can be done in baby steps, too. My first time I just did it one way, then caught a ride home with DH in the evening. A week later I did my first round-trip. I'm planning to add a little bit more each week.

It's important to find safe places where you can work on your skills, get stronger, and become more confident when confronting those things that are holding you back.

Weekend motivation: to rediscover the joy I had riding my Schwinn Fair Lady when I was a kid. To not worry about wearing special shoes, or special clothes (but definitely a HELMET!), and to still have a great time even when things aren't perfect. To let that flat tire be my next big adventure. To have so much fun that I don't realize the sun is setting, or that my stomach is growling. To lose track of time.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-05-2008, 07:06 PM

A helmet mirror makes me much more at ease in traffic. Imagine driving your car without any mirrors at all. Helmet mirrors take a bit of getting used to, but after a few weeks you might find it changes your outlook completely and you may love it like I do. You get a full view of the entire road behind you including both shoulders, all in the tiny mirror the size of a quarter! :)

OakLeaf

05-06-2008, 03:42 AM

+1 to what everyone else has said, especially the mirror and riding in quiet places to start with. Nobody mentioned bar end mirrors - some people find them easier to use than helmet/sunglass mirrors.

Maybe find a club to ride with (make sure they have rides for beginners - many do).

sundial

05-06-2008, 05:32 AM

Hi Effy, welcome to TE. :D

OK, here's what keeps me motivated.

cute cycling wear from the TE store

iPod playing U2

my doggies that want to trot along with me

new foals that I meet on the ride

joining Bike Journal to keep track of my distances

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-06-2008, 06:47 AM

Poster indicates that she is afraid of the traffic and is disturbed by the fact that the wind cuts down on her being able to hear traffic coming up behind her, so I don't think wearing an iPod is going to help that particular situation. :rolleyes:
Cute/cool cycling wear definitely helps though. ;)

PrincessAna

05-06-2008, 07:06 AM

Motivation is a big issue for me also. I went through some big life changes 3 years ago, and exercise (and taking care of *me* in general) got put in the back seat.

One thing I sometimes ask myself (I stole this from somewhere, btw) is: How will I feel after my ride? Quite often that answer is positive, and that helps me to get through the motions of changing, pumping up the tires, etc. Once I am on my bike, I don't think I've ever regretted it :)

I prefer trails to streets. We have a gravel foot/bike trail that runs through my town that I've been riding on. If there are a lot of people, I do need to take some care. But I'm slow. On yesterday's ride I averaged 6.4mph. I would far rather deal with other bikers and walkers/runners than try to blend in with traffic on the streets.

Anastasia :D

sundial

05-06-2008, 12:25 PM

Geonz

05-06-2008, 01:24 PM

+1 on all that stuff

www.bikejournal.com

and the cumulative mileage on the odometer that you should get just so you can see cumulative mileage ;)

and look for a route where you're comfortable. SOmetimes "rural" just means skinny roads where the drivers go too fast :(

imdeanna

05-06-2008, 02:29 PM

I had the same issues not wanting to turn my head to see if a car was approaching.... last weekend I saw a bar end mirror at the LBS, thought I would like it more than a helmet mounted mirror so I got it...and I love it....
I had to still make an effort to look at it....but it's a quicker glance down then back up to line of travel than turning my head. and it looks kinda cool too: (pic found online for quick reference posted below) (also...I had Lasik last year, so my near sight isn't all that great, so having a mirror a bit further away was better for me since I'm far sided now!!) :)

I also find myself 'Wanting' to Want to go for a ride...but not riding as often as I want to want TO! (that will only make sense to others that are dealing with the motivation part!) LOL

and like Spokewench said....you just have to get yourself out there...for me, once I'm out there...I don't ever want to be done!! so if you just say...I'm going for a quick ride around the block, it might be easier to get out and do it!!

effy

05-07-2008, 08:19 AM

Ladies, you are all so amazing to me. I'm so glad that I'm not alone in this challenge to get out the door.
- Yes I have been ordering clothes left and right, One for Hubby and two for me. Lol
- On Monday after work I went to the bike shop and bought a mirror for the handle bar. It's ok, I find already that the longer the ride and the bumps vibrate it out of position. So getting that back into position is a concern for me. So I will be looking for the helmet mirror next,
- The Ipod, Hubby says no way. He says I need to be a better rider before I can do that. But I think that on the trails, I'll be ok.
- I also have started putting air in my tires to get my bike ready and your right, if I've done the work, I'm going for a ride. Putting air in the tires is a small work out by itself.
- Ladies, one thing I been hearing is just DO IT. If I start out, don't give myself the chance for excuses, I find that I will actually enjoy it more.
Thank you for the motivation, please don't stop sending me motivation:)

indysteel

05-07-2008, 10:03 AM

- The Ipod, Hubby says no way. He says I need to be a better rider before I can do that. But I think that on the trails, I'll be ok.

Others may disagree, but I think iPods aren't a very good idea when biking on the road or trail, experienced or not. As I and others have suggested, there are lots of hazards on trails, not the least of which is faster cyclists overtaking you with an "on your left." I don't even think walkers or runners should wear them on multi-use trails, but I'm a bit of a hardliner on the subject.

jesvetmed

05-07-2008, 10:11 AM

Effy: Yay for you for getting out there! I found that signing up with a bike club at least got me out once a week on a ride I wouldn't have done otherwise. And you meet others who you may end up wanting to do other rides with.

Also, for me motivation comes from fear.. fear of getting too far out of shape, and also fear that I provide myself by signing up for events, races or triathlons. It's not bad fear, just a "healthy fear"...?! :rolleyes:

But if I am committed to doing something (ie, I've paid for a tri, I've told others about it, taken the time off work), then darn it, I better be prepared! I can tell you that is the ONLY reason I make it to the pool at all to swim!

As for riding, just getting out there more, and becoming more comfortable will make the rides a lot more desirable in the future.

ENJOY!

mimitabby

05-07-2008, 10:47 AM

Others may disagree, but I think iPods aren't a very good idea when biking on the road or trail, experienced or not. As I and others have suggested, there are lots of hazards on trails, not the least of which is faster cyclists overtaking you with an "on your left." I don't even think walkers or runners should wear them on multi-use trails, but I'm a bit of a hardliner on the subject.

Boy, Indy, that could be on a gravestone. "If she didn't have her Ipod on she'd still be riding"
It's bad enough during the winter when i wear a light layer of wool over my ears to stay warm. I can't imagine having iPods covering my ears and pouring in Music which might cover up something i really needed to hear; from the whisper of a passing cyclist, to a new noise coming from my bike, to a car coming down the street.

indysteel

05-07-2008, 11:23 AM

Boy, Indy, that could be on a gravestone. "If she didn't have her Ipod on she'd still be riding"
It's bad enough during the winter when i wear a light layer of wool over my ears to stay warm. I can't imagine having iPods covering my ears and pouring in Music which might cover up something i really needed to hear; from the whisper of a passing cyclist, to a new noise coming from my bike, to a car coming down the street.

You're preachin' to the choir on that one. I'm not one for music in my ears though anyway, so it's not a sacrifice for me. Even putting aside the hazards, I like hearing the world around me when I ride: birds, insects, laughing kids, etc.

shootingstar

05-07-2008, 08:33 PM

Motivators:

Comfortable clothing, high visibility.

Bike that functions and fits well.

Several choice routes that know by heart..routes that you like to do frequently. It's good to have fitness-oriented route and a simpler, shorter route for days you're feeling crappier/weather is abit ugh. It really helps that part of the route is quiet/scenic/soul-inspiring.

Over time, know when you ride/perform the best on bike. I ride best early in the morning..when the sun is rising, dew is still on the grass, mist is burning off around the mountain tops :D -- not as enthused in blazing heat at high noon or later. And do it during that time, even if it means by yourself sometimes.

Not lose cycling memory in my cycling legs/muscles. Well, any cyclist enthusiast should know this one..

Cycling is sort of like a secondary source of the Muse for me. Really. What you see, feel, hear and smell on bike..you can write poetry, paint, photograph.... can say that about...football?

Another motivator...is getting going means that natural cycling drug..high five, one more time, baby!

**Of course, a motivator for me is that if I don't go grocery shopping on bike, that means alot less food at home ..since we don't have a car.

effy

05-08-2008, 09:53 AM

Point well taken on the Ipod topic. I understand that this may be more detrimental to me in the long run. I will have to focus more on proper pedaling and just being comfortable on the bike.
I understand that as a newbie I have a lot to learn. I must learn to crawl, walk and then ride. ( you can all thank my hubby for that one, he's constantly saying that to me. lol)

csr1210

05-08-2008, 10:27 AM

Welcome Effy!

I go through slumps in motivation from time to time. I absolutely KNOW I will feel better when I go for a ride, but still can't seem to make it out the door. The tire pumping thing works for me, and another variation of that is getting dressed! If I can convince myself to go ahead and get my gear on, I can usually get myself out on the bike. Only once have I actually gotten back undressed and not gone on my ride, and that was just a really really rotten day.

I was VERY scared of traffic when I started riding (Jan 07), but I think you'll be surprised how fast your mind and body adapt. I was just determined that being scared was not going to keep me from doing something I considered both fun and important to me. I do make a real effort to be a "defensive" rider and very polite as well. It doesn't work in all areas or with all drivers, but around here people have been very positive about our riding. I think it helps that I try to wave (or nod) to people so they tend to see me as a fellow human ( i.e. that crazy lady that rides her bike;)) rather than some faceless obstacle in the road.

One more thing that I do is set mileage goals for myself based upon what I think I can do, plus just a little more. It's not for everyone, but some days that is just a little extra push that gets me out the door if I'm not really in the mood. And I get a LOT of satisfaction seeing the miles add up. Just remember it should be fun -- if it starts stressing you out, then obviously it won't help motivate you. If I don't make my goal I don't beat myself up, just gives me something to shoot for next week (month-year-whatever)

Hope all that rambling helps some. Welcome to the fantastic world of cycling!

Christy

motochick

05-08-2008, 12:20 PM

Effy, don't quite give up on the rear view mirror yet. Is it a cateye? I have the cateye that says "racing" on the back (like you would ever see a racer with one!) It would start to flop around at 25 mph on our tandem so I took it apart and fixed it. I can fix ANYTHING! Hubby calls me McGyver. (WAAAAYYY off topic but I once fixed hubbys broken throttle cable on his dirt bike with a stick and some zip tys. He rode it for 15 miles thru the desert like that) Sorry for the rambling, just got back from riding and I am a little amped.

So all you do to fix the mirror is take it apart and install a small rubber o-ring on each side of the socket where the mirror sits. Now when you squish it back together, the o-rings keep it solid. If that makes no sense I can take a pic of it.

Have fun,

Brenda

cyclinnewbie

05-08-2008, 04:10 PM

I have had the same intimidation issue as what's been described here...I want so badly to ride ride ride, but I'm nervous about the traffic (I'm kind of rural, roads don't have paved shoulders, but are VERY busy), yadda yadda yadda. So, I went to the LBS, and asked if a complete and utter newbie could join their Sat. AM bike rides (I was worried that I would be the slowest, most clueless person in the group, holding everyone back, or that maybe they just wouldn't let me go until I got better); ended up that there were people from every skill level there...some who were lightening fast, some who were just there to have a nice ride, and some who were just beginning like me. And, one of the bike shop employees hangs back with us newbies and guides us in traffic safety, shifting, etiquette, etc. It's been really cool. Anyway, that's a suggestion...find a group to ride with who accepts newbies.

effy

05-09-2008, 08:27 AM

Thanks Moto for the idea to take the mirror apart and replacing the rubber O rings, I'll give it a try.

I have been getting dressed and pumping the tires as of late and it's making a big difference. I find that I'm able to go for rides even by myself.

Still buying clothes and other goodies for the riding experience.

As for the LBS, they do have group rides but these guys ride for 2-3 hours and that's there slow day (15-18 mph) I know I can keep the pace but not for 2 hours, at least not yet. ( maybe when I'm up to 2 hours, I'll join in) I havn't given up though, I'm still looking and asking around to the other shops to see what they offer.
Thanks for the ideas, I know that I'm not the only newbie in MN.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-09-2008, 08:36 AM

For those of you who are afraid to ride with traffic.
I recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Cycling-Bicycling-21st-Century-America/dp/0762743166/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210350704&sr=1-1
You can get it used for $10 there too.
This book completely changed how I ride....it made me realize that many things I was doing 'seemed' safer to me but in reality my riding habits were putting me into very dangerous situations. This book gave me confidence riding in traffic and other hazardous conditions too. It empowered me. I ride way safer now and can better avoid getting into potentially dangerous situations to begin with, rather than trying to decide what to do in a panic when I'm already IN a dangerous situation.
It's an EXCELLENT book on defensive biking.

effy

05-11-2008, 08:09 AM

Thanks for the book. I will be looking for it.

MsTerra

05-11-2008, 04:10 PM

Effy, thank you for starting this thread. It's very timely for me right now, and I have a feeling I will be coming back to it from time to time. I'm pretty much a newb (coming back after a decade-long layoff, and I was still kind of a novice when I stopped riding back then) and for some reason feeling much more intimidated coming back to cycling at 41 than I did taking it up at 30. I don't understand why I wasn't more afraid of riding in traffic back then, or why I'm so afraid of it now, but my plan is to commute to work (about 3.5 miles) in good weather, and go on rides with the spousal unit on weekends. Just getting started seems to be the tough part, and it doesn't help that it's rained a lot in the two weeks since I bought my bike.

I've found that in general, overcoming resistance to doing something is harder than actually doing that thing. For me it's a matter of not letting myself psych myself out. Hubby and I finally got in a little riding today (he complained I was riding too fast :) ) and I was remembering the old skills a lot faster than I expected I would, which was encouraging.

This week is Bike Week in greater Boston, and I hope to use that as motivation. A lot of people around here ride, and there's nothing like peer pressure for motivation, is there? ;)

PscyclePath

05-12-2008, 05:09 AM

What Lisa said... Robert Hurst's The Art of Urban Cycling (the second edition is simply called The Art of Cycling) is probably the best little handbook out there for urban and suburban cyclists.

If you're uncertain about riding in traffic or the open roads, one thing you might look for is one of the League of American Bicyclists' courses on cycling. The basic course is referred to as "Road I", though you usually see if advertised as something more descriptive like "Smart Cycling" or "Street Cycling." This is a good basic intro to getting around town or wherever on your bike, with a good helping of traffic law, safety principles, and staying out of (or getting out of ) trouble with your bike. About half the course is hands-on (or better said, butts-on) the bike. Check the web page here to find one in your community, or at least for a list of instructors in your state to call up and say, "hey, I want to take a bike class." I'm sure they'll be glad to help out: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/course_schedule.php .

Does one of the local bike instructors, bike shops, or bike clubs sponsor "Critical Manners" rides? This is another good way to learn good traffic skills and experience... it's worked well for us here in Little Rock, anyway.

Tom

flash

05-13-2008, 12:14 PM

Hi Effy!

When I first started riding, I also found it a little tricky to get motivated to head out the door. After a while, I figured out that the problem was not knowing where to go! I sat down with my husband and a few friends, and we mapped out a few good routes for me -- appropriate distance/time, some with hills some without, low traffic. I printed out maps & once I had a plan, it was a lot easier to get out the door and enjoy riding regularly. Now I'm seriously addicted & prefer rides where I get lost. yes .... that's right. I prefer rides where I get lost. There is nothing better than going down a new country road, just to see "where it goes", then exploring more and more new roads from there.

Enjoy your summer of riding! Monica

effy

05-14-2008, 08:23 AM

Ms Terra, I'm glad that this thread is helpful for you to. I have gotten so many wonderful ideas and so much encouragement, I really appreciate all the positive words from everyone. Not only does it help me, but it's helping others to.

As for the book " The art of cycling" I will be going to pick it up after work today, if all goes well for me.

I love the feeling of being out on the road and being free. Awesome:p

Flash as for the mapping idea, I'll try it. I am new to the MN. I have been here for a year and it has been more winter than anything else here, until recently. So I think that may help for me to have an idea of the road before I go out.

cycotourer

05-15-2008, 02:21 AM