shedding my lurker status

[rbs4fun]

Hi,
I've been a lurker for 6 months since I started biking in December. Started on my brother's 20+ year old rusted steel Schwinn when I was recovering from a running injury. At the end of January while riding 17 miles on the Schwinn, the chain fell off and then got stuck in 2 gears, my DH and I went and bought a Novara Carema at REI. I've been in love ever since.

The longest ride I've done to date is 55 miles. Over Memorial Day weekend I finally put on bike shoes. After getting comfortable clipping and unclipping with the left leg I, for some reason, decided to try my right leg and quickly fell over. When I rode with my running shoes, I've always put the left leg down so I don't know why I did that. DUH! But I got my first fall over with, yay!

[Red Rock]

Welcome to TE!! I am so glad to see someone from the desert Southwest. :D I'm in St. George and very envious of the Mid Atlantic kids who can run into each other at the store, the local bakery and go for rides together. Your only a few hours from me!!:D

Also congrats on your milestone of biking and making your first fall. I had one too, it was not fun but was glad to get it over with. I love my clipless pedals as well. Keep putting in the miles, at somepoint, more bikes will want to keep you company as well.

I am going to school online but have been druling over FS mountain bikes. I have a good road fix but I need the mouintain for diversity and challenge of riding.

Keep us posted on your new adventures.

Red Rock

[Zen]

I'm not surprised at your mishap.
We should be able to unclip with either foot but most of us have a preference.
While trying to become one with my new pedal system I fell standing still.
This was just last week.

Welcome to TE.
Now go ride so you have stories to tell (we love photos)

[rbs4fun]

Thanks for the welcome RR and Zen.

I've cut back on my riding actually because I am now focusing on training for a marathon. But as soon as that's over I am going to train for a mini sprint triathlon. I did a 35 mile bike tour in April and that was a lot of fun. I am still new to the Vegas biking community so not sure what's coming up as far as bike tours/rides are concerned.

This past Saturday I went to a bike clinic and learned how to change a flat (the rear tire), learned to ride in a pace line and how to draft. I got dropped couple times from the paceline because I couldn't keep up :o. After practice we went for a 15 mile ride and tried to draft. I was so nervous the entire time, it felt dangerous to me.

This forum is very informative and so far I've gotten a lot of good advice from here. Also I just received couple of summer jerseys that were mentioned here and can't wait to try it out on Saturday, definitely need it in Vegas.