I did it :)

[Catrin]

I moved last year to an apartment that allows me to ride through a park to other roads on which I can access my beloved country roads. The problem is that the .5 mile road between my apts and the park entrance is insane busy - with very, very narrow lanes and fast traffic. There IS a bike path on which I can reach the park - but I have to cross this very busy and narrow street first. I have stood there for as long as 10 minutes to get across :( :mad:

I've been afraid to just ride down the street, or just come home that way. Yesterday I decided to come home this way - to ride down the street instead of the bike path. I waited to start until there was a lull in EB traffic - didn't want to slow down a long line of cars.

It was fine of course, but I noted that everyone who passed me had to get out into the other lane. Well, that was their choice, but it is a very busy stretch of road. There was only one jerk who kept beeping at me, but he gave me plenty of room :)

My two options are just to take the lane completely, or return to the bike lane and deal with crossing the street. Frankly, I think the latter is safer and that is what I will do unless the bike lane is flooded as frequently happens.

I am proud of myself for trying it - and I wasn't afraid at all :) :cool: That was the most traffic I've ridden in...though it was for < a mile.

[spokewench]

Way to go Catrin!

[OakLeaf]

Yay you!! :D

[Biciclista]

wow, even jerks honking horns didn't slow you down! great !
go out and do it again now!

[Trek-chick]

that's great...it sure is a good feeling to face your fears.... so to speak. Hooray for you:D

[Kerry1976]

Congratulations on dealing with a big hurdle. I'm still scared of even marginal traffic (total newbie with only two rides under my belt) and this is so encouraging!

[Karma007]

Traffic can be terrifying- way to go!!!!

[emily_in_nc]

Good job!

[hebe]

Well done! I know what you mean, there's a very busy road here that I will avoid when I have dd in the trailer (narrow bike lane and one single narrow traffic lane in each direction), but I can ride it on my own now. ALthough I still haven't had the bottle to turn right across the traffic yet. Baby steps :)

[channlluv]

Hooray for you!

I'm glad the guy honking the horn gave you lots of room. I'm still so intimidated by heavy traffic. I don't even like to drive in rush hour, much less ride my bike.

Roxy

[westtexas]

I definitely am a wuss when it comes to traffic. I've got the option to ride ~ 5 miles to work when I move in a couple of months and I think I am going to go for it, but I'm going to have to get some serious nerves of steel before that happens!

[ladyicon]

I ride a lot on busy roads, but here in San Diego, everyone is very accomodating, welllll, almost everyone. :eek:

[PamNY]

Hooray for you! Believe me, I understand.

[Bike Writer]

Catrin you have good reason to be proud of yourself - you are courageous!

Very nice and no doubt a great feeling of accomplishment and well deserved.:D

[Tri Girl]

Way to go, Catrin!!! Sometimes the scariest part of doing something new is the thinking about it. Woo hoo!!!:D

[Catrin]

Yep - I certainly over-think things! I do appreciate the encouragement.

The interesting thing is my country roads don't scare me at all - even with the farm equipment that spans the entire road :eek: drunk red-necks in pickups whizzing by shouting nice things about my butt (selective hearing is a blessing), etc. The point is none of the above come in groups :D

I will do this again on other lower-traffic days, but for the most part I will just bite the bullet and wait to cross the street to reach the bike path - except when it is flooded.

You know, considering how much I rode last year, and what I am planning to ride this year, it does seem silly to worry about traffic so much. Then again, it is a very different kind of riding than my low-traffic country roads!

[Bike Chick]

drunk red-necks in pickups whizzing by shouting nice things about my butt

I thought they only did that in my neighborhood:eek: These are the same folks that have 16 dogs that they let run loose and then stand in their yard watching as you ride past screaming "NO!" at their dogs. Gee Whiz!!!

Ride with confidence, Catrin. I figure the more of us that are out there riding in traffic, the more the motorists will become accustomed to our presence and learn to accept us.

[mariacycle]

good job Catrin! even one car terrifies me... I'm glad that even the guy honking gave you room too.

[Geonz]

There's a lot more happening at once in that kind of traffic -- and yes, getting out and taking the lane is the way to go. You might find that it's like learning to drive -- at first it seems like there's no way you can keep track of everything, but hten all kinds of things become second nature.

[MyRubyE]

Good for you Catrin. I know the feeling and understand when it comes to extremely busy traffic. My work commute has narrow shoulders in some sections of the road and it took me awhile to gather the courage to just get over the fear and then take the lane when needing to make a left turn at the light.

You're doing great. Hang in there.