need lots of help!

Hi, I am 100% new to cycling. I have been out on about 5 rides now and I am able to tell that I am going to really love it! however, i am so new that i know absolutely nothing. i have a road bike...cannondale r2000 caa4 a few years old, but works great. i started using clipless pedals from day one so i would be use to them (very nerve wracking!) i go about 12-13 miles on my rides (Lake Natoma loop) average time about 1 hour give or take. have most of the gear (shoes, jersey, shorts and water bottles of course!) i would appreciate any helpful info from whomever is kind enough to respond. ie:
-diet
-training for races
-cycling etiquette (on rides)
-riding with a trailer and/or a copilot (15 month old)
-weight loss
-groups in my area (beginners)
-training partners
-etc...
thanks all,
roro

That's a pretty long list! I'm sure you'll get lots of informative answers from the knowledgeable ladies here, but I'd also suggest that you spend some time searching the threads on the forum. A lot of your questions have possibly already been asked and answered by others here, and there's an excellent search function. Take your time and explore, I guarantee you'll learn a lot and probably have fun in the process.

And... welcome to TE! :D

Hello and welcome. Yep, it's all here. Any specific questions you can't find answers for go ahead and ask.

Check out biking laws for your area, learn how to fix a flat tire. Learn how to signal turns/stops/potential hazards. A trailer is more work but not hard to pull around, and if you crash your kid doesn't. A helmet for the young one is a must. Don't forget to give her neck muscles a chance to get used to the weight, ie: shorter rides at first. Also make sure she's stocked with the things that make her happy so you have a happy ride. Our standard fare was snacks, drinks, toys and a pillow.

Well, anyway, lots of info. :)

thanks ladies....like i said, i'm new and a probably a pain in the a$$...but i appreciate your time and patience with the 'slow pokes'.

Welcome, fng911!!! You're just down the hill from me! I'm in Pollock Pines. Another local TE'er is michelem...she's in Folsom. I haven't met her yet, but one of these days, we're going to ride together! Maybe the three of us could ride the bike trail together. Have you ever ridden up to Folsom Lake? I'd like to do that and see just how low the water levels are. I hear it's a puddle these days.

Anyway, sounds to me like you're doing great! I got my bike last February and rode the bike trail a lot. I would do the Fish Hatchery to William Pond Park and back...20 miles...and I thought it would kill me. Now I can go all the way to Old Sac and back! Soon you'll be riding the hilly roads around Rescue with no problem! Great job on going clipless from the start too. That's quite an accomplishment.

This site it the absolute best. I can't tell you how much I've learned here. You can ask pretty much any question and you'll get a bunch of excellent answers. And if you search old threads, you'll find a wealth of information.

Happy Riding!!!

Fng-
Great going so far!
Try thinking of one question at a time and then posting it- you can't really expect everyone to give you all the information you asked for in one thread.
Look up some of the websites for beginner biking safety tips. Then READ them. That will help a lot. :)
I like to think of it as "cycling SAFETY" rather than "cycling etiquette". And safety is more important than anything else- because if you are not riding safely you won't be riding for very long. ;)
Good luck and stick with it!

As for training for races, let that come later, especially doing a very structured program. First, keep working on getting in cycling shape and used to handling your bike. Then, do a web search, ask around at your local bike shops, etc. to find group rides for your fitness level. Once you get the basics on group etiquette from here or wherever, go on a bunch of rides. Listen and watch. Get used to riding in a pack. See if a local club offers skills clinics. These are a bonus for racing (bumping, tight cornering, etc.) but not required if you have decent bike handling skills.

As for diet, it's important to be sure you eat and drink enough during your rides once you get your mileage up. Learn to eat and drink without stopping (at least for easy-access food that you might want to have during a race).

http://www.cptips.com/

That's a nice site.

ladies....thanks again, all of your tips and websites are a great help. i keep learning so much! one-day-at-a-time! :D