New to road cycling

Hi all - Just found this board - it's great to see so many women cyclists. I was starting to think we didn't really exist...

I've been cycling recreationally for years on cheap bikes, but I finally splurged this last weekend and bought myself a nice entry-level road bike (Specialized Dolce). Tonight I'm going to try a beginner's ride that my LBS hosts. Supposedly they're going to teach us how to ride on the road without getting squashed by cars! :)

I live in Arlington, TX, which is a suburb of Dallas/Fort Worth. There are LOTS of cars here and it seems most people don't like cyclists on the roads. It's a little intimidating. Combine that with my unfamiliarity with my new bike, and I'm a bit nervous! Excited though.

Anyway, so glad I found this forum. Can't wait to read more!


Dawn

Welcome aboard, Dawn. This is a wonderful board. Good luck on your ride. I hate riding in traffic, but do so because I commute to work. It takes time and persistance to get comfortable around cars. Always ride defensively no matter what the traffic is like. And obey the road rules. Drivers will respect you more if you follow the rules...

Thanks for the welcome. The ride went GREAT! It was a total blast. Since it was a beginner's ride, it was only 15 miles, but it was a good distance to help me start learning the technique of riding in a group. I'm totally hooked!