TRAFFIC! stop lights! lions! tigers! okay......

Hi guys-took the new bike out again today and rode a little bit in traffic. At the second light, I freaked out because I put my hands where "normally" the brakes are, (not in the drops) and ended up doing the fred flinstone drag your feet stop.:eek: Thank GOD I was not clipped in, I gave up on that for the moment.
The rest of the ride, I was cautious, rode with the traffic, stayed on the path, used the shoulder if it was large, kept a lot of distance if not, and generally said "snap out of it and pay attention" which did me a world of good.
Luckily I live in an area where there are a TON of paths, and most don't have any traffic.
I looked like a complete ***, but god afterwards I felt so great about myself, because I was definitely outside my comfort zone. 8 miles and I didn't die. Which doesn't sound huge...but to me, it definitely was.
I had a smile plastered on my face all day.

Congratulations, that is great!

I went outside my zone on Sunday, too. I have been riding with a group since April, and have logged about 600 miles so far, mostly on country roads. Yesterday, I wanted to go out by myself, and measured a 20 mile loop which included about 5 miles of fairly heavily trafficked (is that a word?) highway. It was 9:30 in the morning, so traffic wasn't bad, but I was so proud of myself that I was able to do the loop and enjoy it.

Keep on riding!

Doing GREAT, Iggy.
Just do little rides until you feel more comfortable. Every day you'll get more confident and more skilled, and things won't seem so scary. :)

Great job! I remember feeling the same way the first few times I rode on the busy streets around town. The more you ride in traffic, the more comfortable you'll get. Just make sure you're highly visible and don't assume drivers see you.

IGGY Wrote: but god afterwards I felt so great about myself, because I was definitely outside my comfort zone. 8 miles and I didn't die. Which doesn't sound huge...but to me, it definitely was.
I had a smile plastered on my face all day.


I remember when I was out doing 7mph and thought "Oh god help me! This is too fast!!!!"...lol

You are doing great, especially after having a rough start. Just keep at it.

Barbara

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BarbaraAlys

I remember when I was out doing 7mph and thought "Oh god help me! This is too fast!!!!"...lol

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I remember that too! :D :D And putting the brakes on like all the time!