First road ride!!!!!!!!!!
TA-DAH! Yesterday I got the courage to go meet up with a bike club (I didn't know any of the members) for my very first road ride ever.
It was one of those no-drop deals, which saved me as I crawled up a few hills they consider small, but seemed like Everest to me.
The ride leader stayed with me on the tough spots and gave me tips on how to shift. I just kept telling myself, I can't shift into the last gear cause where will I go from there? :eek:
We did 13 miles at speeds (I'm told) averaged about 12, but topped out at 18. I had been doing 15 miles on our bike trails here along a canal, but there was NO comparison. I think I will like roads better than trails -- eventually. And it was cool to have other people around. I even got applause for my ascent in the granny gear. Feeling waaay cool, :cool: since I can still walk.
It was thrilling, and more importantly it was 24 hours ago and I am still ambulatory. :D
Just had to tell somebody, and reading you all gave me the nerve to risk embarrassing myself. Thanks all. Now I gotta read the threads on hills.
Thanks for all the encouragement
Hey girlies: I'm so happy to be part of this group, and have you all make a fuss over my small victories. :D
Showing up for that ride, and not knowing a soul, was just about terrifying. I walk right up to strangers every day on my job, but real life is waaaay different. I got divorced about five years ago, and it's not easy to get out among people you don't know. Ditto if you're worried about being the slowest slug at the end of the line. :eek:
However, I would encourage anyone who is thinking about it to beat the shyness of being the new kid and give a group a try.
My reward was six new friends, some pretty good biking advice, kudos from youall and beer and food after the ride (double bonus!). And even if these folks had been snooty or aloof, the next road would have been easier.
I finally just decided to pretend I was someone who wouldn't be shy about doing this (Katherine Hepburn!).
I've spent the last few days taking shorter, hillier rides for stamina, and I actually feel like I'm getting somewhere. Wooooohoooo! --Kymberli