Isolated (on the long side)

Really, this could go in either "open topic" forum. I just chose to put it here because this is where I'm keenly feeling it right now.

I just moved (officially) to Cleveland. I'm largely on my own. BF doesn't get here until August. Even though I've lived here for four years, I'm not really familiar with the roads beyond those around campus. I want to ride. I've pulled rides off MapMyRide that look good, or at least reasonable. I'm just nervous about doing them alone, and honestly, I prefer actual road riding in small groups. I was fine riding the rail-trails at home by myself--impossible to get lost, there's not much that can go wrong, and if needed I could limp to the nearest intersection and make a phone call, you know?

I don't know how big the cycling community here is, but the road cyclists around here seem to be almost exclusively male...and they're largely the wannabe racer types, from what I've observed. Maybe that's a bit unfair, but bottom line, not exactly a welcoming crowd for a professional tortoise.

So understandably, I'm feeling really isolated right now. I've got a 3-mile loop mapped out, and I've walked most of it--nice pavement, largely residential--should be fine on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I'm just annoyed that I'm unwilling to ride outside known routes, and annoyed that I'm letting my reservations erode an activity that I'm quite fond of.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Can you find a local shop and inquire whether there are some club rides? That would be a great starting point to help you get out with some other people, build some confidence, and learn some good routes.

And I'm not negating how you feel - went through the same thing myself several years ago when I relocated from Canada to the US. This will pass, I promise :D

SheFly

http://www.clevelandtouringclub.org/ Or, if none of their rides leave from near you, there are several clubs on the west/south sides of the Cleveland metro area here.

I don't like to ride by myself either, even if I do know the routes. Plus, I'm the kind of person who could get lost in my own yard. (GPS saved my life, there - I'm barely confident on rides with only a handful of riders unless I have my GPS, since my club's rides aren't the kind where everyone sticks together. In my fifth year riding in this area, I'm only just starting to learn the many roads.)

I hope you settle in soon and find some people to ride with.