All alone on the road bike for first time!! (gulp)

Well I did it...

I made my first commute to work on my road bike.

I don't care that my average speed was only 12kph!!! That's the same as when I first started riding again!
I don't care that I unclipped and WALKED the bike through every busy intersection just because I was petrified of falling over in front of the trucks!
I don't care that I was a sweaty trembling mess when I got to work!


I CONQUERED THE FEAR I HAD OF MY ROAD BIKE!!!

Okay well maybe I didn't conquer it completely... But this was the first ride I did withough falling off, bursting into tears cause I was petrified or causing a scene.

Yes. It was most enjoyable. ^_^ Just like riding should be!
And I know that I'm just going to have to ride a lone for a while until i'm comfortable enough with myself and my bike in order start riding with other people again. :P
Oh yeah and I had a flat tire when I got to work... Just SUPER.. I forgot my pump. Oh well I'll hoist her over my shoulder and run her home today. ^_^

I actually feel like I've acomplished something today

You did accomplish something. CONGRATULATIONS!! :D

Oh wow, that is so cool.
You GO, girl!!!

And hey you made the RIGHT decision about walking your bike through an intersection you were uncertain about. We have to keep ourselves SAFE first and foremost, so we can ride more and enjoy!

It was only a few short months ago that I began riding my bike through traffic and was so scared. Each trip gives you a tiny bit more confidence.
Congratulations- what a great spirit you have.

That rocks, light sabre! And you do whatever you need to do to feel comfortable--ride your own ride, not anyone else's idea of what your ride should be. You'll just feel better and better. Great accomplishment.

Congratulations!

You are way braver than I am! I won't ride alone in the streets and I sure as heck won't ride during rush hour.

Good job on walking through the intersections and making it to work.

You were brave!

Good for you, girl. Well done! Broke the proverbial ice; now it will be easier. And fun!

Way to go Light... it will get easier I'm sure (not that i've ridden a road bike yet!). You'll be hooning around in no time i'm sure :D :D

Congrats on overcoming your fears and getting out there and doing it!! I don't blame you one bit for walking through scary intersections, and playing it safe! I'm so excited for you! Now the next commute will be a little easier and the next one a little easier than that... and next thing you know- you're riding with confidence all alone all the live long day!
So excited for you!!!! :D

I like to hear stories of courage like yours!

keep us posted on your progress.

true courage indeed: doing something you want to even though you're scared. Well done!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by light_sabe_r

Well I did it...

I made my first commute to work on my road bike.

I don't care that my average speed was only 12kph!!! That's the same as when I first started riding again!
I don't care that I unclipped and WALKED the bike through every busy intersection just because I was petrified of falling over in front of the trucks!
I don't care that I was a sweaty trembling mess when I got to work!


I CONQUERED THE FEAR I HAD OF MY ROAD BIKE!!!

Okay well maybe I didn't conquer it completely... But this was the first ride I did withough falling off, bursting into tears cause I was petrified or causing a scene.

Yes. It was most enjoyable. ^_^ Just like riding should be!
And I know that I'm just going to have to ride a lone for a while until i'm comfortable enough with myself and my bike in order start riding with other people again. :P
Oh yeah and I had a flat tire when I got to work... Just SUPER.. I forgot my pump. Oh well I'll hoist her over my shoulder and run her home today. ^_^

I actually feel like I've acomplished something today

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Congratulations Light - its no small accomplishment to ride around in a city as busy as Brisbane. The first time riding alone is always the hardest and you have done it so it will just get easier from here on in.:) :)

Well done!

Congrats! Isn't it a great feeling? It gets better every time. :)

Congrats on your commute. I remember when I moved to SLC, I gave up riding my bike for many years because I was so intimidated by the traffic. I no longer lived in a small town and I couldn't get over my fear. Finally, my need to bike and get some fitness won out over my fear of the traffic. I commute to work, weather permitting, but adjust my riding so I don't feel so "threatened". I would rather commute to work at 4am in the morning when it is dark than between 6am to 8am....I leave at 3pm and have traffic, but not as much if I left at 4 or 5pm. GOOD JOB. It is always better to ride SAFE than to ride FAST when having to deal with traffic....

You Rock

LSR- Well, at least you had your flat at the END!!!!!

I've learned that riding in traffic requires some determination AND nerves of steel!

Although I don't have to go through traffic very much on my rides, when I do, I just be sure that I am visible and out there where people can see me. This means wearing bright colors (flourescent yellow really stands out). Also, when people wait for me I always wave a thank you. That way they are acknowleged for their good deeds!

As the others have said before me, it will get easier as you get more confidence in your abilities.

Congratulations for getting beyond your fears. That's always the hardest part (for me)!!!:D :D :D :D

Good for you! We all have our fears to overcome and your doing it right - on your own terms.

:D

Thanks guys You guys are FANTASTIC encouragement you know that???

Strange that none of this traffic stuff seems to bother me on the hybrid, which I use to ride to work every day usually...

But on the roadie I think it's the lack of experience, new riding position, unfamiliarity with the riding style, and the clipless pedals that get me all "nervy"

^_^

I don't blame you at all!
I know I felt the same way (nervous) when I switched from a loaner hybrid to my road bike....and I don't even "do" clipless!!! :rolleyes:

Good for you...my clip less road bike sits in lay away:( ,as I have a fear of riding it. I'm so comfortable on my hybrid...I ride in the busiest of traffic ,I go through intersections ,and make left turns in the turning lane. My one biggest fear (of a road bike) is getting a flat. If I didn't ride in traffic I couldn't ride at all.
Suzie

Suzie, you can always put regular pedals on your new road bike for a while so you can get used to riding it before you put the clipless pedals on it. Hey...Whatever gets you riding and having fun!
So amazing how you are taking control of the riding in traffic situation. Just remember- always err on the cautious/safe side when making decisions in traffic. Expect cars to do the wrong thing and turn in front of you etc.

You GO girl!!!

Lisa..............Thank you SOOOOOOO much. :D Im going to check with the LBS ,and make sure they will fit the bike. They install everything for free the first 30 days.................the 25c will be good for me. hey, I may get the bike out sooner.

Lisa..............Thank you SOOOOOOO much. :D Im going to check with the LBS ,and make sure they will fit the bike. They install everything for free the first 30 days.................the 25c will be good for me. hey, I may get the bike out sooner.

Another idea for Suzie is to get a second set of pedals for your road bike. In that way, if you feel like riding the hybrid (or if you have a visitor), it is ready to go...

Light Sabe_r - you absolutely achieved... way to go girl!

The road bike is quite remarkably different to a hybrid, and I am so used to being on a road bike I now I feel the same way when I hop back on a hybrid as you do about a roadie... positions, weight dispersal, even gearing... every seems different

But well done, and keep on... I find road bikes excellent to handle in traffic - much more responsive and lighter...

Keep us posted about your increasing accomplishments with it.