First Organized Ride

[RolliePollie]

I'm trying to decide whether or not I'm ready for my first organized ride. I've been riding exactly one month! There's a ride coming up in 4 weeks that I'd really like to do, but I'm pretty nervous about the idea. There is a 40 mile course that is supposed to be pretty flat.

I need advice...I am not using my clipless pedals yet (but I'm planning to try them out tomorrow on the grass) and I'm still pretty wobbly on starts. I'm also not very good at gracefully stopping and getting off the bike. But, I rode 31 miles last weekend and averaged 14.5 mph, and today I did 25 miles and averaged 15.5 mph. I feel really good once I'm on the bike and going. Also, I haven't done any riding on actual roads with cars yet. I've just done bike paths. And I get freaked out if other people are riding too close to me because I'm afraid I'll swerve and crash! I think I am over-analyzing this but I don't want to get out there and be the biggest idiot on the course! However, considering the progress I've made in one month, perhaps in another month I'll be more confident. Anyone have any thoughts for me?

[SouthernBelle]

Hi Sara,

I did my first ride of that type after riding less time than you & not even on a real road bike. Ask on the board if anybody is familiar with that ride and if it's good for a beginner. Otherwise, I say go for it.

Just ride as much as possible between now and then.

Good luck.

[momof4greatkids]

My first ride w/my new bike was an organized ride, I was still on platform pedals and didn't even know enough to be scared! It turned out all OK.

My advice would be to maybe stick w/platform pedals until you are more comfortable overall w/your bike, shifting, stopping, getting on and off, all that. Maybe just use the cycling shoes w/the platform pedals to give you more power and more comfort in your feet.

Stick to the back of the pack, ride w/a pal.

That's a challenging distance for only riding a short time, but I'm sure you can do it w/style and aplomb!

Most important, have fun, lots of fun.

Colleen

[carolp]

I'm not sure where in NoCal you live, but if you want to do an organized ride with some of the friendliest, most supportive people you could ever run into, you should check out the AIDS lifecycle rides. You don't have to be signed up for the ride to go on their training rides. The website is: aidslifecycle.org and go to the calendar of events section. There are a wide variety of rides throughout the bay area, and while the season is getting on and the rides are getting longer, there are a lot of beginners on these rides, and the leaders are wonderful.

Carol
rider #6009

[RolliePollie]

Carolp - thanks, I'm actually up in the foothills between Sacramento and Tahoe (Placerville area), so a bit far away from the Bay Area. It would be fun to find a local group to ride with but I think I'd have to go down to Sac, which is an hour's drive. My LBS has weekly rides which happen to go right by my house, but my house is on a locally (and maybe even regionally) famous killer hill, so I know I couldn't keep up with them! The ride I'm looking at is Bike Around The Buttes, which is up by Marysville/Yuba City. It sounds like it might be a perfect first event to try out because it's a relatively flat course. None of my cyclist friends are doing it because they say it's "too boring" - but of course these same people have done rides like the Death Ride out of Markleeville and a ride that goes across the entire state of Iowa, so they have a bit more experience than I do!

[sgtiger]

If you're already doing 25 to 30+ mile rides now, then the 40 miles shouldn't be a problem IMO. You have four weeks to try out the clipless pedals. If you still don't feel confident riding with them by the time the ride comes around, you can always change them back out for the ride.

My first experience with an organized ride was great. I think most of the experienced riders could pick me out. They gave me space when passing and many even shouted out encouraging words, which was most appreciated on the hills. Cyclist in general are a cool lot. Most of them are out to have a good time and it's fun to see so many people out on bikes. I think that most of them will understand (with the exception of a few jerks, but don't mind them), they were all noobies at some point. Definitely take the advice of others and try to find some organized training rides (sometimes put out by the group organizing the ride) in you area or some riding buddies. It'll help build up your confidence around other cyclist and you might be able to find people to do the ride with which would make your experience even better.

Good luck and have fun on your ride!

Soo

[indysteel]

Sara, it sounds like you're already doing very well. Keep doing what you're doing, and I think you'll be fine at the ride. When I first started riding, I rode alone for several months--first mostly on bike paths and then on the road--before trying a club ride. I was really nervous about it, and in retrospect, I shouldn't have been quite that relunctant.

If you do decide to switch to clipless pedals, I would recommend spending some time practicing with them before hitting the road. When I first got mine, I propped myself and the bike in a doorway in my house and practicing getting in and out of one pedal at a time. It helped me get a feel for how and where the cleat engages. I would also suggest that you develop a routine, e.g., by unclipping as you come to a stop with the same foot each time. I would agree, however, that if you still feel shaky with them by the time of the ride, switch back to your platform pedals.

I also recommend that you start riding on the road in advance of the ride. I would start with doing some research on the rules of the road that are specific to your state/city. From there, see if you any of your friends would be willing to go for a road ride with you. Since it sounds like some of your friends are experiened cyclists, they could give you some pointers for dealing with traffic and could also introduce you the rules of etiquette for riding with a group, e.g., how and when to use hand and voice signals. You might also think about riding with a bigger group, e.g., at a local club ride, before doing your event ride.

When I first started riding, I remember how much concentration it took to just ride. When did it get so complicated, I remember asking myself. It seemed so intuitive when I was a kid. It was hard to devote the attention necessary to other riders and traffic. After a relatively short time, however, I found myself not having to work so hard at it and now, much of it seems like second nature. Just be patient with yourself, and you'll get there too in no time.

Have fun.

Kate

[RolliePollie]

I did my first ride on an actual road this morning!

It makes me feel both better and worse about trying an organized ride. My friend took me on his "daily route"...I think he was trying to kill me! lol. We went about 16 miles...the elevation where I live is about 3,800' and we dropped down to about 2,000'...and this being the foothills, you get lots of rolling ups and downs, as well as some steep and long hills. The downhill trip was exhillarating and a bit scary, as I now have a new top speed to brag about...31 mph! The uphill trip was SO HARD! We had to keep stopping so I could rest, but I only got off and walked one short section (my excuse is that it was a steep hill, a blind curve, and there was a 3' deep ditch right on the edge of the white line! Also, I was really tired!) So, now I know how far I have to go in terms of stamina, strength, and being in control of the bike. But on the other hand, I made it through the ride, it was really fun, it felt good to push myself and see what my body could do, and tonight I feel great. I'm really glad I "graduated" to the road!

I also learned something about platform pedals. They hurt really bad when they hit you in the shin after your feet fly off! I guess that's a lesson in paying attention to what gear you're in. I have a nice fat bruise to show off to my friends at work.

Thank you so much to everyone for all the supportive advice and comments. Seems like it would be very easy to get discouraged when you're first starting out. It helps to know that I'm not the only one who's ever gone through these just-starting-out challenges. I was also thinking that when I was a kid, riding a bike seemed like second nature. But as an adult, it's so much more difficult! Is this because we have better judgement as adults? Or because we know the risks? I don't remember ever being scared on my pink Schwinn with the floral banana seat! Ooooh, and I had one of those tall flags on the back and a personalized bike license plate. Those were the days!

[yellow]

Whoa! A Placervillian??!! Sara, I just sent you a PM.

You Davis and Sacramento gals may now have a foothills representative replacement for me (finally)!

Once-a-Placervillian-now-a-Salt-Lakean

**end hijack**