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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12-12-2006, 03:54 PM #1
I am the cheese. ^_^
- Join Date
- Jun 2006
- Location
- Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Posts
- 529
All alone on the road bike for first time!! (gulp)
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12-12-2006, 04:02 PM #2
Sell crazy someplace else
- Join Date
- Jul 2006
- Location
- Ohio
- Posts
- 2,824
You did accomplish something. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Jennifer
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
-Aristotle
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12-12-2006, 04:13 PM #3
listen to the bees
- Join Date
- Jul 2006
- Location
- Riding my Luna & Rivendell in the Hudson Valley, NY
- Posts
- 8,411
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.Lisa
My mountain dulcimer network...FOTMD.com...and my mountain dulcimer blog
My personal blog:My blog
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12-12-2006, 04:17 PM #4
Crone on Wheels
- Join Date
- Aug 2005
- Location
- Florida panhandle
- Posts
- 1,498
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.
Bad JuJu: Team TE Bianchista
"The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress." -Roth
Read my blog: Works in Progress
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12-12-2006, 05:20 PM #5
Registered User
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Posts
- 2,716
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!"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside thoroughly used-up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW WHAT A RIDE!!!!"
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12-12-2006, 07:02 PM #6
Registered User
- Join Date
- Jan 2006
- Location
- Pacific Northwest
- Posts
- 3,436
Good for you, girl. Well done! Broke the proverbial ice; now it will be easier. And fun!
"My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved;I have been given much and I have given something in return...Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and an adventure." O. Sacks
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12-12-2006, 09:49 PM #7
Registered User
- Join Date
- May 2006
- Location
- Downunder
- Posts
- 292
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
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived — This is to have succeeded - Emerson
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12-13-2006, 04:11 AM #8
I heart my bike
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
- where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
- Posts
- 5,251
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!!!!
Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com
Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)
1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
Cannondale F5 mountain bike
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12-13-2006, 06:19 AM #9
I like bikes
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
- Seattle
- Posts
- 8,548
I like to hear stories of courage like yours!
keep us posted on your progress.
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12-13-2006, 08:21 AM #10
Honky Nut Dodger
- Join Date
- Jul 2005
- Location
- WA, Australia
- Posts
- 3,292
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.
Originally Posted by light_sabe_r
The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
Amelia Earhart
2005 Trek 5000 road/Avocet 02 40W
2006 Colnago C50 road/SSM Atola
2005 SC Juliana SL mtb/WTB Laser V
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12-13-2006, 08:37 AM #11
All about the journey
- Join Date
- Jun 2006
- Location
- The middle of North America
- Posts
- 776
Well done!
It's about the journey and being in the moment, not about the destination
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12-13-2006, 11:15 AM #12
Speed Demon
- Join Date
- Jun 2006
- Location
- Colorado
- Posts
- 425
Congrats! Isn't it a great feeling? It gets better every time.
The best part about going up hills is riding back down!
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12-13-2006, 11:23 AM #13
Registered User
- Join Date
- Oct 2006
- Location
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Posts
- 627
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....
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12-13-2006, 12:03 PM #14
Sue
- Join Date
- Jun 2005
- Location
- Illinois
- Posts
- 3,151
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