New Rider, New Bike, New to Clipless

[Kristi]

I'm just getting started into road biking. I'm totally convinced I'm going to love it.
I got my new bike about a week or so ago. (see pictures).

I freakin love it. If you haven't got a look at this bike, you should. Go to the Cannondale website, it's the Optimo Feminine 2. The paint job is really cool. I've yet to meet anyone who didn't think it was one hot bike.

I was pretty scared of clipping myself to my bike. My boyfriend has been pushing me to get clipless pedals, so after much discussion, I went for it. We went for a short ride around our neighborhood with me all clipped in and it was great.

I DIDN'T FALL!!!!

I'm so exited about riding more and going on my first long ride. I can't wait to get out there and enjoy the ride.

[keeper]

Oooh, very, very pretty!! I know what you mean, I got my bike about a month ago and I love it. So much fun. Good luck with the clipless - I fell my first time out and then again last night (at least I am consistent, I fell in the exact same way and busted up my knee and elbow in the exact same place - ouch!) The thought of falling was actually worse than the reality.

[DarcyInOregon]

Kristi, your bike is real pretty. You need to get out on some event rides so you can mingle with other cyclists and they can see your bike. There is probably an event ride every weekend for the rest of the summer. You can probably do one of the short rides of 35 miles to start.

When you need new tires, maybe think about adding tires with some color. The tires that TE sells are really good. The blue ones would add a little something extra to the look of your bike. And maybe get blue handlebar tape to coordinate. Just an idea for you.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=13372

Don't forget the matching and coordinating clothes and helmet.

Darcy

[mimitabby]

what a wonderful paint job! welcome to TE

[Dianyla]

Cool paintjob! Can you post another photo showing the Chinese characters more clearly? I've got 1, 3, and 4 figured out, but can't make heads or tails of the second one.

[Starfish]

Wow, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the bamboo!!! And yes, I second the addition of blue tires and tape! You're right, that is a hot bike. One of the nicest paint motifs I've seen. LOVE IT!!!!!

[bnylo]

I'm just getting started into road biking. I'm totally convinced I'm going to love it.
I got my new bike about a week or so ago. (see pictures).

I'm so exited about riding more and going on my first long ride. I can't wait to get out there and enjoy the ride.

Hey, what a nice bike, I'm glad to see some new/old ideas for painting a bike. Can you provide a better pic of the red seal? that usually is the mark of the painter on a painting - or the mark of a subsequent collector of a particular painting.

Margaret

[Jiffer]

SWEET!!! Another Cannondaler!

I hope it rides as nicely as it looks. I have a Cannondale, too. A CAAD9. LOVE IT!!! It's black, white and silver, but I pinked it out with pink handlebar tape, seat and bottle holders. And I, of course, wear a pink jersey!!!

Beware that white handlebars will get dirty faster than a darker color, but from what I hear, it cleans up fairly easily too. Someone mentioned Soft Scrub. I think lots of things would probably work. I need to clean my pink handlebars, but haven't done it yet.

Regarding the clips ... you'll get used to them. I clip in and out with my right when I stop, which must be what you do since you're better on your right than left. Everyone is different. Just do what feels natural to you. Eventually you'll get to where you can slow down for a red light and not feel the need to immediately unclip because you know the light is about to change. When I could ride super slow, like barely moving, and not be afraid of falling over, or that I wouldn't be able to unclip in time if I had to hurry and do so ... it felt great! Like a real cyclist! Haven't fallen yet ... fingers crossed! (Okay, well except for on the tandem once a year ago, when I was new, and Dh was unclipped, didn't communicate what he was doing with me and lost balance of the bike. I couldn't get my foot out in time and, in slow motion, went down like a beached whale on the side of a major street! Not good for my ego! I just know all the people in the cars passing were laughing hysterically. I just know it!)

But, lets get back to the part about how I've yet to fall over on my new Cannondale that I got 3 months ago. Congrats on your new bike. She's a beauty.