shedding my lurker status

[rbs4fun]

Hi,
I've been a lurker for 6 months since I started biking in December. Started on my brother's 20+ year old rusted steel Schwinn when I was recovering from a running injury. At the end of January while riding 17 miles on the Schwinn, the chain fell off and then got stuck in 2 gears, my DH and I went and bought a Novara Carema at REI. I've been in love ever since.

The longest ride I've done to date is 55 miles. Over Memorial Day weekend I finally put on bike shoes. After getting comfortable clipping and unclipping with the left leg I, for some reason, decided to try my right leg and quickly fell over. When I rode with my running shoes, I've always put the left leg down so I don't know why I did that. DUH! But I got my first fall over with, yay!

[Red Rock]

Welcome to TE!! I am so glad to see someone from the desert Southwest. I'm in St. George and very envious of the Mid Atlantic kids who can run into each other at the store, the local bakery and go for rides together. Your only a few hours from me!!

Also congrats on your milestone of biking and making your first fall. I had one too, it was not fun but was glad to get it over with. I love my clipless pedals as well. Keep putting in the miles, at somepoint, more bikes will want to keep you company as well.

I am going to school online but have been druling over FS mountain bikes. I have a good road fix but I need the mouintain for diversity and challenge of riding.

Keep us posted on your new adventures.

Red Rock

[Zen]

I'm not surprised at your mishap.
We should be able to unclip with either foot but most of us have a preference.
While trying to become one with my new pedal system I fell standing still.
This was just last week.

Welcome to TE.
Now go ride so you have stories to tell (we love photos)

[rbs4fun]

Thanks for the welcome RR and Zen.

I've cut back on my riding actually because I am now focusing on training for a marathon. But as soon as that's over I am going to train for a mini sprint triathlon. I did a 35 mile bike tour in April and that was a lot of fun. I am still new to the Vegas biking community so not sure what's coming up as far as bike tours/rides are concerned.

This past Saturday I went to a bike clinic and learned how to change a flat (the rear tire), learned to ride in a pace line and how to draft. I got dropped couple times from the paceline because I couldn't keep up . After practice we went for a 15 mile ride and tried to draft. I was so nervous the entire time, it felt dangerous to me.

This forum is very informative and so far I've gotten a lot of good advice from here. Also I just received couple of summer jerseys that were mentioned here and can't wait to try it out on Saturday, definitely need it in Vegas.