First road ride!!!!!!!!!!

[khagelberg]

TA-DAH! Yesterday I got the courage to go meet up with a bike club (I didn't know any of the members) for my very first road ride ever.

It was one of those no-drop deals, which saved me as I crawled up a few hills they consider small, but seemed like Everest to me.

The ride leader stayed with me on the tough spots and gave me tips on how to shift. I just kept telling myself, I can't shift into the last gear cause where will I go from there?

We did 13 miles at speeds (I'm told) averaged about 12, but topped out at 18. I had been doing 15 miles on our bike trails here along a canal, but there was NO comparison. I think I will like roads better than trails -- eventually. And it was cool to have other people around. I even got applause for my ascent in the granny gear. Feeling waaay cool, since I can still walk.

It was thrilling, and more importantly it was 24 hours ago and I am still ambulatory.

Just had to tell somebody, and reading you all gave me the nerve to risk embarrassing myself. Thanks all. Now I gotta read the threads on hills.

[SadieKate]

Good for you! You came out of the closet! Group rides are so much fun on so many levels plus the reward of learning. DH is out of town right now so my evening ride is solo. I don't often get to do this and they have been very special, but it means I enjoy the group rides even more so.

[KSH]

Way to go!

Meeting a club for a ride... and be intimidating.. you never know what you will *get*.

I even get fearful sometimes before I go... afraid I won't keep up with the group.

It was brave of you to go... and riding in groups will make you an even better rider!

[AllezGirl]

I remember my first club ride, I was so nervous I was looking for any excuse to bail...but when I finished I was so thrilled! The club I ride with sounds a lot like yours...different speeds, very helpful and VERY encouraging! This evening will be my first ride with them on my new road bike and I'm pretty nervous about that...the usual stuff, what if I can't keep up, fall, do something stupid, etc. But I'm sure once I get there that will go away.

[drplasma64]

That's great! Sounds like a good ride!

[bouncybouncy]

WAY TO GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

what a thrill...i remember my first group ride, i pulled it off but i can not express how nervous i was i went on a group ride for the first time without my fiancee (i have never ridden without him) and AGAIN...nervous wreck i got a flat towards the end and a very nice gentleman helped me change it while a couple other riders waited...i felt like a boob until i realized how many times i had waited for someone with a flat (at the beginning of the same ride in fact) and it is really NO big deal

I LOVE this sport!!!!

[caligurl]

way to go!!!! woo HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i wish we lived close enough that i could join a club the closest one is way too snobby and elitest and the next closest one is too far for weekly, nightly rides

and yes... hubby and friends have talked about starting a club in the area.. but it would be hubby's friends... who are all guys.. who all ride faster than i do! i think we need to move!!!!

doncha just LOVE riding!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????