Hitting the road for the first time...

[MyRubyE]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to road biking and my biggest fear is stopping and starting when riding in traffic. Actually, stop signs, red lights, turning and crossing in traffic is my biggest dilemma. I get light headed and vertigo while cars speed by me. I cam ride for miles and miles on paved rail trails and wide shoulders if I keep going straight, but forget it if I have to maneuver myself in traffic.

So, today I rode 7 miles in traffic to try to overcome my fears. Thanks to all who post on rid forum. You have given me great tips and advice! I love this forum.

Today, I made eye contact w/ drivers, signaled, waved and gave them smiles and nods. Anything to help the cause for us road bikers . Worked on stopping while keeping one foot clipped in. I'm getting better at it. Even thigh I rode most of the time with only one foot clipped in (left foot) - my fault - I made an adjustment to my cleat and not sure what I did - will have to fix. I ride w/ Crank brothers candies pedals, which I use on my MTB. I love these pedals even though they are not cosidered true road bike pedals. I triedLOOK pedals, but I was not comfortable using them.

Also came across many road bikers and runners. Love the comradeship amongst us road riders - very friendly.

All I'm all had s good experience riding today and plan to put inore miles this weekend. Even though my fastest speed was only 22 mphr (dwnhill) the joy and freedom of riding felt great.

Keep on riding

p.s . When hand signaling where do you place your hands on the bar for balance?

[Owlie]

Sounds like you enjoyed your ride. I've had my bike for a year, and I'm still not thrilled with the idea of riding in traffic. I go out at 6AM on weekends to avoid it. I frequently end up riding with one foot clipped in because of the lunatic traffic patterns around here. Doesn't help that I live right next to a major entertainment area (lots of bars, restaurants and little shops), so there are lots of people wandering or driving around who don't look where they're going. I also hate turning left. I try to find routes with protected left turns.

In answer to your question, I'm on the hoods most of the time. If I'm signaling, I move my right hand back a little bit so it's on the part of the bar where it begins to curve downward.

By the way, who cares if your pedals aren't "real" road pedals? If you're comfortable with them, it doesn't matter.

[MyRubyE]

Thanks Owlie for the tip on the handle bars. Will give it a shot tomorrow. My balance today was not so good on the hoods when I tried to signal, but will try slipping my hand down, per your suggestion.

Yes, I was thinking about getting up real early too, so I wouldn't have to deal with the traffic. Oh the things we will do

Keep riding

[aicabsolut]

Try putting your hand on the top of the bars near the stem when signaling with the other hand. This should give you more balance and keep you from accidentally turning the bars.

[MyRubyE]

Thanks... I will give that a try. I didn't get a chance to ride yesterday, but was able to get in 10 miles today. I did lose control of my steering a couple of times when trying to signal. I almost feel like I don't have enoug strength in my arms. I'll have to work those biceps

[Trek420]

Welcome to TE. If you feel like you lose control or balance when you signal it might be a couple of things. First relax, NOW, d@mn it

"Play piano" with your fingers on the bars. Make sure you don't have a death grip. It's counter intuitive I'm sure but in most situations the tighter your grip the less control of the bike. You steer with your core somewhat and not the bars. So loosen up and have fun.

Sing, it'll drown out the screams in your head " eeek, I'm in traffic!"

Look where you want to go always but especially turning.

As for the arms, sure we all could use stronger arms but if you feel a lack of strength in the arms it could be your core strength. Core strength on the bike seems more important keeping us upright, also will help the steering/balance thing.