Very new and a little scared

[christie1]

I know, it's a common thing, I'm seeing.

I just bought a new road bike today. I've been toying with getting one for over a year now, and finally bit the bullet. I used to have a Giant hybrid bike that I liked well enough, but never got too into it... I used to do spinning quite frequently, but not so much anymore. I'm in pretty decent shape, and mostly run and lift weights for exercise.

I took a bad, bad spill on a mountain bike (not sure why I even tried that knowing how poor my cycling skills are) over a year ago, and I'm very scared to fall again. Is it inevitable that I will crash again? The mountain bike incident wasn't even on the trail, it was once we got back down to the road and I turned too sharply and spilled over the handlebars and bloodied up my face, breaking the visor on my helmet... needless to say, I'm kind of scared to get into riding, even "just" road riding.

Anyway, I knew it would be this way, and I know there's a learning curve... but I'm not very good! The road bike is a different feel from the hybrid or the mtn bike (which was borrowed), obviously... and I'm sure it will take some time to get used to it. I'm wanting to use the bike for commuting to work as well (about 3 miles... easy!). I chose the road bike because I'd like to become a better cyclist and would like to build up to longer rides of 2-3 hours.

But... I'm scared of riding in busy traffic, which will be part of my commute, unfortunately. I am able to look over my shoulder to see what's behind me, but I am still having a hard time actually seeing what's behind me. Like tonight, I rode a little more than 4 miles, mostly to get used to the bike and the roads. I look behind me, and don't see anything, yet I can hear a car coming behind me shortly thereafter. I really scared myself because at one of those moments, I almost crossed lanes in the street to get to the left for a turn. Good thing I decided to check again, and that I heard the car behind me in time. Does/did anyone have this problem? Maybe I'm not looking for a long enough period of time, or maybe I'm not looking in the right place on the road? I'm not quite sure. It wasn't dark out. I have a feeling I just wasn't comfortable looking over my shoulder for a long enough period of time to see anything coming at me... does this make sense?

Also, I'm having a bad time riding with one hand, like during signaling, or needing to scratch my face or something... Tonight I was just trying to take my hand off for a short moment, and then increasing the length of time that the hand was off the bar each time... but I still feel very uncomfortable with it.

Maybe all of this will just take time, and I need to get used to it... but I would appreciate any help and/or tips you may have!

[Catrin]

I know, it's a common thing, I'm seeing.

I just bought a new road bike today. ..........
I took a bad, bad spill on a mountain bike (not sure why I even tried that knowing how poor my cycling skills are) over a year ago, and I'm very scared to fall again. Is it inevitable that I will crash again? The mountain bike incident wasn't even on the trail, it was once we got back down to the road and I turned too sharply and spilled over the handlebars and bloodied up my face, breaking the visor on my helmet... needless to say, I'm kind of scared to get into riding, even "just" road riding.

Anyway, I knew it would be this way, and I know there's a learning curve... but I'm not very good! The road bike is a different feel from the hybrid or the mtn bike (which was borrowed), obviously... and I'm sure it will take some time to get used to it. I'm wanting to use the bike for commuting to work as well (about 3 miles... easy!). I chose the road bike because I'd like to become a better cyclist and would like to build up to longer rides of 2-3 hours.

But... I'm scared of riding in busy traffic, which will be part of my commute, unfortunately. I am able to look over my shoulder to see what's behind me, but I am still having a hard time actually seeing what's behind me....I have a feeling I just wasn't comfortable looking over my shoulder for a long enough period of time to see anything coming at me... does this make sense?

Congratulations on your new bike! A picture would be nice

I wouldn't say "just" road riding, it is all exciting and fun - with different challenges I am sorry to hear about your spill, that sounds scary. I am glad that you escaped without serious harm!

I got on a bike for the first time 6 months ago. That learning curve is an interesting one for sure. Have you considered putting a mirror on your bars? Personally I like Mirrcycle and they have one for road bars, it goes on the hoods. They do make several types for road bars and you will find that a good number of us here do use bar-end or helmet/eyeglass mirrors. I use my bar-end mirror to check what is coming up behind me, and then look over my shoulder to see what might be beside me.

Can you find a less busy route to work? I know sometimes that isn't possible. Perhaps give yourself a little time to practice on less-traveled roads before hitting the busy streets?

Also, I'm having a bad time riding with one hand, like during signaling, or needing to scratch my face or something... Tonight I was just trying to take my hand off for a short moment, and then increasing the length of time that the hand was off the bar each time... but I still feel very uncomfortable with it.

Maybe all of this will just take time, and I need to get used to it... but I would appreciate any help and/or tips you may have!

This will come with time, I have been riding for 6 months and can only now signal properly and drink from my Camelbak (not yet from my bottle). Can you do these things on your mountain or hybrid bikes? I assume that your hybrid bike has mountain bars? If so then your body is in a different position than you are accustomed.

For me at least, the key has been to not over-think/analyze things too much - this is my tendency. It doesn't work The very best thing I have found - and very patient TE women kept drilling into my head - is to ride, ride, and ride some more.

I just took a Traffic Skills 101 class that was offered through the American Bicycle League and found it quite helpful - especially on how to maneuver through heavier traffic and dealing with busy intersections. There was also emergency stopping instruction and a few other things to help deal with unexpected situations. It was very inexpensive, perhaps it is being offered in your area?

[christie1]

Yep, my hybrid bike had flat bars, so definitely different positioning than what I have now. There's a trafic skills class about 2 hours away; it's weird because I live in Boise, and there are no classes scheduled for this area (the largest city in the state), only one in a town up in the mountains. I'll keep looking for resources for something similar at least.

Do you have a mirror on both hoods? Or just the left one?

[Catrin]

Yep, my hybrid bike had flat bars, so definitely different positioning than what I have now. There's a trafic skills class about 2 hours away; it's weird because I live in Boise, and there are no classes scheduled for this area (the largest city in the state), only one in a town up in the mountains. I'll keep looking for resources for something similar at least.

Do you have a mirror on both hoods? Or just the left one?

I no longer have road bars on my touring bike, I changed them to 2-inch riser bars - so I have bar-end mirrors on both of my bikes. I just have one mirror, on the left side. There are those who don't consider that to be "cool", but it helps to keep me safe so I don't care about that

[northstar]

Hi!

I started with a Giant Hybrid, too! Welcome to the dark side!

I just wanted to pop in and say give it time. A road bike definitely handles differently than a hybrid or a mtn bike. It feels different checking behind you for a car, no doubt. But with practice and time, it will be like second nature!

And regarding the bad spill...give that time, too. I lost it at the bottom of a hill a couple years ago, and I'm still scared when I descend. So I go slower. No biggie.

I hope you come to enjoy road riding as much as I have (and so many others here have as well). It's my favorite thing to do...I bet you'll find the love soon!

[ColoKate]

Congrats! I'm pretty fearful of falling too after some crashes a looong time ago LOL. I recently started commuting (albiet on my old mtb and not my new road bike) and the last mile is all downtown on busy city streets. Terrifying to me at first but I get more confident every day. It just took a little time and like Catrin said, just riding riding riding! A mirror would definitely help. I saw a woman yesterday with a mirror attached to her helmet.

[colorisnt]

Welcome to road bikes! Both my commuter and race bike are road bikes and I love it that way. Yes, it is a different feel and yes, you should be giving yourself plenty of time to get used to it! After all, it's a big change. When I first got clipless pedals at the start of this month, I flipped over the bike about 3 times before I almost gave up. Thankfully, I didn't and I went to a quiet parking lot of a church and rode around.

I would suggest you do something similar because it will help build your confidence and help you adjust to it. Take some tight turns and practice looking around, stopping, starting, etc. It really will be great. If you don't already do group rides on the roads, I would also suggest finding a ride group. I have one and they are super friendly. Chances are the more experienced road bikers will help you as well. You'll learn all sorts of tips/tricks with them.

As for mirrors, definitely get one. I have one that attaches to my glasses. Many in my group have these and others have helmet ones or ones that fit on their handlebars. My preference is the glasses mirror, but everyone is different. It is a must for riding in traffic.

Making your bike as visible as possible, too, may also put your mind at ease. Sometimes it is more about you psyching yourself out than what is actually going on around you.