New and loads of questions

[kziggy]

I am new to the world of cycling. I mean I did it as a kid and always loved to ride my bike. Just two days ago my husband bought me a new bike. I got a Felt Verza path 1. I am excited to one have a bike that I could pull my 2 year old daughter along with and 2 have a bike that will help me loose some weight. I am not over weight by any means but I still have baby fat from having my daughter. I have some questions about riding. Right now I am in a place were until spring its just to cold so I am wanting to get things that I will need in spring now. I am not looking at being a hard core rider right at the moment but want to be able to ride the bike path with ease. What are some things I am going to need? Also riding alone kind of scares me how do I get over that fear? What are the best riding shoes for someone who is just starting out? Is it ok for just regular athletic shoes to start? Ok I think that is a few that I have right now.

[Melalvai]

Does it have regular flat pedals? Any kind of shoe will do fine. Even high heels!

I don't know really how you get over being scared of riding alone. I guess you just do it. I never really gave it much thought. I just went, sometimes I'd go out 20 or 30 miles by myself. I'd always take my cell phone, and my husband was/is always willing to come fetch me if I get in a jam. (Then a couple years ago I went 744 miles by myself, but that was after I was a pretty experienced cyclist!)

Your daughter will LOVE riding in the trailer. I'd take my niece when she visited and she'd yell "Faster, Aunt Wachel, Faster!"

As far as what you need, for recreational riding on the bike path you don't need a lot:
Helmet
Water (does your bike have a water bottle cage?)
A flat kit and KNOW HOW TO USE IT (YouTube videos, lesson from your bike mechanic, and/or practice at home). I know they make those patch kits but I prefer a spare tube if I need it on a ride. Your flat kit needs a spare tube, a little pump, and tire levers. This probably goes in a little seat pack that attaches to your seat, and your cell phone & car keys can go in there (if you drove to the bike path)

You mentioned in another post that you are thinking about bike commuting too. For that, depending on what you usually take to work with you, you'll probably need more cargo capacity. A basket, rack & basket, rack & panniers, rack & trunk, something like that. A backpack is ok for a while but you'll soon appreciate a rack.

When you bike commute, you might start off thinking you are a daylight-only, fair weather commuter. Get lights anyway. It's easy to get caught out as it's getting dark. You really need those lights so everyone can see you.

[Biciclista]

for short rides your athletic shoes are fine. Take little rides by yourself and build up. as you get more comfortable on those streets you will find being alone is less and less of an issue.
For me, if I have somewhere to go,it's a lot easier riding alone than when I am just out to exercise.

welcome to TE!

[Penny4]

Congratulations on your new bike! As the others have said, regular running shoes will be fine to start off with. After that...a helmet, a saddle bag (attaches under your seat), water bottle, and a flat kit/extra tube should be enough to get you going. I looked at your bike on line and it says it has puncture resistant tires, which is great, but it can't hurt to have an extra tube/flat kit with you. Make sure you carry your ID and cell phone with you, and maybe some cash.
Is there anything in particular you are nervous about? When I started riding i was nervous because I didn't understand the mechanics of my bike and I didn't want to get stranded far away from help if something went wrong. This forum, You Tube videos and your bike shop are great resources. Many bike shops offer basic maint classes, which are very useful for beginners. Good luck and enjoy!

[kziggy]

Penny I think I am afraid of being hurt and not being able to get help. I also have the fear that someone may try to abduct me while riding. I hope that neither of these things happen. Its not like I live in a bad part of town or anything its just that well I have always been freaked out by that.

[Crankin]

Sometimes when we are nervous about learning something new, we tend to "catastrophize" about what could happen. Is your fear of being abducted based on any reality, like it's happened in your area, or to you in the past? Having a cell phone takes care of just about any of the things that would normally happen on a bike, if you can't take care of it yourself. If you crash and get hurt, you call someone, or in an emergency, there will always be some good samaritan who does it for you. You should look into getting a Road ID www.roadid.com, so your information is accessible.
The key to getting started is to practice, practice, practice. I also second the suggestion in the other thread you started; take the Traffic Skills 101 class, or call one of the LCIs who might give you some private lessons. Go to a bike shop and ask if there are any rides for beginners or anyone there would be willing to ride with you in the spring.
Everyone has their own learning curve, and the key is to do what is right for you, but not let the fear be paralyzing.

[Penny4]

Totally understandable concerns. Wearing a helmet and carrying your phone and id should help with #1. As for #2...well, you are on a bike, so hopefully you could get away from someone if you had too
Maybe just start on well used paths, avoid going at off hours, see if there are any groups that ride in your area, or perhaps stick to riding around your neighborhood for a while if it is rideable.
There is a path near me that is pretty busy at the trail head with walkers/runners, but by mile 2-3 it is pretty quiet. I do get a bit nervous riding it by myself, but ultimately I am not going to let it stop me.
Also, always let someone know when/where you are riding if you are going to be out alone.