Been trying to get out but I'm have all kinds of wussy problems

[mom2twins]

I must be a total wuss because riding on the road is way harder then I thought it would be and this isn't the first time I've ever done it either. here's a little background: I actually did a bit of cycling a few years ago. I was really getting into it with my mountain bike nd my husband bought me a beautiful Klein road bike that is way too much bike for me but was soooo pretty I couldn't turn it down. That was 4 years ago. Over the next year or so I tried to ride as much as possible but eventually I let other things in life distract me (like trying to get pregnant, being pregnant, and having twins) and now my bike has sat for 3 years.

So here I am back at the begining with the same old newbie problems and I don't know how to address them. First, I live in a place where there are few shoulders and no bikelanes or bike paths. I found I have a brand new fear of drivers and riding on the roads makes me very very nervous. Second, For some reason hills really scare me. I'm not out of shape, I work out as much as I can and even was running for a while until I developed a foot injury. But I'm not in bike shape and the daunting task of climbing a hill as well as coming down at really fast speeds brings fear to my heart, and that's all I have to ride on here. I went out on saturday and turned around after a few miles down one road because I saw an enormous hill in front of me. Is that just stupid? Am I total weenie?

Finally, and I think this is a combination of the two other problems, I feel totally exposed on my bike. When I ride a mountain bike, which I have done more recently then my road bike, I fell like the bike is very sturdy and I have something to hang on to. But on my road bike I really tense up when going fast or being passed by cars because I just don't feel confident in either my skills or my bike and those skinny littel tires. Is that nuts?

I really really want to enjoy my bike. I remember how much fun I had riding years ago and I want to recapture that. Am I the only person that has had these silly fears when starting out and does anyone have any suggestions on how to get over them?

[Veronica]

You could try riding your mtn bike on the road since it is more comfortable to you.


Veronica

[Susan126]

Is there a local road bike club in your area? I find that riding with others helps build confidence. You can go on one of their easier rides. The mileage and speed are usually posted on a club's ride calendar/list or you can call the ride leader and ask.

[waterlilli]

Can you just go mountain biking? I am very scared of the road and after a few years of mt. biking I am finally ready to give it a try. Do what you enjoy.

[goddess1222]

i am a reformed runner and started road riding last year. i was scared of everything!!!! including cars. i think with time, the cars won't bother you. just be predictable, and let the driver know what you are doing. always smile!!!!

as far as hills, i have a hard time on them as well, but remember, you have given birth, and nothing is harder than that. i don't have children, but anyone who withstands that kind of pain can do anything. when you come up to a hill, gear down and breathe, relax, and chant "hills are my friend, and chocolate is good."

you are not a wussy!!!! what i have learned is the fear is worse than actually doing the task.

[Susan126]

I love it goddess .... Hills are my friend and chocolate is good! My new mantra for hills!

[mom2twins]

I am also adopting the "Hills are my friend Chocolate is good mantra" That is probably the best advice I have ever been given

I went out today and picked up some slicks for my MT bike and will stick to that bike until I get more confident with being on the road. I don't know if it is the upright position or just being on wider tires but for some reason I wasn't bothered hardly at all by the cars when I took out the MTB today.

I would love to find some group rides but unfortunatly I would have to drive a ways to meet up with the nearest club at any of the organzied rides and since I have to grab time for me whenever it is available spending half of it in the car doesn't work right now.

Thanks again, I am really happy to have found you all.

[chrisanna]

I've been there! Well, not with the twins thing...but with the being scared to death out there thing.

I never sensed my mortality much before I became a mom...Being #1 in a kid's life made me realize how very needed I am and I found myself reluctant to do some things...being on a bike on the road made other people look at me like I was irresponsible somehow..you know, putting my life in danger on the road. I hope you're not getting that kind of vibe from folks, because that can kind of mess you up, too. For all it's worth, I will tell you that in about 1 year I went from a total ZERO in bike /road knowledge to doing pretty well out there - and overcame my fear of the road. I accept traffic as the x factor I cannot control, just prepare for by being predictable (and very brightly colored). Pretty much everyone gives me a wide berth.

No way are you a weenie.
Ride on.

[LovesFrance]

Just wanted to weigh in to let you know you are NOT alone feeling like this. The only road riding I've had the nerve to do has been in resort areas (the beach town where I go). My DH does the work commute in the city and I just know I could never hack this.

So, while I have not yet conquered my fears--and had a little set back after a minor collision--I'll share a few things that have helped: I got a geeky side-view mirror. It helps calm me to know what's coming up behind me. (Add to the mix of my fears the fact that I suffer from vertigo, due to a dead nerve in my middle ear, so turning to see traffic makes me unbalanced.) I'm also afraid of the hills--not the up part, but the down part. It helps me to sit back on the saddle, sit up and slow down.

I think the only thing that can really help is to ride, ride, ride. Do the roads on your mtn bike until you feel more confident, then switch to the road bike.

and remember, hills are my friend, and chocolate is good!

[MightyMitre]

Hi mom2twins - just wanted to say congrats for going out at all! Twins must take up so much time.

I totally know where you're coming from about the traffic but like the others have said you do gradually get used to it.

I wouldn't have belived it a year ago, when traffic made me nervous and I thought all drivers were out to get me, but gradually I've got used to it, and one day you'll be riding, get home and realise you just rode though peak time traffic and didn't even notice!

Getting some slicks on your mtb is an excellent idea. Find a nice route, ride it till you're familiar then switch to your road bike and see how you get on. If you get spooked, stop if it's safe , catch you're breath and carry on....

As for hills, in the words of one of my clubmates ' You've got to ride 'em.... '

Good luck

[mom2twins]

I am much more comfortable with the old mountain bike and some slicks so I'm going to stick with that for a while. I have also found a women only group ride that goes out Saturday mornings about 20 minutes from my house. I'm a little nervous about joining a group because I'm afraid I will be so slow that I will ether get dropped or hold up the ride leader.

The guy at the shop said it was a learning ride so I'm hoping there are other beginners like me. I may even take a friend if I can convince her to join me. But either way, I am bound and determined to give it a try.

This first week I'm going to take my mountain bike and see how I do. If I am just way too slow I may give my road bike a try next time. we'll see.

Thanks again for all the encouragment. I'l let you all know how the group ride goes on saturday.

[MightyMitre]

Hi Mom2twins - today's Saturday. How did your ride go? Hope it was fun.

[mom2twins]

One of my babies was up half the night with teething pain so at 7am when I was supposed to leave I was trying to catch up on sleep.

I plan to go next week and I even found a friend to go with me so it's not so scary. Hopefully the kids will cooperate.

I also plan to ride tonight after I help my husband put the girls down.

Thanks for asking!

[MightyMitre]

Pesky kids eh Hope the tooth pain goes soon. Still, sounds like you've got next week sorted. It's always nice to go with a friend. Enjoy!