Very new and a little scared

[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?