how many seasons and/or miles til experienced?

[Crankin]

Hi Tasha,

I thought your questions were interesting. According to Veronica's criteria, I will never be an experienced cyclist! I mean you rode with me and I hope I didn't look like a newbie when I was leading our ride. I think it does have to do with personality differences, risk aversion, and what kind of athletic background we have. I've been riding for 6 years (the first 2 on a street ready mtb). I still cannot master the water bottle thing very well. I wear my Camelback for any ride longer than 20 miles, not only so I don't have to worry about dropping my bottle, but also, I find that I need to drink an incredible amount. On a 50 mile ride I will drink the whole Camelbak of water and one bottle of Accelerade, sometimes 1 and a half. My problem is basically balance and really bad depth perception. I find I just cannot take my right hand off of the bar for anything, except signalling and even that is hard (I"ve practiced that). I can descend at 30 mph but I don't like it. It has to be a fairly straight road for me to do that and most mountain descents aren't straight. I find myself feeling very out of control and scared over about 25 mostly because I don't have the leaning, balance thing right, especially on right corners. So I just go slow. I would rather ride than say I have to practice everything before I can go out and ride. I do want to work on these things, but I need someone to coach me as Velogirl says.
I skated as a kid, but that didn't seem to help my balance issues. I think I am doing a lot more than I EVER thought I would, especially at the age of almost 53. On the other hand, I feel pretty comfortable in a lot of traffic situations that would have freaked me out 2 years ago. I am cautious and vigilant and I think that makes me feel comfortable. My husband is very aggressive when he commutes in traffic on Rt. 27 and I couldn't do that. I feel like I am assertive, but not aggressive.
The mechanical stuff is another thing. I know you are a techie, but I am the absolute opposite. I can change a tire, but getting the back wheel on is not easy for me. I have never had to do it on the road. I've only had 2 flats while riding and my husband changed them both, to save time... he can do it with no tools in about 5 minutes! I really don't feel the need to learn to do anything else besides change a flat and grease my chain, which I do. If something else breaks, I would not attempt to fix it. It would be great if we could practice some mechanical stuff together this winter.
I don't think I'm a newbie, but I am not sure I would ever master some of the other things people have discussed here.

Robyn

[Veronica]

According to Veronica's criteria...

"It's a joke son. I say it's a joke."

V.

When you ask for someone's opinion, that's what you're going to get. It doesn't make it truth.

[7rider]

"It's a joke son. I say it's a joke."

V.

When you ask for someone's opinion, that's what you're going to get. It doesn't make it truth.

WHEW! That's a relief!!!
Cuz, when I read your list, I thought "Where's the bar? I thought your aren't a REAL cyclist until you walk into a seedy neighborhood bar while clad in lycra and ask to refill your waterbottles!"

And BTW, I thought I was experienced (anyone got Jimi Hendrix running through their brains?) but perhaps not! (BTW, I'm breathing down the neck of mile 2,000 also this year...a personal best for me.)

Honestly, I wouldn't know what to do with a chain tool and keep my LBS on speed dial on my cell! I know just enough about bike mechanics and maintenance to be dangerous. I figure, I don't change my oil in my car by myself and I have no clue how it works, so do I really need to do all my bike work by myself? Sure, I can fix a flat, adjust my saddle, replace my cleats, and change pedals. But repair or replace a headset? Overhaul a bottom bracket? Swap out a cassette? Nope. Mostly, I rely on routine check ups with my trusted mechanic to keep the machine running correctly from the start.

P.S. I never picked up a waterbottle from the ground, and I"d probably break my neck if I tried!