how many seasons and/or miles til experienced?

[aicabsolut]

Velogirl,
You raise lots of great points. I've wondered many of the same things as someone who teaches people how to ride horses.
I think that prior athletic history is a pretty small part of it, though, and maybe can get chalked up to talent. I say this because I can steer a 1,000lb animal towards a 4'+ high fence with my hips and legs and bodyweight. I've jumped over fences with no hands, while taking a bite of a doughnut (on a dare). But I am not comfortable reaching for my water bottle in its cage yet, while holding a line.
Part of it is that I've been working on tweaking my saddle position and my butt's position on that saddle to be better balanced. But without being able to grip the top tube with my legs, for example, I'm still pretty hopeless. Also, on a road bike, you're still bent over, which I know from horses takes amazing body control, fitness, and practice to keep from falling on your face when hands are removed--unless you've got them stuck out to the side or in some other position that helps you balance better.

Still, the physics of cycling versus other balance sports is different. While I understand the difference in how a racing cyclist versus a motorcycle racer versus a jockey takes a corner at speed, doing it is another thing, particularly without someone watching you on the ground and giving you feedback.

I've always wondered why so many cyclists have limited (e.g., email) access if any at all to coaches. I'd love someone to help me the same way I tweak body position and 'handling skills' of an equestrian--whether it be a beginner or a pretty advanced competitor. I'd love a clinic, but I still feel that I'm really starting from scratch--with just a smidgen of athletic talent--when it comes to bike handling.

Besides losing the fear of falling on your face, what does it take? Just hours on the bike? Any way to speed up the learning process and flatten out that learning curve some?

[Crankin]

Veronica, I sort of knew that you were kidding (i.e. the lycra comments...), but I always feel inadequate compared to the people who ride 5,000 miles a year and can do all of their own mechanics. In fact, I feel like a poseur (sp?) a lot of the time. Yep, I've ridden 2500 miles this year and I can climb pretty well for an old lady. But I don't know how much more I can improve. My speed has gone up a lot, but I seem to have reached a plateau. It takes me longer to recover now that I have been doing more longer rides (50-100 miles).

This is sort of like when I taught aerobics. I was constantly comparing myself to the 20 year old instructors who had strong dance backgrounds and had nothing better to do than to hang out at the gym. It made the whole thing not fun. I don't want this to happen with cycling. You have to put it all in perspective. Most "regular" people, who don't ride or even do any exercise at all think all of us are amazing. When i started thinking that a 50 mile ride is not a big deal, i knew something was crazy...

[Veronica]

(i.e. the lycra comments...), but I always feel inadequate compared to the people who ride 5,000 miles a year and can do all of their own mechanics.

I wasn't joking about the last thing on the list.

It's the whole comparision thing. Why do we do that? Ride your ride and enjoy it. Get as good at it as you want to get. But don't feel like you have to be like someone else.

I ride so much because I'm an insane lunatic, who actually likes the way my body feels at mile 150. I learned to do my mechanical stuff, because I ride alone A LOT - even on a big ride I'm alone. Does that make me a better rider? No - just crazier and I need to be self sufficient.

BTW I have never passed Thom on his motorcycle. It was three other guys that I have passed on three different rides. Yes, I'm counting.

V.

[Adventure Girl]

BTW I have never passed Thom on his motorcycle. It was three other guys that I have passed on three different rides. Yes, I'm counting.

During the DMD, Robert and I had to REALLY work to catch you on that long stretch of road with a few twists. We were on an 1800cc motorcycle. And you were on.... Fluffy!

We have an intercom system on the bike, so we can talk to each other. When we were chasing you down, Robert said, "Man, she's haulin' a$$"!