Novice needs training help

[Grog]

Did I mention I was frustrated?? I don't want to get out in traffic until I get these little tips of the trade under my belt. I live in SC but everything I do from work and recreation is basically in Augusta GA; Home of the Masters. As in golf. This is not the friendliest area for bicyclists unless you are confident enough to ride the roads.

I will do some group rides. Eventually. Once I learn to do a figure 8 and turn with my hips.

Take it easy CyclChyk. I've never been riding with you but from what I read I'm sure you're fine. Don't be so frustrated and get out there, on the road, riding. Most road cyclists can't pick up their water bottle from the ground and have never even thought about doing that, and they are not in trouble riding on the road for so much.

Just go in a parking lot where you're nearly sure there won't be any car any time soon and play with your toy - the bike, that is.

Try stopping at a specific line, coming sort of quickly. Try only the back brake and see what happens (skidding). Then only the front - see, your weight is shifting forward, you need to brace it with your arms. Then various combinations of both brakes. You're learning things.

On another day, after a ride, go back to the parking and start circling around the intersection of two lines (parking spots dividers). Make smaller and smaller circles. Ride with the brakes on - see, you can still go forward while braking at the same time. Smaller circles again. You might fall, but it's unlikely that you'll break anything.

In two weeks, try the water bottle trick. Put the bottle at the intersection of those same two lines and see what you can do.

When you ride home, practice riding with only one hand. Try to pick up your water bottle and drink with one hand, then the next. Make sure you are on a traffic-calm street if you're insecure. If it's cool and your nose is running, try a snot rocket, they're empowering. One day you can even try riding with no hands. For one second. And then maybe more. Be sure you're in a calm area, again, and be focused.

It's not more complicated than that. There are not that many more things to learn. Ah, yes, descending. Cornering. All things you can practice by yourself in real-life situations. Track stands.

Take it easy and enjoy the ride...

[Mimosa]

Grog is right, I never did the bottle thingie, the 8 stuff or whatever.

All the others tricks I learned from riding in groups and watching others do it.

Isn't there a bicycle club/group/team near you which you can join. There is no better (and fun) place to learn real riding then in a group. You have to pay attention all the time, you get to see how others are doing it, get direct feedback when you are doing something wrong, you drive at a much higher speed and reach larger distances seemingly without extra effort etc.

I know it's scary to drive in a big group, you see wheels everywhere, on the left, right, in front of you. But you can learn so much from it and in due time you'll loosen up and no longer think about it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you've been only used to riding on nice smooth straight bike paths, then yes, I can understand why you'd be nervous going out into the streets. I do suggest you put in some empty parking lot time practicing tight circling, figure 8's, zig-zags, quick stops and starts, etc. Practice leaning into serpentine zigzagging. Practice really tight turns and circles. I did this for about an hour maybe 4 times when I started, and it REALLY helped me get comfortable with controlling and maneuvering my bike. Just do it.

[eclectic]

Great practice advice given

Another thing - Give yourself more credit - you all ready know alot and are getting a lot of saddle time in

Correct me if I am wrong - you need more confidence and specific skills to ride on the street w/ the big mean nasty vehicles

How are you w/ using your mirror? Turning and shoulder checking, signalling turns, lane changing, getting started quickly when the light turns, being in the correct gear to start again? these are real life skills when riding in traffic

Practice at an empty parking lot, move to regular quiet residential areas and gradually work up to some of the busier roads.

There was a great safety site posted here awhile back that is worth reading - I will see if I can find it