Novice needs training help

[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