new bike ,and very unhappy

[DarcyInOregon]

Dang...too bad this ride is on a Sunday or else I'd sign up, too!

What time are you guys riding on Saturday (I'm assuming you'll be going to Champoeg)? Need another rider??

Hi Ellen, I thought about you for the event ride, but it is on a Sunday so I didn't send you the info. If you want to join us on Saturday, we will be in Champoeg Park around 1 p.m. (I think.) You have been on a road bike for longer than either Suzie or me, so you can give both of us pointers I am certain. We will be in the parking area that is called the Riverside Picnic area, which is turning left at the first ranger hut and following the road to where it ends in a parking lot.

I did 18.8 miles today, and I am learning that I am not much of a winter rider. My legs turned to popsicles around mile 12, and my blood sugar got very low, despite eating dried apricots every few miles. My bike speed was slower than a sea turtle on sand.

Darcy

[tygab]

I think you've already gotten very excellent feedback here. When I went through this with my Pilot 2.1, I felt all the same things, but on top of that I wasn't even fit or riding, used to traffic, etc. Riding at first was not enjoyable for me at all! In fact there were days I wondered why I was doing it.

I fell over the first time I rode my Pilot. This was in a parking lot. For a bike trail.
Going on the bike trail at all was scary but I felt it had to be more predictable than a road (flat for one). So, I got comfortable with the general feel of the bike, then the pedals, then I added roads, then I started hills, then I added mileage etc. All in little steps. By the end of the summer I was able to complete my weekend long charity ride, and every little thing along the way seemed a distant memory.

Sounds to me like you are tackling the whole enchilada and that might be what's stressing you. Feel free to pick one area to work on and get comfortable with it, then gradually expand. I think you'll be able to get there fast with your base comfort in riding already!

Stay positive, don't get down on yourself - you will get thru this all!

[suzieqtwa]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just got home from work ,and THANKS LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to take it one step at a time. I think Ellen will be joining us at the park...hopefully to help us. I will have her ,and Darcy with me when I fall ,and make a fool of myself. I don't know what I was thinking trying to go straight up a hill last night. Ill probably end up doing the 18 mile charity ride ,but just maybe ,Ill be ready for the 40 miles of hills.
I like the idea of naming the gears...I need to make some sense of it all. I think was got me upset is that I have been waiting so long for this bike ,and now I have it ,and I cant even ride it.
The fact that it is so light it feels like I'm going to blow over.
About 20 years ago ,I bought a VW that I couldn't drive off the lot because I couldn't drive a stick. My friend drove it for me...I used to be scared to death to get in it especially if I had to stop on a hill. Now alls I drive is a stick. I know it will come to me ,and Ill look back on this thread ,and smile ,but now I just want to be comfortable.
Thanks Lisa for the recommendation on the Kelvar tires....I love them. One less thing to worry about (getting flats).
Ill let you know how my ride went Saturday...I'm bringing my camera ,so we will have pictures.
Thanks TE

[light_sabe_r]

Hey Suzie. Seems as though i'm late as Usual. But I've also done the transition from Hybrid to Roadie recently as well. You're story is like reading my diary from November last year!!! MWAHAHA.

The thing that scared me the most about riding my brand spanking new P!nk was that I couldn't stop. the brake pads were... How do you say... CHEAP AND FREAKING NASTY. That was my only gripe with my bike after riding the hills of my commute.

Some new brakes fixed that and BF gave me his old Bianchi brake set because they've been "broken in" and I don't have to grip as much.

i took her out on a couple of rides with initally BF and FELL... ALOT. Usually slow clipping out type falls but I was on the road. Or the fact I had her in the wrong gear going up hill. This was not good.

The only way i got used to her was to ride her on my own on my terms at my speeds along familiar tracks for a bit. Sure my average speed was 12kph (which I think is around 7mph) and I walked her accross every intersection and clipped in ONLY on FLATS... and it took me a good ten metres to PREPARE TO STOP.

But I did it.


NOW for the gears...

Have you got Shimano? Just remember

LEFT, Big handle=UP Little handle = Down
RIGHT, Big Handle=Down Little Handle =Up

^_^ Only figured that out this month! I even rode a Triathlon thinking the right side was reversed! :P Still managed a decent time though.

Anyhue, Good luck. you'll do fine. Just get out for some rides on your own when you're ready. The nerves will stop, Trust me. You'll be worn out after your first few rides (my heart rate was NEVER higher) because of the added adrenalin... Once that settles down you'll have it down pact.

YOU CAN DO IT SUZIE!!!!!!

[Bad JuJu]

Another "day-late-dollar-short" pep talk here. LOL
I can't really empathize with your new bike issues--I think I just haven't always been smart enough to know when I should be afraid of something. Does that make sense? So, for example, I just started right off using toeclips when I got my first "adult" bicycle, and of course I fell down. Might've saved myself a fall or two if I'd thought it over first and realized, "Hey, this might take some getting used to." But nooooooooooooo.

My point, though, is that fear can be the thing that keeps us safe and lets us know when we need to take it slow. So...take it slow--as someone else said, one step at a time. Have fun on your event ride and let us know how it went!
GO SUZIE GO SUZIE GO SUZIE!!!

[suzieqtwa]

Light Sabe...thanks for the advise. I know the gears will get me confused when I'm going up a hill ,and Ill get frustrated...I know Ill just start shifting ,and fall.
JuJu...like you I don't know when I should be afraid of things...that is why I went straight up the hill the first time I got on the bike. I really thought I was going to get on it ,and ride away ,like it was natural. I want to mark the shifters so Ill remember which way to shift...has anyone ever done that????

[li10up]

Do you have the shifters that have the thumb button? If so, you can just remember "Thumb=Tough." That is for the right hand where most of your shifting will be done. Just the opposite for the left hand. Or you can remember that the thumb pushes the chain right the lever pushes it left. And on the left hand the lever pushes the chain right and the thumb pushes it left (the same directions you are pushing the levers/thumb button. Remember, chain towards bike is easier, chain away from bike is tougher. Or chain to the left is easier, chain to the right is tougher.

[bcipam]

The same thing happened to me and I think it happens to everyone. Before my current road bike, I was riding a 20 year old Spec. Expedition with down tube shifters, large touring tires, longer wheel base, flat pedals with cages. The new bike was as opposite as you can imagine. I had to learn how to shift all over again. Because of the shorter wheel base, and narrower tires, the bike felt sooooooo squirrelly. I was scared to death of the clipless pedals. BUT... it took only one long ride and I was in love. Shifting, using the pedals, handling all came second nature to me... as easy as riding a bike! And I loved the handling, the speed it excelerated and the easy shifting. My old bike was a clunker!

Get out somewhere where there is no crazy stuff where you can just ride, play with the shifters, get a feel for handling and practice engaging and disengaging the pedals. I think you will be totally amazed at how quickly to all becomes second nature.

[bcipam]

I want to mark the shifters so Ill remember which way to shift...has anyone ever done that????

Uncertain your component group but the one thing that help me was getting a FLIGHT DECK Computer - it is designed to work with Shimano Ultegra or Dura Ace. It shows you which gear you are in and as you shift where you are going. It actually has little dots on the display to show you if you are in the Big, middle or little (I have a triple) front Chain ring and also a display to show you where you are at in the rear. Great awesome tool! If you have Campy check with the bike shop they may also have a computer that does the same thing.

[Triskeliongirl]

Hi Suzie, I think you can be ready for your event, just take it a day at a time between now and then. One key thing is that I never try to shift the front ring while going up hill. SO, when you see a hill coming get in either your granny or middle ring as you expect you'll need, and then try to anticipate the gear you'll need in back, but then move up or down the back as necessary. If you are worried about falling cuz you won't have a low enough gear, then use the granny for comfort purposes until you learn better what you can do in what gear. If you don't have a trainer, ask the guys at your LBS if you can use one of theirs to practice the shifts until you are understand how it works. Its really not that hard but you do need to practice. If the terrain is rolling, the easiest thing may be to do everything from your middle ring in front, so all you have to worry about are rear shifts. You should never drop your chain on a rear shift, only a front one. Also make sure someone (maybe in your LBS) explains 'trim' to you. I didn't say in my last post that I had about a day to get used to my new drop handlebar bike before riding the seagull century (it arrived late). While it was scary at first, by the end of the ride I was definitely one with the bike!

[oxysback]

Hi Ellen, I thought about you for the event ride, but it is on a Sunday so I didn't send you the info. If you want to join us on Saturday, we will be in Champoeg Park around 1 p.m. (I think.) You have been on a road bike for longer than either Suzie or me, so you can give both of us pointers I am certain. We will be in the parking area that is called the Riverside Picnic area, which is turning left at the first ranger hut and following the road to where it ends in a parking lot.

I did 18.8 miles today, and I am learning that I am not much of a winter rider. My legs turned to popsicles around mile 12, and my blood sugar got very low, despite eating dried apricots every few miles. My bike speed was slower than a sea turtle on sand.

Darcy

Well, I just pm'ed Suzie that I wouldn't be able to make it, but in re-thinking things I can postpone the celebratory lunch with my daughter (she's finally at her grade level for reading after a lot of hard work on her part...yay!!) and go later in the afternoon, so if 1pm works for you guys I'll be there!

(Holy run-on sentance, Batman!!)

I'm right with ya on speed, Darcy. I can count on one had the times I've been on my bike since September. I need a kick in the pants!!

[Leslie Power]

Hi Susie and all -
I just joined this list an hour ago ).
Three ways to think about shifting:
1) "Hand feel."
I didn't notice, but are your shifters STI? If so, it's harder at first because you're just clicking stuff, and the shifters don't stay in any one position. However, you get the "body memory" soon enough. Downhill, your left hand does one big motion and your right hand flutters. Uphill, your left hand flicks once or twice and your right hand cranks. (I realize this will sound ridiculous to non -STI riders!)
2) Look at the chain.
Use your eyes to help shift! While toodling in a safe place, just look down at the chain while you shift and see how it moves. When it moves to the right, you're upshifting, big gears for flats and downhills. When it moves to the left, you're downshifting to make things easy for yourself when you climb.
3) Chainrings (front) and cogs (back)
In front, you either have two or three rings. If you have a lot of hills, I hope you have three. Anyhow, the big ring is like .. "overdrive." You use it when you're speeding on flats or going downhill, for more power in easy-to-pedal circumstances. If you have 3 in front, the littlest one, the "granny," is just for uphills. Then the main ring is kinda your working ring. So, the chainrings (left hand) are for big adjustments. The cogs (right hand) are how you fine-tune your shifting. Way to the right, the littlest cog, is for more flat/downhill/power riding. Way to the left makes things easier.

re: dropping the chain on uphill shifting and falling over, yeah, been there, but only when I first got clipless. You learn to shift early, shift gently, and mostly, you DO learn when you drop the chain to instantly clip out. Really.

Happy Riding,
Leslie

[AnnieBikes]

I am new here, too, but thought I could put in my $.02 worth, as well. I thought I would NEVER learn to shift after switching from a Mountain bike to a roadie. It takes a long time to get used to a new bike, but one day you will be riding along and realize that you did not have to look down to see what gear you were in. It becomes old hat, like with your old bike. You think the day will never come, but hang in there, it will, and sooner than you think.

As far as the clipless pedals go...I resisted forever...and then my son said "try them on my bike" and he lowered his seat and we rode up and done a section of a rails to trails bike path. It was flat and I practiced getting in and out of them. My local bike shop sold me what others here have talked about..flats on one side and cleats on the other and that saved the day. If I got nervous on the MTB then I just clicked out and flipped the pedals. I was almost a year before I switch to clips alone on both the bikes, road and MTN. Yes, I fell off a few times, and after two and a half years, I still occasionally do that...mostly when I have come to a stop and forget to unclip!! Now, I can't imagine being without clips. One day at a time, one thing at a time and soon you will wonder what this thread was all about. Good luck!!! We are rooting for you!!

[slinkedog]

It helped me SO MUCH to put my bike into the trainer and practice shifting gears while looking down and clipping in and out of the pedals. Don't know if you have access to one, but if you do, I highly recommend spending a few hours messing with your bike in the trainer.

[Denise223]

Hi Suzie !

You have received lots of great advice here ! I don't have a road bike (yet....), so I can't give you any advice that would help.

I am really happy to hear that you & Darcy are friends (who met through TE), and will be meeting up with Ellen (oxysback) for the ride on Saturday !! I LOVE hearing that people meet up for rides and it's all through TE.

I can't wait to hear how much fun you guys are going to have & look forward to seeing photos !!

Peace & Love to you and yours,

Denise