Like my bike better

[suzieqtwa]

I went to the State Park with my 2 TE friends ,and I just got on that road bike. We went only about 5 miles or so. I fell at my first stop because I couldn't get un clipped. My pedals were too tight ,so Ellen loosened them for me ,and I felt better. The fall didn't hurt yesterday ,but today I have some nice bruises,and I feel like someone punched me in the arm. The wheel wasn't on straight so I had to take it back to the bike shop to fix ,or I would have ridden it today. I felt comfortable after riding yesterday. I think Ill be ready for the roads in a couple of days.
If this picture showes ,its (left to right)..Ellen ,me ,Darcy

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I was just about to email you to find out how you were!!!!

I think it is so marvelous that Ellen and Darcy came to help you get comfortable on your bike. That is some gorgeous bike! How great that you are less nervous now. It will get better every time from now on....

Some people use a bungy cord to loop around the front wheel or handlebar and secure it to the bike frame or the bike rack on their car so that the front wheel will not bump around and flap/turn back and forth in the wind when the car is moving fast.

RIGHT ON, all three of you TE girls!!!!! I wish I could be there too and ride with all of you!!!

[suzieqtwa]

I have a bungy cord ,but I was taking the bike off the car ,and decieded to take the picture. I cant believe how much better I feel after only 5 miles. No as scary as is was.

[Thistle]

Good work suzieq....

[mimitabby]

I am reading your progress and holding my breath! you go girl!
and it was a TE event too!

[fatbottomedgurl]

You girls look awesome! And what a pretty place to ride! No woods around here. Just some oaks and sycamores in the canyons.

[Triskeliongirl]

Good Job!!! Great TE gals tot he resuce. I am curious which model trek you bought that you have clearance for what looks like full conventional fenders, an often talked about topic around here. You'll be ready for your event!

[KSH]

Hey, that's a nice looking ride there lady!

Also... and I'm not sure you are doing this or not... but I have seen a lot of newbies do this... make sure you are NOT sitting on your seat when you stop the bike. If you are fitted properly on your road bike, you should not be able to put your feet on the ground when sitting on the seat. All you can do is balance on your toes, and this is dangerous and has made many a newbies fall over.

Well, keep riding! It gets better! Great job on getting out there and doing it!

[suzieqtwa]

Its a 2.1 pilot WSD. Being so new to biking ,I just know that it rains alot here ,and the rain ,and dirt from the road go right up my back. Is it bad to have fenders...I will never be competing ,so weight isnt an issue.

[mimitabby]

no, it's not bad to have fenders! it's bad to have a black mud stripe up your back. Not to mention what happens to the person behind you when you go through a puddle!
fenders are great!

WHat Trisk meant was that a lot of bikes are not made with enough clearance to TAKE fenders!

[DarcyInOregon]

Suzie did awesome yesterday. I didn't get to witness the fall because I was in back around a curve.

We biked to the end of the park so Suzie could practice going up a steep hill on a road outside the park. We got to the end, and Ellen and Suzie wanted to keep on going on the valley roads, and that is what we did. I was really impressed because on my first day I didn't go outside the park and bike those steep grades. But there went Suzie, pedaling along, with her long hair flying out behind her, and she looked like she had been on that bike for years.

In my self-defense, my body looks much larger in the photo than it actually is. Unlike Ellen and Suzie, I am wearing multiple layers of thick clothing and it all adds quite a bit of bulkiness to my body's contours.

However my bike looks awesome. It is a Trek Pilot 5.2 WSD. I enjoy riding a girlie bike.

Also, Ellen is a very strong cyclist. She hopes to bike a century this year and I am sure she can do it.

Darcy

[Triskeliongirl]

WHat Trisk meant was that a lot of bikes are not made with enough clearance to TAKE fenders!

Exactly, so its good to know which ones out there do! The pilots seem to be really nice in that they are still light and racy, but accomodate a wider range of tires (this I knew) and even fenders (this I didn't know!).

[Denise223]

Hi Ladies!

It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO great to see the three of you together ! You all look like you were having a blast -- how I wish I was there!!

Good for you Suzie !! It sounds like you did great! BTW.....I LOVE your bike, too. Nice ride!

Originally posted by Darcy

But there went Suzie, pedaling along, with her long hair flying out behind her, and she looked like she had been on that bike for years.

Suzie, Darcy & Ellen -- You all look just wonderful ! It must feel great having women friends you can get together and ride with !

Peace & Love to you all,

Denise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

But there went Suzie, pedaling along, with her long hair flying out behind her, and she looked like she had been on that bike for years.

In my self-defense, my body looks much larger in the photo than it actually is. Unlike Ellen and Suzie, I am wearing multiple layers of thick clothing and it all adds quite a bit of bulkiness to my body's contours.

Yeah, nothing can stop Suzie.

Hey Darcy, don't worry- we ALL look heavier in our jackets and fuzzies! The rest of us have already assumed that all 3 of you are way skinnier than any photos might seem to suggest- and that goes for the rest of us too!

[SouthernBelle]

Photos taken during the winter do not count.

All 3 of you look great.

Suzie, with the decrease in weight and increase in speed, I knew you would end up loving the road bike. I think each of us, with our first, have that moment when we first jump on of, "OH NO, What have I done!!??" But it passes quickly.