Lurker no more

[Trekhawk]

It’s about time I join this great group of women cyclists. I have been visiting this forum for almost a year and feel so connected on so many topics.

Welcome anorange. Congratulations on your ride. You should be very proud of yourself for getting out there on your own. Dont give up on your road bike just give it a little time. Find a route you feel comfortable on and just ride this on your road bike until you start feeling a little more confident. It will all come together you just need to give it a little time and have faith in yourself.
You sound like a gutsy lady to me so Im sure it wont be long before you are signing up for your next road ride.

[snapdragen]

Congrats on finishing the Chilly Hilly. A friend of mine rode it also, he said the weather was not the greatest! You should feel proud of yourself! Like Trekhawk said, give yourself time to get used to your road bike and the clipless pedals.

And welcome to TE!

[LBTC]

Welcome anorange! You did an amazing thing and you did it all by yourself!! Be proud! And, yes, give it some time. And see if you can find a riding buddy who will do some road biking with you, and will ride the next event beside you!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[DarcyInOregon]

Hi Anorange!

Last year I did my first event ride on my heavy hybrid. I went down a very steep long hill that ends right on a busy rural highway with curves and speeding cars. I drive that road so I knew what it was. And it was raining when I biked down it. I kept my speed to 12 mph because I was scared I would reach the highway going too fast. Yes, many cyclists passed me who were still behind me. But I have no regrets. Being scared can be a good thing; it helps to keep us alive. Good for you for doing the Chilly Hilly.

Regarding your bifocals, you mentioned you read about the discussion of prescription cycling glasses, and I want to say that when I went in to get the Oakleys with the prescription, I made the decision to have the prescription be for just the regular distance, and not for the close-up reading part, so my cycling prescription glasses are not bifocals. If I am on a ride and I think I might need to read something during the ride, then I will stick my regular glasses in a jersey pocket. I haven't had a ride yet where I needed to pull out a piece of paper and read it.

Darcy