I want to start cycling but I AM SHY!!!

[equus123]

I want to start cycling. I been a couple of months in spinning classes, and now I want to buy the spd shoes, and also a new bike, but I have so many questions, and I am to shy to ride outside, what if I fall over? that would be embarrassing! anyone have had in the past the same concern?
also, what are the best shoes for spinning classes?
thanks!

what's the point of being shy about it? (i'm not trying to be mean.) i'm asking a real question.

fear doesn't always mean you shouldn't do something.

who cares if you fall, who cares if you're slow, who cares if your jersey and shorts and socks and helmet and gloves don't match. it's completely irrelevant to why you enjoy being on the bike, or spinning, or being active. being shy about something [you want to do, you enjoy doing] won't get you anywhere!

[lauraelmore1033]

Lunita, do you know if you have any bicycling trails in your area? I personally found riding trails to be a comfortable and safe way to gain the confidence necessary to just get out there and do it! Often you can find maps for them where you find info on public transportation options and routes. Google often works for finding trails too...

I can totally relate to what you're going through. I went through a more than 10 year hiatus from cycling because I didn't feel safe (physically and psychologically) riding on the roads. I started riding trails again with hubby and have graduated to riding on the roads with my local bike club and can now comfortably ride alone as well.

[teigyr]

I'd say the best shoes for spinning class are whatever fit you well. Also, you might want to be able to walk in them -- my SPDs have NO tread on them so it's a bit slippery!!!

What kind of bike do you have now? I think it takes a bit of trial and error to find out where your niche is in riding; people gravitate toward different things. I like distance and not speed though I like the option of being able to go a bit faster. When I first started riding on an old mountain bike, I went everywhere! I just played through orange groves (back in Calif) and undiscovered dirt roads. I was never good at technical riding but I learned after a few years that I rode more on the road than not so a road bike was in order.

Truth be told, I'm shy too. I used to run track in school so I'm used to my training efforts being monitored so I'm half-convinced people are watching me though I know otherwise! (I guess it's cause for concern when I hear voices?!) I know it's awkward to do something new but you did it in spinning class, right? THAT can be intimidating because spin class is difficult and gyms can be a bit clique-like.

I think you will find everyone will be so supportive. There are always jerks in every sport but for the most part, people are great. And we've ALL (haven't we?) fallen over, some of us for VERY silly reasons

[Geonz]

Yes, the question is "why shy?" Not to invalidate it...So... psych yourself up and ease into it. Hill slug's idea is excellent.
I figure that when I go out and do something stupid that I'm making it easier for somebody else who's *afraid* to do something stupid, 'cause they see me and realize that gosh, it caused no major injury or trauma. I"m afraid I have **many** such stories, though fewer now that I know not to do anything, anything at all without having that morning tea.
(Which this morning was tough because I was running late and figured I'd just make a cup in the microwave instead of putting the teapot on, except that if you forget to put water in the cup all that happens is the teabag catches fire.)

Until you go out on a group ride you've made a *huge* deal about going out on, and put your wheel on with the derailleur on the wrong side and tried to ride, don't tell me about feeling stupid ... or ridden ten miles with a kickstand stuck in the wheel... or a ball point pen in your helmet (I wondered why it hurt)... )

[equus123]

geez. the first time i ever fell over with my bike was teaching someone new how to NOT fall over. lol oh well!

[singletrackmind]

Totally understand what you mean. I was scared to ask 'stupid' questions, scared to look like a total newb.

Well, I swallowed hard and asked! I rode! I fell down! And then I didn't. I was embarrassed but I got over it and so will you. No one pointed. No one laughed. Now, after all this time I've ridden in many diverse groups and they all (except the elitist idiots who aren't worth anyone's time anyways) never laughed at someone new. Many are happy to offer advice and help out. It's good to see another person on a bike and we all had to learn.

Do it. Don't let a little worry over getting started stop you before you even step foot on the bike. If you go clipless adjust them so they are very easy to get out of and practice somewhere soft first. Try not to be afraid to ask questions and learning some basic maintenance on your bike will make you feel empowered. Being able to change a flat is a good feeling. (and then get some tire liners so you aren't as likely to have to).

You can do it you can do it you can do it you can do it........it's not about what you wear (except the helmet) or what you ride, it's about enjoying yourself. Last I checked recreational riding's not a talent or a fashion show.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I always liked the scene in the movie "PeeWee's Big Adventure"- where he's riding his bike and then does a spectacularly embarrassing fall right in front of some little kids. He gets up and says "I MEANT to do that!"- I loved it!

[northstar]

Lunita,

It's ok to be shy about it at first. I can understand. I was afraid of looking stupid, of falling in front of other people, of people judging the way I looked in my clothes, of being laughed at for making mistakes, whatever...it's ok to be nervous. Once you get started, you will relax and start to enjoy yourself, and soon you will be over the nerves.

That being said, I don't do club rides. I either ride alone or with a friend. I pick routes where there isn't much traffic to deal with, or I ride trails in parks. It's kind of "me" time. Pretty soon you will be proud of yourself for taking the risk!

Get out there!

[amymisk]

I have fallen more than once and just recently on my brand new carbon race bike! Just laugh it off, get back on, and ride.

[LadyinWhite]

who cares if you fall, who cares if you're slow, who cares if your jersey and shorts and socks and helmet and gloves don't match.

Wow am I glad to hear you say this!

Looking forward to riding with you soon!!

T

Lunita - I wasn't shy so much as NERVOUS about taking up road cycling. I just plunged ahead on my own and have been met with SO much support from friends, family and TE'ers. I AM shy about riding with someone else. Shy? perhaps just really insecure (what's the difference really?) but I'm determined to go ahead and get together w/ a couple of TE'rs ride just for the sheer FUN of it. If it's not FUN - why bother? Get outside! You can do it.

[mimitabby]

At work here we have shop bikes, they are one speed 40 pound clunkers, but they get you where you need to go on the plant here. A coworker (female)
won't ride them. She says it would be embarrassing.

All i can say is, be a kid again and just do it. 4 year olds don' think about who is watching, they just get on and ride. And If you're really really shy,
get up at the crack of dawn while "they" are all still in bed.
Nothing better than a school playground early on a saturday (deserted)
for practicing on your bike
good luck.

[northstar]

A couple tumbles (like I had in the middle of an intersection today) will put things in perspective...you will fall, and you will do dorky things, and once you've done a few of them and the world hasn't ended, you'll be fine.

Keep reading around here...it's what really motivates me to keep at it!

[Celeste]

Lunita,
I think you will suprise yourself once you do get outside and ride. Start small with short trips around your neighborhood; move up to local park trails or loop and soon enough you will be road ready.

Trust me when I say that life is too short to worry about what others think. Like my Dad always said..."If you ride on two wheels, you are bound to fall sometime." This comes from a man who has ridden motorcycles all his life. And yes, he has laid it down a time or two.

I myself have fallen twice on my road bike. Once in front of my hubby and another in front of my Team in Training group. I just laughed it off, got up, brushed my self off and kept on going.

No, nothing has to match. Just be sure that you have all the proper safety gear, so if you do happen to fall, you won't be hurt. Get out there and ride, girl! You won't regret it, promise! Hugs.

[pooks]

Lunita -- you've already done the smartest thing. You're here asking for help. And that's the smartest thing you could EVER do.

Read, and you'll find people who are heavier/older/shyer than you -- or were, and now aren't (which is REALLY inspirational, although if you find someone older who is now younger, you might want to check their ID, ahem).

I had a friend who wrote about her new riding habits on her blog, and it inspired me. I came here and started reading, and was inspired. If I thought it was too hot to ride, somebody in AZ posted that they waited for it to cool down to 105 before they rode.

If I thought it too cold, I read a blog about a guy in Alaska who rode in the winter, too.

I found out of shape people to read about. All kinds of people.

And I just finally decided, I can do this.

When I got on the bike it was SO FUN I suddenly lost a lot of my concerns. But even more than that, I began feeling like a (middle-aged, overweight) jock. Fell off my bike, got back on and kept riding. Wore my cycling clothes into the grocery store even though they are NOT flattering. Slathered on sunscreen and skipped makeup.

Because, you see, I'm a jock. (wink)

You've come to the right place. Now, just do it!

[RolliePollie]

Lunita - I am still scared of falling! But I just fell about 2 hours ago (second fall with new clipless pedals) and it's not as scary or painful or embarassing as I expected. My riding partner today, who has been riding for over 10 years, nearly fell over about 2 minutes after I fell over!

I would say I'm a very self conscious person. I'm always concerned about what other people will think. But I've also learned to just laugh at myself when I do stupid things, which seems to be quite often. I know I have a lot to learn and a lot of cycling skills to develop, but it's SO FUN to get out there, enjoy the beautiful weather, and realize that you really can do it!

Just go for it! You'll do great! You should've seen me on my first couple of rides. I'm still pretty much a disaster area, but the enjoyment far outweighs everything else.