Changing Gears - New Rider!! Help!!

[annerol]

HI Ang,
Ok DON'T feel bad. I was right there with you a few weeks ago when I switched from a ratty old mountain bike with about four working gears to a roadbike. My problem was solved when I asked a kind and patient soul to ride next to me and literally tell me "Ok, shift the left hand up, shift the right hand"...etc etc. It actually really helped. Felt a little bit like a five year old, but hey, we ALL start somewhere. Where are you? I'm doind AIDSlifecycle, and we have alot of super (read "patient with the newbies") people doing training rides everyweekend. check out the website. I'm in L.A. County if you're anywhere near that, let me know and we can ride together.
Anne

[Jen]

HI Ang,
Ok DON'T feel bad. I was right there with you a few weeks ago when I switched from a ratty old mountain bike with about four working gears to a roadbike. My problem was solved when I asked a kind and patient soul to ride next to me and literally tell me "Ok, shift the left hand up, shift the right hand"...etc etc. It actually really helped. Felt a little bit like a five year old, but hey, we ALL start somewhere. Where are you? I'm doind AIDSlifecycle, and we have alot of super (read "patient with the newbies") people doing training rides everyweekend. check out the website. I'm in L.A. County if you're anywhere near that, let me know and we can ride together.
Anne

I am new to shifting too. This thread is helpful. One more question. I bought everything I need to change a flat and stuffed into a little bag that hangs from the back of the seat. ( new tube, co2 cartridges, thing to put co2 in tire with, tire irons. Now, do you really ride with all that stuff there? Where do you put money and a cell phone? Weird question but all that and water and I just added alot of weight to the bike.

[triflor]

it seems like a pain at first but when you get a flat you'll be so much happier that its there.
as for water weight, same thing, but to have it there than not. If you really feel strongly about it look into other things you can change to make your bike lighter, certain components etc.

[CorsairMac]

for distance riding I wear a Camelbak and carry the cell phone in that. Since I live in a state with really bad thorns, I run Slime'd tubes in my tires so I only carry a spare tube on long rides and I carry that in my Camelbak also. For short rides I've carried my cell phone/garage door opener in my jersey pockets before and they were fine. You can also get another pack - one of the triangle ones that fit under your top tube to carry the rest of your gear in. I just upgraded my seat pack for one that was a tad bigger and it will now fit 2 CO2 cartridges, the cartridge case, both sets of tools and tire tools, cell phone and opener, plus has a strap on it for a blinkie. I really like that much better!

[DeniseGoldberg]

For short rides I've carried my cell phone/garage door opener in my jersey pockets before and they were fine.

I solved the garage door opener problem by adding a key pad entry to my garage door. So now I just need to remember the code.

But - I also carry a key to the house. Why? What if the power is out when I get home? The garage door doesn't work then... And believe it or not, that really has happened to me, and I was really, really glad that I had a key.

--- Denise

[Nanci]

After BF locked himself out twice in one week, I decided it was time to stop hiding keys buried in the garden, etc. so we could later search for them like squirrels looking for nuts. I bought a combination key holder, which I screwed onto the side of my wooden steps, (the screws are inside the locked compartment) but there are various models that also hang from the door lock, lock onto something with a small cable, etc.

[SadieKate]

INow, do you really ride with all that stuff there? Where do you put money and a cell phone? Weird question but all that and water and I just added alot of weight to the bike.

Jersey pockets carry tons. Sometimes the kitchen sink. Just view the stuff as weight training and do not skimp on water, snacks, tools and flat supplies.