Discouraged Newb

[Torrilin]

I tend to sound pretty happy about my bike. I'm an introvert, and being able to get out and *do* something on my own is really satisfying. No people to deal with. The fit on my current bike is good enough for me to do a much longer ride than I ever could before. The gearing is a good match for my ability. I can pick up my bike and carry it up and downstairs, so I use the bloody thing (bikes get stored in the basement in my apartment building). Utility biking to get groceries and just plain old get around makes me very happy.

All the previous bikes I've had were heavy. They didn't fit well. And the gearing didn't suit me. So I didn't use them much. I loved defeating a tough hill, but not enough to battle the bike every day. And I didn't (and often still don't) see the point in getting on a bike just for exercise. I want to *go* somewhere. And until fairly recently, I didn't bring enough water when I went out, so I'd feel bad because I was dehydrated.

The stuff that makes me happy would make a lot of other cyclists miserable . That's ok. There's room for all kinds. Try different kinds of riding, and don't worry about distance or speed unless you find you enjoy them.

[Bad JuJu]

Maybe you could find a riding buddy. Many of us love to ride alone, as I do, and that's how I learned to love riding--going out by myself for miles and just riding and thinking. But last year I acquired a riding buddy, and I love riding with her, too. It's just a different experience.

You could check with your LBS or see if there are any clubs in your area with a slower or beginners' group. Maybe you just need someone to share the ride with.

[mimitabby]

I was thinking about you today as I rode into work.

the light turned green two blocks ahead of me, so I sprinted as fast as i could
and made it through the light. Exhilarating.
then i was in a high gear and it was hard to bank the hill, and i grunted up to the top. (insert bad thoughts here) then i went down the other side of the hill and I was cold. wah wah.. I managed to get into the right gear in time for the next intersection, where a scowling man gunned his engine and rode on the wrong side of the street to pass me (scary)
Then we got to the part of the ride where we ride about 8 blocks through a neighborhood, a block off the industrial road that my company is based on. There were flowers, GIANT trumpet lily things, they were a foot long and 8" at the base. We stopped and turned around to look at them (imagine doing THAT in a car on your way to work!) I kissed Raleighdon goodbye and he went north to downtown and I crossed the street and went into the plant... and this is another fun part.

my company is huge, I ride over a mile from where I enter to where my office is all on company property; where the speed limit is 15 for cars. I take a breath and relax. i am always smiling when i get here (except the time i got a flat tire) and i just cruise on the immaculately maintained roads along side of fork lifts, passenger cars, Giant trucks and at one part, tour buses.
a few of these guys are impatient and pass me; but most of them are happy to go along at 10mph behind me. The last 1/3 of my last mile, I cruise through an old empty building where they made bomber airplanes in WWII. The pavement is so smooth that my bike and I glide silently through the strange dark building which used to be so noisy it hurt your ears. I get an incredible feeling of lightness, like I am playing when I should be working. moments later I roll up to my own building, where a wonderful bike holder was built into the wall so I could safely store my expensive new bike.

I hope that helps. I'm still a weenie, I'm still afraid of scary cars, I still don't like to work, but there's fun in there too.

[GeoCam]

the light turned green two blocks ahead of me, so I sprinted as fast as i could and made it through the light. Exhilarating.
then i was in a high gear and it was hard to bank the hill, and i grunted up to the top. (insert bad thoughts here) then i went down the other side of the hill and I was cold. wah wah.. I managed to get into the right gear in time for the next intersection, where a scowling man gunned his engine and rode on the wrong side of the street to pass me (scary)
Then we got to the part of the ride where we ride about 8 blocks through a neighborhood, a block off the industrial road that my company is based on. There were flowers, GIANT trumpet lily things, they were a foot long and 8" at the base. We stopped and turned around to look at them (imagine doing THAT in a car on your way to work!) I kissed Raleighdon goodbye and he went north to downtown and I crossed the street and went into the plant... and this is another fun part.

my company is huge, I ride over a mile from where I enter to where my office is all on company property; where the speed limit is 15 for cars. I take a breath and relax. i am always smiling when i get here (except the time i got a flat tire) and i just cruise on the immaculately maintained roads along side of fork lifts, passenger cars, Giant trucks and at one part, tour buses.
a few of these guys are impatient and pass me; but most of them are happy to go along at 10mph behind me. The last 1/3 of my last mile, I cruise through an old empty building where they made bomber airplanes in WWII. The pavement is so smooth that my bike and I glide silently through the strange dark building which used to be so noisy it hurt your ears. I get an incredible feeling of lightness, like I am playing when I should be working.

Mimi - you write very well - I could see it and FEEL it!!! Thank you so much for thinking of me and taking the time to write about your ride. I'm feeling encouraged!