I want to ride on beautiful rural roads.... but cars scare me.

[onimity]

This:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=24206

Is another of my favorites. The gray portion of the back is mesh, so it is cool even in the summer and can be worn over everything. Plus, it has a great pocket. My parents were worried about my sister & I riding on roads until they saw us from over a mile away one day...they still worry, but much less.

Anne

[PscyclePath]

Ditto on what Lisa said...

Also from Forester, et al, you're 2.6 times more likely to have a crash riding on a bike path or multi-use path than you are if you get out, mix it up, and ride in rush hour commuting traffic. (The underlying reason being the mixing of bikes with pedestrians in the same space. Pedestrians have no rules, they can dart, stop, turn at will, where at least cars and bikes are supposed to be following the same rules of the road.)

Check and see if the local bike clubs or advocacy groups are holding the LAB "Road I" course or its equivalent in your community. This is an excellent way to get used to riding out on the road, whether on a road bike, mountain, bike, or whatever... and more than 2/3rds of the class focuses on time-in-the-saddle experience.

[aly]

I feel the same as you about the rural traffic, but I get more relaxed and feel more confident each time I ride. I'm thinking about getting a mirror, since the cars are often quiet and spook me when I don't expect them- it would also help me stop looking behind me and swerving into the road.

We have lots of crazy sports bikes and expensive fast cars zooming all through the rural roads where I ride, however, it's worth dealing with. I absolutely love the central coast and would also be eager to ride all the time if I lived there. I think you'll be happy and much more comfortable than you expect. You're so lucky to live up there!

[RolliePollie]

When I first started riding the rural country roads around here, I was scared to death! But over the last few months, I've come to love riding the poorly paved, shoulderless roads for so many reasons...beautiful scenery and light traffic to name a few. But I would not ever consider riding without my helmet mirror! Although I can generally hear traffic coming up behind me, I want to know what kind of car it is, if there's more than one back there, etc. Plus there are some nearly silent cars out there, like the Prius, and you don't always hear them coming. It's helpful for me to know that the big pick-up truck that's about to pass me also happens to be pulling an extra large horse trailer. Or that the loud vehicle I hear really is a monster logging truck who I know is not going to slow down or move over. I still look over my shoulder before crossing streets, left turns, etc., but that helmet mirror really makes me feel safer.

I hope you can get out on those country roads and enjoy yourself. I used to literally shake from the fear, but now I'm in love with my rural routes. Good luck!

[Tri Girl]

go get 'em froglegs! Go hit those country roads and enjoy yourself.

I'm with sara- I always wear my mirror (and my neon blinding green safety vest). Sure I look dorky, but cars can see me and I can see them. I love my mirror, because I've found that if I ride in the tire place on the road, when a car is coming up behind me I move over and most cars are very appreciative that I've moved over for them. I rarely have been buzzed when doing this. When I first started riding, I never did that and got buzzed a lot more. I think it's because they see that I'm giving them room so they give me room. Don't know if that's the case or not, but it makes me feel better anyway.

[RolliePollie]

I love my mirror, because I've found that if I ride in the tire place on the road, when a car is coming up behind me I move over and most cars are very appreciative that I've moved over for them. I rarely have been buzzed when doing this. When I first started riding, I never did that and got buzzed a lot more. I think it's because they see that I'm giving them room so they give me room. Don't know if that's the case or not, but it makes me feel better anyway.

I've noticed this same phenomenon! I get buzzed a lot more often if I'm already riding really close to the side of the road when a car comes up behind me. I agree that maybe drivers are perceiving us as doing them a favor by moving over. And many times, I'm riding in the tire place out by the center line because the entire right half of the lane is broken pavement. Then I really have to move over for cars, and maybe they do appreciate all that effort I'm making to get out of their way! At any rate, all this is possible because of that handy dandy little helmet mirror.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've noticed this same phenomenon! I get buzzed a lot more often if I'm already riding really close to the side of the road when a car comes up behind me. I agree that maybe drivers are perceiving us as doing them a favor by moving over. And many times, I'm riding in the tire place out by the center line because the entire right half of the lane is broken pavement. Then I really have to move over for cars, and maybe they do appreciate all that effort I'm making to get out of their way! At any rate, all this is possible because of that handy dandy little helmet mirror.

I agree 110%. Plus, when you use your mirror and then move over when a car is coming, they then know that you are aware of them coming up behind, and I think they appreciate knowing that you know and are not going to swerve out unexpectedly. Sometimes a car just slows way down behind me ion rural roads and I know they are hesitant to pass me (though there is room) ....I see them in my mirror and wave them on to pass me and I KNOW they really appreciate that. Cars really appreciate it when you do things that show you know they are coming up behind you and its ok to pass you.
My helmet mirror broke last month and I had to go for one ride without it. It was AWFUL- it was just like driving a car without any rearview or side mirrors. NO THANKS.

[froglegs]

This morning I went for a ride on a windy, hilly, narrow road flanked by vineyards, ranches, and oak trees. I went to a nearby town and back, about 24 miles round trip. It was SO FANTASTIC. I felt WAY more comfortable out there than I ever do in town. There were very few cars, I was able to hear them coming (haven't had time to buy a mirror yet, going to today) and they all gave me plenty of space. At one point, after going up a particularly long hill, I accidentally dropped my water bottle and it rolled across the road. There happened to be a car passing by, and the driver slowed all the way down to avoid running over my bottle. I thought that was very nice.

I went by myself, but I knew that the route I was going was frequented by cyclists, and I saw TONS of them. I will definitely be going on that ride again, maybe a little farther next time.

I want to say thanks to everyone here, if not for all of you, it probably would have taken weeks for me to work up the courage to do this!!

[aicabsolut]

go get 'em froglegs! Go hit those country roads and enjoy yourself.

I'm with sara- I always wear my mirror (and my neon blinding green safety vest). Sure I look dorky, but cars can see me and I can see them. I love my mirror, because I've found that if I ride in the tire place on the road, when a car is coming up behind me I move over and most cars are very appreciative that I've moved over for them. I rarely have been buzzed when doing this. When I first started riding, I never did that and got buzzed a lot more. I think it's because they see that I'm giving them room so they give me room. Don't know if that's the case or not, but it makes me feel better anyway.

I do that too, but I just use my eyes. Not a mirror. When I pass someone with a mirror, I admit I get a little nervous, because I know there are a ton of cars with mirrors who never see me -- the ones that pull out of parallel parking spaces into me or nearly door me. Sure, those drivers may not be using their mirrors. It's just that I expect a cyclist without a mirror to look behind before coming farther out in the road. One with a mirror may just check the mirror, and if they don't see me, well, that could really suck for my front wheel. I will say something to someone I'm passing who doesn't expect me there, but I generally don't start hollering at them from behind.

***flame suit on***

I'll look back, and if the car follows for a long time on a windy country road, when it's clear, I'll wave them by.

[KnottedYet]

I use my dingy-bell from behind, then holler "one bike, passing on your left" when I'm close enough that they'll hear me, but well before my front wheel is anywhere near them. (I like my front wheels... I also like my facial bones right they way they are! )

Froglegs: congratulations!! Sounds like a lovely ride, and a very considerate car when your water bottle went AWOL.

[latelatebloomer]

As my buddy Trekhawk says, Good on you, mate! A toast to you for facing your fear and letting friends help you through it. MANY happy miles to you! (another little tip - yoga/stretching to keep your back and neck nice and flexie, so that quick look behind you is fluid, easy, and has a lot of range.)