Can you relate?

[spazzdog]

Hey Wannabe... keep at it and you'll do fine. As a couple of the grrls mentioned, learn about the bike and learn how to fix some of the things that can happen out on a ride (flat, thrown chain, etc).

There's a store called REI that gives bike maintenance classes... I think they are either free or very inexpensive. They start with Beginner maintenance and go on through upper levels. I took the liberty of searching their site for stores in your state... hopefully you are near to one of these:

Niles
8225 W Golf Rd
(Four Flaggs Shopping Center)
Niles, IL 60714
(847) 470-9090

Oakbrook Terrace
17W160 22nd St
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
(630) 574-7700

saddle up grrlfriend! you're gonna do fine

spazzdog

[nuthatch]

There's a store called REI that gives bike maintenance classes... I think they are either free or very inexpensive. They start with Beginner maintenance and go on through upper levels. I took the liberty of searching their site for stores in your state... hopefully you are near to one of these

spazzdog

Wannabee, REI is signing people up right now for a 201 Maintenance class that accepts only five people. It's a one night class on June 14th at the OakBrook Store (don't know about Niles) but they are going to try to go into depth about each part that can be maintained, adjusted or repaired on your bike. You have to actually go to the store to sign up (only $10!). It sounded really good but I had a schedule conflict and couldn't go (drat!!)

P.S. You are always welcome to join Loni0908k and my riding partner and me for a "girls" ride. We're trying to go on Saturdays out west of Elgin/St. Charles area but we also want to hit some of the area trails as well. Let us know if you can come sometime - do you live in the Chicago area?

[roughingit]

My SO is also much faster than me, so I'd go nuts if I rode with him *all* the time. However, I've found that trying to keep up with him has greatly imporved my speed and traffic skills. I am pokey on my own and nervous about traffic, so I'll get stuck waiting 20 minutes for a gap in traffic that is huge enough for my tastes to cross busy streets. I also have a habit of slowing waaaaaay down for corners that desperatly sprinting behind him is helping to combat. Now if I ever get cut off and need to make a sharp turn to keep from getting hit, I am much better equipt for it!

[latelatebloomer]

Hello from another newbie! I've been reading for weeks...

At age 45 and about 220 lbs (used to be about 270), I'm falling in love with riding. I've been training at the gym all winter with a master's class racer who does really great spin classes in the winter months - and I've been lifting weights pretty seriously, too. For the warm weather months, I work on our land, ride, and do weights and yoga when I can work them in ( I also work fulltime teaching brain-injured adults and am an author - my first children's book just came out.) My riding on the road consists of an 8-mile "training loop" as I call it - using that to build strength, speed, and just get comfortable with the bike, shifting smoothly, etc.

I kinda thought there was something wrong with me for preferring to ride alone. Hub & neighbors are always offering to come with me. But if they ride with me, I'm very aware of how slow I am in comparison, and how none of them need to finish a hill on their feet. If I'm by myself - 1 - I'm never last, 2 - I can concentrate on my own focus and body. aiming for them working together. (I didn't even realize I HAD a body 'til I was 40 so I have a lot of catching up to do!)

So all the advice about riding solo and working in companion riders later is great. You are all so fabulous. Thanks for being here!

ps - for all those large women who feel self-conscious on the road - I figured out one day that almost anyone who notices me probably has a large woman in their lives that they love - a mother, sister, friend - and maybe they go home and say "guess what I saw today!"

[betagirl]

Awww bummer Nuthatch. I have a schedule conflict too. I'm in need of a class to teach me some more stuff. I can change a tube, a tire, and clean my bike. That's about the extent of my knowledge Where did you find the date for the class, at the store or online? The Oakbrook store isn't too far for me to go to, so the next time around I hope I can go. Ready for the MS150?

[RoadRaven]

Welcome to the forums, latelate... glad these discussions are of use... I find them great too
Glad you have caught the 'cycing craze' too!
Fabulous
See you around

[ACG]

I ride alone all the time. I actually don't know anyone in my area who rides AND who rides at my slow speed. There a lots of clubs in my area, mostly speed racer men. I'm intimidated by them so I avoid them. I've gotten caught in their wild crowd as they whip by me so I purposely don't ride that one street on that one day (Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.).

I have lots of tools on my and a cellphone, my family knows my routes. I live in populated area, but ride in the "rich people" area where there are lots of big homes and wide streets, no traffic, unfortunately I'm never really close to a bus route or a gas station. My family has picked me up a few times. They are fine with this and actually prefer this. I am taking a bike repair class this weekend so that I can deal with tire issues alone.

The point is to ride and enjoy yourself, I suggest knowing the route before leaving and having a cell phone or meeting place.

[bouncybouncy]

I think you could safely say "we have all been there" Thought I would share my story in hopes it would help someone...

I am a "newbie"...I mean NEWBIE!!! Only had a roadbike for less than a week...I am an avid mtbiker so 2 wheels and pedals are not a new concept BUT riding on asphalt, with cars, and other cyclist within inches of me is terrifying
Our (my fiance & me) solution is to meet with a "fast" group that rides along A1A (a beautiful route along the beach somewheres the neighborhood of Palm Beach) it is an up & back route...I will start off with the group and get dropped faster than a hot potato....ride my little tushy off till I get to the Chevron...catch my breath & turn around...ride the rest of my tushy back to the 7-11 With any luck they will have barely caught up or (wishful thinking) not catch up yet As I improve I will go farther until someday I will be Going the Distance!!!!

Good Luck...and RIDE ON!!!!