Please share your wisdom with a newbie..

[wackyjacky1]

This is what works for me when my motivation is low. I tell myself, if I just go out for 15 minutes and if I don't want to ride after 15 minutes, I'm turning around. 1. I get a 30 minute ride out of it at the least; but it has NEVER come to that, I have always at least gotten in an hour ride since once I got on my bike I was fine to go!

spoke

+1 -- this is exactly what I do!

[NbyNW]

Lots of great advice above!

I've recently started biking to work, and I'm lucky in that it's a manageable distance for me (about 5 miles), since I am recovering from an injury and I want to be careful not to overdo it. My motivations are that it's much more pleasant than taking the bus (the walk between my bus stop and office is essentially a huge construction site), and it takes less time than the bus. And I can count it towards my PT.

I'm also terrified of riding in traffic, so it took me a bit of research and a lot of asking around to find a route that I'm comfortable with. I also don't care that other cyclists are going a lot faster than I am.

Bike commuting can be done in baby steps, too. My first time I just did it one way, then caught a ride home with DH in the evening. A week later I did my first round-trip. I'm planning to add a little bit more each week.

It's important to find safe places where you can work on your skills, get stronger, and become more confident when confronting those things that are holding you back.

Weekend motivation: to rediscover the joy I had riding my Schwinn Fair Lady when I was a kid. To not worry about wearing special shoes, or special clothes (but definitely a HELMET!), and to still have a great time even when things aren't perfect. To let that flat tire be my next big adventure. To have so much fun that I don't realize the sun is setting, or that my stomach is growling. To lose track of time.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A helmet mirror makes me much more at ease in traffic. Imagine driving your car without any mirrors at all. Helmet mirrors take a bit of getting used to, but after a few weeks you might find it changes your outlook completely and you may love it like I do. You get a full view of the entire road behind you including both shoulders, all in the tiny mirror the size of a quarter!

[OakLeaf]

+1 to what everyone else has said, especially the mirror and riding in quiet places to start with. Nobody mentioned bar end mirrors - some people find them easier to use than helmet/sunglass mirrors.

Maybe find a club to ride with (make sure they have rides for beginners - many do).

[sundial]

Hi Effy, welcome to TE.

OK, here's what keeps me motivated.

• cute cycling wear from the TE store

• iPod playing U2

• my doggies that want to trot along with me

• new foals that I meet on the ride

• joining Bike Journal to keep track of my distances

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Poster indicates that she is afraid of the traffic and is disturbed by the fact that the wind cuts down on her being able to hear traffic coming up behind her, so I don't think wearing an iPod is going to help that particular situation.
Cute/cool cycling wear definitely helps though.

[sundial]

Poster indicates that she is afraid of the traffic and is disturbed by the fact that the wind cuts down on her being able to hear traffic coming up behind her, so I don't think wearing an iPod is going to help that particular situation.
Cute/cool cycling wear definitely helps though.

I only use the right ear bud so I can listen and be alert for traffic.

[shootingstar]

Motivators:

Comfortable clothing, high visibility.

Bike that functions and fits well.

Several choice routes that know by heart..routes that you like to do frequently. It's good to have fitness-oriented route and a simpler, shorter route for days you're feeling crappier/weather is abit ugh. It really helps that part of the route is quiet/scenic/soul-inspiring.

Over time, know when you ride/perform the best on bike. I ride best early in the morning..when the sun is rising, dew is still on the grass, mist is burning off around the mountain tops -- not as enthused in blazing heat at high noon or later. And do it during that time, even if it means by yourself sometimes.

Not lose cycling memory in my cycling legs/muscles. Well, any cyclist enthusiast should know this one..

Cycling is sort of like a secondary source of the Muse for me. Really. What you see, feel, hear and smell on bike..you can write poetry, paint, photograph.... can say that about...football?

Another motivator...is getting going means that natural cycling drug..high five, one more time, baby!

**Of course, a motivator for me is that if I don't go grocery shopping on bike, that means alot less food at home ..since we don't have a car.

[effy]

Point well taken on the Ipod topic. I understand that this may be more detrimental to me in the long run. I will have to focus more on proper pedaling and just being comfortable on the bike.
I understand that as a newbie I have a lot to learn. I must learn to crawl, walk and then ride. ( you can all thank my hubby for that one, he's constantly saying that to me. lol)

[cyclinnewbie]

I have had the same intimidation issue as what's been described here...I want so badly to ride ride ride, but I'm nervous about the traffic (I'm kind of rural, roads don't have paved shoulders, but are VERY busy), yadda yadda yadda. So, I went to the LBS, and asked if a complete and utter newbie could join their Sat. AM bike rides (I was worried that I would be the slowest, most clueless person in the group, holding everyone back, or that maybe they just wouldn't let me go until I got better); ended up that there were people from every skill level there...some who were lightening fast, some who were just there to have a nice ride, and some who were just beginning like me. And, one of the bike shop employees hangs back with us newbies and guides us in traffic safety, shifting, etiquette, etc. It's been really cool. Anyway, that's a suggestion...find a group to ride with who accepts newbies.

[effy]

Thanks Moto for the idea to take the mirror apart and replacing the rubber O rings, I'll give it a try.

I have been getting dressed and pumping the tires as of late and it's making a big difference. I find that I'm able to go for rides even by myself.

Still buying clothes and other goodies for the riding experience.

As for the LBS, they do have group rides but these guys ride for 2-3 hours and that's there slow day (15-18 mph) I know I can keep the pace but not for 2 hours, at least not yet. ( maybe when I'm up to 2 hours, I'll join in) I havn't given up though, I'm still looking and asking around to the other shops to see what they offer.
Thanks for the ideas, I know that I'm not the only newbie in MN.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

For those of you who are afraid to ride with traffic.
I recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Cycling-Bi...0350704&sr=1-1
You can get it used for $10 there too.
This book completely changed how I ride....it made me realize that many things I was doing 'seemed' safer to me but in reality my riding habits were putting me into very dangerous situations. This book gave me confidence riding in traffic and other hazardous conditions too. It empowered me. I ride way safer now and can better avoid getting into potentially dangerous situations to begin with, rather than trying to decide what to do in a panic when I'm already IN a dangerous situation.
It's an EXCELLENT book on defensive biking.

[tc1]

The bike rack and car combo is a good idea. I live about 2 miles from a wonderful trail, but in between the trail and my house is 2 miles of heavy car traffic. So, yes, I drive 2 or 3 miles and park, then ride the bike. If I had to face that traffic I would never ride. When I saved up to buy my bike, part of the budget was for a good hitch and rack for my car.