Please share your wisdom with a newbie..

[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.

[Geonz]

+1 on all that stuff

www.bikejournal.com

and the cumulative mileage on the odometer that you should get just so you can see cumulative mileage

and look for a route where you're comfortable. SOmetimes "rural" just means skinny roads where the drivers go too fast

[imdeanna]

I had the same issues not wanting to turn my head to see if a car was approaching.... last weekend I saw a bar end mirror at the LBS, thought I would like it more than a helmet mounted mirror so I got it...and I love it....
I had to still make an effort to look at it....but it's a quicker glance down then back up to line of travel than turning my head. and it looks kinda cool too: (pic found online for quick reference posted below) (also...I had Lasik last year, so my near sight isn't all that great, so having a mirror a bit further away was better for me since I'm far sided now!!)


I also find myself 'Wanting' to Want to go for a ride...but not riding as often as I want to want TO! (that will only make sense to others that are dealing with the motivation part!) LOL

and like Spokewench said....you just have to get yourself out there...for me, once I'm out there...I don't ever want to be done!! so if you just say...I'm going for a quick ride around the block, it might be easier to get out and do it!!

[effy]

Ladies, you are all so amazing to me. I'm so glad that I'm not alone in this challenge to get out the door.
- Yes I have been ordering clothes left and right, One for Hubby and two for me. Lol
- On Monday after work I went to the bike shop and bought a mirror for the handle bar. It's ok, I find already that the longer the ride and the bumps vibrate it out of position. So getting that back into position is a concern for me. So I will be looking for the helmet mirror next,
- The Ipod, Hubby says no way. He says I need to be a better rider before I can do that. But I think that on the trails, I'll be ok.
- I also have started putting air in my tires to get my bike ready and your right, if I've done the work, I'm going for a ride. Putting air in the tires is a small work out by itself.
- Ladies, one thing I been hearing is just DO IT. If I start out, don't give myself the chance for excuses, I find that I will actually enjoy it more.
Thank you for the motivation, please don't stop sending me motivation

[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)

[csr1210]

Welcome Effy!

I go through slumps in motivation from time to time. I absolutely KNOW I will feel better when I go for a ride, but still can't seem to make it out the door. The tire pumping thing works for me, and another variation of that is getting dressed! If I can convince myself to go ahead and get my gear on, I can usually get myself out on the bike. Only once have I actually gotten back undressed and not gone on my ride, and that was just a really really rotten day.

I was VERY scared of traffic when I started riding (Jan 07), but I think you'll be surprised how fast your mind and body adapt. I was just determined that being scared was not going to keep me from doing something I considered both fun and important to me. I do make a real effort to be a "defensive" rider and very polite as well. It doesn't work in all areas or with all drivers, but around here people have been very positive about our riding. I think it helps that I try to wave (or nod) to people so they tend to see me as a fellow human ( i.e. that crazy lady that rides her bike) rather than some faceless obstacle in the road.

One more thing that I do is set mileage goals for myself based upon what I think I can do, plus just a little more. It's not for everyone, but some days that is just a little extra push that gets me out the door if I'm not really in the mood. And I get a LOT of satisfaction seeing the miles add up. Just remember it should be fun -- if it starts stressing you out, then obviously it won't help motivate you. If I don't make my goal I don't beat myself up, just gives me something to shoot for next week (month-year-whatever)

Hope all that rambling helps some. Welcome to the fantastic world of cycling!

Christy

[motochick]

Effy, don't quite give up on the rear view mirror yet. Is it a cateye? I have the cateye that says "racing" on the back (like you would ever see a racer with one!) It would start to flop around at 25 mph on our tandem so I took it apart and fixed it. I can fix ANYTHING! Hubby calls me McGyver. (WAAAAYYY off topic but I once fixed hubbys broken throttle cable on his dirt bike with a stick and some zip tys. He rode it for 15 miles thru the desert like that) Sorry for the rambling, just got back from riding and I am a little amped.

So all you do to fix the mirror is take it apart and install a small rubber o-ring on each side of the socket where the mirror sits. Now when you squish it back together, the o-rings keep it solid. If that makes no sense I can take a pic of it.


Have fun,

Brenda

[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.

[effy]

Thanks for the book. I will be looking for it.