Please share your wisdom with a newbie..

[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

[indysteel]

- 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.

Others may disagree, but I think iPods aren't a very good idea when biking on the road or trail, experienced or not. As I and others have suggested, there are lots of hazards on trails, not the least of which is faster cyclists overtaking you with an "on your left." I don't even think walkers or runners should wear them on multi-use trails, but I'm a bit of a hardliner on the subject.

[mimitabby]

Others may disagree, but I think iPods aren't a very good idea when biking on the road or trail, experienced or not. As I and others have suggested, there are lots of hazards on trails, not the least of which is faster cyclists overtaking you with an "on your left." I don't even think walkers or runners should wear them on multi-use trails, but I'm a bit of a hardliner on the subject.

Boy, Indy, that could be on a gravestone. "If she didn't have her Ipod on she'd still be riding"
It's bad enough during the winter when i wear a light layer of wool over my ears to stay warm. I can't imagine having iPods covering my ears and pouring in Music which might cover up something i really needed to hear; from the whisper of a passing cyclist, to a new noise coming from my bike, to a car coming down the street.

[indysteel]

Boy, Indy, that could be on a gravestone. "If she didn't have her Ipod on she'd still be riding"
It's bad enough during the winter when i wear a light layer of wool over my ears to stay warm. I can't imagine having iPods covering my ears and pouring in Music which might cover up something i really needed to hear; from the whisper of a passing cyclist, to a new noise coming from my bike, to a car coming down the street.

You're preachin' to the choir on that one. I'm not one for music in my ears though anyway, so it's not a sacrifice for me. Even putting aside the hazards, I like hearing the world around me when I ride: birds, insects, laughing kids, etc.

[jesvetmed]

Effy: Yay for you for getting out there! I found that signing up with a bike club at least got me out once a week on a ride I wouldn't have done otherwise. And you meet others who you may end up wanting to do other rides with.

Also, for me motivation comes from fear.. fear of getting too far out of shape, and also fear that I provide myself by signing up for events, races or triathlons. It's not bad fear, just a "healthy fear"...?!

But if I am committed to doing something (ie, I've paid for a tri, I've told others about it, taken the time off work), then darn it, I better be prepared! I can tell you that is the ONLY reason I make it to the pool at all to swim!

As for riding, just getting out there more, and becoming more comfortable will make the rides a lot more desirable in the future.

ENJOY!