Please share your wisdom with a newbie..

[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