I am going to do it!

[Geonz]

I brought my bike with me to work today so that I can check out some of the trails around here, and spent some time yesterday checking out the trails around my house. The problem is that since I live in a different town than the one I work in, the trails don't seem to connect. I have to ride on the roads, which is fine, but they are county roads and the shoulder is really rough to ride on. I am going to aim for my first ride next week. I just need to Do it. I would love to get rid of my car completely, but I live in Wisconsin and there is absolutely no way I could ride my bike in the winter.

You don't need to ride on the shoulder - how busy are the roads? Perhaps you can find a parallel-to-the-main-road route that will connect you.

And once you start riding, don't be surprised if your definition of ridable conditions doesn't gradually expand... I would never have thought I could do with out a car... but it will be a year as of 5/30.

[carpaltunnel]

Wow, Geonz, I really admire you.

[Lucky, Fabulous]

I rode up my "goal hill" last night! I feel awesome! I was huffing and puffing and going real slow, but I did it! I also checked out some of the country roads on my commute - there are no trails parallel to them, but traffic is not THAT bad, and as long as the cars see me, they can just go around! It was such a beautiful ride, too, and I even came across a really nice little park that I would have otherwise never known existed!

[Melalvai]

And once you start riding, don't be surprised if your definition of ridable conditions doesn't gradually expand...

That is so true! I decided my cut-off this winter would be 25*F. Well, 25 came and went, and it was just easier to put up with the cold and bike, such a hassle to drop off kid/husband and park and all that. So I reset my cut-off to 20*F. Which came and went and found me still riding. After that I didn't bother setting a cut-off, and rode even when it was under 10*F, the pain was just easier to deal with than logistics of driving!

but traffic is not THAT bad, and as long as the cars see me, they can just go around!

Consider getting a reflective road vest if you don't already. If you'll be riding in the dusk or dark, lights are absolutely necessary so that cars will see you. You really can't have too many lights!

[Lucky, Fabulous]

I can see the cold being possible to deal with - but what about snow? It snowed nearly every day for us this winter... I may be getting ahead of myself a bit, seeing how it just turned spring! Finally!

[Melalvai]

I can see the cold being possible to deal with - but what about snow? It snowed nearly every day for us this winter... I may be getting ahead of myself a bit, seeing how it just turned spring! Finally!

I found that if the roads were good enough to drive on, they were good enough to bike on. In fact, one day I drove and biked the same morning (took kid to school, then biked to work). I had problems skidding a little while driving, but I did not have any problems biking. That convinced me that biking on slick roads is safer than driving on them.

[hipersons]

So I bought my bike on Friday, went for a ride on Sunday, and had my bike and cleat fitting last night. My boyfriend and I usually commute together to work, but he's going somewhere I'm not after work tonight. While I was getting my things together this morning, I decided to make it my first day riding to work. After all, I don't like riding with Hitler.

It was... well... what wasn't it? It was exhilarating, a huge challenge, and overall I loved it.

- I found out quickly that my ride to work is pretty much uphill the whole way, including the parts that look flat.
- There were four very steep and long hills that I stopped and walked. During one of these walks, I took a break for water, and as two bikers passed me they asked if I was okay. That was nice.
- I fell off my bike once because I'm still getting used to being clipless (totally into the middle of the road, too. good thing no one was coming).
- On the last hill on the way to work, I stopped about 3 times because I was convinced I could do it without walking it. And I did it.
- It took me about an hour to go 6.5 miles. And then it took me 5 minutes to figure out how to lock my bike to the rack!

So yeah, I'm totally looking forward to my mostly downhill ride home! I think I take the day off tomorrow. Maybe I'll just do once this week, then twice next week, etc.

[Melalvai]

After all, I don't like riding with Hitler.

That is too funny.
I'm glad you had a good time! Things will get easier as you get used to it, you'll find a routine or rhythm and definitely locking your bike up will take mere seconds, except on those days when nothing goes right and then it will still take 5 minutes if not longer.

For the hills, shift down as far as you can early into the hill or even before. That makes a huge difference. After all, you are not trying to get up the hill quickly, you are just trying to get up the hill.

Good luck!

[Lucky, Fabulous]

Ha, ha! Riding with Hitler!

I have set a target date for next week to ride to work. Early in the week I am going to attack that line of hills, and then later in the week make the entire trip.