I am going to do it!

[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.

[patel_shital]

riding with hitler... i really do that.. i ride with my sweetie.. and he rides too fast.. and make me ride fast as well.

its good that you are loving your ride. one thing i would suggest that initially try normal Pedals, i think clipless would be little bit advance.

I ride to work 3 days week (32 miles) and guy from whom i bought cycle from, suggested me not to use clipless for atleast 4-5 months till i get used to bike and little bit hills and stuff.

[hipersons]

Looks like my old riding with Hiltler link isn't working anymore. Here's one that hopefully won't break.

Thanks for the advice on the clipless. I think I'm going to do a little of both, switch back and forth on it.