Please share your wisdom with a newbie..

[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.

[MsTerra]

Effy, thank you for starting this thread. It's very timely for me right now, and I have a feeling I will be coming back to it from time to time. I'm pretty much a newb (coming back after a decade-long layoff, and I was still kind of a novice when I stopped riding back then) and for some reason feeling much more intimidated coming back to cycling at 41 than I did taking it up at 30. I don't understand why I wasn't more afraid of riding in traffic back then, or why I'm so afraid of it now, but my plan is to commute to work (about 3.5 miles) in good weather, and go on rides with the spousal unit on weekends. Just getting started seems to be the tough part, and it doesn't help that it's rained a lot in the two weeks since I bought my bike.

I've found that in general, overcoming resistance to doing something is harder than actually doing that thing. For me it's a matter of not letting myself psych myself out. Hubby and I finally got in a little riding today (he complained I was riding too fast ) and I was remembering the old skills a lot faster than I expected I would, which was encouraging.

This week is Bike Week in greater Boston, and I hope to use that as motivation. A lot of people around here ride, and there's nothing like peer pressure for motivation, is there?

[PscyclePath]

What Lisa said... Robert Hurst's The Art of Urban Cycling (the second edition is simply called The Art of Cycling) is probably the best little handbook out there for urban and suburban cyclists.

If you're uncertain about riding in traffic or the open roads, one thing you might look for is one of the League of American Bicyclists' courses on cycling. The basic course is referred to as "Road I", though you usually see if advertised as something more descriptive like "Smart Cycling" or "Street Cycling." This is a good basic intro to getting around town or wherever on your bike, with a good helping of traffic law, safety principles, and staying out of (or getting out of ) trouble with your bike. About half the course is hands-on (or better said, butts-on) the bike. Check the web page here to find one in your community, or at least for a list of instructors in your state to call up and say, "hey, I want to take a bike class." I'm sure they'll be glad to help out: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/e...e_schedule.php .

Does one of the local bike instructors, bike shops, or bike clubs sponsor "Critical Manners" rides? This is another good way to learn good traffic skills and experience... it's worked well for us here in Little Rock, anyway.

Tom

[flash]

Hi Effy!

When I first started riding, I also found it a little tricky to get motivated to head out the door. After a while, I figured out that the problem was not knowing where to go! I sat down with my husband and a few friends, and we mapped out a few good routes for me -- appropriate distance/time, some with hills some without, low traffic. I printed out maps & once I had a plan, it was a lot easier to get out the door and enjoy riding regularly. Now I'm seriously addicted & prefer rides where I get lost. yes .... that's right. I prefer rides where I get lost. There is nothing better than going down a new country road, just to see "where it goes", then exploring more and more new roads from there.

Enjoy your summer of riding! Monica

[effy]

Ms Terra, I'm glad that this thread is helpful for you to. I have gotten so many wonderful ideas and so much encouragement, I really appreciate all the positive words from everyone. Not only does it help me, but it's helping others to.

As for the book " The art of cycling" I will be going to pick it up after work today, if all goes well for me.

I love the feeling of being out on the road and being free. Awesome

Flash as for the mapping idea, I'll try it. I am new to the MN. I have been here for a year and it has been more winter than anything else here, until recently. So I think that may help for me to have an idea of the road before I go out.

[cycotourer]

This is what works for me, and I know it's not going to make any sense, and it's not at all inspirational, but…if I pump up my tires, I ride. The excuses end right there. It's a routine thing. I've never gone through the trouble of pumping them up and not ridden. It's probably not necessary to pump before every ride, but I do. I seem to get fewer flats on full tires. I wish I had a more poetic reply, like how you get to see the flowers and pretty scenery, but bah....just pump yer tires and go!

I'm a wind pro, but not by choice . It's ALWAYS windy here on the coast. I found a cloth headband, worn over my ears, dampens the noise. It also keeps sweat out of my eyes, and since it's under my helmet, no one can see that I look like Bob Roll in 1980. In colder temps, I wear a buff.

There are lots of tips here about riding in traffic. Someone recently posted a video of riding in traffic that is brilliant. I choose the most scenic routes with the least amount of car traffic when I ride.

Here's another remedy for wind noise. There is also a version to keep your ears warm in cold weather without blocking out essential noise (like traffic sneaking up behind you!).

http://www.slipstreamz.com/content.asp?subID=9

[tc1]

The bike rack and car combo is a good idea. I live about 2 miles from a wonderful trail, but in between the trail and my house is 2 miles of heavy car traffic. So, yes, I drive 2 or 3 miles and park, then ride the bike. If I had to face that traffic I would never ride. When I saved up to buy my bike, part of the budget was for a good hitch and rack for my car.