Total Newbie

[mydisneydollars]

That is really awesome advice. I would love to do a night ride. Maybe when I get better and I am seasoned more. I just love this forum you all are really nice and full of info.

[BarbaraAlys]

See, I found it much more demoralizing to have every one passing me! the important thing is to not get hung up in the crowd with everyone, for me. I'm not adept enough to get around a fallen rider quickly.

That night ride sounds like fun.

[delfin azul]

See, I found it much more demoralizing to have every one passing me! the important thing is to not get hung up in the crowd with everyone, for me. I'm not adept enough to get around a fallen rider quickly.

I had a similar experience on my first organized ride (35 miles). I'd never riden with anyone else than my BF, so I was very nervous when I was surrounded by all the bikes and had a hard time clipping in at the start (started in the middle of the crowd - wrong!!). I'm super slow so everyone kept on passing me - I was very demoralized - I finished the ride but stopped riding after that.

Earlier this year I decided it was time to get back on the bike. Now this time I did it differently, I joined Team in Training and signed up for my first Charity ride. This gave me lots of motivation and the team training I needed. What a difference, I had no idea there were so many rules of the rode, skills, etc. I had some good & bad days but every one of them taught me something. And after 4 months of training I finished my century ride two weeks ago

The things that were most important for me:
1) BELIEVE in yourself (your stronger than you think)
2) Enjoy it and have FUN (you'll be less tense and not so sore)
3) Drink LOTS of water before, during and after the ride
4) Eat a good breakfast (food is your fuel)
5) LISTEN to your body (take care of those aches / pains)
6) You're not alone - listen to the advice from the more experienced riders/teammates. I learned a lot from TE....lifted me up on those low days - thank you !

Now I'm trying to decide what my next ride will be

[Tabby]

Hey, my first group ride ... at the back of the pack ... turned out to be lots of fun and very encouraging.

The group ride starts in spurts of 4-6 riders to space on the trails, so I rode cleanup in the group led by my 'mentor' and 3 newer-than-me newbies... we were the last group out. One of the girls was having a terrible time, so it was very slow going and she was getting very frustrated. At one point she had a bit of a temper tantrum, so I checked her bike, she was in a total granny gear and had no control (we weren't climbing) So I get her in the right gear and we caught up to the others. This girl still frustrated, my mentor (DD) told me to lead the others while she stayed back and helped this girl along. I didn't do too bad leading ... was able to call out upcoming obstacles for the first timers and only a couple that took me by surprise. The 3 of us kept a pretty good pace and made it back to the cookout just fine. When we got there, the DD and the young girl were there and the girl was in great spirits. She just needed a little extra hand-holding from a more experienced rider in a one-on-one manner and it put her in a great positive frame of mind. And, I felt good with the confidence booster of leading a couple newbies ... it was a great night.

Now tonight, if the rains hold off, it will be my first ride at MoMBA where they said I should be able to ride the easier trail by end of summer ... not quite end of summer yet, but I will be in a very small group again just in case I need the hand holding this time. lol

PJ

[Tuckervill]

Well, Tabby, that sounds like a great day! Way to go!

Karen

[mydisneydollars]

Way to go Tabby. Thanks for posting how your ride went that is inspiring and I am thrilled that my ride is just 2 weeks away

[Geonz]

I bet the girl was happier without a "crowd"... sounds like a good ride!!

I'm another "start further up and let 'em catch you" person but that's my style, period.

[Tabby]

Now tonight, if the rains hold off, it will be my first ride at MoMBA where they said I should be able to ride the easier trail by end of summer ... not quite end of summer yet, but I will be in a very small group again just in case I need the hand holding this time. lol

PJ

OK, well the rain didn't hold off, they closed the trails and we'll reschedule that ride and campout.

I like that there is a variety of preferences here ... some like the front, some like the back. Once my comfort zone is 'too' comfortable, I can fall back to try someone else's advice and know it worked for them.

Thanks everyone for the comments and encouragement .

PJ

[mydisneydollars]

My ride is next weekend and I am getting nervous. I have been going up in miles everyday and I am not as sore after now. So I hope all goes well. I am now in search of a bargain leather saddle and tips on where to find one.

[jobob]

Good luck, MDD, and have fun!

[DDH]

My ride is next weekend and I am getting nervous. I have been going up in miles everyday and I am not as sore after now. So I hope all goes well. I am now in search of a bargain leather saddle and tips on where to find one.

Have fun on your ride. I love going on the organized rides. I'm just about always last, but I don't care, I'm in it to have fun and not worried about how slow I am.

I'm not sure where you can find a bargain leather saddle, but everyone loves the brooks saddles. If you buy one from them, they allow like 60 days or something and they will take it back with full reimbursement. I know several of the girls have them, and if I am mis-quoting they will correct me.

I am still waiting on my new saddle from Terry, so couldn't tell you yet how they are.

Again, have fun on your ride.