first longer ride-mixed feelings

[trinena]

I went for my first ride on my "new" giant tcr2 w/ my DH for about 22 miles. The longest ride I've done yet and this bike is twitchier than my last. What's hard is how utterly scared I am of crossing intersections interspersed on the path/trail. On the path we came across police activity with someone shackled to the ground.

All in All I was enjoying myself - looking at the birds and waterfront-but I could see my honey was a little frustrated about how slow we were going. Sometimes it was 11mph. I did get up to 17mph. Also I'd slow down to go through the poles that keep cars from the trail. At home he asked me what my expectations were when he realized I was annoyed with him: geez it's to get used to this bike, get used to riding, enjoy myself, and to get a workout. He's been so supportive with my rocky& slow road to bike riding but I may have to find other people to ride with me who wouldn't mind "babysitting" a little. I'm not up to the "lite" ride of a local bike club yet (29 miles this Sat.) Maybe I'll just start asking different people (patient women) to go out with me and help me out. I feel like such a chicken that I don't want to go out on my own. I have great admiration for the commuters here.

I'm signed up for a classroom and on the road workshop with the Eastbay Bike Coalition so that should help.

On another note I did have a lot of pain in my right neck/shoulder probably from my crash on the trail 2 weeks ago and numbness in my right foot -probably need new shoes. But I did like the feel of my bike. She's so pretty-no hot- too!

Thanks for listening!

[alpinerabbit]

Give yourself some time, and have the DH give you some time too!

I cried on my first ride, from fear, and walked going around a busy 3-lane roundabout construction.

Took me a little while to lose those fears.

[PamNY]

Congrats on your ride. Hey, my first longish ride was 22 miles. Must be a magic number.

I was on a rail trail, and I hopped off and walked my bike to cross streets. And if I feel like it, I will do the same thing next time I go. As I return to biking, I am doing exactly what I feel comfortable and safe with.

I hope you can find some patient folks to ride with. That's one of my goals, too.

Pam

[indysteel]

I'll echo what Alpinerabbit said. On my first ride, I did an endo over the handlebars because I freaked out about something. Luckily, I didn't get hurt, but I was so embarrassed.

I remember having to pysche myself up for every ride from my house to the MUT that I frequented when I first started riding. I really didn't have anybody at the time to ride with and I didn't know where else to go, so I'd ride from my house in downtown Indianapolis to the MUT, just before the thick of rush hour. While stopped at intersections, I'd start shaking like a leaf. I hated it but didn't know what else to do.

What saved me is that I finally found a 25-mile route along mostly country roads that made me feel much safer. Granted, I had to drive a fair distance to get there, but it was worth it in that it helped me get over my fears in a kinder and gentler environment. I did that ride repeatedly until I felt confident enough to join the local club. From there, everything just fell into place. Perhaps you and your BF or another friend can find a similar route where you live.

Good luck and be patient with yourself. It does get easier, I promise.

[alpinerabbit]

I think I took 3 months to go out on my first solo ride.

my second ride I told DBF I wanted to turn around after abotu 10K - from fear, not exhaustion.

And the thread I wrote about it has sadly dissappeared. I had commuted for years before but on an old MTB. The roadie was too small and twitchy for me too.



Keep at it and let you and those around you give yourself some slack.

now, for all the warm fuzzies I've given out, please click "dragon baby":

[xeney]

After about six years, my husband and I still get frustrated with each other on rides. And I ride better -- more confidently, even faster overall -- when I ride alone. So I recommend you try that.

One way to do that without heading out completely on your own is to set destinations rather than riding together the whole time. My husband and I have landmarks we use: "Meet at the red bench," for instance. Then he might ride on ahead another 20 miles and double back to the red bench, and I just ride to the red bench. We both get better rides that way.

Or like yesterday's ride: I took the car out to a park along our bike trail, and I pulled my daughter in the trailer for an easy (ha, "easy" with 30 mph wind gusts) 13-mile ride, while he rode from home. We passed each other on the trail and traded some text messages, and all got together for a picnic at lunch time. Then I drove home with my bike and the trailer, and he rode home. He got about 50 miles and we each got to ride at our own pace, but if I had gotten into some kind of trouble (with a baby along, even a flat tire is a big pain in the neck) we just would have had to wait for him to get to us.

(We trade off on pulling the trailer, in case I make it sound like he gets all the fun and I do all the towing. He does most of the towing, but she can't take 50 miles yet.)

[trinena]

Thanks alpinerabbit, pamny, indysteel & xeney for the encouragement & good suggestions about riding on my own/riding on a trail/having dif. meetup places. And yes I do have to be more patient with myself. thanks for the promise that it will get better! It helps to know that every strong rider had to begin somewhere and work through/with fears.

[alpinerabbit]

so have you clicked my dragon?????

[jobob]

It helps to know that every strong rider had to begin somewhere and work through/with fears.

Absolutely!

The year I started riding I was so frustrated that I couldn't keep up with my husband. I broke down in tears on one ride, I was so mad I couldn't manage to keep up.

But over time I got better, and so shall you.

It's great that you're taking the EBBC road skills course.

Which bike club are you riding with?

[SouthernBelle]

so have you clicked my dragon?????

It says your egg is stolen.

[trinena]

so have you clicked my dragon?????

I clicked on it. I'm I supposed to do something else? What happens when people click on it?

[trinena]

Absolutely!

The year I started riding I was so frustrated that I couldn't keep up with my husband. I broke down in tears on one ride, I was so mad I couldn't manage to keep up.

But over time I got better, and so shall you.

It's great that you're taking the EBBC road skills course.

Which bike club are you riding with?

Hi jobob- i was thinking of going on Oakland Yellow Jacket rides but it's post-season & I have a swim class when they ride. My DH's club is a racing one but are supportive in spirit. I have gone on a Velogirls beginner ride but it's too far of a drive to get there on a regular basis.

[RoadRaven]

TRINENA!!!

Awesome bike to have!

I have a Giant TCR2... I loved her the moment I first rode her - everything just "fitted. We have, over the last 18months, turned her into a time trial specific bike - bladed seatpost, aerobars, barend shifters, rotorcranks... and I still do not want to upgrade... she does everything required...

What a great first ride - a decent distance, and "interesting" events along the way (I have not yet met a police shackled person on any of my travels!!!)

It has taken me a long time to stop myself apologising to my husband when I ride slower than him (always - except coasting downhill, as I have more critical mass with my extra 15kgs, I coast waaaaay faster than him )

However, he chooses to ride with me knowing I will not be as fast as he can be. So I am always pleased when he rides with me now and I have stopped apologising. He gets a good recovery ride, and I sit in behind him and get a good workout. On windy days he gets a reasonable workout too, because as he "motor-paces" me, he does all the hard workj into the wind...

Enjoy your Giant... mine has served me well

[trinena]

TRINENA!!!

Awesome bike to have!

I have a Giant TCR2... I loved her the moment I first rode her - everything just "fitted. We have, over the last 18months, turned her into a time trial specific bike - bladed seatpost, aerobars, barend shifters, rotorcranks... and I still do not want to upgrade... she does everything required...

What a great first ride - a decent distance, and "interesting" events along the way (I have not yet met a police shackled person on any of my travels!!!)

It has taken me a long time to stop myself apologising to my husband when I ride slower than him (always - except coasting downhill, as I have more critical mass with my extra 15kgs, I coast waaaaay faster than him )

However, he chooses to ride with me knowing I will not be as fast as he can be. So I am always pleased when he rides with me now and I have stopped apologising. He gets a good recovery ride, and I sit in behind him and get a good workout. On windy days he gets a reasonable workout too, because as he "motor-paces" me, he does all the hard workj into the wind...

Enjoy your Giant... mine has served me well

RoadRaven- Good to know you love your Giant & good idea about recovery rides/no apologies. Here's a pic of my bike built up by my husband.

[TrekTheKaty]

Beautiful wheels!

I hate to giggle, but it's nice to know others out there have cried a tear or two while riding with their significant other! There was one knockdown-dragout in the driveway! He doesn't understand my fears--he's been riding since he was a kid. He doesn't think twice about heading off in any unknown direction or down any hill without a thought how he will get back up. He considers being supportive, riding tucked just off my left rear wheel--I can't see anything in my mirror except him and can "physically" feel how I'm holding him up. However, the last time I complained, he said, "You ride faster in the front. I'm letting you lead!"

My sister has had similar problems. She called me giggling last week because she had a tear-fest in the exact same spot I did! In the beginning, she would only do a paved park path, but has learned to ride on a gravel rail-trail, cross roads, ride on wide shoulders and explore other trails. I don't go anywhere unless I've driven the route.

I ride with my DH a couple days a week, with my sister a couple days a week, and by myself a couple days a week. It keeps everyone sane

And yes, don't apologize. I do it all the time--it's a female thing. STOP.