first longer ride-mixed feelings

[indigoiis]

I love your pretty red Giant!

Patience on the riding with your DH thing... you'll get there. I'm still not nearly as fast as Mr. Indigoiis, but I am faster than last year. And next year, I'll be faster yet.

[trinena]

Thanks indigoiis - I'll have to properly introduce my bike once I take better close-up pics.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Trinena,
Yes to everyone else's comments, and i will say you are doing WAY better than I did when i started 2 1/2 years ago!

but I'll add one more thing...
Please, whatever you do, don't let other people's impatience cause you to ride faster than you safely can. You do NOT want to be rushing through tricky intersections and narrow areas or speeding down hills just so you don't fall further behind anyone you are riding with. Never ride faster than you feel confident and in control.

Please do NOT compromise your safety in order to please others. TAKE YOUR OWN SWEET TIME when maneuvering through traffic and intersections. Remember you are not a seasoned rider and you will need that extra second or two of safety margin if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Your life is worth way more than trying to keep up with other people. You may have to tell them that, too.

[Momonbikemob]

Phew! It is so nice to hear all your comments about being nervous to ride out on the road at first! I ride on the trainer mostly because I want to ride and can only manage to get on the bike during my almost two-year-olds nap (she won't sleep in the trailer) and while my 5 year-old is in Kindergarten. On weekends my DH is baffled why I don't go out on the road. I always prefer the trainer because we live on a hill and I feel safer. I am simply chicken to ride on the road and am not proud to admit it, but that's the truth. I also don't feel comfortable with my mechanical skills enough to ride alone yet if something happened to the bike. I have only been out on the road by myself once in the last two years. I thought I was alone with my fears...
Anyway, Its great to hear the encouragement for Trinena and I wish you all the best getting out there with other riders willing to go your pace!
I am going to try to get out on the road more in the spring - after I get in better shape and after I find some other women my speed to ride with... my DH likes to go faster than I am able too. So I understand and sympathize and am encouraged by all that has been posted so far! Thanks!


momonbikemob.blogspot.com

[trinena]

Phew! It is so nice to hear all your comments about being nervous to ride out on the road at first! I ride on the trainer mostly because I want to ride and can only manage to get on the bike during my almost two-year-olds nap (she won't sleep in the trailer) and while my 5 year-old is in Kindergarten. On weekends my DH is baffled why I don't go out on the road. I always prefer the trainer because we live on a hill and I feel safer. I am simply chicken to ride on the road and am not proud to admit it, but that's the truth. I also don't feel comfortable with my mechanical skills enough to ride alone yet if something happened to the bike. I have only been out on the road by myself once in the last two years. I thought I was alone with my fears...
Anyway, Its great to hear the encouragement for Trinena and I wish you all the best getting out there with other riders willing to go your pace!
I am going to try to get out on the road more in the spring - after I get in better shape and after I find some other women my speed to ride with... my DH likes to go faster than I am able too. So I understand and sympathize and am encouraged by all that has been posted so far! Thanks!


momonbikemob.blogspot.com

Keep us posted on your progress Momonbikemob esp. with that hill. I use a trainer at home as well but being outside w/ beautiful scenery is a good motivator. You're def. not alone!

[trinena]

Trinena,
Yes to everyone else's comments, and i will say you are doing WAY better than I did when i started 2 1/2 years ago!

but I'll add one more thing...
Please, whatever you do, don't let other people's impatience cause you to ride faster than you safely can. You do NOT want to be rushing through tricky intersections and narrow areas or speeding down hills just so you don't fall further behind anyone you are riding with. Never ride faster than you feel confident and in control.

Please do NOT compromise your safety in order to please others. TAKE YOUR OWN SWEET TIME when maneuvering through traffic and intersections. Remember you are not a seasoned rider and you will need that extra second or two of safety margin if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Your life is worth way more than trying to keep up with other people. You may have to tell them that, too.

So glad you affirmed my gut instinct BleeckerSt_Girl. I stood/stand my ground about intersections & going through traffic. I told my honey either he could slow down and wait for me or wait for me later on because I won't risk it. I'll do the same with others. My DH said treat yourself like a pedestrian (when on bike) - well, if i were a pedestrian I would stop and look at the car drivers to make sure they saw me before I went. And I won't run stale yellow lights! Don't worry everyone - I'm a strong-headed woman (taurus/ox). I'll be putting on my screaming yellow Brooks jersey (good sale & rec'd here on this forum)that I just got in the mail.