Too Chicken To Go On Longer Rides

[Possegal]

what also worked for me was adding miles by doing multiple loops of a smaller loop around my neighborhood. I mapped out a loop that is maybe 5 miles, but at any given time, I'm no more than a couple miles from my house. I increased by doing more within that loop, but yet never being more than a couple miles from home. If I felt I bit off more than I could chew, I was close to home.

I really understand the mental road-block into thinking I can't go that far. But if you increase in small increments, and then try doing that where you can bail out if you need to, I'm sure you'll be fine!

[wackyjacky1]

what also worked for me was adding miles by doing multiple loops of a smaller loop around my neighborhood. I mapped out a loop that is maybe 5 miles, but at any given time, I'm no more than a couple miles from my house.

Awesome idea!

I skipped out on a great group ride yesterday led by a friend - 24 miles, no speed pressure - because I was afraid people would hear me panting.

LOL, I worry about that too! Heck, I've been known to hold my breath when passing pedestrians so they won't hear me gasping for air. Oy!

Apparently I'm just a big grab-bag full of insecurities, LOL.

Seriously, though, thanks to everyone for all the good advice.

[Miranda]

These are all great suggestions that I have done most of. I'm still in the "too chicken to group/club ride"...yet. But, that one I am changing this season.

My normal spin I have time for is a 20mi loop. There is the most beautiful postcard picture perfect farmhouse almost dead in the middle. I tell myself... "I have to ride far enough to see how the flowers are doing"...

This ladie's yard is SO amazing. One day I saw her gardening and turned around to tell her so. I know she thought I was crazy. But, oh well.

The actual "dead center" is a cemetary. That's my turn the loop point.

I have stopped there before and had the snack under a tree with the dead folks.

Also, as a gym roadie pal pointed out... if he runs out of water, cemetaries have water. There is norally an outside facuet that peeps use for the gravestone flower vases. Interesting tip.

Just keep at it... you can do it.

[Triskeliongirl]

The more I think about it, the more that I think the Wheelmen Rider Education Program would be perfect. I know they start real slow, and its a great program. Its not expensive, and includes a wheelmen membership which will quickly pay for itself in LBS discounts. More info. is here: http://www.sawheelmen.com/education.htm

[wackyjacky1]

Trisk: I got all excited reading about the Wheelmen rider education program, it sounded totally PERFECT for me...then I got to the part where it said the rides are on Sat. mornings. I work Sat. mornings. Bummer!!! Much sadness. But I might join the Wheelmen anyway.

Ah, well. I like the idea of just adding a mile here and there, or an extra loop around the neighborhood, so that's what I'll do. (In fact, I did that on my ride home from work today, and turned my 6-mile commute into a 10-mile commute. )

[tctrek]

These are all great suggestions that I have done most of. I'm still in the "too chicken to group/club ride"...yet. But, that one I am changing this season.

I broke the ice in doing my first group ride by riding at the back of the pack. I was more afraid of riding shoulder to shoulder with someone than anything else. So, I didn't mind being last... I let everyone take off ahead of me! I didn't draft anyone or join a pace line. I just rode my ride and it was great!

[SlowButSteady]

I ride a flex-loop. I can vary it from 8 miles to 22, without backtracking too much.

Sometimes I ride with a group but they LIE. They'll say, oh, we're tired, let's only go 20 miles and inevitably they tack 10 more on.

If I really needed to force myself to ride further, I'd have my husband take me off and put me out on the side of the road 30 miles from home so I have to ride back.

Come to think of it, that's how I did my first "big hill conquering" ride.

He set me out on the side of the road and I had to ride it (the big hill) in order to get home. It's like giving a horse his head on the way back to the barn.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Sometimes I ride with a group but they LIE.

Hahahahah! I remember one of the first mountain bike rides I did with the Dirt Chix led by my (now) friend Joy. It was a relentless climb- we're talking miles of steep fire roads. When we got to the top, she said, "It's all downhill from here." But we took a different route back. She lied.
I don't mind I am always that last one up the mountain. Probably 'cuz I'm one of the first down.

[MomOnBike]

Do you have someone to take you somewhere X miles away? Then you simply ride home. If you go out over the exact route it might help if you are worried about, um, "taking the scenic route" home. Take your cell phone as an electronic security blankie and you're good to go - that is, ride home.

Later, you can make the route an out-and-back or find a nice loop to add to it.

Oh, and make sure the drive out is INTO the wind. That increases the chances of a tailwind on the way home.