I started road biking again after a 20+ year absence last Fall. My husband started me slow. We would meet at a state park near our house. The park gave me a low traffic area with all the basic elements I would eventually encounter on the country roads around my home. I feel that the park was superior to using a parking lot for this reason. Keep in mind that I still rode a mountain bike all the years I was without a road bike. I did not start from square one.

My first two times out I used platform pedals. Then I got used to my pedals in the park. After that we ventured out on the "real" road just outside the park to extend the ride.

Once I felt confident, we headed out on the "real" roads right out of our driveway. We are blessed to live in the country. The city dwellers have to drive to a park on the edge of town to bypass the traffic and ride on the roads around us.

Now, I go out on my own. I like to be seen so I use front and rear Blackburn Fleas on the flicker setting. I shy away from clothing options that blend in with the surroundings. No green, blue or earthy colors. I prefer hot pink because I have a theory that drivers will be even more careful if they know a rider is female. It's my little delusion but it makes me feel more confident which translates to steadier bike handling.

When my husband, who has been a rider for 20+ years, asks me what color he should get in a jersey or jacket, my standard answer is "does it come in hi-vis?"

Some things my husband and I do to compensate for the disparity in our riding levels...
He goes out for a long ride and comes by the house and I take a shorter loop with him.
We leave together the day after he has had a long training ride and just wants an easy spin.
He takes the lead and I draft the entire ride. If I get dropped on a hill, he doubles back and climbs the hill again or sprints.
We make sure our ride includes a road with a 7 mile stretch of flat rollers that even I can maintain 20+mph on.

I wish we had a bike handling class in our area. I would definitely take one if there were.

I wish I could say that road biking is completely safe. But it is not, just like so many other activities that humans choose to participate in. I have a crazy husband and two boys, I have had a kept a mindset that risk is part of the equation when you choose to do these things. My guys did motocross for years and I can't count the times people asked me why I let my boys do it. I felt sorry for the kids with parents with that type of attitude.

My 17 year old son has just started road biking. I rode with him for the first time this past Saturday. I admit that I prayed a lot but I was also thrilled to be out there with him.

Get out there, develop your riding skills, you will soon get comfortable and suddenly find yourself loving your time on the road.