Back and Afraid

[AZchick]

My greatest fear of falling always happened when I was stopping and that foot had to hit the ground with steadiness and just at the right time. There are videos online that show you how to to this. But it really just takes practice, to 'get the feel'. I had my seat quite low to begin with and raised it a teeny bit at a time. You'll do it!!! Take your time and have fun meanwhile!

[redrhodie]

I was very scared at first. I was hit by a car door when I was 14, and didn't get right back on the bike (I was in my mid 30s when I really started riding again, and I'm 43 now). So, I had some issues to work through.

If you have a bike path, use it. Try to go when there aren't a lot of people, I find the middle of a work day is usually perfect. I rode one bike path back and forth until I knew every crack in the pavement. I rode for a couple of years with my seat too low, just so I could put my feet on the ground. Raising it the the proper height was done in increments, as I was ready. I did everything that way, as I was ready. I'd let myself master a skill, then I'd work on the next one. There's a lot to learn. You don't need to do it all in a day. I should add, I never fell, well, not until 2 years ago, cornering too aggressively on sand. Let's say, I've come a long way. After my fall, I felt totally pumped up, and excited. It wasn't as bad as I'd feared at all.

Oh, and if I could do it, you can do it.

[karatemomLisa]

Thanks!

[linzq]

I just wanted to say thank you for this post and for all the helpful replies!

I'm a total newbie to road riding (just bought my bike this week -- a new 2011 Cannondale CAAD10 with Shimano 105 - and I adore it)!!!!

I've done a little bit of gentle suburban & bike path riding on my mountain bike (a handful of times over the last 10 years), and then I started spinning classes last year. I loved the more aggressive position, and decided to get a road bike to be able to join my partner and his friends who go out riding together.

And now I have a bike and a whole bunch of fear around getting used to it - so thanks for the beautiful words that help to chill me out a bit. It's nice to think about this as a learning curve that will get easier over time. PHEW!

My plan is to start on the trainer (no traffic!) and get used to the new position plus unclipping -- then to move to gentle bike paths...

I am so glad to have found a forum of like-minded ladies and mentors!!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Another great place to practice I found was the empty parking lots of my local schools, on Sundays especially. Great wide open place to practice starting and stopping, figure 8's, etc.

[Catrin]

When I was learning how to ride a year ago, once I was comfortable enough to leave the parking lots I was practicing in, I found a local park to drive my bike to practice in. You may, or may not, have a similar opportunity, but I found it very helpful and encouraging.

Because of the very low speed-limit the car traffic wasn't intimidating, and I could see other cyclists far enough away that I could move over. I am quite sure they could tell I was a newbie so they gave me plenty of room I eventually increased enough in confidence that I started riding my country roads, but I stayed in the confines of that park for well over a month just getting comfortable. Thankfully I was able to put together something like a 6.5 mile loop out of it so that helped.

[Roadtrip]

When I was learning how to ride a year ago, once I was comfortable enough to leave the parking lots I was practicing in, I found a local park to drive my bike to practice in.

This is exactly what I did! I had a small closed loop trail of about two miles that I would practice on once I left my parking lot... then moved up to the six mile trail that had hills and various other challenges to it, but still a closed loop so no cars, but I did have to content with walkers, bikers, and dogs on leashes that really freaked me out as I visualized small puffball critter meeting spokes on a bike wheel every time I passed one.

Shannon

[linzq]

Welcome to TE!

And that's a great choice in bicycles

Thanks, I love it and can't wait to get out there to ride. It's raining today, which I hope will melt away all the snow and salt!