Tolerence for high traffic volumes

[Catrin]

Had a "duh" moment when I woke up this morning. Of course I feel slow starting up at red lights and stop signs. I don't stand on the bike yet - at all. So of course I get across somewhat more slowly than a more experienced cyclist who is standing on the pedals to get across more quickly.

Am not about to even try this until I return to clipping in...

[OakLeaf]

Am not about to even try this until I return to clipping in...

Seriously, there's no reason to wait, and you'll likely feel much more secure learning to stand when you're NOT clipped in. Just make sure that you're not wearing slippery shoes and that you don't try it for the first time when it's wet and your pedals will be slippery.

How about trying this:

First, just practice standing up while you coast. Get the feel of how your weight is distributed between your handlebars and your pedals.

Then when you're ready to try pedaling while standing, find a larger lawn or a sports field that's not in use (wait for a day when it hasn't rained in a while, so you don't tear up the grass). Get going your usual way on the pavement, then ride onto the grass (use the wheelchair ramp if there's a curb). If you tip over on soft grass, it's much less likely that you or your bike will get hurt - plus the less even surface will help develop your skills. Lots of people do skills drills on grass.

HTH...

[Catrin]

Seriously, there's no reason to wait, and you'll likely feel much more secure learning to stand when you're NOT clipped in. Just make sure that you're not wearing slippery shoes and that you don't try it for the first time when it's wet and your pedals will be slippery.

Good idea, I will do this! I've been holding off because I figured I would feel more secure if I was attached to my bike. I've been planning on doing a few grass drills before the mountain bike clinic anyway.

What does "HTH" mean? I've come up with some amusing interpretations of that, but probably not it

[OakLeaf]

Hope That Helps.

[Espresso]

Are you shifting down to the right gear before stopping? Just checking, because that can make it harder to get going quickly after a stop.

[Catrin]

Are you shifting down to the right gear before stopping? Just checking, because that can make it harder to get going quickly after a stop.

Shifting isn't the problem - it is an experience issue, not a mechanical As Indy so correctly pointed out, since I ride on empty country roads much of the time, I am just not accustomed to dealing with red lights and higher traffic volumes - and my starting method is somewhat....unorthodox... I DO tend to start in a relatively heavy gear by preference, which isn't a problem as long as I don't have to start going up-hill.

So am dealing with it by incorporating slightly more traveled routes in my long rides each week, and trying not to finesse red lights so I must stop. I am quite good it finessing what lights I do have on my routes so I don't have to. No, I do not run them, I just slow down or speed up in order to get a green or turning signal when I get there

Time to go ride my lovely new bike