Tolerence for high traffic volumes

[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