I had a 1977 Schwinn Le Tour (10 speed road bike) about 35 years ago. I ride it from ages 13-20. I have not ridden a bike with drop bars since then (since 1984). I have a flat bar hybrid now that I really like, but am thinking to test ride some dropped bar bikes. I am very nervous about that since I haven't ridden in so long and I've never even shifted modern road bike gears before. Portland has literally maybe 100 bike shops yet not all of them have trainers for me to "practice" in the shop prior to actually going out on a test ride. I don't have any friends with drop bar bikes that I could borrow. So....how can I test ride either a road or cyclo-cross bike and feel comfortable & safe?

I am certain I'm not the only person in this situation.

Thanks.