New road rider in PA

[TsPoet]

Welcome!
Just make sure you have fun. If riding on the road makes you nervous, choose your first ride wisely - to make sure it's fun. If you have a low-vehicle route, or a bike trail, whatever, use it.
You also might consider getting a book like _The art of urban cycling_ to give you some pointers.
Let us know how your first ride goes.

[Slk41]

Thanks for the book suggestion. Reading about other's experiences on here has helped a lot too. Sometimes I don't think my dh really understood the terror that comes over me facing a steep descent, especially when rocky, so I have been lurking here for a few weeks and it has made a difference already in my approach as well as how I communicate it to him. I no longer feel weak (he never made me feel that way, I just couldn't understand why it was so hard for me if it was so natural to him!) but I feel like it's just something I need to conquer and the fear of trying has kept me down too long!! I will choose a good low-traffic place for my first road ride. I am very comfortable on the bike trails with my regular bike so it's just the matter of moving that comfort to a new bike and new terrain.

[Slk41]

Thanks! I felt like it rambled a bit but that's me, lol! This forum really has been a great source of info as well as inspiration. I never would have had the courage to even go out on the road because I thought I was the only one who had fears, etc. Knowing it's fairly normal made me realize that I'm okay and it's okay to be cautious but I can still be out there! I even let dh buy my clipless pedals - a HUGE concession - for my rail trail bike. They are clipless on one side and flat on the other so I'm not overwhelmed but I'm getting there....