Quote Originally Posted by linzq View Post
Ok, I had a rather embarrassing day yesterday...

I bought my first roadbike in February, and yesterday was the first day I got to ride it outside with my partner (experienced road cyclist & racer).

So we get kitted up, and I'm SO excited, and we get downstairs and outside, and I just can't do it. I have no idea what happened, but I freaked out and started crying. I've never done that before, and I'm just not normally that kind of person. Rock climbing? No problem. New adventures? Bring it on. So it was a really new and odd experience for me.

We went back inside, and end result was we put me on the trainer for 40 minutes and did some drills. I got used to my new position, how to shift gears, and even tried the brakes a couple of times.

I think I just had too many new-to-me things going on:

  • starting/stopping when my feet don't touch the ground
  • brakes that don't give the same 'feedback' as MTB brakes, so I feel like they don't really work
  • new (more aggressive) position
  • new bike
  • clipless pedals (I had them for 3 rides on my MTB last summer)
  • traffic!


So now, I'm feeling good that I'll be able to get outside on my bike this week, but I don't want a repeat of yesterday. My partner already feels that he pressured me into buying a bike that's too much for me. Ack! He's been nothing but supportive, and it was totally and completely me that pushed to get me a road bike!

Any suggestions? Hugs? Words of advice or stories of how you were just brave and conquered your fears?

Thanks for the help. I know I can do this, and already did another 20 min on the trainer this morning. I just need a little positive reinforcement.
As others have said, that is a whole lotta stuff to bite off in one sitting!

I give you tremendous credit for attempting it. Hugs, empathy and mucho support coming your way! There should be no shame in trying all those things at once it's only a lesson that you can take advantage of. The advice so far is good and should be followed.
  1. ditch the clipless pedals
  2. lower the seat
  3. practice in a "safe environment", not traffic
  4. have fun
  5. you bought a bike to have fun
  6. fun should be the primary objective
  7. other goals will follow if this is fun; if it isn't fun you won't have the ambition to try new things.


and welcome to the forums at TE!