New Road Bike Rider

[Owlie]

Here's a secret: My first road bike ride was terrifying. Really. And I fell. I took a chunk out of the bar tape one time, and put a deep scratch in a seat stay another (through clear coat, paint, and into the metal!)

Don't listen to the bike shop. Take the clipless pedals off and take the time to get used to the bike. Road bikes feel twitchy and wobbly for the first 10, 20, 30...miles, especially at those low speeds, and even more so if you're tense. Find an empty, flat parking lot, and just ride around. Practice stopping, starting, turning... I understand: It's new and unfamiliar and that can be scary. (I'm the same way.)

On the saddle height: It's supposed to be better for your knees and energy output. However, if it's really freaking you out this much, draw a line in permanent marker on the seatpost just above that "collar", then drop it enough to where you feel comfortable, or ask your husband or the bike shop to do it. As you get used to the bike, you can gradually raise it. (Also, there's a good chance your knees will find out how uncomfortable it is. )

PS: It took me nearly a YEAR to make the jump to clipless pedals. You don't need TWO learning curves going on at the same time.