Can we be thought by our SO??? Help.....

[FreshNewbie]

This weekend I wanted to ride with a club on Sunday, so I went on a short ride in the part with my SO on saturday as a warmup since it's a first ride this season. To make the story shorter, there was on C or B ride on sunday and I ended up riding with my bf again, but this time we went in the streets. I will admit that Yes I did start riding last year, and Yes i am still not 100% comfortable with clipless pedals and stopping-starting at stops. However, I do try my best to relax and ride my best. Since we were riding in the streets, traffic was pretty heavy, and my bf started to panic because he was afraid that I will get hurt. Anyway, I managed to come to a stop unclip both feet and got stock and clipped in again on my left foot. Down and Down I went right next to a passing 35 mph car ( gotta say seeing car passing so close to me was not so exciting). I was not very scared because I am prepared to fall and I know i can get up and ride. But my bf told me that he thinks that I should reconsider riding a bike, that I am too scared and uncomfortable on it. What do I do??? Am I really doomed to give it up, or anyone out there experienced the same thing? Or the fact that I am still learning in my second season is a BAD sign>??? HELP

[mtkitchn]

Don't let BF make you uncomfortable or scared! Sounds like BF is very protective. If YOU feel uncomfortable, just practice clipping and unclipping in a parking lot or something, but make sure BF knows that you are comfortable with riding in the streets and that although you are happy he's there for you, you aren't going to quit riding!!! And don't let anyone's doubt about your abilities scare you into performing below the level you can perform. You'll get it!!!!

[Running Mommy]

yep, don't give up.. I see that you live in Bayside- Queens right?? I'm trying to think of an area that's somewhat traffic free..hmm... Heck, to bad you couldn't take the bike over to the city and ride central park. It would get you used to dodging people- pretend they are cars (kids are mini coopers )...
But yeah, I don't think you should give up. Just try to ride when traffic is a bit lighter- early am on weekends perhaps. And I'm thinking that if *he* is making you nervous, then maybe you should leave him at home until you get a bit more confident. It sounds like his energy is freaking you out...
Good luck! Hey, I kNOW you can do it!!!

[Trekhawk]

But yeah, I don't think you should give up. Just try to ride when traffic is a bit lighter- early am on weekends perhaps. And I'm thinking that if *he* is making you nervous, then maybe you should leave him at home until you get a bit more confident. It sounds like his energy is freaking you out...
Good luck! Hey, I kNOW you can do it!!!

Running Mommy is right try to pick a time when there will be less traffic. You will find it less stressful and your confidence will increase. I always found early Sunday morning to be a good time.
Dont give up - you can do it.

[allabouteva]

Hi FreshNewbie,

Your SO sounds like a sweetie. He's obviously crazy in lerve, as he's so nervous about you getting hurt.

Is he risk averse? It seems that you're more confident about your ability then he is. I'd do what the other ladies suggest, more practice on clipping and unclipping, finding time to ride when there's less traffic. Maybe a weekend biking trip outside the city?

I'd just try and reassure SO that you're fine and in control. And DON'T give up something that you love to do!!!

[FreshNewbie]

Thank you all for your awsome support, it really did help a lot. I def. will not give up riding. I guess I do need a little more practice with stops somewhere where there's less traffic, but it was not that bad yesterday. I think if I knew the route and were there on my own or with someone other than my SO I would be fine. Allabouteva is right, my bf is less confident in me than I am, and thats because he is worried that I will get hurt, and he has a huge responsibility for me. Ahhh men , love them or hate them. Well, since we are there, have anyone went on a ride with a club, I am wondering now that I am not that great at all that stop and start stuff, can I still show up with C group and ride with them? Or i have to do it on my own a little more?

Thanks again

[Crankin]

I would be comfortable with clipping and unclipping before going on a group ride. I am a ride leader for a recreational club (i.e. non competitive). I would expect that someone coming on a ride, even a beginner ride would be comfortable with whatever pedal system s/he had, along with shifting, braking, etc. Safety is a major concern on group rides, and in order to enjoy the experience, you should be comfortable. Practice early on a Sunday morning. There's no need to unclip with both feet. Leave your strongest leg clipped in, so you can push off with that one when you start. Make sure you gear down before you stop, so starting again won't be too hard.
I give you credit for riding in a city environment!

[Robbin_G]

I would disagree about waiting to be comfortable in your shoes before a group ride, you just have to find the right group. No pacelining, etc. (Yikes! I don't think I'll ever do that...) I've gotten quite a bit of help about clipless from being with others.

Try to get into CP when you can but yes, pedestrians are almost worse than cars because they think cyclists can manuver faster than they can walk. And dont get me started on dog leashes.

NYC Cycling map is here: http://www.transalt.org/info/maps.html

Go on all the "smiley face" rides with the 5bbc. Those are the very recreational rides. http://www.5bbc.org/rides.shtml

It's too late for this year, already started AND filled early, but join the NYCC and do the C-SIG (special interest group) next year. You will NOT get dropped. I was quite slow last week and someone stayed with me the whole time. I did choose to move to a slower group this past Sat though. We started the day with how to change a tire, simple maint. and had pizza. My group then rode from Central Park to the GW Bridge and were taught how to take a bike on an escalator. (Who knew there was technique for that.) Unfortunately, the Port Authority police saw a bunch of bikes and made us go outside. (Think RNC convention problems.) It was late and going to rain so we did not go into NJ.

http://nycc.org/rides_sig_c.shtml

*****The C SIG is for beginners and uncertain intermediates who seriously want to have fun. Maybe you haven’t been on a bicycle much since you were a kid. Or you’d like to do more than circle the park, but don’t know what to do about it. Here’s what to do: Join a group of fun-loving, relatively easygoing riders for bicycle day trips that start small, but will eventually have you confidently doing 50 miles or more into the countryside and back in a day. 50-plus miles? Yes, that’s you we’re talking to—and you can so do it. Just wait until you actually manage your 65-mile graduation ride in May!****

[Robbin_G]

Thank you all for your awsome support, it really did help a lot. I def. will not give up riding. I guess I do need a little more practice with stops somewhere where there's less traffic, but it was not that bad yesterday. I think if I knew the route and were there on my own or with someone other than my SO I would be fine. Allabouteva is right, my bf is less confident in me than I am, and thats because he is worried that I will get hurt, and he has a huge responsibility for me. Ahhh men , love them or hate them. Well, since we are there, have anyone went on a ride with a club, I am wondering now that I am not that great at all that stop and start stuff, can I still show up with C group and ride with them? Or i have to do it on my own a little more?

Thanks again

For NYCC C rides, you have to go ride the CP loop 4 times to get "timed". And no, you can't skip that nasty, short hill at 110th. Then you look at thier chart and see what your speed was, then pick a C ride with a slightly slower speed. Email the leader and tell them it's your first ride. All C rides keep at least a bikes length apart and will "take a lane" when available.

I don't know how I sound so smart, I just started getting serious this year too.

[FreshNewbie]

RobbinG you do sound smart :-) Thanks for the links I added them to my favorites. There is a short paved path next to my house about 3 miles maybe, I guess i can practice on it. My problem is not clipping in or out, it's more a fear of the traffic. But living in NY its something you have to deal with if you want to ride. I actually called Huntington club, and spoke with a C ride leader, who informed me that he will def. show me and teach me riding in the streets. It's 14-17mph on average ride, I can average 18 mph so I guess i should be fine with that for sure. It always amazes me when i see roadies in Manhattan, riding between yellow cabs and buses. Well thanks again

[ccnyc]

I agree with Robbin_G... learn while you ride with others. I started seriously biking about 2.5 yrs. ago and joined the NYCC and did the CSIG. It has made me a much better, more confident rider. (I'm doing the BSIG this year.) Since the CSIG has already started, look for C rides listed on the NYCC website that you might be interested in. You do not need to be a member to do these rides. Also, starting in May or June the NYCC has several events to welcome new riders... the "Newcomers Ride" and "All-Class Ride". Each offers several C level rides of varying distance and speed (and have pretty good food at lunch, too).

An NYCC C level ride never drops anyone, will help you change a flat or fix any mechanical problem, stops fairly often for pit stops and generally takes care of you!

Central Park is the best place to hone your biking skills, so get on the subway or drive in and park near the park... just ride (earlier in the day is best)!

Carol

[Crankin]

I didn't mean to sound snotty! I know that I would not have been comfortable on a group ride, if I was unsure of some of my skills. The rides I lead are FUN. There are social and recreational, at speeds of 13-16 mph. Sometimes there's a slower group. We stop for lunch and other things. We don't do pacelines (well, maybe lines, but not pacelines). I rode a lot with others in small groups (2-4) before I went on a group ride. That built up my confidence.

If "C" level is 18 mph, then I would be a C rider! While I certainly ride that speed on the flats for short amounts of time, my average is more like 14-16.

[Robbin_G]

Yeah, the C-SIG is so great! There is a former pro racer guy leading the slowest group of beginning riders. I'm lucky to have him as I am the only one with Campy shifters! (I tend to squeeze the brakes on Shimanos instead of pushing the lever over....not a good time.)

And yes, Im posting a lot today because I am in my last month of a graduate program that I should have never enrolled in and I'm avoiding homework. :-) It's almost over! I may have a couple of C's this semester....but I don't think I care!

[FreshNewbie]

I dont think anyone thought that you sounded snotty Robyn, every opinion was very much appreciated. I must say i spent the whole day at work researching this stuff, and having TE girls recommend something really helped. I dont think i have a problem with getting clipped in or getting clipped out. I have a problem with dealing with traffic, I sort of zone out, and have a hard time to move when the greel light goes on.

Although, something that i found out yesterday about my clipless Speedplays, that they tend to clip back in. Does anyone else have the same problem? Maybe mine are not tight enough? and i need to tighten the clit ?

Marina

[FreshNewbie]

Robbin G, I am posting a lot today because apparently i care more about riding than working can you blame me. I guess i really missed out on C-SIG groups ! I am dissapointed now, i read about it on NYCC sounds awsome.