When to "graduate"?

[Swan]

I live in the woods too. I would strongly recommend that you either ride out the same way you'd take your car out, walk your bike down your lane, or drive to the end and park by your mailbox. I'm not sure how long your lane is, but however long and steep it is, it's got to be safer and less technical than what you describe!

Thanks, but I mean that the roads themselves past my mailbox are paved with washed out dirt until you reach the "city" part of the town which is half an hour's drive away. There is a stretch of paved road between here and there, but the access is too narrow to park on the side of the road so I can bike solely on that stretch. I bike the same paths I drive, but for some reason it's a little more frightening on a bike than in a car. Thanks for the tip on the brakes Wish I'd have known that as a ten year old.


Irulan, Yes, I always push both brakes simultaneously when trying to stop. Nope, haven't had any knee problems whatsoever. I've opened the MTB forums and will read all I can. I'll take the bike in to adjust it to the proper height when I no longer feel terrified of doing so.


Indysteel It just seems odd to me and came as a huge surprise that people's feet aren't supposed to touch the ground when cycling. In my town, everyone rides with their feet available for emergency stops/catches, and I've not ever seen anyone who doesn't aside from video clips of professional cycling races. It's certainly been interesting learning all these things on this forum.