New and Getting Overwhelmed

[marni]

as far as clothing- a jersey since it will have rear pockets into which you can stuff your wallet and id, cell phone, a nutrition bar etc. My preference is for jerseys with three pockets, full length zipper and scereaming bright colors for visibility. You might also want to consider a flasher or safety light of some sort. I have a blinking white light front and a blinking red light in the rear both of which are visible in daylight. You might also want to consider an under seat tool bag for your spare tire, tool kit, tire levers and inflation kit or failing an inflation kit, a frame pump, and a patch kit along with a couple of any of the following as a tire boot to cover a hole in case that is the cause of a flat: a folded dollar bill, and empty gu packet, a small piece of tire tube slit open, or anything which will cover the hole firmly enough to prevent the tube from pressing through from the inside. If you don't like riding with bulky pockets, you can get a so called bento box or small pouch which velcros to the top tube just in behind the handlebars. If and when I use one, it holds my gu, shot blocks a right bar and my camera.

incidentally, my motto is 3 pockets good to go.

[Melalvai]

For getting over fear of traffic, I recommend taking Traffic Skills 101 from the League of American Bicyclists. You can find out if anyone is teaching that in your area at this website. If not, check for instructors in your area and let them know you are interested in the class. Sometimes they don't have anything scheduled because they don't know anyone is interested.

[MrsSmith]

I'd never heard of that. Thanks! I'll check it out.

For getting over fear of traffic, I recommend taking Traffic Skills 101 from the League of American Bicyclists. You can find out if anyone is teaching that in your area at this website. If not, check for instructors in your area and let them know you are interested in the class. Sometimes they don't have anything scheduled because they don't know anyone is interested.

[MrsSmith]

For getting over fear of traffic, I recommend taking Traffic Skills 101 from the League of American Bicyclists. You can find out if anyone is teaching that in your area at this website. If not, check for instructors in your area and let them know you are interested in the class. Sometimes they don't have anything scheduled because they don't know anyone is interested.

Thanks! I looked it up but there's nothing remotely close. It's odd. I live in a major metropolitan area but it's reallly not bike friendly at all. Very frustrating. I've watched several YouTube videos, though, and that has been helpful.

[MrsSmith]

I bought my bike!

I got a Fuji...um...something (sorry, it's not in front of me and I dont' remember). It's an entry level model and it feels good.

I went back to the store and rode several more, this time outside (instead of just inside the shop) and this one was it for me. Of course I spent a bunch of money on other stuff, too, but now I'm pretty well outfitted and ready to ride!

And.....it's raining.

The other good news is that I found out that there's a brand new paved bike trail right by my house. It's only about 8 miles long, but it's a great place for me to start and I can ride straight there (if I'll brave the traffice on the incredibly busy road I have to take to get there).

Anyway, thanks for everyone's help! I'm excited to start.

[Owlie]

I bought my bike!

I got a Fuji...um...something (sorry, it's not in front of me and I dont' remember). It's an entry level model and it feels good.

I went back to the store and rode several more, this time outside (instead of just inside the shop) and this one was it for me. Of course I spent a bunch of money on other stuff, too, but now I'm pretty well outfitted and ready to ride!

And.....it's raining.

The other good news is that I found out that there's a brand new paved bike trail right by my house. It's only about 8 miles long, but it's a great place for me to start and I can ride straight there (if I'll brave the traffice on the incredibly busy road I have to take to get there).

Anyway, thanks for everyone's help! I'm excited to start.

Woohoo! Pictures? We like pictures.

[OakLeaf]

Yay! Hope it dries out soon!

[murielalex]

Ditto on the congrats and need for pics! Enjoy your new ride!

[colorisnt]

Congrats! Yes, pictures. And yeah, trails are an awesome way to get to know your own bike without the worry and stress of traffic. They are a great way to interval train, too. Which 16 miles RT is pretty perfect for!

Another great way to learn traffic skills is to go and ride with a slower non-competitive group of people to help "socialize". If you let them know that you are new to riding and are okay with new riders (some groups will say they are non-competitive and then expect you to have ridden in groups forever, it's weird), they will definitely make you feel more confident about traffic. I've been a road rider for most of my childhood and adult life but riding with more experienced road riders really helped me plan safe routes and made me feel more confident. Joining a club is invaluable, IMO. You just have to find on that works. Not all are created equal but once you've found a group that works, it's awesome