July 9th Bike Rides

[hibiscus09]

hibiscus, I think I rode there... I did not like it either!!!

My legs are still aching!

[jeannierides]

Well, my ride was less than successful. My bf and I went out for our Sunday morning ride before I have to go to work. We came to a stopsign at a pretty busy road (out in the country - no redlights), and I slowed so we could clear. I thought he was clearing to the left and I cleared to the right, but I never heard him say anything except stop stop! By that time I had rolled too far into the road - I thought - to clip out without falling into the middle of the road, and so I just sped up & crossed right in front of a pickup truck! Stupid stupid. I just panicked and almost got myself killed. Of course when I pulled off to stop, my bf was all over me. I told him I just couldn't do it, so we turned around and went back. It seems every time I ride I'm getting less and less confident - more afraid of the traffic, and making careless mistakes. Of course he's pissed off, and I'm thinking I should just go back to jogging!

[salsabike]

Jeanne, don't quit! You might need instead to develop your own approach to things like stop signs, if BF's aren't working comfortably for you. Like, each of you could clear L and R just for yourselves. And...maybe you could tell him later, when everyone's cooled off, that it would be more helpful if he...whatever would work better for you.

We did our last big tandem ride today before next Saturday's STP. 60 miles around Lake WA, which we have now done so often that it feels fairly easy. How exciting that we've gotten to that stage! Just wish I had another month to do the kind of high-mileage weeks we've done for the last few weeks. KnottedYet, she of the sharp eyes, spotted us again on the trail going past TiCycles, and yelled out "Salsa!"---so we got to meet in person, and I got to pat her new Brooks B 67. Yay! TE ride to come after STP (Mimi, glad your knee is OK). Anyway, gorgeous day, no wind to speak of, great ride.

Fredwina, those pics of your ride are gorgeous!

[KnottedYet]

Well, Salsa, when we have the TE ride after STP you can ride the B67! I noticed the Frogs in the stoker position, and that's what's on my Kona, so you should feel right at home! MimiTabby and Quillfred are right.... Brooks are faaaabulous!

[Duck on Wheels]

Jeanne, don't quit! You might need instead to develop your own approach to things like stop signs, if BF's aren't working comfortably for you. Like, each of you could clear L and R just for yourselves. And...maybe you could tell him later, when everyone's cooled off, that it would be more helpful if he...whatever would work better for you.

I agree. Communication is complicated, not least within a close relationship. Keep the riding simple. Each look both ways. Each also warn the other (like calling out bumps, gravel, cars approaching) but don't assume that what hasn't been called isn't there. And if you're feeling extra nervous now, maybe find a quiet road/park/bike trail for the next few rides to regain your confidence, practice clipping and unclipping, and so on. The more aspects you feel you can do more or less automatically, the more of your attention you can give to aspects that can't be automated -- like watching the traffic.