I've had a mountain bike for a few years and have ridden it off and on. In the last several months I've stepped up my exercising effort (running & weights too) so I found myself riding the bike more and more, and started really looking forward to riding it. It quickly became my favorite form of exercise. I've been wanting to go longer distances, and I usually ride on the road, so recently I got a road bike. I absolutely love it, although I am still getting used to the different feel and I am still pretty timid going downhill.

I've mostly been sticking with familiar "safe" routes in and around my town. However, living on the central coast of CA, there are many beautiful roads I would love to explore on my bike. Many of them are in rural areas and have low traffic, but they also have no bike lane or shoulder. People tend to go 40 or 50mph or sometimes much faster if they can get away with it. It just doesn't seem safe. I know people ride their bikes on these roads all the time..... but how do you get over the fact that one driver failing to "share the road" could end your life? Family members sharing their fears about me getting hit are not helping). Please tell me how I can overcome my fear so I can get the most out of the beautiful area I live in.