My ride's gone ka-blooey

[natheless]

latelatebloomer - much excellent advice above, and sending positive vibes your way ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~

you'll be back to your blooming in no time...




Wendy - I really liked this...

misfortune is often the result of random caprice

best regards.../julia

[bcipam]

As someone whose also had her share of bad crashes (and some of which I don't remember which I agree is a good thing) I just don't ride like I use to. I ride more cautiously and am not willing to take certain risks. I'm old and frankly just don't relish having to go back through disability and surgery again. BUT... I never stopped riding. OK yes I stopped when I physically was not able, but once approved to return to the bike I was back on. I took it easy. I didn't try to do too much until I as ready. While mountain biking, if I got scared, I walked. I didn't let anyone bully me into doing something I didn't want to do. It's taken some time but my confidence is returning. I'm even taking some risks on my mountain bike. Bottom line work on skills, don't push to much but get on your bike and ride. Only way to get back in and on the saddle! Hang in there, the fear will lessen and the joy will return.

[latelatebloomer]

You are all so super! I just LOVE having this kind of support!! (can I post an OT thread the next time I send a manuscript out? )

I checked my tires tonight. The front is (Pararacer)700x23c, back (Continental2000) 700x25c. The other set I have are (Michelin)700x25c - but that's same as my back tire and only 2c wider than the front. The spare set seems new or newer with a touch more tread - the tires I have now seem very slick to me (but my other bike is a hybrid.)

So, the original question was, would wider tires give more more stability (and now, confidence) as I get through this first season on a road bike? What do you all think? If it helps with the equation, this is a Giant OCR3, I think the size is a small, and I am about 5'5" and a muscular size 18-ish. Not a gifted child in terms of balance or coordination. I spaz easily.

[Duck on Wheels]

My 2c: You know you can ride on skinny tires, but if you would feel more comfortable on wider ones then you could probably have just about the same speed on wider slicks. They'd be a bit more stable, less likely to tip you over just for a little crack or pebble in the road. I'm on substantially wider slicks now and thinking of working my way down as I gain confidence -- this thanks to the advice of a couple of experts: my sister and her lbs-owner, Chris Robinson (bike mechanic to the "gods"). Anyways ... go with what feels good. Try some wider tires and if it re-boosts your confidence then problem solved.

[tulip]

The widest you can probably go on your current rims are 700x25. If you want to bump it up to 700x28 or 700x35, you'll likely have to buy a new set of wheels with wider rims.

[latelatebloomer]

Hey, everyone, I rode ten miles today on the road bike - it was a much better ride. I'm still spooky here and there, but not nearly as bad, and I felt SO good the rest of the day. I'll be back on the Swallow tomorrow for another "recovery ride." The future is looking rosier! Here's a few notes that might help anyone else who finds themselves in the same predicament after a fall.

1) I called a LBS with a minor tire question. The owner and I chatted a bit - he's been in on my whole transformation to rider - and when he heard about my fall, he insisted I bring the bike in RIGHT AWAY. (The bike club guys gave it a once-over before they put me back on it after the fall - said it was ok. DH and I are mechanical ninnies, so we took their word for it.) Both of my wheels were just faintly bent, and front AND back brakes were a little cattywampus, too!! I think part of my discomfort trying to ride again might have been The Swallow telegraphing that things weren't quite right. The wobbliness I thought was my shaky arms was not just me. So, new riders, if you take a bad fall, have a mechanic give your bike the all-clear.

2) That mechanical all-clear will give you more confidence when you take those first few scary rides.

3) Even after the 2 weeks of tiny, shaky rides, today I was the strongest I've been yet on some long gradual inclines that had me groaning or even stopping. Well, hush my mouth!

4)My riding mantra today to help me lighten up was "like a song." It seemed to help, so borrow freely. (Oh, except for hills - then I switch to "you're not so big!")

So, onward, with a big debt owed to my TE crew.

[Geonz]

Yay for the LBS... you *bet* it would have felt different and squirrelly. Yay for riding ten miles :-)