First Road Ride

[Tri'ing Hard]

Well, I did it. My very first road ride. I only did 12 miles, but it really wasn't too bad. There is actually more room on the shoulder of the road than I thought. There was only one area coming back that was somewhat difficult to maneuver, but I made it through. I was actually able to go a decent speed and heart rate. Maybe next week I'll go a little further.

[JanT]

Twelve miles is a good first adventure. If you'd done much more, you might have been sore--legs, bottom, hands, shoulders, they all can get sore if you do too much too soon. Have fun, but beware: bicycles are addicting!

[Biking Chick]

Congrat's on your first road ride Cheryl!

Consider yourself a roadie!



Cindy
Ride Like A Girl!

[Shimpie]

Kudos for you Cheryl!

I haven't had the courage to take my road bike into traffic yet. I don't have the same confidence as on my mountain bike, so I just keep to safe and boring trails. I guess it doesn't help that I'm also learning to the whole clipless thing too.

Weena

[llv24]

Does comfort with downhill speed come with time? I'm a complete beginner and will be doing my first tri (sprint) in October and I can't imagine cycling downhill as fast as I've seen experienced riders do. Any words of encouragement?

[trekchic]

HANG ON!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!



I rode downhill @ 33 mph last Fall on my 1st long distance ride. I was with a group of riders who've been riding for a long time and they forgot that I was new........I thought I'd die! But, one girl told me to feather the brakes, hold it steady and try not to yank on the brakes. It'll make you pop a tube if you heat up the rim by holding the brakes the entire time.

I loved it, btw........after I made it to the bottom and didn't die! haha!

[cyclingnewbie]

Tri'ing hard:

Congratulations on your first road ride! Now you're hooked like the rest of us. ;-) Twelve miles is a great first ride. You will be surprised at how quickly your distance increases as you become hooked on riding. Keep pedalin'!!

[Veronica]

Downhills use to make me nervous - until I did my first century. A corner snuck up on me and I went into it much faster than I would have liked. I had to lean over hard to make the turn. But I did it and gained a lot more confidence from it. I love going downhill now. Fast can be fun. But you have to trust yourself and your gear. My personal highs are 59 on the tandem, 45 on a road bike.


My advice - practice, practice, practice. Find a route with some decent downhills with some curves in it. Hopefully something without too much traffic. Don't be afraid to take the lane - especially if it's a curvy road. Having that full lane to manueveur in lets you pick a better line. Wear bright colors so the cars can see you.

Good luck!

Veronica

[hibiscus09]

I've still only gone 26mph downhill! I started riding last year -- around August. My sister, who was even more of a newbie cruised right by me, she says because she weighs more. LOL I have heard so many stories about people riding in the area near me with hills -- Ft. Jackson, S.C. -- falling and breaking hips, etc. I just don't wanna!! I need my hips! LOL

I am such a go getter with weightlifting but I still feel like I have a slight fear of my bike -- even after doing the MS150 last year -- and am training for it again. I wonder if it will ever go away.

[cyclingnewbie]

hibiscus09:

My opinion is that you should only do what you are comfortable with and enjoy. Otherwise, what's the point? I have been told that I need to get off the bike path and out on the roads, but every time I venture out, I am more stressed about the traffic and I don't enjoy the ride nearly as much. I prefer the scenic bikeways, so that's pretty much what I stick with. Go the speed you can handle. As long as you are riding and enjoying it, who cares how fast you go?

[hibiscus09]

I agree! I do a lot of bike path riding on Kiawah Island, S.C. and also on the neighborhood roads here.

I think I just need to get more assertive and join some of the rides of the local cycling club in the city where I live. I'm not too scared of the roadways, per say, although I would be choosy about where I ride. I'm amazed when I see cyclists riding on the two lane highways down here in the islands -- there's not much room to maneuvre and no shoulder area at all.

Anyway, there's nothing wrong with having healthy fears and I think I'll pass on the 40+mph downhills! Not knocking anyone brave enough to do those things -- it just isn't me!!

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by llv24
Does comfort with downhill speed come with time? I'm a complete beginner and will be doing my first tri (sprint) in October and I can't imagine cycling downhill as fast as I've seen experienced riders do. Any words of encouragement?

Downhill road tips:

Relax. Take a deep breath. Put your hands in the drops. Bend your elbows. Look ahead. Focus. Breath. Pedals at 12 and 6, weight on downward pedal, not on the saddle (if your downhill has curves you'll need to adjust your pedals; if you are not "pedalling through" just do one quick pedal stroke and make sure the outside pedal is in the 6 o'clock position). Breath. Elbows still bent? If you need to scrub speed tap your brakes (both front and rear) gently. Tap again if necessary. If you feel out of control, try schooching baaaack on your saddle. Tap the brakes. Breath. Be like water. Descending is a zen thing. Once you "get it" you will grow to love it.

[Veronica]

I love that description Pedalfaster! It's so true.

And hibiscus it took me a LOOOONG time to get comfortable going downhill. I don't want to crash (who does) so I'm pretty cautious on new roads. My fast times were on straight downhills with good sightlines and clean pavement.

Veronica

[hibiscus09]

LOL, Veronica -- you're my biking hero!! I wish I could see you in action! I'm so bold about some things as I've leg pressed 815lbs and squatted 215lbs -- I guess those seem slower to me --I've never had that need for speed. LOL!

Thanks for the tips, Pedalfaster! I felt like I was going so fast at 26mph! LOL That was an accomplishment for me. I'll keep your tips in mind!

[Veronica]

Wow! I wish I could get into the gym regularly to lift. I'd rather go ride.

That's some impressive weight! My goal use to be to squat what I weigh. I feel like a wimp now.

Veronica