TRAFFIC! stop lights! lions! tigers! okay......

[IGGY]

Hi guys-took the new bike out again today and rode a little bit in traffic. At the second light, I freaked out because I put my hands where "normally" the brakes are, (not in the drops) and ended up doing the fred flinstone drag your feet stop. Thank GOD I was not clipped in, I gave up on that for the moment.
The rest of the ride, I was cautious, rode with the traffic, stayed on the path, used the shoulder if it was large, kept a lot of distance if not, and generally said "snap out of it and pay attention" which did me a world of good.
Luckily I live in an area where there are a TON of paths, and most don't have any traffic.
I looked like a complete ***, but god afterwards I felt so great about myself, because I was definitely outside my comfort zone. 8 miles and I didn't die. Which doesn't sound huge...but to me, it definitely was.
I had a smile plastered on my face all day.

[Southside Sally]

Congratulations, that is great!

I went outside my zone on Sunday, too. I have been riding with a group since April, and have logged about 600 miles so far, mostly on country roads. Yesterday, I wanted to go out by myself, and measured a 20 mile loop which included about 5 miles of fairly heavily trafficked (is that a word?) highway. It was 9:30 in the morning, so traffic wasn't bad, but I was so proud of myself that I was able to do the loop and enjoy it.

Keep on riding!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Doing GREAT, Iggy.
Just do little rides until you feel more comfortable. Every day you'll get more confident and more skilled, and things won't seem so scary.

[Jolt]

Great job! I remember feeling the same way the first few times I rode on the busy streets around town. The more you ride in traffic, the more comfortable you'll get. Just make sure you're highly visible and don't assume drivers see you.

[BarbaraAlys]

IGGY Wrote: but god afterwards I felt so great about myself, because I was definitely outside my comfort zone. 8 miles and I didn't die. Which doesn't sound huge...but to me, it definitely was.
I had a smile plastered on my face all day.


I remember when I was out doing 7mph and thought "Oh god help me! This is too fast!!!!"...lol

You are doing great, especially after having a rough start. Just keep at it.

Barbara

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I remember when I was out doing 7mph and thought "Oh god help me! This is too fast!!!!"...lol

I remember that too! And putting the brakes on like all the time!