[hamster-bamster]

On Sunday I will bring my new road bike from the shop. I do not have a car and the bike will give me freedom and mobility beyond what public transit affords me now. Eventually - maybe in a week or so - I will begin commuting my bike, which will add to my daily exercise, which is a very good thing.

But I am afraid of falling or colluding with a car or another biker. I am not very coordinated and I have fears. Will I overcome them?

I hope so Are you new to biking?

[hamster-bamster]

Well, I biked a lot through childhood and adolescence... but I have never had a proper road bike before.

[unaluna]

I am fearful also. I smacked my head just sampling bikes. do you have a helmet? have you reviewed the rules ie city and state - and gotten a license?

[hamster-bamster]

I have a new helmet. At they shop they will adjust it properly. I have reviewed the rules: they basically say that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.

Once I fell from a scooter! Not a motorized scooter, a regular scooter! I was on my way from work, to see my p-doc, the streets were wet and I FELL. If I can fall from a SCOOTER, what will happen now??

[-jimi-]

I hear ya!

I used to bike everywhere up to 20something. If I needed to go to school as a kid (which was pretty much required), I had to bike there. I took my bike on country roads just to get away from things and think. I was one with my bike. I could never imagine it being different.

You know what they say, that you never forget how to ride a bike?

You do.

I have rode horses much less than bikes. Still horse riding was quite easy getting back into. Bikes not so much.

I hadn't been on a bike for over 15 years. And I'm taking off to our summer house and I'm thinking maybe if I want to, I can bike into town for shopping and visiting the library. In the past it would been a piece of cake, just a bit boring, since it was quite far away.

I'm glad I didn't set the plans to depend on the bike. I had food and some books. But I thought how much faster it would be to bike down to the lake and wash, instead of walking. It's only a mile so it really doesn't take that long walking either, but I get on the bike and get going. Maybe it would have been better having a better bike, not biking on a dirt road and so on, but... I just couldn't wrap my head around it.

I could go downhill pretty OK, just focus on steering. Having to peddle and steer and think of what I'm doing, too much both physically and mentally.

Suddenly I forget how I steer and brake. I'm not going any fast speeds so I simply sort of get off and put my foot down, or I would have ended up in the ditch.

If you're laughing now, it's fine!

Anyway, that said, you will do better than me! And practice in a safe spot!

[hamster-bamster]

Thank you - I should practice in a safe spot and get familiar with how the brakes work.

[hamster-bamster]

I biked for almost two hours with no anxiety! Felt really confident in how my brakes work and went on a variety of roads including an exressway. Did not ride my commute route, but covered a longer distance overall. My butt hurts, but I was told that it is to be expected and I should wait for 1-2 weeks to get used to the bike. If my butt still hurts after two weeks, they will find me a padded ladies' seat. I was frustrated because I do have chamois on and still the butt hurts.

But no anxiety, so that is good news.

[hamster-bamster]

It is dark. I am afraid to go in the dark.

[-jimi-]

You seem to done really good.

[hamster-bamster]

Thank you! I just need to muster some courage - eventually, not right away - to ride in in the dark. I have the lights and reflectors so I am legal to ride in the dark.

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Thank you! I just need to muster some courage - eventually, not right away - to ride in in the dark. I have the lights and reflectors so I am legal to ride in the dark.

I love riding in the dark but I understand how you feel. I choose my nighttime riding place carefully. It's therapeutic to me.
I'm glad it's going well. Biking is fun. I'd get that fat seat if I were you... be as comfy as possible. They did explain how to set the seat height didn't they? That's really important if you're going to be commuting. There are other tweaks to increase pedal power efficiency too.
Have fun

[hamster-bamster]

Well, I am a bike commuter now! I printed out Google Maps but... the directions were wrong. So I found my way by myself, riding through nondescript business parks that I had never seen before. 30 mins or so... cool.

George, I will until the end of the week and then go buy the fat seat you mentioned. I do want to be comfortable!

[-jimi-]

Almost envious here. I remember how biking could take me quite far without much effort, walking doesn't really cut it even though I'm a proud walker. I could go anywhere in a flash.

But guess have to just accept how it is. I can walk and I can fix up my moped. One or both of my knees go out if I bike, why I stopped, so not much of a choice. Still that episode was unbelievable... LOL.

[metamorphosis12]

I cycle all the time. The more you use the bike; The more comfortable you become. I suggest using bike paths at first or parks or at least biker friendly roads. I live in CO. and there is a bike map for the entire metro area and more. We are lucky here, as we have a lot of open space, a bike friendly culture and a lot of bike paths throughout the metro area. Over 100 miles of them, I do believe.