first lone ride.
why is it that riding by myself... in a group... i have no problem doing.
but riding by myself... by. myself.... that suddenly i get really scared?!
i am almost always in the back of the pack. last year i was so far back that i was almost always riding alone, unable to even keep the pack in my sight, much less call what i was doing anything resembling riding with them.
but by myself, by myself, and that's like a whole new ball game.
today i have to ride 2.5 hours, outside.
the weatherman says supposedly its going to get up to 60 degrees today, but that there will be weather-alert like winds.
sweet!.
*groan*
so right now... i'm kind of waiting it out.
i know that at some point i'll have to actually just get on with it, and head out on my own, but..
my fear of making left hand turns (having to change lanes. on MISSION ROAD!!?! and do so without cutting any cars off and/or getting myself hit?!
yeah. i scared.) is making this whole "get out there and RIDE!!" thing a little problematic.
i'm all for being courageous, not needing anyone to hold my hand, and declaring my independence as i streak down the road on my bike, but..
ya know.
i'd like to do all that without getting killed!
Comments
When? NOW!!!
Get moving.
Posted by: greyhound | March 25, 2008 08:24 AM
The solution is to just do your entire ride without making a single left hand turn. Maybe that means you ride around your block for 2.5 hours, but you are still getting it done :-)
Posted by: Danielle in Iowa | March 25, 2008 09:40 AM
And I thought I was the only one with these thoughts and issues!!! I haven't been out yet! Too cold... Too dark... TOo windy. At some point I'm going to have to suck it up and pray hard and get out there!!!
Posted by: trigirl | March 25, 2008 11:53 AM
If you figure out the answer to your question please let me know. I spent all day Sunday in my riding gear but the bike never came out of the trainer. I have the same problem :-(
I have found that if I just GO it's fine. Thinking about it - not so good.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 25, 2008 12:50 PM
until you're comfortable moving through traffic, i recommend crossing and turning through the pedestrian crosswalks. that helped me in the beginning. but yeah, get out there!!!
Posted by: monica | March 25, 2008 05:00 PM
Hey, just posting to let you know that I have been frequenting your blog for some time and am just totally rooting for you! As a new-ish runner, I'm inspired by all that you are doing.
I'm local, so perhaps I'll see you at a race one day! Good luck on the road.
Posted by: Lacey | March 25, 2008 09:59 PM
I'm kinda the same way. With traffic in the suburban DC area and the maniac drivers, I avoid the roads. Fortunately, we're blessed with some pretty good bike & pedestrian trails around here. So I load my bike in the car and drive a couple of miles to the nearest bike trail. No bike trails where you are?
Posted by: Cliff | March 25, 2008 11:25 PM
You need to go to the downtown airport and ride! Have you been? 3.7 miles with little to no traffic and flat as a pancake.
Posted by: Andrea | March 26, 2008 07:53 AM
there is something wonderful about riding a bike into a killer headwind.
wait...
no there isn't.
keep worrying about the traffic when you ride. the day you stop worrying is the day you take a chevy tahoe right in the butt. and that almost never feels good.
Posted by: good ol' j. | March 26, 2008 10:39 AM
you are not alone. this is why i don't go on the group rides a lot-being left in the dust. downtown airport is definitely worth the drive--but bring music or you'll die of boredom!
Posted by: sarah | March 26, 2008 11:07 AM
ohh, i'm the same way. i hate biking by myself. i just can't bring myself to go out there alone - i might get stolen or something else awful will happen! not that that could happen to you....
Posted by: Becca | March 26, 2008 11:34 AM