Improving on the bike

It really depends on how much you ride.  If you're riding one day a week, you'll rarely see any gains.  I noticed on your logs that you only have 116 miles in 2009, so I'm assuming there's miles that aren't logged, or you need to get out and ride more.

You hear this a lot on here, "Ride more, and ride lots!"

Cycling groups are good, but they can also be a trap.  They can force you to go faster, but if you get used to people in front of you breaking the wind, you may be in for a surprise once you get back to solo riding.  I had this happen last year, I rode with the local groups for about 3 months before my first tri, and I only started doing solo rides a few weeks beforehand.  What a difference!  Needless to say I do most of my rides solo or split group/solo time.

It's one of the "it all depends" situations.  I personally don't have much of a problem riding on the road.  My wife, she doesn't like it.

When I was a kid I had a moped and I also rode a motorcycle a number of years, so maybe I'm used to being vulnerable on the road, so jumping on a bicycle was no big deal to me.

Some people get used to it quicker then others.  It also depends on the road.  If it's early in the morning on country roads, no problem.  If its later in the day, those same country roads get full of a lot of traffic, going fast, and not paying attention.  I still don't like to ride on them.

You may never get used to the idea, but with time you'll learn to deal with it.

I do have more miles logged but not a whole lot more.  I definitely just need to get out there and crank out the miles.  I'm just wondering how long it'll be before I stop wanting to crap my pants whenever a car comes up behind me.

Edited by happyshoes 2009-08-06 10:04 AM

I think group riding once a week is one of the best way to get faster on the bike and helps you to learn how to ride well.  Depending on the group, you may be dropped if they are significantly faster, but this will also help you to learn to push yourself.  Obviously, a group that is full of experienced roadies trying to average a 25 mph pace line is something to be avoided.  BTW - stay out of aero if you ride a tri bike in a group.

6 months of riding around 100 miles per week made me feel strong.  500 hours over 2 years put me in the top 10% (bike split) of most local races.

Edited by jcbolton 2009-08-06 10:34 AM

How familiar are you with the area you currently live in?  Take some time to drive around, look for quality of roads, road width (bike lanes, breakdown lanes, or shoulder), and amount of car traffic.  Sounds like you would be riding more if you weren't hesitant with cars around.  OK, find roads that are less traveled.  I use mapmyride.com to plan out different rides around where I live.  I generally don't mind cars too much, but I do look for quality of road and a little extra room on the side.  The more you ride, the more comfortable you'll become.

My advice for the cars is..DON"T LOOK BACK!!! just stay on the right side of the road..and they will either slow down, go around you. If you are always looking back, you tend to bob and weave on the road, and that is not good espically if a car is going around you. Just duck your head, and get in a groove and try not to look back all the time. My 2 cents.

Make yourself get on your bike at least 3 times per week and ride.  Even if it is only for 30 minutes at a time.  Within a month you should be good to go.  Also, don't be afraid to hook up with a group ride.  You will learn what to do and what not to do and you will feel safer in numbers. 

You will be fine.  Just ride.

Sounds like finding a kind BTer from your area and riding with them might be helpful or a group ride geared more for recreational riders...so folks are laid back and helpful...club as opposed to a team.

You may want to post in your State forum and see if you can find anyone to ride with. I've met lots of wonder BT folks from my area to train with.

From your post it seems like you have a confidence issue and also just need more time riding.

I rode as a kid a lot so riding on the road never bothered me so I'll let others help you with that.

Finding less travel roads with big shoulders will help. I often follow "paint" on the road that is marking for bike rides. I just follow it and see where it goes and often find great new places to ride.

How long does it take to improve? Depends where you came from. I was overweight Mom to 5 and it took 2 years to go from 12 mph rider to doing 18-20 in races with lots of riding and a new bike or two.